Kashmir gunmen target tourists in deadliest civilian attack in years

24 killed as militants open fire on men in tourist hotspot Pahalgam, eyewitnesses say women were deliberately spared.

Paramedics transport an injured tourist at a hospital in Anantnag, south of Srinagar, on April 22, 2025, following an attack. Photo by Tauseef Mustafa/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Pahalgam, India — At least 24 people were killed in a brutal assault by militants in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, in what has become the region’s deadliest civilian attack in recent years. The coordinated strike occurred in Pahalgam, a popular summer destination roughly 90 kilometers south of Srinagar. According to eyewitnesses, gunmen emerged from a nearby forest and opened fire on tourists, targeting men while deliberately sparing women.

An eyewitness who works in Pahalgam's tourist trade told AFP that the Kashmir gunmen targeted tourists with chilling precision. “They walked out of the trees and shot at the men — not at the women,” he said, requesting anonymity due to government restrictions on speaking to the press. “Sometimes it was a single shot, sometimes a burst. It was like a storm had hit us.”

The sudden attack sent shockwaves across the region and country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned what he called a “heinous act” and promised that those responsible “will be brought to justice.” Authorities have yet to confirm the identities or affiliations of the assailants. No group has claimed responsibility.

Survivors recall harrowing ordeal

Among the survivors was a woman named Pallavi from Karnataka, whose husband was shot dead in front of her and their child. Her account underscores the calculated nature of the assault. Speaking to India Today, she said the attackers — numbering between three and four — pointed weapons at her, then decided to spare her.

“I told them — kill me too,” Pallavi recounted. “One of them looked at me and said, ‘I won’t kill you. Go tell this to Modi.’”

Security officials suspect the attack was carried out by separatist militants who have waged an insurgency in the region since 1989. The insurgents seek either independence or a merger with Pakistan, which controls a portion of Kashmir and claims the territory in its entirety, as does India.

This latest Kashmir militant attack comes at a time when Indian authorities have intensified efforts to portray the region as stable and ripe for tourism. In 2024, over 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir, most of them Indian nationals. Pahalgam, known for its serene meadows and trekking trails, had seen a steady rise in visitor numbers. That sense of calm has now been shattered.

Attack stuns nation, draws global concern

The timing of the attack is particularly significant. It occurred just one day after Prime Minister Modi held talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who is visiting India on a four-day tour. While there is no suggestion of a direct link, the optics of the assault will likely reverberate in diplomatic circles.

A senior police official told AFP that “at least 24 people are confirmed dead,” adding that the toll could rise as more details emerge. One security source said there were foreign nationals among the victims, but officials have not verified this claim.

The incident has drawn widespread outrage and fear, particularly as it appears to mark a shift in militant tactics. Previous attacks often targeted security forces or were indiscriminate. Tuesday’s killings were notably selective.

“This attack seems designed to sow terror not just in Kashmir but across India,” said one former intelligence officer who requested anonymity. “The deliberate sparing of women is chilling — it sends a message.”

Background: Insurgency and renewed tensions

Since 1989, insurgents in the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir have fought Indian forces in a bitter conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, including militants, soldiers, and civilians. India maintains around 500,000 troops in the territory, making it one of the most heavily militarized regions in the world.

Tensions flared anew in August 2019 when the Modi-led government revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, stripping Kashmir of its special autonomous status. The move was followed by mass detentions, communication blackouts, and a surge in security deployments.

Although violence had decreased somewhat in recent years, with insurgents struggling to regroup after India’s sweeping crackdown, Tuesday's attack suggests a potential resurgence in militancy.

“There's been a lull, but this could signal a new phase,” said a defense analyst in New Delhi. “It’s a reminder that the insurgency, while weakened, is not extinguished.”

Tourism push and security paradox

Over the last few years, the Indian government has tried to recast Kashmir as a tourism haven. Officials tout new ski resorts, improved infrastructure, and Bollywood film shoots as evidence of peace returning to the region. Tuesday’s massacre directly undermines that narrative.

Kashmir’s tourism department has made no official comment since the attack, though sources say all tourist activities in Pahalgam have been suspended indefinitely. Roads leading into the area have been sealed off by paramilitary units, and aerial surveillance has been intensified.

Travel advisories may soon follow, particularly if reports of foreign casualties are confirmed. Such developments would be a major blow to India’s campaign to normalize the image of Kashmir.

Historical context of civilian attacks

Tuesday’s killings are the deadliest attack on civilians in Kashmir since 2000, when 36 Indian civilians were massacred. The last major attack occurred in February 2019, when 40 paramilitary police officers were killed in a suicide bombing in Pulwama. That incident led to a brief military escalation between India and Pakistan, including aerial combat.

This time, however, the focus is squarely on the civilian toll. And the method — targeting men and sparing women — has struck a particularly jarring note.

“It’s psychological warfare,” said a local sociologist in Srinagar. “By choosing who lives and who dies, the attackers are trying to send a message far beyond the bullets.”

Political fallout and next steps

With national elections looming and Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pushing a hardline security platform, the government is expected to respond forcefully. Security operations have already begun in and around Pahalgam, with multiple search teams deployed to track down the perpetrators.

Pakistan, which is often accused by India of supporting militant activity in the region, has not commented publicly on the attack. Islamabad has consistently denied such claims, stating that it offers only diplomatic and moral support to the people of Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination.

Meanwhile, Indian intelligence agencies are trying to determine whether this was a locally coordinated act or one involving cross-border support. Investigations are also underway to examine whether security lapses allowed such a large-scale attack to occur in a region that is under near-constant surveillance.

A nation mourns, and fears what comes next

As the bodies are identified and returned to grieving families across the country, the scale of Tuesday’s tragedy is beginning to sink in. Vigils are being planned in several cities, while opposition parties have called for an emergency session in Parliament to address the security situation in Kashmir.

For now, the focus remains on the victims — the lives lost during what was meant to be a peaceful escape in one of India’s most scenic regions. The Kashmir gunmen targeting tourists has not only reignited fears of insurgency but also raised serious questions about the limits of state control and the future of tourism in the volatile territory.