• One of the deadliest attacks in recent years: IIOJK CM.
• Police said the attack occurred on the grassland on the road.
• India revoked Iiojk’s special status in 2019.

Srinagar: At least 20 people were killed after gunmen opened fire on tourists in India’s illegally occupied Jamu and Kashmir (IIOJK), three security sources said.

The attack took place in Pahalgam, a popular destination in scenic mountainous areas.

One security source put the death toll at 20, while the second named it 24, while the third was 26. All three speak anonymously because they have no right to talk to the media.

“The fire happened before us,” a witness told the broadcaster. Today’s India, No name given to him. “We thought someone was pulling out firecrackers, but when we heard others (screaming), we quickly left…, saved our lives and ran away.”

Another witness told India Today, “Four kilometers, we haven’t stopped…I’m trembling.”

The attack took place in the grass on the highway, involving two or three gunmen. Indian Express An unidentified senior police officer reportedly said.

“The death toll is still being determined, so I don’t want to know the details,” IIOJK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in an article on X.

The victim’s nationality is not immediately known.

Pahalgam’s IIOJK regional government told its legislature this month that nearly 84,000 non-local people from India have gained dwelling rights on the territory over the past two years.

India revoked Iiojk’s special status in 2019 and divided the country into two federal governments. The move also allows local authorities to issue residence rights to outsiders, allowing them to find jobs and purchase land on the territory.

Attacks against IIOJK tourists have become rare. The last fatal incident occurred in June 2024, when at least nine people were killed and 33 injured, and the attack caused a bus to fall into a deep canyon with Hindu pilgrims.

Tuesday’s attack happened the day after U.S. Vice President JD Vance began a four-day trip, the day after largely visiting India.

“Fake Flag Drama”

Commenting on the attack, former Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani emphasized India’s tradition of making “false flag dramas” and said the Indian media propaganda of Pakistan was fabricated and false.

“India wants to divert attention from the security situation of IIOJK,” he said in a conversation with Geo News.

He said India filed charges in Pakistan without any evidence of any incident.

“Indian institutions have been involved in various terrorist incidents in Pakistan, Canada and other countries,” the former diplomat said.

Jillani recalled past events saying that more than 30 Sikhs were killed in the ILO, which was also blamed by India on Pakistan.

He added that later investigations proved that the Chittisinghpura incident occurred in 2000 by Indian intelligence agencies.

He also called for the need to convince the international community that India has developed the habit of blaming Pakistan for its family problems.