Pakistan expresses concern over tourist casualties in IIOJK attack

Pakistan voiced concern over the deaths of 26 tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in a gunmen attack a day ago. In addition, the Foreign Office offered its sincere wishes for the prompt recovery of the injured victims.

The tourists were attacked in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the scenic Muslim-majority area. 

Security forces termed it the deadliest attack on civilians since 2000, with a navy officer also among 26 terrorists killed in the incident.

Foreign Office spokesperson Shafaq Khan stated, “We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”

Read: Experts fear LOC escalation as Indian media, Hindu nationalists accuse Pakistan of Pahalgam attack 

“We express condolences to the victims’ families and pray for their quick recovery,” it added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi decried the “heinous” attack on the tourist destination, and vowed to “bring attackers to justice”.

The attack occured a day after a meeting of Premier Modi with the US Deputy President JD Vance, who is on a four-day visit to India. 

Modi then went to Saudi Arabia, where the news of Pahalgam tragedy prompted him to cut his trip short and return to India.  

According to reports, some of the victims hailed from the different states in India, including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. 

Read: Pakistan denies involvement in Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists in IIOJK

Located at least 90 kilometres from Srinagar, Pahalgam features a scenic Baisaran meadow that has been showcased in various Indian movies.

Notably, a similar incident happened in 2000 during the visit of Bill Clinton to Delhi, where at least 36 Hindus had been killed. 

At the time, India had termed Pakistan-based militants responsible for the attacks, but Indian and Kashmiri observers described the incident as an alleged conspiracy by the Indian military.