A month after ghastly terror attack, Pahalgam still awaits tourists

United News of India

22-05-2025

Pahalgam, May 22 (UNI) Till exactly a month back, this world-famous tourist location in South Kashmir used to be overcrowded with tourists from various parts of the country, but today the scenic place wore a deserted look.
The fortunes of this tourist attraction changed drastically, with the footfall dropping sharply, after a group of terrorists, believed to be three to four in number, carried out a massacre of 25 innocent male tourists and one local man on this date last month -- April 22 -- in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam.
Due to the unprecedented fear caused by that gruesome incident, tourists have shunned Pahalgam, which used to bustle with visitors all the time.
One can see a handful of tourists moving around on the main road, but hotels are hardly occupied, and shops are without customers.
The Baisaran meadows are now out of bounds for visitors.
According to the J&K Tourism Department, Pahalgam saw a daily footfall of nearly 10,000 tourists before April 22. Today, the number has dropped to under 300.
Similarly, the number of vehicles entering the resort has plummeted from 1,300 per day to just about 150.
'This is the worst crisis we have ever faced,' says Zubair Ahmed, Vice President of the Pahalgam Beopar Mandal, a local traders' body.
Describing it as the "darkest period" witnessed by him in his lifetime, he says, 'There are around 400 shopkeepers in this area, and the majority have had to let go of their employees."
A few tourists who have dared to come here feel disappointed as the authorities have banned entry to all gardens in Pahalgam.
'The closure of the parks only deepens the sadness,' said a tourist from Odisha, who was here with his family, but refused to identify himself.
'It constantly reminded us of the tragedy (of April 22)," he said, adding that they did not want to stay here for long.
Among the worst hit are the pony wallahs -- locals who earn their living by offering horseback rides to tourists around Pahalgam.
'I used to earn around Rs 4,000 a day but haven't earned a single penny since the attack," said a horse owner.
He went on to add, "We are also caught between the devil and the deep sea. We are frequently summoned to the police station for questioning... What is our fault?'
According to him, over 2000 pony walls are struggling for their livelihood because of the terror attack and its aftermath.
'The season is already lost,' said Zubair.
'But we have some hope from the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. Even though the pilgrimage doesn't directly benefit tourism, it might help instill confidence among tourists to return to the valley," he added.
The Amarnath Yatra, an annual pilgrimage to the Holy Cave of Lord Shiva in the mountains of South Kashmir, is scheduled to begin on July 3.
While its route passes through Pahalgam, the economic benefit to local tourism has historically been limited due to the restricted and high-security nature of the event.
Still, many locals see it as a symbolic restart.
For now, however, the once-vibrant Pahalgam continues to grapple with fear, uncertainty, and economic despair— a stark reminder of how terrorism continues to wound not just lives but livelihoods.
The terror attack of April 22, which was claimed by 'The Resistance Front' (TRF), a front for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit, has already brought India and Pakistan to the brink of a full-fledged war.
Investigators identified the three attackers as Adil Hussain Thokar from Anantnag, and two Pakistani nationals, Ali Bahi alias Talha Bahi and Hashim Musa alias Suleman.
To avenge the carnage, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' during the night of May 6–7, targeting 9 major terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Pakistan retaliated, and intense cross-border military operations ensued for 4 days, before a ceasefire was announced.
Meanwhile, the Pahalgam attackers remain at large. Security forces believe the trio is still hiding in the treacherous forested mountains surrounding Pahalgam and a hunt continues.
Security officials suspect the same group was behind at least three other attacks in Dera ki Gali in Poonch, Bota Patri in Gulmarg, and Gangangir in Ganderbal in a year and a half, leaving several Army men and nonlocal workers dead.
'We will get them,' a senior security officer said, confirming that large-scale combing operations are underway in the area. UNI MJR AKK BD SSP