Tourist Paradise Turns into Nightmare in Kashmir

A scenic mountain region in South Kashmir turned into the site of a brutal terror attack on Tuesday, when suspected militants opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam. According to both Indian and international media, at least 20 people were killed and over 36 injured—many of them critically.

The attack was carried out at close range, and eyewitnesses described chaos and panic. Two senior police officials, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, confirmed the recovery of 20 bodies. The French news agency AFP reported that the actual death toll may be even higher.

Pahalgam attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and tourism in the area had been on the rise as violence in Kashmir had declined. That fragile peace was shattered on Tuesday as multiple gunmen opened fire without warning.

“This attack is shocking beyond belief,” wrote former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, calling it one of the worst civilian-targeted incidents in years.

The shooting occurred as U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his family were in India on a private visit, which has drawn additional attention to the event.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack in strong terms, stating, “Those responsible will not be spared,” and adding that the country’s fight against terrorism “will only grow stronger.”

This was the deadliest attack in Kashmir since June 2024, when nine people were killed and 33 injured in a similar ambush. The region has been mired in conflict since 1989, and while violence has ebbed at times, underlying tensions remain.

India’s Home Minister Amit Shah announced he would visit the region to review security, promising “the harshest consequences” for those behind the attack.

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