Armed men opened fire on a group of tourists in the Indian state of Kashmir, killing at least five people, AFP reported citing a senior politician.

At least five tourists were killed and eight people were injured after suspected militants opened fire on them in Kashmir on Tuesday, a police source told Reuters. The agency called it the biggest attack of its kind in almost a year.

The attack took place in the town of Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, the Indian Express reported earlier.

Pahalgam is a popular spot in the picturesque Muslim-hosted area that attracts thousands of tourists every summer, Reuters commented.

The Himalayan region, which is partially ruled by both India and Pakistan, has been plagued by militant violence since the start of an anti-India uprising in 1989, BBC wrote. Attacks on tourists have become rare in recent years, but still occur.

The last major attack occurred in June - nine people were killed and 33 injured when a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims fell into a deep gorge after a militant attack.