Vice President JD Vance’s tour of India was rocked on Tuesday after dozens of people were killed after a gunman opened fire on a group of tourists.
Vance had been in the country to help build closer ties with Prime minister Narendra Modi as talks over a trade deal progress.
Before traveling to India, the Vice President had visited Vatican City where he had a meeting with the late Pope Francis on the Sunday just before the Holy Father’s demise.
Vance visited the northwestern city of Jaipur on Tuesday following his meeting with Modi on Monday as part of a four day trip to the country.
Suspected militants opened fire on tourists in the Jammu and Kashmir territory on Tuesday afternoon.
At least 24 people were killed, Indian police have said, but according to local reports, the death loss is likely to rise to between 26 and 30.
The attack took place in the popular summer retreat of Pahalgam, about 55 miles by road from the key city of Srinagar.
A group of four gunmen, identified by senior officials as militants opposed to Indian governance, shot at close range, resulting in severe injuries for many of the victims.
Vice President JD Vance addresses a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur on April 22, 2025
Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance and their children pose for a photo in front of the Akshardham Temple in New Delhi
At least 24 people were killed, Indian police have said, but according to local reports, the death loss is likely to rise to between 26 and 30
According to reports from Indian media, a band of armed individuals showed up in the vicinity and initially requested tourists to display their identification cards. Shortly after, they reportedly began shooting.
President Donald Trump called the attack ‘deeply disturbing’ and said the United States ‘stands strong with India against terrorism’.
Writing on his Truth Social social media platform, Trump said: ‘We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured.’
Modi decried the ‘heinous act’ and pledged the attackers ‘will be brought to justice’, writing: ‘Their evil agenda will never succeed.’
Vance said in a post: ‘Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India.
‘Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack.’
Vance met with The Pontiff briefly for a ‘quick and private’ meeting at the Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City.
Chilling footage emerged on social media following the aftermath of the attack with several injured people on the ground as loved ones kneel beside them screaming for help.
Vance met with The Pontiff briefly for a ‘quick and private’ meeting at the Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City on Sunday
Both Vance and President Trump extended their sympathies to those killed in the attack
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but rebels in the Muslim-majority region have waged an insurgency since 1989
One woman was head wailing: ‘Please save my husband. For god’s sake, save him’.
Indian media has reported that a group of two-to-three gun-wielding individuals appeared in the area and initially asked tourists to show their identity cards. Just moments later, they allegedly opened fire.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that ‘the attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years’, with the death toll ‘still being ascertained’.
‘This attack on our visitors is an abomination,’ he said in a statement. ‘The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt.’
The region’s governor Manoj Sinha – New Delhi’s representative in the area – condemned ‘the cowardly terror attack on tourists’.
He assured that ‘the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished’.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but rebels in the Muslim-majority region have waged an insurgency since 1989.
They are seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan – which controls a smaller part of the Kashmir region and, like India, claims it in full.
During his trip Vance confirmed that both sides had finalized the terms of reference for the trade negotiation – a vital step towards setting the road map for the final agreement.
India and the U.S. hope to seal a bilateral trade agreement this year and have set an ambitious target of more than doubling their bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
If achieved, the trade deal could significantly enhance economic ties between both countries and potentially strengthen diplomatic ties as well.
