Indian police say gunmen kill at least 20 tourists in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India — Reports from Indian police indicate that a group of gunmen has tragically taken the lives of at least 20 tourists at a resort located in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to two senior police officers, the assailants, described as militants, opened fire at close range on a group of tourists on Tuesday, resulting in the tragic loss of life of at least 20 individuals. Additionally, numerous others sustained injuries, with many in critical condition. The officials provided this information on the condition of anonymity, in compliance with departmental protocol.

Authorities recovered the bodies of the victims from Baisaran meadow, situated approximately five kilometers (3 miles) from the resort town of Pahalgam in the disputed region.

This incident has been labeled as a “terror attack” by the police, who attribute it to militants engaged in combat against Indian governance. The targeting of tourists represents a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, where civilians have previously been spared.

Expressing his concern, Omar Abdullah, the top elected official in the region, emphasized the magnitude of the attack, stating, “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”

The perpetrators of the attack are currently being pursued by law enforcement, although no group has claimed responsibility for the atrocity.

In response to the situation, India’s home minister, Amit Shah, is en route to Srinagar, the primary city in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, has been briefed on the incident.

Assuring a firm response, Shah affirmed on social media, “We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences.”

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent Kashmiri resistance leader, condemned the attack on tourists as a “cowardly” act in a post on social media, emphasizing that such violence contradicts the values of Kashmir, known for its hospitality towards visitors.

The tragic incident coincided with the visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance to India, who expressed solidarity with the country in the face of this adversity during his personal four-day visit.

The meadow in Pahalgam, renowned for its scenic beauty with snow-capped mountains and lush pine forests, attracts numerous tourists daily, making it a popular destination.

India and Pakistan both govern parts of Kashmir, although both lay claim to the entire territory.

Recent years have witnessed a surge in targeted attacks on Hindus in Kashmir following New Delhi’s revocation of the region’s autonomy in 2019, accompanied by severe restrictions on dissent, civil liberties, and media freedom.

While violence has subsided in the Kashmir Valley, the epicenter of anti-India insurgency, clashes between government forces and insurgents have intensified in remote Jammu regions like Rajouri, Poonch, and Kathua, resulting in fatal encounters with Indian troops.

Militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir have been engaged in resistance against New Delhi’s authority since 1989, with many Kashmiri Muslims advocating for the region’s unification under Pakistani rule or as an independent nation.

India attributes the Kashmir conflict to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, a claim refuted by Pakistan, while many Kashmiris view it as a legitimate struggle for freedom. The protracted conflict has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives, including civilians, militants, and security personnel.

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This report contains contributions from Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq based in New Delhi.