KASHMIR—Suspected Islamic militants killed nine Hindus in an early-morning raid Aug. 6 as thousands of pilgrims made their way to a sacred shrine deep in the heart of the disputed Kashmir region.
Gunmen opened fire on the camp of 2,000 pilgrims, killing at least nine people and injuring as many as 31, according to news reports. At least 24 people have been killed in similar raids this year, in addition to 50 other deaths since 2000.
Indian officials quickly blamed the militant group Lashkar-e-Tayyaba based in Pakistan. Pakistan condemned the killings but “rejects with contempt” any link to sponsorship, according to the Associated Press.
The two nuclear nations have nearly gone to war several times over similar attacks. The Kashmir region, the only Muslim-majority state in India, is claimed by both countries.
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