More Than 20 Killed in Attack on Tourists in Kashmir

At least 24 people were killed when gunmen opened fire on a group of domestic tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, in one of the deadliest attacks targeting civilians in the region in recent years.

The shooting occurred in Baisaran, a scenic mountaintop meadow near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam, often referred to as the "Switzerland of India." The remote area, located roughly 5 kilometers from Pahalgam, is not accessible by vehicle, complicating rescue efforts.

Authorities report many more were injured, with several in critical condition. Graphic footage circulating on social media—some of it unverified—shows victims lying on the grass as people cry for help. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic, with tourists running and screaming as gunfire erupted.

A tourist from Gujarat who survived the attack recounted the horror: “We were enjoying the view when we suddenly heard gunshots. Everyone started running. It was chaos—people crying, shouting, trying to hide.”

Video clips shared by Indian media appear to show troops rushing toward the site, while some victims claim the gunmen deliberately targeted non-Muslims.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, officials say an intensive search operation is underway, with security forces cordoning off the area and setting up road checkpoints.

High-Level Condemnation and Emergency Response

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, vowing that those responsible would face justice.
“Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable—and it will only grow stronger,” Modi stated on X (formerly Twitter). He announced that Home Minister Amit Shah would travel to Srinagar, the region’s largest city, to oversee an emergency security review.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha confirmed the deployment of both army and police personnel to the area.

A Region Scarred by Decades of Conflict

Indian-administered Kashmir has been plagued by a violent insurgency since 1989, rooted in a separatist movement against Indian rule in the Muslim-majority region. Though violence has declined in recent years, sporadic attacks on civilians and security forces continue.

In June 2024, nine people were killed and 33 injured in a similar attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims. In 2019, a suicide bombing killed 46 Indian soldiers, triggering retaliatory airstrikes on targets in Pakistan.

The region remains a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, both of whom claim Kashmir in full. Since the revocation of the region’s semi-autonomous status in 2019, India has maintained a heavy military presence, with an estimated 500,000 troops stationed in the territory.

Impact on Tourism

The attack is a major blow to Kashmir's tourism industry, which has seen a revival in recent years. In 2024 alone, over 3.5 million tourists visited the region, drawn by its natural beauty and government efforts to promote tourism as a driver of economic growth.

Now, with the summer travel season approaching, fears are growing over the potential fallout from this deadly assault.