• “Kashmir Resistance” claims responsibility for the attack.
• Expressed dissatisfaction with the settlement of more than 85,000 “outsiders”.
• Trump provided full support to India; Modi swore justice in the afternoon.

Srinagar: At least 26 people were killed and 17 injured when gunmen opened fire on Indian illegally occupied Jamu and Kashmir (IIOJK), marking the worst attack in the region in nearly two decades.

The attack took place on Tuesday at the popular destination in Pahalgam, a spot to enjoy summer tourists, about 90 km from Srinagar.

The day after the killing of Prime Minister Narendra Modi encountered U.S. Vice President JD Vance in New Delhi since the 2008 Mumbai shooting, the worst attack on Indian civilians, with more than 160 people killed.

Prime Minister Modi shortened his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to New Delhi on Wednesday morning. Treasury Secretary Nirmala Sitharaman also shortened her visits to the United States and Peru, “with our people during this difficult and tragic time.”

Police said the attack occurred in the grasslands on the highway, with the dead including 25 Indians and a Nepalese national.

A little-known group, Kashmir Resistance, claims to be responsible for attacks in social media messages. This suggests that more than 85,000 “outsiders” have settled in the area, which has inspired “demographic changes.”

On Wednesday, more than a dozen local organizations called for shutdowns on federal territory to protest attacks on tourists, and their numbers rose to help the local economy.

Many schools also suspended protests on that day.

Officials said airlines are operating additional flights from the region’s summer capital Srinagar as tourists stormed out of the region.

India revoked Kashmir’s special status in 2019, dividing the state into two federal government-managed territories – Jamu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The move allows local authorities to issue residence rights to outsiders, allowing them to find jobs and purchase land on the disputed Himalayan territory. This has led to worsening ties with Pakistan. The dispute has stimulated painful hatred and military conflict among nuclear-weapon neighbors.

Attacks against IIOJK tourists are 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.

Trump provides full support to India

Responding to the incident, Prime Minister Modi said: “Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our determination to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will become stronger.”

The Prime Minister condemned “heuristic behavior” and promised that the attackers “will be brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump called Modi quickly “provided full support to India to make this outrageous attack on judicial judicial litigants.”

Among foreign leaders condemning the attacks and providing support, EU head Ursula von der Leyen promised that “Europe will be with you”.

IIOJK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack “we have pointed to civilians much more in recent years”.

“The attack on our visitors is abominable.” CM added.

It is worth noting that an estimated 500,000 soldiers in India are permanently deployed in the region. In recent years, authorities have used mountainous areas as resorts to promote mountainous areas, whether skiing in winter and escaping summer heat in other parts of India.

In 2024, about 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir, mainly domestic tourists.

The worst attack in recent years occurred in Pulwama in February 2019, when insurgents smashed a car with explosives into a police car, killing 40 people and injuring at least 35 people.

Survivors said in the latest attack that the gunman shot some people at close range.

A woman survivor reported that a man in uniform appeared from the surrounding forest to the meadow where tourists enjoyed the peace of nature, Indian Express Reported.

Survivors say they consider themselves police officers.

“They were there for at least 20 minutes, unwavering, walking around and firing,” the report said.

“It seems to be eternal.”

The victims included Indian Navy officers.