At least 24 killed in ‘heinous’ attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least 24 people were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir when gunmen opened fire on tourists on Tuesday, a senior police officer said, with authorities calling it the worst attack on civilians in years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi decried the “heinous act” in the summer retreat of Pahalgam, and pledged the attackers “will be brought to justice”.

A tour guide said he reached the scene after hearing gunfire and transported some of the wounded away on horseback.

“I saw a few men lying on the ground, looking like they were dead,” said Waheed, who gave only one name.

The attack targeted tourists in Pahalgam, which lies about 90km (55 miles) by road from the key city of Srinagar.

The senior police officer in the region, speaking on condition of anonymity, described a massacre in which at least 24 people had been killed.