At the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag, South Kashmir, a red alert was sounded at 2:30 PM on April 22 following the brutal terror attack on tourists at Baisaran in Pahalgam. Dr. Ruksana Najeeb, the institute’s principal and a senior anesthesiologist, immediately led the hospital’s emergency response efforts.

Without hesitation, two critical care ambulances were dispatched to Pahalgam, located about 50 kilometers away. Simultaneously, hospital wards were evacuated to make room for the incoming injured. Dr. Najeeb and her team quickly prepared 30 beds, activated the blood bank and ICU, and secured the hospital premises to manage the high volume of emergency cases.

As the day unfolded and the grim news of casualties spread, ambulances from neighboring districts began arriving to assist. By late evening, more than 30 critical care ambulances had been deployed to the attack site, ensuring that victims received timely medical attention.

The GMC Anantnag, one of the largest government hospitals in South Kashmir, witnessed three long and intense nights as doctors, nurses, and staff worked tirelessly to treat survivors. Their swift, coordinated efforts were critical in saving lives in the aftermath of the devastating attack.