At least 26 people have been killed and a further 10 injured after gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists visiting a popular beauty spot in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The shooting, which occurred near the resort town of Pahalgam on Tuesday, has been described by officials as a "terror attack" and has been blamed on militants fighting Indian rule.
"This attack is much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years," Omar Abdullah, the region's top elected official, wrote on social media.
The attack took place at Baisaran, a picturesque meadow accessible only on foot or by pony, where a group of tourists had gone visiting on Tuesday morning.
At about 3pm local time, at least four gunmen emerged from a dense pine forest and fired at dozens of tourists from close range in what was the worst attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai shootings.
One female tourist, from Nagpur, said: "As we were preparing to depart from the entrance gate of the resort, which was only 4 to 5 feet wide, chaos erupted. A stampede ensued as people collapsed on top of one another in the midst of the firing."
The woman, who fractured her leg during the commotion, added: "It was a terrifying moment. The sound of multiple gunshots filled the air, and the firing continued for an extended period of time. We witnessed a rush of people heading towards the exit gate, and pandemonium ensued," recounted a male tourist who was with his son and other relatives.
Approximately 4,000 to 5,000 tourists were present at the time of the incident, according to another female tourist, Simran Rupchandani.
"I was seated in an open field when the gunfire erupted, and panic ensued. I sustained an injury to my right arm before fleeing to safety," shared a resident of Gujarat who is currently undergoing treatment at the local hospital.
A hospital list verified by police states that 26 people - all men - had been killed in the shooting. All of the victims were listed as residents of India, except one person who was living in neighbouring Nepal who had gone to Kashmir with his family for a holiday.
Among those killed in Tuesday's shooting were a naval officer on his honeymoon, a tech worker, an intelligence officer and a local tour guide.
A manhunt for the attackers has been launched by police and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged that the attackers “will be brought to justice” as he decried the “heinous act”.
"Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected," Modi said in a statement shortly after the attack.
"Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger."
US President Donald Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and spoke to Modi by phone to quickly offer "full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack", Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
Trump on Tuesday extended "full support and deepest sympathies" to Modi and to India. He wrote on Truth Social: "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir.
"The US stands strong with India against terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all."
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