Srinagar/New Delhi, April 23 -- At least 26 people were feared dead and another 15 injured after terrorists gunned down a group of tourists in a picturesque meadow near Kashmir's Pahalgam town on Tuesday afternoon, marking the worst attack on civilians in the restive region in nearly two decades.

The deadly strike, which came during US vice president JD Vance's visit to India, took place in Baisaran meadow, around five kilometres from Pahalgam town in Kashmir's Anantnag district.

Located atop a hill, the meadow is ringed by snow-capped mountains and dotted with pine forests. The top sightseeing destination -- known in local parlance as mini Switzerland -- is accessible only by foot or on horses. The attack came weeks before the Amarnath...