At least 26 dead in deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir

In a horrific incident on April 22, 2025, at least 26 people were killed and 17 others wounded when gunmen opened fire on a gathering of tourists in Pahalgam, a picturesque town in Indian-administered Kashmir, recognized for its natural beauty and trekking routes. The assault marks one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Kashmir in years, igniting public outrage and fears of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The group claiming responsibility for the attack, The Resistance Front (TRF), characterized the victims as 'outsiders attempting to settle illegally' and connected the violence to the recent issuance of residency permits to non-locals in the region. Since the Indian government revoked Kashmir's semi-autonomous status in 2019, there have been significant shifts in both the political landscape and the security dynamics of the region, which has been marred by a decade-spanning insurgency against Indian rule. The victims were predominantly Indian tourists, with reports indicating that at least one foreign national from Nepal was also killed. The attack shocked local leaders and returning tourists alike, causing widespread panic and a steep decline in tourism as reports of fears and cancellations proliferated. As Indian authorities commenced a manhunt for the attackers, security measures around popular tourist attractions are anticipated to increase, further complicating the already fragile state of normalcy that the Indian government has claimed to restore in Kashmir. Critics have argued that incidents like these underscore the discrepancies between the government's reassuring narrative and the ground realities faced by the inhabitants of the region. The attack has received international condemnation, drawing attention from notable leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing global concern regarding terrorism in the region. The Indian government's response—including possible retaliation against suspected militants and their sponsors in Pakistan—could escalate tensions further. This incident highlights the complex interplay of political, social, and security crises that continue to plague Kashmir, revealing the fragility of peace in a region that has been a flashpoint for conflict between India and Pakistan for decades.