Dozens killed in Tourist Bus attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025

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At least 24 people were killed on Tuesday when gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam, a popular summer retreat in Indian-administered Kashmir. Authorities have labelled the massacre the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in years, calling it a “terror attack.”
The attack occurred roughly 90 kilometers from Srinagar. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as shots rang out. Local tour guide Waheed said he transported the wounded on horseback, noting several victims appeared dead at the scene.
No group has claimed responsibility, but security officials suspect insurgent involvement. A senior police officer, speaking anonymously, confirmed the death toll and described the incident as a “massacre.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the “heinous act,” vowing that those responsible “will be brought to justice.” Interior Minister Amit Shah is en route to the attack site, stating that the perpetrators will face “the harshest consequences.”
The killings occurred a day after Modi met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is currently visiting India. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the killings “heartbreaking,” urging the government to take responsibility and ensure safety for civilians.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attack. Abdullah said it was “much larger than anything we’ve seen in recent years,” while Mufti called the incident “cowardly and inhuman.”
Medics in Anantnag hospital reported multiple wounded victims, including at least two with gunshot wounds. The attack has raised concerns over the safety of tourism in Kashmir, which saw a record 3.5 million visitors in 2024.
The incident revives memories of past violence, including the 2019 Pulwama bombing and the 2000 Chattisinghpora massacre.