Breaking: Police treating attack in Kashmir as terror attack | DW News

Key Concepts

• Terrorist attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir
• Pelgam as a popular tourist location
• Kashmir Resistance Group claiming responsibility
• Demographic change due to non-Kashmiris settling in the region
• Revocation of autonomy in 2019 and domicile rights
• Impact on tourism and local Kashmiri livelihoods

Attack Details and Casualties

• Gunmen opened fire on tourists in Pelgam, a popular tourist town in Indian-administered Kashmir.
• The attack occurred in the evening.
• Initial reports indicated at least 20 deaths, but sources suggest over 25 fatalities. The exact number is still being ascertained.
• Many people were injured and rushed to local hospitals.
• Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, stated the attack was larger than any directed at civilians in recent years.

Government Response

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack as a "heinous act" and vowed to bring the attackers to justice.
• Home Minister Amit Shah is traveling to Shinagar to hold a high-level meeting with security officials and armed forces.
• The Indian government officials, including the Prime Minister and the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, have unanimously condemned the attack and promised strong action.
• The Prime Minister's tweet stated that "the evil agenda of these terrorists will never succeed" and reaffirmed India's resolve to fight terrorism.

Timing and Potential Motives

• The attack's timing coincides with US Vice President JD Vance's visit to India.
• This is seen by some as an attempt to draw maximum attention to the Kashmir issue.
• The Kashmir Resistance Group claimed responsibility, citing discontent over the settlement of over 85,000 "outsiders" in Kashmir, leading to demographic changes.
• The revocation of autonomy in 2019, which allowed non-Kashmiris to acquire domicile rights and settle in the region, is seen as a contributing factor to the discontent.

Kashmir Resistance Group

• A little-known militant group called the Kashmir Resistance claimed responsibility for the attack via a social media post.
• The group expressed discontent over demographic changes in India's only Muslim-majority state due to the settlement of non-Kashmiris.
• The veracity of the social media post claiming responsibility could not be independently verified.

Impact on Tourism and Local Livelihoods

• Local Kashmiris, who depend on tourism for their livelihoods, are expressing discontent over the attack.
• Tourism is the single source of income for many Kashmiris.
• The attack is expected to cause a significant dip in tourist numbers, especially at the onset of the summer season when Kashmir sees hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Historical Context

• Kashmir has been a conflict region for decades.
• The Indian government had claimed a reduction in attacks on civilians by militants in recent years.
• This attack is seen as a setback to that narrative.
• In 2019, the Indian government revoked the autonomy of Indian-administered Kashmir, allowing non-Kashmiris to settle and work in the region.

Conclusion

The terrorist attack in Pelgam represents a significant escalation of violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, potentially driven by discontent over demographic changes and the revocation of autonomy. The attack's timing and the Kashmir Resistance Group's claim of responsibility suggest a deliberate attempt to draw attention to the Kashmir issue. The incident is expected to have a severe impact on the region's tourism industry and the livelihoods of local Kashmiris, who heavily rely on it. The Indian government has vowed to take strong action against the perpetrators, but the attack highlights the ongoing instability and complex dynamics in the region.