In a devastating incident in Kashmir's Baisaran Valley, at least 24 tourists have been reported killed by militants in one of the most severe attacks on civilians in the region's recent history. Prime Minister Modi condemned the violence, promising swift justice for those responsible.
Tragic Attack on Tourists in Kashmir Leaves 24 Dead
Tragic Attack on Tourists in Kashmir Leaves 24 Dead
Gunmen target visiting tourists in a popular area of Kashmir, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries.
Militants opened fire on a group of tourists in the scenic Baisaran Valley of Kashmir on Tuesday, resulting in at least 24 deaths and many injuries, as reported by local media. This tragic event marks one of the most significant assaults on civilians in the historically unstable region in several years, according to Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a "terror act," vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice. The violent confrontation occurred near Pahalgam, a town frequented by tourists for its beautiful landscapes. Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes as vacationers fled the shooting; some victims were rescued on horseback and by all-terrain vehicles.
An injured survivor, Binu Bhai, described the chaos, detailing the horrifying sight of bodies scattered on the ground as gunmen fired from concealed positions. The Kashmir region has a long history of separatist violence, exacerbated by a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947, leading to thousands of deaths over the decades.
While unrest has diminished in past years following the revocation of Kashmir's special status by the Modi administration, the region remains under heavy military oversight. This attack raises serious concerns about safety in an area that the Indian government has promoted as a tourism hotspot, aiming to project stability and encourage visitors.
