By Parrot Newspaper 
India Begins Manhunt After 26 Slaughtered in Kashmir Tourist Haven
By Parrot Newspaper – News That Talks to You
Kashmir Tourist- Pahalgam, Kashmir – What began as a peaceful day in one of India’s most beloved tourist spots turned into a scene of terror and tragedy. On Tuesday, gunmen stormed the scenic meadows of Pahalgam, opening fire on vacationers and killing at least 26 people in the deadliest civilian attack the region has seen in over two decades.
Now, a massive manhunt is underway—and the nation is demanding answers.
Horror in the Hills
Eyewitnesses say the attackers emerged suddenly from the surrounding forest and unleashed a hail of bullets on tourists enjoying the cool mountain air. Some victims were shot at close range. Many survivors said the gunmen specifically targeted men, sparing women in some cases, but killing with chilling calm.
“It felt like they were there forever,” one survivor told The Indian Express. “We thought they were policemen at first. Then they started firing.”
Among the dead was an Indian Navy officer, recently married and on his honeymoon. His wife survived the attack.
Modi Returns, Vows Justice
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, immediately cut his trip short and flew back to India. Calling the assault a “heinous act,” he met top security officials upon arrival and promised swift justice.
“Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable,” he said. “This evil agenda will never succeed.”
Indian forces have since launched an intense search operation, deploying drones, helicopters, and hundreds of troops in and around Pahalgam—about 90 kilometers from Srinagar.
Who Is Behind the Attack?
No group has claimed responsibility yet, but suspicion points toward long-active insurgents in Kashmir. Since 1989, militant groups—some seeking independence, others pushing for a merger with Pakistan—have carried out attacks in the region. India has long accused Pakistan of backing these groups, a claim Islamabad continues to deny.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, didn’t hold back in his condemnation.
“This attack on our visitors is an abomination,” he said. “The perpetrators are animals—inhuman and beneath contempt.”
A Blow to Peace and Tourism
Pahalgam has become a major symbol of Kashmir’s tourism revival. With 3.5 million visitors in 2024 alone, many of them domestic tourists, the region has been marketed as a peaceful getaway. The sudden attack has shattered that illusion.
* Kashmir Tourist
“This wasn’t just terrorism,” said a local tour operator. “It was a targeted strike against everything we’ve been trying to rebuild—hope, business, normal life.”
Global Condemnation
The world has responded swiftly. US President Donald Trump called Modi to offer America’s full support in hunting down the perpetrators. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed solidarity, saying, “Europe stands with India.”
A Painful Reminder
For many, this massacre echoes the horror of March 2000, when 36 Indian civilians were killed on the eve of US President Bill Clinton’s visit. It also recalls the deadly 2019 Pulwama bombing that killed 40 paramilitary officers.
India’s security presence in Kashmir remains massive—over 500,000 soldiers are stationed in the region—but even that wasn’t enough to prevent this tragedy.
As security forces close in on the suspects, families of the victims are left grappling with grief—and a haunting question: how could this happen again?
—
Stay with Parrot Newspaper for ongoing coverage. This is News That Talks to You.