On April 14, 2025, at least 26 people were killed when gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in India-occupied Kashmir. The attack, one of the worst on civilians in recent years, took place in Pahalgam, a popular tourist spot in the Muslim-majority region. While the official death toll has not been confirmed, various sources reported that the toll ranged from 20 to 26, with many others injured.
The gunmen attacked the tourists in a remote area off the road. Witnesses described hearing what they initially thought were firecrackers, only to realize it was gunfire as panic spread. One eyewitness recounted running for four kilometers to escape the violence. Several wounded individuals were transported to local hospitals, with some suffering gunshot wounds, including a bullet injury to the neck.
Authorities identified a group called “Kashmir Resistance” as the perpetrators, claiming responsibility in a social media post. The group expressed discontent with the settlement of outsiders in the region, a controversial decision that has sparked tensions. Over 84,000 non-locals have been granted domicile rights in recent years, which the group claimed could lead to “demographic change.”
The attack occurred against the backdrop of an insurgency that has affected the region since 1989. The insurgency has claimed tens of thousands of lives, although violence had diminished in recent years. Despite this, attacks on tourists in the region are not common, but they have occurred occasionally, such as a deadly attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in June 2024.
This attack came just a day after US Vice President JD Vance began a visit to India, underscoring the international significance of the violence. The United States strongly condemned the attack, with President Donald Trump expressing full support for India in its fight against terrorism. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other officials vowed swift action against the perpetrators.
The attack has sparked strong reactions from political leaders, including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who described the killings as “heartbreaking” and urged the government to take responsibility. In response, India’s Home Minister Amit Shah announced that he was heading to the region to hold a security meeting, emphasizing that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice.
This tragic event highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the volatility that continues to surround Kashmir’s political and territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.
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