Omar Abdullah expresses anger over "inhuman" attack that killed tourists in Pahalgam, says perpetrators are "animals"

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed shock and deep anger over the attack on tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday evening. Calling it an “abomination”, he said the perpetrators were “inhuman” and “worthy of contempt”.

“I’m shocked beyond belief. This attack on our visitors is an abomination. The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt. No words of condemnation are enough,” Omar wrote on X.

He also offered condolences to the families of the victims and said his colleague, Sakina Itoo, had already reached the hospital to oversee treatment for the injured. “I’ll be flying back to Srinagar immediately,” he added.



According to Reuters, citing a police source, at least five tourists were feared dead and eight injured after suspected militants opened fire in Pahalgam, a well-known tourist spot in Jammu and Kashmir. However, some reports stated that one person was confirmed dead and seven were injured.

The attack is one of the worst on tourists in the region in nearly a year. The injured were rushed to a local hospital, and officials are monitoring their condition.

Pahalgam, known for its scenic beauty, draws thousands of visitors each summer. While militant violence has decreased in recent years, this incident is a stark reminder of the challenges the region still faces. Tourist-targeted attacks have become rare, but incidents like this bring back memories of the region’s troubled past.

The Kashmir Valley has seen decades of conflict, with both India and Pakistan claiming it in full but ruling it in parts. Since 1989, thousands have died in the violence, although peace has slowly begun to return in recent years.

Inputs from Reuters