VIDEO: Gunmen kill at least 26 tourists at a resort in Kashmir

Many people are feared to have died after gunmen indiscriminately fired at tourists in Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.

Gunmen shot dead at least 26 tourists at a resort in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Tuesday, in what appeared to be a major shift in the regional conflict in which tourists have largely been spared.

Police described the incident as a "terror attack" and blamed militants fighting against 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.

As per reports, two to three terrorists wearing army fatigues came and fired at horse-riding tourists in the Baisran area around 2.30pm.

Police have described the incident as a "terror attack."

"The death toll is still being ascertained so I don't want to get into those details," Abdullah said.

Initial reports said shots were fired at mostly Indian tourists visiting Baisaran meadow, some 5 km from the disputed region's resort town of Pahalgam.

Police and officials said tourists with gunshot wounds were evacuated to local hospitals.

The scene of the attack was cordoned off as police launched an operation to track down the attackers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack, vowing that those responsible for the "heinous act" will be brought to justice.

The prime minister, who is currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, expressed deep anguish over the incident and assured that swift and decisive action would follow.

"I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones," Modi posted on X.

In a stern warning to the perpetrators, he added, "Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice. They will not be spared! Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will only grow stronger."

Home Minister Amit Shah is heading to Srinagar, the main city in Kashmir, where he said he would review the situation.

"Anguished by the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. 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," the Home Minister posted on X.

Shortly after the incident, Modi held a telephonic conversation with Shah, directing him to ensure all necessary measures are taken.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a key Kashmiri resistance leader, condemned what he described as a "cowardly attack on tourists."

Security has been heightened across the Anantnag district and nearby tourist zones.

Asserting that the nation is united against terrorism, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asked the Government to take measures to prevent a repeat of "such barbaric incidents."

Congress President Kharge said in a post on X, "The entire nation is united in fighting the scourge of cross-border terrorism. These dastardly targeted attacks are a blot on humanity. News reports indicate that precious lives have been lost."

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also criticised the attack in which tourists from the state were also hit. "I strongly condemn the heinous terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, J&K. Kannadigas are among the victims of this shocking incident. Upon receiving the news, I convened an emergency meeting and reviewed the situation with the Chief Secretary and senior police officials," said the CM in a social media post.

Condemning the attack, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in a post on X said, "The cowardly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir is a highly condemnable and shameful act. Targeting unarmed and innocent civilians is a crime against humanity. This is completely unacceptable. The whole country stands united against terrorism and strongly condemns it.”

Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha also condemned the attack. "The brutal attack on tourists in Pahalgam is an unforgivable act of cowardice.”

Mehbooba Mufti of the People's Democratic Party said, "Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. This senseless violence serves no purpose and only brings pain. There can be no justification for such acts."

Agencies