SRINAGAR : Indian security forces launched a massive manhunt in Kashmir on Wednesday following a brutal attack that left at least 26 people dead at a popular tourist site, marking the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in over two decades.

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on crowds of tourists at a scenic meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon, unleashing chaos in an area known for its natural beauty and normally bustling with visitors during the spring and summer months.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cutting short an official trip to Saudi Arabia, returned to New Delhi early Wednesday and convened an emergency meeting with top security officials. He condemned the “heinous act” and vowed that the perpetrators “will be brought to justice.”

Though no group has claimed responsibility, officials believe the attack may be linked to long-running insurgent activities in the Muslim-majority region of Jammu and Kashmir. Militants there have fought since 1989 for independence or unification with Pakistan, which also lays claim to the territory.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the attack "an abomination" and one of the most brutal civilian-targeted assaults in recent memory.

“The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt,” Abdullah said in a statement.

Security forces swiftly sealed off the area, and a sweeping search operation is underway. The Indian Army confirmed an “intense hunt” to track down the assailants.

Journalists from AFP reporting from the area described a heavy military presence in and around Pahalgam, located approximately 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Srinagar.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of horror. Waheed, a local tour guide, said he rushed to the site after hearing gunshots and helped transport the wounded on horseback. Survivors told local media the attackers specifically targeted men, sometimes shooting them at point-blank range, while appearing to spare women.

“They were dressed like policemen,” one survivor told The Indian Express. “They moved around undeterred for about 20 minutes, firing continuously.”

The international community has reacted with shock. US President Donald Trump called Prime Minister Modi to express condolences and pledged America’s “full support” in bringing the attackers to justice. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen added, “Europe stands with India in this dark hour.”

Analysts warn that the massacre could inflame tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan, echoing fears of a repeat of the 2019 Pulwama bombing, which killed 40 Indian paramilitary officers and led to a brief military standoff.

“This is perhaps the gravest crisis risk in India-Pakistan relations since 2019,” said South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman.

In a separate encounter on Wednesday in Baramulla near the Line of Control, the Indian army reported a “heavy exchange of fire” with suspected infiltrators. Two militants were killed, the army said.

The attack comes as Kashmir has experienced a boom in tourism. In 2024 alone, over 3.5 million people—mostly domestic travelers—visited the region.

However, the latest violence has left many tourists terrified. National carrier Air India announced two additional flights out of Srinagar to help evacuate visitors.

India has maintained a heavy military presence in Jammu and Kashmir, with roughly 500,000 troops deployed in the region. Tensions had appeared to ease in recent years following the abrogation of the region’s special status in 2019, but the Pahalgam attack could mark a dangerous new chapter.