Dozens of people are feared dead in a terrorist attack in Kashmir, known as India’s paradise, on Tuesday, April 22. Terrorists opened fire on tourists in the incident. Local authorities have called it a terrorist attack and blamed militants.
“This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years,” Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on social media.
He also said, “The death toll is still being ascertained so I don’t want to get into those details.”
However, AFP reported that Indian police said at least 24 people were killed in the terror attack, which coincided with the visit to India of US Vice President JD Vance, who is with his wife and children on a four-day private visit, which begins on Monday, April 21, although he is also promoting trade relations.
Although Vance is on a four-day private visit, he is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss economic, trade, and geopolitical ties, which will help further strengthen US-India ties.
What To Know
Initial reports said that gunmen opened fire indiscriminately on tourists visiting Baisaran meadow, about 5 km from the resort town of Pahalgam in the disputed region, where the militants’ main target was Indians.
Police said that several tourists were shot in the terrorist attack and were being taken to the hospital by officials. Following the incident, police and soldiers surrounded the area and launched a search operation to find the terrorists.
The meadow of Pahalgam is a popular tourist attraction, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and pine forests. Many tourists come to visit it every day.
Kashmir Militants
Powerful India and Pakistan are bitter rivals, each controlling parts of Kashmir while both claim the entire territory.
Pakistan-backed militants in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir have been fighting against New Delhi’s rule since 1989. According to Newsweek, many Muslims support the Kashmiri rebels’ goal of uniting the region under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
India has repeatedly said that militancy in Kashmir is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. However, Pakistan denies India’s allegations, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle.
Droupadi Murmu and Narendra Modi’s reaction
Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kashmir by posting on “X.”
The President of India has said that the terrorist attack on tourists in Kashmir is shocking and painful, a heinous and inhuman act that must be condemned unequivocally.
This article uses reporting by the Newsweek.
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