South Africa has strongly condemned this week’s deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, expressing solidarity on Thursday with the Indian government and the victims of the incident.
In a statement issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the South African government conveyed its condolences and denounced the violence.
“The South African government believes that acts of violence and extremism have no place in society and constitute a threat to peace, security and development,” the statement said.
The statement comes in the wake of Wednesday’s attack on tourists in Pahalgam, a popular resort town in Indian-administered Kashmir.
According to Indian authorities, gunmen armed with automatic weapons emerged from nearby forests and opened fire on a group of visitors, killing 26 people.
Local media report that the victims were part of a large tourist group visiting the scenic region.
Indian security forces have launched a manhunt for the attackers who fled the scene.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault, which marks one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years.
The attack has drawn international condemnation and heightened concerns over security in the region, which has experienced decades of insurgency and periodic violence.
JN/APA