Kashmir, India: Widespread grief and anger have erupted across India following a brutal attack by gunmen in the popular Himalayan tourist town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed.
Reports indicate that several of the wounded remain in critical condition. The attack, one of the deadliest against civilians in recent years, has shaken the region and prompted emergency action from Indian authorities.
Although there has been no official confirmation about who is responsible, some media reports suggest that a group linked to the Pakistan-based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba may have claimed responsibility for the ambush.
The region, which has long been disputed by India and Pakistan, has experienced decades of insurgency, but attacks targeting tourists are rare.
In response to the tragedy, Indian PM Narendra Modi has cut short his diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia and is returning to Delhi to oversee the situation.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, described the assault as “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”
It’s heartbreaking to see the exodus of our guests from the valley after yesterday’s tragic terror attack in Pahalgam but at the same time we totally understand why people would want to leave. While DGCA & the Ministry of Civil Aviation are working to organise extra flights,… pic.twitter.com/5O3i5U1rBh
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 23, 2025
Following the attack, India’s civil aviation authorities reported a sudden surge in demand from tourists seeking to leave Kashmir. In response, they directed airlines to increase flight availability and waive cancellation and rescheduling fees.
The government is also working on organising additional flights to facilitate faster evacuations.
Authorities have permitted tourist vehicles to leave via road, but full freedom of movement remains restricted due to unstable road conditions. Officials are actively working to clear bottlenecks and allow all stranded vehicles to exit safely.
Amit Shah wrote on X that, he was anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Shah added that, “My thoughts are with the family members of the deceased. Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences.”
In a powerful act of collective mourning and protest, major newspapers in Indian-administered Kashmir published black front pages the day after the attack, symbolising grief and solidarity with the victims and their families.
MOST READ | Wales tests AR Therapy app to support teen mental health
