At least 26 tourists have been shot dead by gunmen who opened fire at a popular holiday resort, accordnig to Indian police, in what they believe is a "terror attack".
The incident took place in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in what appeared to be a major shift in the regional conflict where tourists have largely been spared. Police officers said at least four gunmen, whom they described as militants, fired at dozens of tourists from close range in what is often described as a picturesque "Switzerland of India".
The officers said at least three dozen others were injured, many in serious condition, after the incident at 3pm local time. Indian police told The Associated Press that at least 26 people were killed and that no group had yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
A witness speaking to India Today said: “The shooting occurred right in front of us. At first we thought it was just firecrackers, but when we heard others screaming we rushed out of there to save ourselves.”
Police described the incident as a "terror attack" and blamed militants that were fighting against Indian rule.
Omar Abdullah, the region's top elected official, wrote on social media: "This attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years."
Graphic videos shared by locals on social media show injured tourists lying in pools of blood while relatives scream and plead for help. Due to the area’s lack of road access, helicopter services were deployed to evacuate the wounded.
Most of the tourists killed were Indian, officers said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with departmental policy.
Government officials said the dead include tourists from the Indian states of Karnataka, Odisha and Gujarat and two foreign nationals. At least six other people were wounded.
At least 20 bodies were collected by officials in Baisaran meadow, around three miles from the disputed region's resort town, Pahalgam.
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, said it was a "heinous act” and cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia.
He said: "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 unshakable and will only grow stronger."
India's home minister, Amit Shah, wrote on social media: "We will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences."
Soldiers are searching for the attackers.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key resistance politician and Kashmir's top religious cleric, condemned what he described as a "cowardly attack on tourists."
He said on social media that "such violence is unacceptable and against the ethos of Kashmir which welcomes visitors with love and warmth."
JD Vance is currently visiting the country, and he called the incident a "devastating terrorist attack".
He added on social media: "Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack."
US President Trump added on social media: "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against terrorism".
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, took to X to say: "The vile terror attack in Pahalgam today stole so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to Narendra Modi and every Indian heart grieving today. Yet I know that India’s spirit is unbreakable. You will stand strong in this ordeal. And Europe will stand with you."
The meadow in Pahalgam is popular among tourists as it features beautiful scenery with snow-capped mountains and pine forests.
It is visited by hundreds of tourists every day as the region of Kashmir, known for its Himalayan foothills and ornately decorated houseboats, has become a major domestic tourist destination.
But the area keeps a strange peace through security checkpoints, armoured vehicles and patrolling soldiers.
India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.
Kashmir has experienced a spate of targeted killings of Hindus, including immigrant workers from Indian states, after New Delhi ended the region's semi-autonomy in 2019 and significantly curbed dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms.
Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi's rule since 1989.
Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels' goal of uniting the territory either under Pakistani rule or as its own independent country.
India insists that the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, but Pakistan denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle.
Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
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