ALBAWABA- At least 26 people were killed and 12 others injured in a brutal armed attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Kashmir’s Islamabad district on Tuesday.
Local sources reported that unidentified gunmen opened fire on a group of non-local Indian tourists visiting the scenic Baisaran meadow, about five kilometers from the resort town of Pahalgam.
Several of the wounded were rushed to local hospitals, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Police have described the incident as a “terror attack,” heightening concerns over security in the heavily militarized and politically sensitive region. The identity and affiliation of the attackers remain unknown.
The assault comes at a time of high geopolitical activity. U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in India just a day earlier, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a high-profile visit to Saudi Arabia earlier today.
In response to the attack, Modi condemned the violence in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), expressing condolences to the victims' families and vowing justice.
“I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," Modi posted.
"Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice... their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and will only grow stronger,” Modi added.
This latest incident adds to the volatility of Kashmir, a region whose status has long been disputed between India and Pakistan.
Tensions escalated further after the Indian government revoked Article 370 on August 5, 2019, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomy, a move that drew widespread condemnation from Islamabad and reignited unrest.
