Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
At least 28 individuals lost their lives following an attack by suspected militants at a popular tourist site in Indian-administered Kashmir, coinciding with a visit from US Vice President JD Vance.
The incident took place in Baisaran Valley, known for its stunning meadows in Pahalgam, situated approximately 90 kilometers south of Srinagar, the main city of the region. Officials are labeling this as one of the most severe attacks on civilians witnessed in recent years.
The shooting unfolded around 3 PM local time when gunmen, who reportedly emerged from the nearby mountains, began firing on tourists from a dense pine forest.
Disturbing videos circulated on social media showed injured tourists surrounded by blood, while their family members cried out for assistance. Given the area’s limited access, helicopter services were called upon to transport the injured to safety.
A local tour guide described the chaotic scene to AFP, stating that he arrived after the gunfire commenced and used horseback to carry some of the injured away. “I witnessed men lying on the ground, seemingly lifeless,” shared the guide, known only as Waheed.
One of the survivors recounted to PTI, “My husband was shot in the head, and seven others sustained injuries during the mayhem.”
Omar Abdullah, the leading elected representative in the region, expressed his shock on social media, noting, “This incident is far more significant than any recent violence directed at civilians.”
Authorities indicated that the deceased included tourists from the Indian states of Karnataka, Odisha, and Gujarat, as well as two foreign nationals. Six additional individuals sustained injuries.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as “a heinous act,” asserting that those responsible would be held accountable. “Their malicious agenda will never succeed. Our commitment to combatting terrorism is resolute and will only intensify,” he stated in a social media post while in Saudi Arabia.
The attack site was quickly cordoned off as police commenced operations to locate the attackers.
Local police reports suggest that two to three gunmen rained gunfire upon the tourists before fleeing the area, which is accessible solely by foot or horseback.
A witness told India Today, “The shooting happened right in front of us. Initially, we thought it was just firecrackers, but when we heard the screams, we fled for our lives.”
Another unnamed witness recounted, “We ran for four kilometers without stopping. I am still shaking.”
Protests erupted across various regions in Indian-administered Kashmir, denouncing the attack. A rally led by right-wing vigilantes in Jammu attributed blame to Pakistan.
A group identifying itself as “Kashmir Resistance” claimed responsibility for the assault through a statement on social media, citing outrage over the immigration of over 85,000 “outsiders,” which they argue is altering the demographic makeup of the region.
Kashmir has been a contentious region claimed entirely by both India and Pakistan, leading to militant violence since the onset of an anti-Indian insurgency in 1989.
While violent occurrences have decreased in recent years, tens of thousands have died due to ongoing conflict.
India revoked Kashmir’s autonomy in 2019, bifurcating the region into two federally governed territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Quick Guide
Kashmir
Show
Who controls Kashmir?
The Himalayan foothills have been at the heart of a territorial dispute since the creation of India and Pakistan in 1947.
Both nations claim full control of the region, but each administers only a segment, demarcated by one of the most militarized borders in the world, known as the “line of control,” established after a 1947-48 conflict. Additionally, China governs another portion in the east.
India and Pakistan have fought two further wars over Kashmir, the latest occurring in 1999, with artillery and gunfire still regularly exchanged along the border.
How did the dispute begin?
Following the partition of colonial India in 1947, numerous semi-autonomous “princely states” had the option to join either India or Pakistan. The ruler of Kashmir hesitated until tribal militias from Pakistan invaded, prompting Kashmir to seek assistance from India and sign a treaty of accession for military support.
In 1948, the UN Security Council called for a referendum to determine Kashmir’s future allegiance, but the vote has never been held.
Initially, Kashmir enjoyed considerable autonomy under India’s 1950 constitution, which has been gradually eroded through subsequent interventions in governance and electoral processes.
What was Kashmir’s special status?
From May 14, 1954, Kashmir’s special status allowed it to maintain a separate constitution, flag, and autonomy in most matters aside from defense and foreign relations under Article 370.
Article 35A restricted land purchases to local residents, which many believed was essential for preserving the region’s demographic composition. However, pressure mounted from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to revoke these provisions, which was viewed as a long-standing goal of its Hindu nationalist base. Critics warned that removing these rules would incite unrest.
On October 31, 2019, the Indian government officially annulled Kashmir’s special status, asserting it was always intended to be a temporary arrangement. Detractors argued this decision would exacerbate tensions with Pakistan and deepen resentment among Kashmiris, already grappling with an insurgency against Indian governance.
What are the militants’ objectives?
An armed insurgency against Indian authority in Kashmir has persisted for the past thirty years. Previous conflicts largely involved fighters from Pakistan and Afghanistan, but local participation has risen significantly, especially following violent crackdowns on protests in 2016.
For many Indians, the control of Kashmir symbolizes the nation’s commitment to religious plurality. In contrast, Pakistan views it as the final stronghold of Muslims in South Asia.
In addition to their motivations for this attack, local authorities suggested it was strategically aimed at instilling fear among tourists visiting the region.
Vance condemned the “horrific attack,” extending his condolences on social media, stating, “Usha and I are deeply saddened by the devastating terrorist assault in Pahalgam, India. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims as they navigate through this tragic time.”
The incident marks a significant shift in the regional conflict, where tourists had historically been largely untouched by violence, despite recent targeted killings of Hindus and migrant workers following the revocation of Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019 and severe restrictions on dissent and civil liberties.
Baisaran is a popular attraction for thousands of domestic visitors, particularly during the warmer summer months when temperatures rise across mainland India.
In response to the attack, Indian army and paramilitary forces have been mobilized to search for the perpetrators. There has been a noticeable increase in assaults on security personnel in the region’s rugged terrain in recent years.
Kashmir continues to be one of the most militarized locales globally, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan, though each governs only a fragment of it. The conflict has led to multiple wars and ongoing hostilities between the two nations.
Source
www.theguardian.com