‘Trust people who have been to Kashmir after attack': Omar Abdullah appeals to potential tourists from West Bengal

Indian Express

10-07-2025

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed to potential tourists from West Bengal to visit Kashmir, stating that security would be given. Speaking at a Travel and Tourism fair inauguration programme in Kolkata on Thursday, he said, 'I understand everybody's concern after the Pahalgam terror attack. But be assured that all security-related steps have been taken by the government, and trust the people who have been to the place after the attack, rather than believing those sitting outside and making judgments without even knowing the place.'
Abdullah noted that the Amarnath yatra is taking place, and claimed there has been a 'noticeable increase' in the number of direct flights to Jammu and Kashmir: 'Tourism is bouncing back. I am here in the city (Kolkata) to boost that.'
'There are some places where we are conducting security audits. We are working to give tourists a safe and secure destination,' he said.
'2025 has not been an easy year for us. The year can be divided into two parts: before the Pahalgam attack, when Kashmir Valley was packed with tourists, and after the Pahalgam attack, when the region was trying to recover from the massive drop in the numbers,' he said.
The leader expressed his gratitude to the West Bengal government and said, 'People of West Bengal are with J&K. The relationship between the two regions transcends over time in the context of 'trust and affection'.
He added, 'West Bengal stood with J&K both politically and economically. We offer adventure and destination tourism. On the ground, there is an air of hope of a new beginning.' On April 22 this year, twenty-six people were killed in a terror attack in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal.
Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More