Pahalgam (J&K), April 22 : In a brutal act of terror, gunmen opened fire on a popular tourist spot near Pahalgam, often dubbed Kashmir’s "mini Switzerland," killing 26 people—most of them tourists—in the deadliest civilian attack in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama incident.
Among the victims were two foreign nationals from the UAE and Nepal, as well as two local residents, a senior official confirmed. The identities of the remaining victims are still being verified.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the incident, calling it “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”
The assault occurred around 3 PM on Tuesday, just as the region's tourist and trekking season was gaining pace. The timing of the attack also coincided with the visit of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to India, raising concerns over regional stability.
