Mass Shooting in Kashmir Targets Hindu Tourists: 26 Killed, Over 20 Injured

A brutal terrorist attack has claimed the lives of 26 Hindu tourists and left more than 20 others injured in Pahalgam, a popular hill town in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident occurred late Thursday evening when gunmen opened fire on a convoy of tourist buses near the Lidder River, causing widespread panic and bloodshed.

Attack Details
Eyewitnesses report that the attackers used automatic rifles and grenades, targeting the buses in a planned ambush. The attack took place as tourists were returning from a sightseeing excursion. Locals and other travelers scrambled for safety as bullets tore through the vehicles.

The area, usually bustling with visitors drawn to its natural beauty, turned into a scene of horror as victims lay wounded on the road. Emergency responders and security forces quickly arrived, and a manhunt is now underway in the surrounding forests and hills.

Claim of Responsibility
The Resistance Front (TRF), an outfit linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the massacre through an online statement. The group cited its resistance to what it calls the "forced demographic engineering" of Jammu and Kashmir following the Indian government's abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

According to their statement, the attack was "a warning to outsiders" and a message against "settler colonialism" in the valley.

Government Response
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack, calling it “heinous and cowardly.” In an official statement, he said:

“This attack on innocent lives is an attack on the soul of India. We will not rest until justice is served.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called for an emergency meeting with top security officials and has dispatched additional paramilitary forces to the region. Intelligence agencies across the country are now on high alert.

Casualties and Relief Efforts
Authorities are in the process of identifying the victims. Several critically injured individuals have been airlifted to hospitals in Srinagar and Anantnag. Emergency blood donation drives have been launched, and helplines have been set up for families of the victims.

Impact and Public Reaction
The attack has sent shockwaves through India. Candlelight vigils are being held in major cities, and leaders across the political spectrum have expressed grief and outrage.

Pahalgam, a key route for the Amarnath Yatra and a well-loved tourist destination, had seen relative calm in recent years. Thursday’s massacre marks a grim setback for peace and tourism in the valley.

Security Tightened
Security has been ramped up across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in areas frequented by tourists and pilgrims. Road checkpoints, drone surveillance, and intelligence gathering have been intensified.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant but not to give in to fear.

Author: Global Ripple

Posted on: April 23, 2025