Dozens killed in deadly gun attack on tourists in Kashmir
“This was a planned terrorist act,” stated a senior police official at the scene. Security forces have launched a massive manhunt to locate and apprehend the attackers, who reportedly fled into nearby forested areas.
A horrific attack near the scenic Baisaran meadow, just outside the tourist hub of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, has left at least 24 people dead after gunmen opened fire on a group of sightseers.
The brazen assault, which occurred in broad daylight, is being described as the deadliest attack on civilians in the region in years.
Authorities say heavily armed militants ambushed the group as they were traveling by bus, unleashing a hail of bullets that instantly turned a peaceful outing into chaos.
Several others were injured in the gunfire and are being treated at local hospitals, some in critical condition.
"This was a planned terrorist act," stated a senior police official at the scene.
Security forces have launched a massive manhunt to locate and apprehend the attackers, who reportedly fled into nearby forested areas.
The attack comes at a time when Kashmir, long a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, has seen a relative increase in tourist activity.
For years, the region has been marred by conflict between Indian forces and militants demanding independence or merger with Pakistan, but assaults on tourists had become rare in recent times.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to Kashmir to oversee the investigation and emergency response.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been briefed, and he condemned the attack, calling it "a cowardly act of violence against innocent civilians."
The incident took place just as U.S. Vice President JD Vance was on an official visit to India. However, there is no indication that the attack is linked to his presence.
As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, questions are being raised about the effectiveness of security measures in a region long accustomed to strife.
For now, Kashmir has once again found itself at the center of global headlines, not for its beauty, but for a tragedy that has shocked the world.
Authorities continue to urge the public to remain vigilant, as security in the region has been significantly heightened.