Pahalgam: At least 24 people were killed in Indian-held Kashmir when gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists on Tuesday, a senior police officer said, with authorities calling it the worst attack on civilians in years.
“At least 24 people have been killed,” the senior police officer in Kashmir told France based wire service on condition of anonymity, with the toll not yet announced officially.
The attack took place in Pahalgam, a popular destination in the scenic Muslim-majority territory, that draws thousands of visitors every summer as gunmen violence has reduced in recent years.
The injured had been rushed to a local hospital, the source said on the condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to the media.
Indian TV channels reported earlier that one person was killed and seven injured in the attack.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which tragically killed five and injured several,” said Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of the region, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party.
India has an estimated 500,000 soldiers permanently deployed in the occupied territory.
