A group of 23 tourists from Kerala narrowly escaped a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, after opting out of a costly horse ride. Instead of following the usual tourist path, they chose to take a taxi to a different sightseeing location, a decision that ultimately saved their lives. As they were en route to Baisaran, they heard loud noises and witnessed chaos as shops closed and people fled.
Initially unaware of the danger, the group sought guidance from their tour guide, who emphasized the seriousness of the situation. They were quickly returned to their taxi pick-up point and later learned about the attack’s severity upon reaching their hotel. One member reflected on how close they came to tragedy, noting that had they gone on the horse ride, they could have been among the casualties.
While grateful for their safety, the survivors expressed concerns about security measures at tourist sites. They noted the presence of security personnel on the roads but highlighted a lack of protection at popular locations, which may have contributed to the attack. The incident, which resulted in 26 deaths, marked one of the deadliest events in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama attack, with many victims being tourists.
