Pahalgam Attack Leaves Tourists Dead, Kashmir Violence
The death toll is expected to rise as some people are still unaccounted for, and the government has launched anti-terror operations to neutralize the terrorists. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of tourists in the region, and authorities are working to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
At least five people, reportedly tourists, have been killed in a sudden attack by gunmen in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir, sparking chaos and panic among visitors.
The attack occurred at Baisaran, a mountain-top meadow, where witnesses described scenes of chaos as people ran, cried, and shouted after the sudden attack. Multiple tourists have been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds, and authorities have deployed the army and police to the scene to search for the perpetrators.
The region's Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, described the attack as "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years," highlighting the severity of the incident. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, and Home Minister Amit Shah will travel to Srinagar for an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
The attack is the latest incident of violence in the region, which has seen decades of insurgency and fighting between India and Pakistan over the territory. Despite a decrease in violence in recent years, the region remains volatile, with tens of thousands of deaths reported since the insurgency began in 1989.
The government has assured that it will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of tourists, and an emergency help desk has been established for tourists. The attack has been condemned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said that the perpetrators will face the harshest consequences.