AT least 20 tourists have been shot dead in Indian-controlled Kashmir after gunment opened fire at a beauty spot.
Cops described the “terror attack” as being near the resort town of Pahalgam, blaming it on militants fighting Indian rule.
APParamedic carries a wounded tourist on a stretcher at a hospital in Anantnag after assailants indiscriminately fired at tourists visiting Pahalgam, Indian controlled Kashmir[/caption]
ReutersAn ambulance drives following a suspected militant attack, near Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district[/caption]
AFPUS Vice President JD Vance addresses a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur today[/caption]
Two senior officers said at least four gunmen, who they described as militants, fired at dozens of terrified tourists from close range.
The cops said that at least three dozen others were injured – many of whom are in serious condition.
Officials tragically collected at least 20 bodies in Baisaran meadow, some 5km from the disputed regions resort town of Pahalgam.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
A manhunt has been launched, with cops and soldiers searching for the attackers.
Indias home minister, Amit Shah, wrote on social media: “We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences.”
The gunfire coincided with the visit to India of US Vice President JD Vance, who called it a devastating terrorist attack.
He added on social media: “Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack.”
US President Donald Trump on social media noted “deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir”.
He added: “The United States stands strong with India against terrorism.”
The meadow in Pahalgam is a popular destination, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests.
It is visited by hundreds of tourists every day as Kashmir, known for Himalayan foothills and exquisitely decorated houseboats, has become a major domestic tourist destination.
It has drawn millions of visitors who enjoy a strange peace kept by ubiquitous security checkpoints, armored vehicles and patrolling soldiers.
Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.
Kashmir has seen a spate of targeted killings of Hindus, including immigrant workers from Indian states, after New Delhi ended the regions semi-autonomy in 2019 and drastically curbed dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms.
Tensions have been simmering as India has intensified its counterinsurgency operations.
But despite tourists flocking to Kashmir in huge numbers, they have not been targeted.
APIndian security officers patrol in armored vehicle near Pahalgam in south Kashmir[/caption]
EPASecurity forces stand guard at the government hospital in Anantnag, south of Srinagar[/caption]
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