JD Vance extends condolences for victims of Pahalgam terror attack

The terror attack that has claimed 26 lives has taken place during the US vice president's trip to India along with his family

Vice President of the United States JD Vance on Tuesday extended his condolences to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir which has left at least 26 dead.

 

The terror attack comes during a time when Vance is on a trip to India along with his wife Usha Vance and their three children.

 

"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 posted on X.

 

The terrorists opened fire at the tourist hotspot of Baisaran around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, most of them tourists, reported news agency PTI. Witnesses claimed the terrorists came down to the area from the mountains around it and opened fire on the tourists. The Baisaran valley is reachable only on foot or on horseback.  

 

The report added that The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

 

Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah also condemned the attack and said that he will conduct an urgent security review meeting in Kashmir.

 

Vance's visit to India

 

Vance’s visit to India comes shortly after the reciprocal tariff announcements by US President Donald Trump earlier this month as well as the subsequent 90-day pause for select nations, India among them. On Tuesday, he visited Jaipur where he praised PM Modi amid the ongoing progress of a propose India-US bilateral trade agreeement.