At least 26 tourists have been killed after gunmen opened fire at a beauty spot in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police say.
Officers described the shooting near the resort town of Pahalgam on Tuesday as a “terror attack” and blamed it on militants fighting Indian rule.
Two senior officers said at least four gunmen fired at dozens of tourists from close range on Tuesday.
Analysis: Kashmir terror attack one of the worst in recent times
At least three dozen others were injured, with many in serious condition, according to the officers, who said most of the tourists killed were Indian.
Gunmen fired on tourists visiting Baisaran meadow, about three miles (5km) from Pahalgam.
Omar Abdullah, the region’s main elected official, said: “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.
“The death toll is still being ascertained.”
A manhunt for the attackers has been launched by police and soldiers.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi “strongly” condemned the attack.
He wrote on X: “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
“Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice… they will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable and it will get even stronger.”
The atrocity coincided with US vice president JD Vance’s four-day visit to India.
President Donald Trump said India has the full support of the US following the deadly shooting.
He wrote on Truth Social: “Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured.
“Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies.”
Indian police officers stand guard at a checkpoint following the shooting. Pic: Reuters
Hundreds of tourists flock to Baisaran meadow – a top sightseeing destination surrounded by snow-capped mountains – every day.
Kashmir has drawn thousands of summer visitors after militant violence eased in recent years.
A woman is treated in hospital after being injured in the attack. Pic: Reuters
Amit Shah, India’s home affairs minister, said he was “anguished by the terror attack”.
He added on X: “Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences.”
Mr Shah said he had briefed Mr Modi and was heading to Srinagar, the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir, for an “urgent security meeting with all the agencies”.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key Kashmiri resistance leader, condemned what he described as a “cowardly attack on tourists”.
He said on X: “Such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth. Condemn it strongly.”
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Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.
Militants in the Indian-controlled portion have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989.
Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
This story originally appeared on Skynews
