On April 22, 2025, Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam—famed for its emerald slopes and pony rides—erupted in gunfire, leaving tourists scrambling and at least 26 dead.
This tranquil hill station isn’t just scenery—it’s home to pony guides, weavers, hoteliers and families whose livelihoods depend on summer visitors.
What began as a sunny afternoon picnic turned into chaos in seconds. Scenes of panic, broken families, and fleeing tourists marked those frantic minutes.
Police cordoned off the meadow, medics air‑lifted the wounded, and locals opened homes, blood banks and community halls to aid survivors.
Beyond “26 dead” are real stories—freshly‑wed officers, teachers on holiday, new parents—each life a vivid reminder of what was lost.