Gunmen Kill At Least 26 Tourists in Kashmir's Deadliest Civilian Attack in Years

At least 26 tourists were killed and over 30 others were wounded after gunmen opened fire in Baisaran, a meadow near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, police said. It is the deadliest attack on civilians in the region in recent years.

The attack occurred around three miles from Pahalgam, an area known for its mountain scenery. Tourists were walking through the meadow when gunmen shot at them at close range.

Twenty-six tourists were killed in an attack on them in Pahalgam, south of Kashmir.

A video shows a tourist walking in Pahalgam’s Baisaran area while gunshots and screams are heard. #Pahalgam pic.twitter.com/Vv0LexV0gG

— Ieshan Wani (@Ieshan_W) April 22, 2025

Officials are still confirming the identities of the dead. Most victims are believed to be Indian tourists.

Police and security sources said between two and four attackers were involved. No group officially claimed responsibility, but a statement posted online by a group called “Kashmir Resistance” claimed the attack. They said it targeted outsiders settling in the region.

🇮🇳 DEADLIEST TOURIST ATTACK IN KASHMIR IN YEARS: OVER 20 KILLED IN SHOOTING

More than 20 people were killed after gunmen opened fire on tourists in Baisaran, a mountain meadow 5km from Pahalgam and about 90km from Srinagar.

The area is popular with tourists, especially in… pic.twitter.com/qwfkGycxqC

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 22, 2025

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a trip to Saudi Arabia and promised action. “Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable,” he posted on social media.

Home Minister Amit Shah flew to Srinagar for emergency talks. “We will come down heavily on the perpetrators,” he said.

World leaders also condemned the attack. U.S. President Donald Trump called it “deeply disturbing.” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a “vile terrorist attack.”

Kashmir has seen conflict since 1989, with separatists fighting Indian control. The last major civilian attack was in June 2024, when nine Hindu pilgrims were killed.