Pakistan ‘concerned’ over death of tourists in Occupied Kashmir attack
Death toll in Anantnag tourists attack rises to 26: Two gunmen killed in Baramullah clash
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Pakistan has expressed concern over the loss of tourists who were killed in an attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The Foreign Office issued a statement in Islamabad on Wednesday morning regarding the attack in Held Kashmir.
Responding to media queries concerning the attack in Anantnag district of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the FO spokesperson said: “We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
Also Read: Indian media propaganda against Pakistan over Pahalgam attack again exposed
Earlier, Indian security forces in Occupied Kashmir carried out a major manhunt Wednesday, a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists, slaughtering at least 26 people in the region's deadliest attack on civilians since 2000.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi decried the "heinous act" and pledged that the attackers "will be brought to justice".
Modi, who cut short a state visit to Saudi Arabia to return to India early Wednesday, met with top security officials immediately on his arrival, a government official said.
No official toll has been released, but security sources told AFP that at least 26 people were killed on Tuesday afternoon when gunmen burst out of forests at a popular tourist spot and raked crowds of visitors with automatic gunfire.
Held Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack had been "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years".
No group has claimed responsibility.
- 'Abomination' -
"This attack on our visitors is an abomination," Abdullah said in a statement after the attack. "The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt."
AFP journalists near the site of the attack in Pahalgam, a popular site for tourists in summer some 90 kilometres by road from the key city of Srinagar, reported heavy deployment of security forces.
"The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice," the Indian army's Chinar Corps said in a statement overnight.
A tour guide in Pahalgam told AFP he reached the scene after hearing gunfire and had transported some of the wounded away on horseback.
Waheed, who gave only one name, said he saw several men lying dead on the ground, while a witness who requested anonymity said the attackers were "clearly sparing women".
Also Read: Sikh for Justice, APHC blame Modi govt, Indian agencies for Pahalgam attack
The killings came a day after Modi met US Vice-President JD Vance in New Delhi.
"Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger," Modi said in a statement shortly after the attack.
The deadliest recent attack on civilians was in March 2000, when 36 Indians were killed. That attack occurred on the eve of a visit by US president Bill Clinton.
- 'Heinous' -
The killings on Tuesday sparked global outrage.
US President Donald Trump called Modi to quickly offer "full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack".
Among the foreign leaders condemning the attack and offering support, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen pledged that "Europe will stand with you".
India has an estimated 500,000 soldiers permanently deployed in the territory but fighting has eased since Modi's government revoked Kashmir's limited autonomy in 2019.
In recent years, the authorities have promoted the mountainous region as a holiday destination, both for skiing in winter, and to escape the sweltering summer heat elsewhere in India.
Around 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir in 2024, mostly domestic visitors.
The worst attack in recent years took place in Pulwama in February 2019, when attackers rammed a car packed with explosives into a police convoy killing 40 and wounding at least 35 others.
India regularly blames Pakistan for backing gunmen behind the insurgency.
Islamabad denies the allegation, saying it only supports Kashmir's struggle for self-determination.
Also Read: Tourists flee India-occupied Kashmir after deadly attack
Survivors said the gunmen targeted men, shooting some from point-blank range.
One woman survivor reported that men in uniform emerged from surrounding forests to a meadow where tourists were enjoying the peace of nature, The Indian Express newspaper reported.
Survivors said they had assumed they were policemen.
"They were there at least for 20 minutes, undeterred, moving around and opening fire", the newspaper quoted the survivor as saying. "It seemed like an eternity".
The victims included an Indian Navy officer, who had recently got married, and who was on holiday with his wife.
Indian army kills two gunmen
India's army said they had killed two gunmen in Occupied Kashmir, a day after attackers massacred at least 26 people.
The army's Chinar Corps reported Wednesday a "heavy exchange of fire" with gunmen in Baramulla, saying it had seized large quantities of weapons and ammunition. "Two gunmen have been eliminated", the army said.
Reporter Anwer Abbas/AFP