At least 26 visitors were killed and ten injured when suspected militants opened fire at a popular local tourist site in Kashmir during US President JD Vance’s scheduled four-day visit.
The majority of the victims were Indian, while two foreign nationals were also reported to have died.
The attack took place in the Baisaran Valley, a lovely meadow in Pahalgam, a well-known tourist resort located 30 miles south-east of Srinagar, the region’s main metropolis, in what officials are calling the worst attack on civilians in recent years.
At around 3 p.m. local time, a gang of shooters appeared from a dense pine forest, appearing to approach vacationers from the direction of the surrounding mountains.
Graphic videos circulated by locals on social media depicted injured tourists sprawled in pools of blood, as their relatives cried out and begged for assistance. Because of the area’s limited road access, helicopter services were utilized to evacuate the injured.
A local tour guide recounted to the AFP news agency that he arrived at the scene after hearing gunfire and helped transport some of the wounded on horseback. “I observed several men sprawled on the ground, appearing lifeless,” stated Waheed, who provided only a single name. A female survivor shared with the PTI news agency: “My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack.”
Omar Abdullah, the highest elected official in the region, stated on social media: “This attack is significantly larger than any we’ve witnessed aimed at civilians in recent years.”
Officials reported that the deceased comprised tourists hailing from the Indian states of Karnataka, Odisha, and Gujarat, along with two foreign nationals. At least six additional individuals sustained injuries. India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, condemned the “heinous act” that interrupted a visit to Saudi Arabia.
“Those responsible for this atrocious act will face justice … they will not escape consequences.” Their malevolent plans are destined to fail. “Our determination to combat terrorism is unwavering and will only intensify,” stated Modi, who had a meeting with Vance the previous day.
In a call with Modi late on Tuesday, Donald Trump conveyed his “full support” to India, according to Delhi’s foreign ministry. The area of the assault was secured as law enforcement initiated a mission to locate the assailants.
Local police officials report that two to three gunmen unleashed gunfire on tourists in the area, which can only be reached on foot or horseback, before escaping the scene.
A witness told India Today: “The shooting happened right in front of us.” Initially, we believed it was merely firecrackers, but upon hearing the screams of others, we hurried out to ensure our safety. Another witness, who chose to remain anonymous, stated: “We didn’t stop running for 4km. I remain in a state of tremor.
Protests broke out in multiple regions of Indian-administered Kashmir in response to the attack, featuring a rally spearheaded by rightwing vigilantes in Jammu who placed the blame on Pakistan.
A militant group calling itself “Kashmir Resistance” has taken responsibility for the attack in a message posted on social media. The group expressed frustration regarding the settlement of more than 85,000 “outsiders” by India, claiming it was leading to a significant “demographic change” in the area.
The mountain region is entirely claimed but partially governed by both India and Pakistan, and has experienced significant militant violence since the onset of an anti-Indian insurgency in 1989. While tens of thousands of people have lost their lives, the intensity of violence has diminished in recent years. In 2019, India revoked the special status of Kashmir as an autonomous state, dividing it into two federally administered territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
This enabled local authorities to grant domicile rights to outsiders, permitting them to secure employment and purchase land within the territory. Officials have characterized the assault as deliberate, aimed at instilling fear in the tourists who are visiting Kashmir.
Tuesday’s attack appears to mark a significant change in the regional conflict, where tourists have, for many years, largely been shielded from violence. This comes in the wake of a series of targeted killings of Hindus, including immigrant workers from Indian states, following New Delhi’s decision to revoke the region’s semi-autonomy in 2019 and impose severe restrictions on dissent, civil liberties, and media freedoms.
The Baisaran area draws a significant number of Indian tourists each day, particularly in the summer months when temperatures rise in mainland India.
The Indian army and paramilitary forces have been sent to the area to locate the attackers. In recent years, security forces in the region’s mountainous and forested areas have faced a growing threat from militants.
Kashmir stands as one of the most heavily militarized regions globally, claimed entirely by both India and Pakistan, despite each governing only a portion. The two nations have engaged in numerous conflicts regarding the territory.
