A deadly militant attack has left at least 26 people dead and 17 others injured after gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, a resort town in Indian-administered Kashmir, marking one of the deadliest civilian attacks in India in nearly two decades.
The victims, mostly Indian nationals and one Nepalese, were visiting the region known for its breathtaking Himalayan landscapes. Police officials reported that four militants opened fire from close range at three separate locations within the valley, where more than 1,000 tourists and 300 local workers were present. A little-known militant group called the “Kashmir Resistance” claimed responsibility, alleging that the group targeted individuals “linked to Indian intelligence,” a claim Indian authorities dismiss.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia to address the crisis, promising swift and strong retaliation. Kashmir’s long-standing dispute between India and Pakistan, both of whom claim the territory, remains unresolved, with this attack a brutal reminder of the fragile peace.
