Tragedy Strikes Kashmir: 24 Tourists Killed in Gunman Attack

In a shocking display of violence, at least 24 tourists lost their lives in Kashmir, as gunmen opened fire on a group in the Baisaran Valley, leading to the worst civilian attack in years.

On Tuesday, a picturesque part of Indian-controlled Kashmir witnessed an unprecedented attack when militants targeted a group of tourists, resulting in at least 24 fatalities and numerous injuries, according to local sources. Situated in a region renowned for its stunning landscapes, the Baisaran Valley, close to Pahalgam, has been a popular retreat for Indian visitors. Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, characterized the incident as the gravest assault on civilians in recent years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, labeling it a "terror assault" and affirming a commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos, with injured tourists being evacuated via horseback and all-terrain vehicles. Among the wounded was Binu Bhai, who reported witnessing multiple lifeless bodies while the gunmen fired from behind foliage.

Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, has seen decades of separatist tensions resulting in thousands of casualties. However, incidents of violence had decreased recently after the Modi administration revoked the region’s special status in 2019, taking control of its governance. Stringent security measures were put in place, including significant military presence, to enforce order and stabilize the area.

Encouraged by the government, domestic tourism in Kashmir has surged, intended to cultivate an image of normalcy in the troubled region, but this deadly attack raises serious concerns regarding safety and the long-standing undercurrents of violence that still plague the area.