As many as 20 individuals are believed to have perished following an assault by alleged militants who targeted visitors in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region on Tuesday, according to statements from three security officials. This incident represents one of the most severe attacks on non-combatants in the conflict-ridden mountainous area in recent times.
The assault took place in Pahalgam, a favored location within the picturesque, mountainous area where large-scale tourism, particularly during summertime, has rebounded as terrorist activities inspired by Islamic extremism have diminished in recent times.
A security official estimated the death toll at 20; another reported it to be 24, and a third indicated it was 26. Each source requested confidentiality since they were unauthorized to communicate with the press.
\”One witness reported, \’The shooting occurred right before our eyes,\’\” said the broadcaster.
India Today
, without disclosing his identity said, “Initially, we assumed it was just fireworks going off, but when we heard others screaming, we immediately left the area… managed to save ourselves and fled.”
For four kilometers, we didn’t pause… I’m trembling,” stated another eyewitness.
India Today
.
The assault took place in a remote clearing, with approximately two or three insurgents participating.
Indian Express
The newspaper cited an unnamed high-ranking police official as the source of this information.
“The exact number of casualties is yet to be determined, hence I prefer not to delve into specific figures,” stated Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a tweet on X. “It goes without saying that this assault far surpasses any attacks targeting civilians in recent times.”
The nationalities of those who were affected had not been identified right away.
A lesser-known extremist organization called the \”Kashmir Resistance\” took credit for the assault via a social media post. They voiced their displeasure over the settlement of over 85,000 \”non-locals\” in the area, which they believe is causing a shift in demographics.
\”Consequently, violence will be directed toward those attempting to settle illegally,\” it said.
Reuters
was unable to confirm the origin of the message on my own.
India\’s Home Minister Amit Shah stated he was heading to Kashmir for an urgent security conference.
In Washington, the White House stated that U.S. President Donald Trump was updated about the attack and plans to address Prime Minister Narendra Modi “at his earliest convenience.”
A representative from the White House stated it was a \”horrific terrorist act.\”
Trump on social media called the news \”deeply disturbing.\”