Terrorist Attack in Kashmir, India – Over 26 Tourists Killed | WPN World People News

A terrorist attack recently occurred in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir, resulting in at least 26 deaths and dozens of injuries. An armed group has claimed responsibility, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has issued a statement condemning the attack.

At 3 p.m. on the 22nd, gunmen launched a terrorist attack in the scenic resort town of Pahalgam, a well-known summer retreat in India. The attackers reportedly used nearby forest cover to infiltrate from the surrounding mountains before opening fire on tourists. At least 26 people were killed, most of whom were Indian tourists. Due to the area's limited accessibility—only reachable on foot or horseback—the Indian government deployed helicopters to evacuate the injured. Local police have sealed off the area and launched a full-scale manhunt.

Preliminary investigations suggest that around five to seven suspects were involved. On the 23rd, Indian security forces released photos and sketches of three male suspects, stating that they are Pakistani nationals. The Resistance Front, a faction under Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—one of South Asia’s largest and most active Islamist terrorist organizations—has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia at the time, returned to India urgently. He strongly condemned the attack as a heinous act and reaffirmed India’s strengthened resolve to combat terrorism. He convened the Cabinet Committee on Security to discuss countermeasures. Following the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Vikram Misri announced several responses: in addition to heightened domestic security measures, the Attari Integrated Check Post at the border has been temporarily closed. Pakistani nationals currently in India on SVES visas must leave within 48 hours, and further entry is now banned. Additionally, the *Indus Waters Treaty*, which governs shared water resources between India and Pakistan, has been suspended with immediate effect.

Although armed conflicts have been frequent in the Kashmir region, they had been on the decline in recent years. However, the scale of this civilian-targeted attack marks a significant and troubling escalation.