In today’s special episode, we look at the recent terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir — and trace some of the deadliest attacks that have scarred the region over the past two decades.
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Welcome to Newsbreak on Manorama's Explainer Podcast, where we explain news in a clutter free manner. In today's special episode, we look at the recent terror strike in Pahlgam, Jammu, And Kashmir. And some of the deadliest attacks that have scarred the region over the past two decades. This episode contains descriptions of violence that some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.
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Pahalgam. April Twenty Twenty Five. In what is being described as the worst attack on civilians in Kashmir since Pulwama, Twenty Six people were killed and several others injured in a brutal assault at the popular tourist spot of Bessaran. Among the dead was a Navy officer on a honeymoon. The attack occurred around 3PM on Tuesday, as tourists enjoyed pony rides and picnics in the scenic Eyewitnesses described the chaos as unidentified gunmen opened fire, leaving many dead and others scrambling for safety.
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Visuals of the aftermath, though unverified, paint a grim picture of the violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a heinous act and vowed that the perpetrators would face justice. Union Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Srinagar and promised action. The army's Chinar Corps labeled it a cowardly and heart wrenching act of violence. Choppers were deployed for evacuation, with some victims carried on ponies by locals to the nearest hospital.
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Medical officials confirmed that 12 injured tourists were stable. The attack comes just weeks before the annual Amarnath Yatra, raising serious questions about security preparedness amid a revival in tourism in the valley. A history of violence. The Pahlgam tragedy adds to a long and painful list of terror attacks that have rocked Jammu and Kashmir since the turn of the century. Here's a look back at some of the major ones.
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July 2017. '8 pilgrims were killed in an attack on an Amarnath Yatra bus in Kulgam. June Two Thousand And Six. Nine Migrant Laborers from Bihar and Nepal were gunned down in Kulgam. June Two Thousand And Five: A powerful car bomb exploded outside a government school in Powama, killing 13 civilians and three CRPF personnel.
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Over 100 people were injured. March 2003, militants killed 24 Kashmiri pandits, including 11 women and two children, in Pulwama's Nandi Marg village. November 2002, an IED blast on the Jamu Srinagar Highway at Lower Munda killed 19 people, including security personnel, women, and children. February '2, terrorists attacked the Chandanwari base camp of the Amarnath Yatra, killing 11 pilgrims. 10/01/2001, a suicide attack on the Jammu and Kashmir state legislature in Srinagar killed 36 people.
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July 2001, Militants opened fire at the Seshnag base camp of the Amarnath Yatra, leaving thirteen dead. August 2000. A terror attack at the Nunwan base camp claimed 32 lives, including many Amarnath pilgrims. March 2000. In one of the earliest mass killings, 36 Sikh civilians were massacred by militants in Chattasingpura village, Anantnag.
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The deadliest in recent memory remains the Pulwama strike in February 2019, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives laden vehicle into their convoy. These incidents not only underline the long standing challenges of security in the region, but also highlight the continuing threats to both civilians and the armed forces in Kashmir. That's all for today's special news break episode narrated by AI. This explainer podcast is produced by Haritha Benjamin and airs every week on all major podcast platforms. Follow w.onmanorama.com for more updates.
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Thank you for listening.