Eyewitnesses have reported that the gunmen in the attack were specifically targeting men while sparing women. One woman told the AFP news agency, "The militants, I can't say how many, came out of the forest near a small open meadow and started firing. They were clearly sparing women and continued to shoot at men, sometimes with single shots and sometimes with many bullets. It was like a storm."
Another witness, identified as Pallavi Rao by the Indian Express newspaper, whose husband was among those killed, also confirmed that men were being targeted.
On Tuesday afternoon, gunmen opened fire in Pahalgam, a picturesque Himalayan town, resulting in the deaths of at least 24 tourists. Local media reports indicate that many of the wounded are in critical condition. The attack occurred in Baisaran, a mountain-top meadow three miles (5 kilometers) from Pahalgam.
Survivors have recounted the horrifying moments after they stepped off a tourist bus. One woman, noting that the attackers were targeting men, shared that her husband died from a single gunshot to the head. Another witness described the chaos as people screamed and ran following the first gunshots.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Although Kashmir has a long history of armed insurgency against Indian rule, attacks on tourists have been uncommon. The region's chief minister, Omar Abdullah, stated that this attack was "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years."
In summary:
- At least 24 people have died after gunmen attacked tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.
- The incident took place in Pahalgam, where eyewitnesses reported that gunmen were targeting tourists.
- Many of the injured are believed to be in critical condition, and fears are rising that the death toll may increase.
- No group has taken responsibility for the attack, which has been widely condemned both domestically and internationally.
- Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short an official trip to Saudi Arabia and returned to Delhi.
- Several protests have been organized for Wednesday as India reacts with shock and anger.
Stay with us for more updates on this developing story.