Rescue workers conduct operations following the capsizing of two passenger boats in Qianxi City, Guizhou Province, China, on May 4, 2025 — Xinhua
BEIJING: A tragic incident in southwestern China left at least three people dead, with 14 others reported missing and 60 individuals hospitalized after two tourist boats capsized on Sunday, according to Chinese media.
The boats overturned in a river located within a tourist attraction in Qianxi City, Guizhou Province, as reported by Xinhua.
Details regarding the nature of the attraction and the circumstances leading up to the accident have not yet been disclosed.
Rescue teams are actively searching for the 14 individuals who remain unaccounted for.
In response to the tragedy, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out efforts” to support rescue operations and provide medical assistance to those injured, according to Xinhua.
President Xi also emphasized the need to enhance safety protocols in tourist locations and other large public venues, as reported by the agency.
Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was sent to the scene to oversee the rescue efforts.
This unfortunate event follows a recent incident in central China that occurred just over two months ago, where 11 individuals lost their lives in a boat collision.
The earlier accident happened in Hunan Province when a passenger boat collided with an industrial vessel, resulting in 19 people being thrown into the water.
A protest took place in Kashmire on April 23, 2025, in response to the tragic killing of tourists by gunmen in Pahalgam, located about 90 kilometers from Srinagar, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The protest was marked by the condemnation of the violence that claimed the lives of 26 individuals, primarily Indian nationals and one Nepali.
Witnesses reported that the assailants focused their attacks on men, choosing to spare those who could recite the Islamic declaration of faith, a claim circulated by Indian media outlets.
Following this violent incident, students in states such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh faced intimidation and harassment, according to a statement from the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, led by convenor Nasir Khuehami. He mentioned that students were instructed to vacate their rented accommodations or university hostels immediately.
At a university in Himachal Pradesh, some students experienced harassment, with reports of physical assaults and forced entry into hostels. Khuehami noted that students were derogatorily labeled as "terrorists." He emphasized that this issue extended beyond mere safety concerns; it reflected a targeted campaign of hatred against students from a specific ethnic background.
In the capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, around 20 students sought refuge at the airport after receiving threats from a fringe right-wing group known as the Hindu Raksha Dal. This group warned Kashmiri Muslim students to leave town or face severe consequences.
Since 1989, individuals advocating for independence or a merger with Pakistan have engaged in a sustained struggle in IIOJK. In response to the recent violence, Indian security forces have initiated a widespread manhunt for the attackers, resulting in numerous detentions.
On Wednesday, New Delhi accused Islamabad of harboring "cross-border terrorism," leading to a series of diplomatic escalations in their relations. Pakistan has categorically denied involvement in the incident in Pahalgam.
Security forces respond to the attack in the Pahalgam region of IIOJK. — Press Trust of India
“Kashmir Resistance” claims the attack.
Expresses anger over the settlement of over 85,000 “outsiders”.
Trump offers full backing to India; PM Modi vows to seek justice.
SRINAGAR: In a tragic occurrence in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Indian security forces began an extensive search on Wednesday for the assailants involved in the shooting that claimed the lives of 26 individuals at a popular tourist site. This incident marks the deadliest attack on civilians in nearly twenty years, prompting New Delhi to pledge a formidable retaliation.
The shooting, which occurred on Tuesday in the picturesque Baisaran valley of Pahalgam, also left at least 17 others injured. Reports indicate that the deceased included 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national, according to police sources.
This attack represents the most significant assault on civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks and has disrupted the relative peace that has allowed tourism to flourish in IIOJK as anti-India insurgent activities have diminished in the past few years.
The incident is perceived as a blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Modi returned early from a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also shortened her trip to the U.S. and Peru to support the nation during this difficult period, as stated by her ministry.
At the airport, Modi convened a meeting with top officials, including the national security advisor and the foreign minister, while a special security cabinet session was scheduled for 12:30 GMT, according to a defense ministry source.
“We will pursue not only those who committed this act but also those who orchestrated it from the shadows,” declared Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh ahead of the meeting. “A decisive response will follow shortly,” he added during a memorial address for a former Indian Air Force chief.
Chasing the attackers
Immediately after the incident, security forces deployed to Pahalgam began searching the forests for any signs of the attackers. Security sources reported that about 100 individuals, believed to have had past affiliations with insurgents, were brought in for questioning.
Police also released sketches of three suspects, who were observed wearing traditional attire, including long shirts and loose trousers, with one reportedly sporting a body camera. At the time of the attack, around 1,000 tourists and approximately 300 local service providers were present in the valley, according to a security source.
A relatively unknown group, the “Kashmir Resistance,” has taken responsibility for the attack through a social media post, voicing dissatisfaction over the settlement of over 85,000 “outsiders,” which they claim has led to a “demographic shift.”
Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, expressed concern over the loss of tourist lives, extending condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a swift recovery to the injured.
Kashmir in protest
On Wednesday, numerous local organizations called for a shutdown in IIOJK in protest against the attack on tourists, whose increasing presence has bolstered the local economy.
Many schools also opted to suspend classes for the day in solidarity against the tragedy.
The shutdown was pervasive, with protesters emerging in various locations carrying banners with slogans like “Stop killing innocents,” “Tourists are our lives,” and “This is an attack on us.”
“I must convey to the nation’s citizens that we are embarrassed; Kashmir is ashamed,” said former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in a statement. “We stand with you in this crisis.”
Airlines began offering additional flights from Srinagar, the territory’s summer capital, as visitors hurried to leave the region, officials reported.
“Witnessing this exodus of our guests is heartbreaking,” said serving Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on X, pointing out that the primary highway linking Srinagar with the rest of the country, which had been damaged by heavy rainfall, was opened for one-way traffic out of Srinagar to facilitate the departing tourists.
While some local tourism operators reported receiving cancellations for the approaching peak summer season, the local chapter of the Travel Agents Federation of India condemned the violence.
Trump pledges full support to India
U.S. President Donald Trump reached out to Prime Minister Modi to quickly offer “full support to India in seeking justice against the offenders of this horrendous attack.”
Among other international leaders condemning the assault, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen stated that “Europe stands with you.”
India maintains approximately 500,000 troops stationed in the territory. Over recent years, officials have worked to promote this mountainous area as a vacation hub, attracting visitors for both winter skiing and summer escapes from the heat experienced in other parts of India.
In 2024, Kashmir saw an influx of approximately 3.5 million tourists, predominantly local visitors.
The most devastating attack in recent history occurred in Pulwama in February 2019 when insurgents drove a vehicle loaded with explosives into a police convoy, resulting in the deaths of 40 individuals and injuring at least 35 others.
India revoked Kashmir’s special status in 2019, transforming the region into two federally governed territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. This move allowed local administrations to grant domicile rights to outsiders, enabling them to secure jobs and purchase land in the disputed region, thus straining relations with Pakistan. The ongoing conflict has fueled deep animosity and military confrontations between the two nuclear-armed nations.
Attacks targeting tourists in IIOJK have been infrequent. The last fatal incident occurred in June 2024 when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims fell into a deep gorge following an attack, killing at least nine people and injuring 33 others.
Indian police officers on duty at a checkpoint following an attack near Pahalgam, Anantnag district, IIOJK, April 22, 2025. — Reuters
One of the most lethal attacks in years, according to the Chief Minister of IIOJK.
Police report the shooting took place in a secluded meadow.
India revoked IIOJK’s special status in 2019.
SRINAGAR: At least 20 individuals are believed to have lost their lives when gunmen opened fire on tourists in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Tuesday, marking one of the most severe assaults on civilians in the region in recent memory, according to three security sources.
The incident unfolded in Pahalgam, a well-known tourist spot in this picturesque mountainous area.
One security official estimated that 20 people died, while another suggested the figure could be as high as 24 or even 26. All three sources requested anonymity, as they were not authorized to disclose information to the press.
“The gunfire erupted right in front of us,” a witness recounted to India Today, choosing to remain anonymous. “At first, we thought it was just firecrackers, but when we heard screams, we immediately fled to save our lives.”
“We ran for about four kilometers without looking back… I’m still shaking,” another witness shared with India Today.
The shooting took place in a remote meadow, and reports indicate that two or three gunmen were involved, as noted by an anonymous senior police officer in a report by Indian Express.
“We are still confirming the exact number of casualties, so I won’t go into details,” stated IIOJK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on X. “However, it’s clear that this attack is far more serious than anything we’ve witnessed against civilians in recent years.”
The nationalities of the victims have not been disclosed yet.
Earlier this month, the local government in IIOJK reported to its legislature that nearly 84,000 non-residents from across India had been granted domicile status in the area over the past two years.
Since the revocation of IIOJK’s special status in 2019, which bifurcated the state into two federally governed territories, local authorities are now able to offer domicile rights to outsiders, allowing them to secure jobs and purchase land.
Incidents targeting tourists in IIOJK have become rare; the last deadly event occurred in June 2024 when nine people were killed and 33 were injured after an assault caused a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims to plunge into a gorge.
This latest attack took place just one day after U.S. Vice President JD Vance began a four-day personal trip to India.
