At least 28 people have been confirmed killed after suspected militants opened fire on a crowd at a popular tourist destination in the India-administered region of Kashmir on Tuesday.

According to the Guardian UK, the incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday when a group of gunmen, from the mountainsides, stormed the popular Baisaran Valley and began shooting from close range, resulting in the death of dozens.

Indian officials said the majority of the victims were tourists in what they are describing as the deadliest attack on civilians in the region in recent years, amid United States Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the Asian country.

Graphic videos shared by locals on social media showed injured tourists lying in pools of blood as their relatives screamed and pleaded for help, prompting authorities to use helicopter services for rescue due to the lack of a good road network in the area.

“My husband was shot in the head while seven others were also injured in the attack,” a woman who survived the attack told the PTI news agency. “I saw a few men lying on the ground looking like they were dead,” another survivor, Waheed, added.

Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia, described the attack as a “heinous act” in a post on X.

“Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice … they will not be spared. Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and will only grow stronger,” Mr Modi posted.