NEW DELHI (Reuters) – At least 26 people died and 17 others were injured when suspected militants opened fire at a popular tourist spot in the Pahalgam region of India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory this week.
As security forces hunt for the perpetrators, here is a look at what happened, and how India has reacted.
WHERE DID THE ATTACK TAKE PLACE?
The incident occurred in Baisaran valley, a popular tourist spot in the Himalayan territory that is touted to be a mini-Switzerland because of the lush pine forests that surround it and its pristine landscape.
It comes at a time when Kashmir sees a particularly high footfall of tourists because of the spring season, and authorities say about 1,000 people were in the area when the militants opened fire.
WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?
Among the dead – all men – are 25 Indians and one Nepalese national.
WHO CARRIED OUT THE ATTACK?
Little-known militant group ‘Kashmir Resistance’ claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media message where it expressed discontent at “outsiders” being settled in the region, triggering a “demographic change”.
Indian security agencies say the group is a front for Pakistan-based militants.
Pakistan has previously denied India’s allegations that it helps Islamist separatists in Kashmir, saying it only provides moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris seeking self-determination.
WHAT ACTION ARE AUTHORITIES TAKING?
Hundreds of security personnel have been rushed to the Baisaran area to search for the gunmen.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that those behind the attack “will not be spared”, and cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia, returning to India on Wednesday to hold a meeting with senior officials, including the national security adviser.
Home (Interior) Minister Amit Shah is in Kashmir to take stock of the situation. He visited the site of the attack on Wednesday morning and also met relatives of the victims.
HOW HAVE TOURISTS REACTED?
Visitors are scrambling to flee Kashmir after the attack, and airlines have organised extra flights to facilitate their travel.
India’s flight regulator also said there is an unexpected demand from tourists seeking to return to their homes, and requested airlines to consider waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees for them.
(Compiled by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
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