Deadly Attack in Kashmir: India Vows to Hunt Down Suspects "Till the Ends of the Earth"
A devastating attack on civilians near the tourist town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir has left 10 people dead and 18 injured, making it the deadliest attack on civilians in two decades in the disputed territory. The region has long been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan, with both countries claiming the region in full but administering only in part.
According to reports from the BBC, the attack occurred when gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying civilians, including tourists, in the Anantnag district of Kashmir. The bus was en route to the holy cave of Amarnath when it was attacked. Authorities have confirmed that the attack was carried out by militants, but have not yet named a specific group responsible.
The incident has sparked widespread anger in India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing to hunt down the suspects "till the ends of the earth". In a statement, Modi said that those who planned and carried out the attack "will be punished beyond their imagination". The Indian government has launched a massive search operation in the region, with authorities detaining over 1,500 people for questioning. Many more have been detained since then, although the exact numbers are unclear.
The BBC reports that authorities have demolished the houses of at least 10 alleged militants, with at least one reportedly linked to a suspect named in the shootings. Indian police have named three of the four suspected attackers, including two Pakistani nationals and one local man from Indian-administered Kashmir. However, there is no information on the fourth suspect.
The Kashmir region has been a source of tension between India and Pakistan since the two countries were partitioned in 1947. Indian-administered Kashmir has seen an armed insurgency against Indian rule since 1989, with militants targeting security forces and civilians alike. The region has long been a sensitive area, with both India and Pakistan maintaining a heavy military presence.
The attack has also raised concerns about the targeting of specific communities. Many survivors reported that the gunmen specifically targeted Hindu men. The Resistance Front, a little-known group reportedly affiliated with the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility for the attack but later denied involvement.
As the investigation into the attack continues, the Indian government has come under pressure to take action against Pakistan, which India accuses of supporting militant groups in the region. There has been speculation about whether India will respond with military strikes against Pakistan, as it did after deadly militant attacks in 2019 and 2016. The situation remains tense, with troops from both sides trading intermittent small-arms fire across the border in recent days.
The BBC understands that the Indian government is taking a close look at the role of militant groups in the region and the impact of the attack on civilians. With tensions running high, the international community is watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
The Prime Minister’s vow to bring the perpetrators to justice has been echoed by many in India, who are demanding action against those responsible for the attack. As the region remains on high alert, one thing is clear: the people of Kashmir and India will not rest until justice is served.
Source: BBC News
