A gunman attack on a group of domestic tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir has killed at least two dozen people, with more than 20 victims confirmed dead and several others wounded.
The attack occurred in Pahalgam, a picturesque town often described as the “Switzerland of India”, where multiple gunmen opened fire on a crowd of tourists. The region’s chief minister, Omar Abdullah, described the incident as a significant attack on civilians.
World leaders have condemned the attacks, with US President Donald Trump calling it “deeply disturbing” and expressing support for India against terrorism. Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed condolences for the victims, while EU Chief Ursula Von der Leyen described the attack as “vile”.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to bring those responsible to justice, saying that his government’s resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable. Home Minister Amit Shah has travelled to Srinagar to hold an emergency security meeting.
The attack took place in Baisaran, a mountain-top meadow three miles from Pahalgam, and vehicles are unable to reach the area due to cordons. The Indian army and police have launched a joint search operation to find those injured or missing.
This incident is part of India’s long-standing insurgency in Kashmir, which has seen violence wane in recent years but still claims tens of thousands of lives since the 1990s.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9vyzzyjzlo