At least 24 people have lost their lives after gunmen opened fire on a group of domestic tourists in Kashmir, India. The incident occurred in Pahalgam, a scenic Himalayan town often referred to as the “Switzerland of India.”
Omar Abdullah, the region’s chief minister, described the assault as “far more severe than any civilian-targeted attack we’ve witnessed in recent years.” Numerous others were reportedly injured, with several in critical condition. World leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have strongly condemned the violence.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who ended his visit to Saudi Arabia prematurely following the attack, vowed that those responsible would “face justice.”
“Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable and it will get even stronger,”
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, India
Home Minister of India, Mr. Amit Shah is now in Srinagar, the largest city in Kashmir, on Tuesday to convene an urgent security meeting. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated that both the army and police forces had been dispatched to the site of the attack.
The assault happened in Baisaran, a hilltop meadow located about three miles (5 kilometers) from Pahalgam. The location of the shooting is inaccessible by vehicles. Victims reported that the terrorists appeared to have specifically targeted non-Muslims.
According to police, several tourists sustained gunshot injuries and have been hospitalized. The area has been sealed off, with soldiers inspecting vehicles at checkpoints. A joint search operation is currently being conducted by the Indian army and the Jammu and Kashmir police. Meanwhile, numerous protests have been held across India.
Pahalgam is a well-known tourist hotspot, attracting visitors from both within India and abroad. In recent years, the Indian government has made efforts to boost tourism in the area even further. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia and has returned immediately to India. As per reports, Prime Minister Modi has immediately on his arrival at Indian airport chaired an emergency meeting with NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Jaishankar to take details of the unfortunate terror strike. As per Indian media reports, Pakistan backed terrorists have conducted this ghastly terror strike on innocent tourists and singled out Hindu tourists to kill them.
As the nation mourns the death of 26 tourists that includes death of one Indian Navy Officer as well, security forces continue their manhunt while families of the victims wait for answers—and justice.