Chaos in Kasol: Tourist fires at local after heated argument
A popular tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh was gripped by panic on Saturday evening after a dispute between tourists and locals in Kasol escalated into gunfire, leaving one person injured, media reports said.
The incident took place around 6 pm at a hotel in the scenic hamlet of Kasol in Kullu district, which is currently witnessing a surge in visitors as soaring temperatures across northern India drive tourists to the hills.
According to police, an argument broke out between a group of tourists from Punjab and local residents at the Green Valley hotel.
What began as a verbal altercation quickly turned into a physical confrontation, during which one of the tourists allegedly opened fire.
This incident happened right in front of my stay in Kasol. A man allegedly shot a local resident in the leg, and when the victim and his friend tried to escape, he reportedly chased them down the main road while brandishing a pistol and attempting to shoot again. @himachalpolice pic.twitter.com/T9vxZRr57J
— Vicky Thakur (@imsandeep02) May 30, 2026
Local injured in firing
The bullet struck a local in the leg, causing him to collapse on the spot.
Videos from the scene showed the injured man limping out of the hotel's parking area before being carried away on another local's back to safety as chaos unfolded around him.
Witnesses alleged that even as the injured man was being taken to hospital, the accused attempted to reload his weapon and fire again.
He was reportedly restrained by people accompanying him before further shots could be fired.
The injured man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.
Four tourists detained, one absconding
Police teams reached the spot soon after the incident and detained four tourists from Punjab for questioning.
The detained individuals have been identified as Manpreet Singh (29) from Tarn Taran, Aman Randhawa (22) from Amritsar, Sukhmandeep Singh (17) from Ferozepur, and Karndeep Singh (22) from Gurdaspur.
Another suspect, identified as Taman, also from Gurdaspur, is currently absconding. Police have launched a search operation to trace and arrest him.
FIR registered
Authorities said a First Information Report (FIR) is being registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
Investigators are also working to recover the firearm used in the incident and determine the exact trigger behind the confrontation.
Panic in tourist hub
The shooting sent shockwaves through Kasol, a town known for attracting thousands of domestic and international tourists every year.
The incident occurred during one of the busiest tourist periods of the season, with hotels and cafes packed with visitors seeking relief from the intense heat in the plains.
The episode has once again drawn attention to recurring concerns over law and order, drug abuse, and occasional clashes involving tourists and locals in the popular hill destination.
Police said further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
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