In a tragic escalation of violence in Indian-controlled Kashmir, at least 26 tourists were killed and over three dozen injured in a brutal attack at a popular resort near Pahalgam, police confirmed Tuesday. The assailants, believed to be militants, opened fire at close range in the scenic Baisaran meadow, a well-known tourist destination surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pine forests.
Authorities have labeled the assault a major terror attack — the deadliest in recent years targeting civilians in the region. Most of the victims were Indian nationals, according to senior police officials. The attackers fled the scene, prompting a widespread manhunt by police and paramilitary forces.
“This is an unprecedented and cowardly attack on innocent visitors,” said Omar Abdullah, a former chief minister of the region. “It marks a disturbing shift in tactics, as tourists have historically been spared in this conflict.”
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar to coordinate a high-level security review and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. “We will respond with the harshest consequences,” he stated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short his diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to India to oversee the situation. International condemnation poured in, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance calling the attack “devastating” and pledging solidarity with India. Global leaders, including those from Russia and Italy, echoed their support.
The attack underscores the volatile state of affairs in Kashmir, a region long disputed by India and Pakistan. Despite increased tourism and New Delhi’s push to showcase stability, underlying tensions remain high, especially since the revocation of the region’s special status in 2019.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Modi government’s claims of peace in Kashmir, urging accountability and a reassessment of security measures.
While tourism had become a symbol of hope in the valley, this attack shatters the fragile illusion of normalcy and revives fears of further unrest in the region.
