A fatal militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, has claimed the lives of at least 26 tourists and injured dozens, one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the past few years. The attack has ignited widespread international outrage and increased tensions between India and Pakis...
A fatal militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-controlled Kashmir, has claimed the lives of at least 26 tourists and injured dozens, one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in the past few years. The attack has ignited widespread international outrage and increased tensions between India and Pakistan, with the latter making an official statement through its Foreign Ministry.
Details of the Attack
Gunmen fired upon a group of local tourists at Baisaran, a picturesque grassland in Pahalgam, Anantnag district, on Tuesday afternoon.
At least 26, mostly tourists, were killed and many more were left critically injured. The attack is the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama attack.
The Resistance Front, suspected to be a proxy of the outlawed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been reported as having claimed the responsibility but official confirmation is awaited.
The region has been cordoned off, with Indian Army and police initiating a massive search operation.
International and Indian Response
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortened his Saudi Arabia trip, convened an emergency meeting, and assured that the perpetrators "will not be spared" and "will be brought to justice".
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Home Minister Amit Shah travelled to Srinagar to monitor the situation and coordinate the response.
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World leaders, such as US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and EU head Ursula von der Leyen, denounced the attack and showed their solidarity with India.
The attack has led to protests and demands for tighter security all over India.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry Statement
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The Pakistan Foreign Ministry deplored the attack on the tourists, expressing deepest regret at the loss of innocent lives.
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The statement reaffirmed Pakistan's long-standing position against the targeting of civilians and appealed for restraint by all parties.
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Pakistan called for a serious and unbiased investigation into the incident and emphasized the need to settle the Kashmir issue through dialogue and peaceful means.
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The ministry emphasized the need to de-escalate and reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and stability.
Regional and Political Context
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The attack is during a decades-long Kashmir insurgency, with both India and Pakistan claiming the region, and violence having ebbed in recent years.
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India previously accused Pakistan of sponsoring militant groups that are active in Kashmir, something that Pakistan refutes.
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The attack has revived tensions and focused attention on the renewed security issues in the region.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry Statement: Key Excerpts
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"Pakistan strongly condemns the targeting of innocent tourists in Indian-occupied Kashmir and offers deep sympathies to the victims' families."
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"We utterly condemn any attempt to target civilians and appeal for restraint and safety of all civilians."
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"Pakistan calls on the international community to play its role in encouraging dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve the issue of Kashmir through peace."
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"Escalation should be avoided, and both parties should work towards resolving the underlying causes of violence through constructive interaction."
Sources: BBC News, NDTV, Sky News, Times of India