Kashmir shooting: Gunmen kill at least 20 tourists at resort, Indian police say

Srinagar, India – Police said on Tuesday that the gunmen shot at least 20 tourists at a resort in Kashmir, which is controlled by an Indian.

The police described the incident as a “terrorist attack” and blamed the militants fighting against Indian rule. Omar Abdullah, the highest -elected official in the region, wrote on social media: “This attack is much greater than anything we have seen as civilians in recent years.”

Two senior police officers said at least four gunmen, describing them as fighters, shot dozens of tourists from a close distance. The officers said that at least three others were injured, and many of them are in serious condition.

The officers said that most of the tourists who were killed are Indian, speaking, provided that his identity was not revealed in line with the policy of departments. Officials gathered at least 20 bodies in Bizaran Mido, about five kilometers (3 miles) from the city of Bahmam in the disputed area.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The police and soldiers were looking for the attackers.

“We will come down to the directions with severe consequences,” Amit Shah wrote in India on social media. He arrived in Srinagar, the main city of Kashmir, which is controlled by Indian, and held a meeting with senior security officials. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Meroyez Omar Farouk, a major resistance politician and the highest religious cleric in Kashmir, condemned what he described as a “cowardly attack on tourists”, and he writes on social media that “such violence is unacceptable and against the spirit of Kashmir that welcomes visitors with love and warmth.”

The shooting coincided with the visit of US Vice President JD Vance, which was called a “devastating terrorist attack”.

He added on social media: “During the past few days, we have been overcome by the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they descend from this horrific attack.”

Marj in paralgam is a famous destination, surrounded by snow -covered mountains and widespread with pine forests. Hundreds of tourists visit him every day as Kashmir, known as the Himalayas Blush and the wonderful decorated sugars, became a major local tourist destination.

Millions of visitors who enjoy a strange peace kept by security checkpoints everywhere, armored vehicles and soldiers.

Both nuclear armed competitors and Pakistan run part of Kashmir, but both claim the region in its entirety.

Kashmir witnessed a group of targeted killings of Hindus, including migrant workers from the Indian states, after New Delhi ended half of the berries in the region in 2019 and Kort greatly opposed civil freedoms and media freedoms.

The tensions were to be prepared as India increased the anti -rebellion. But although tourists flow to Kashmir in large numbers, they have not been targeted.

The militants have been fighting in the Indian part, which is controlled by Kashmir, the rule of New Delhi since 1989.

India insists that Kashmir’s strictness is the terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. Pakistan denies this charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate conflict of freedom. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces were killed in the conflict.

Violence has receded recently in the Kashmir Valley, the heart of the anti -India rebellion. The fighting between government forces and rebels has turned largely to the remote areas in the Jammu region, including Rajuri, Bonche and Cathoa, where the Indian forces faced fatal attacks.

___

The Associated Press writer Sheikh Salik in New Delhi contributed to this report.