Latest news with #Srinagar
BBC News
23-06-2025
- BBC News
Kashmir: Tourists begin to trickle in months after April killings in Pahalgam
Two months after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir scared away tourists and brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war, the picturesque valley nestled in the Himalayan mountains is beginning to see the first signs of a tourism Awwal is making videos of her children as they take turns to get on a water bike for a ride on the Dal Lake, Srinagar city's most iconic tourist Awwal has travelled from the western state of Rajasthan with her husband and children in a group of 15 - all members of their extended family."I've visited Kashmir many times and seen all the major attractions such as Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam and wanted to show all these places to my relatives," she tells the Awwals had planned their 10-day trip in March. "Summer in Rajasthan is unbearably hot so we'd planned to escape to Kashmir during the children's school vacation," she since she planned the trip, the circumstances here have drastically changed. On 22 April, militants attacked tourists visiting a beauty spot near Pahalgam town, killing 26 is the mainstay of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, a federally-administered territory, and this unprecedented targeting of tourists sent shockwaves through India. The authorities closed down 48 tourist destinations in the valley and two-thirds of them still remain Minister Omar Abdullah, who's been lobbying hard to reopen these spots to attract visitors to the region, says "the impact of the attack was immediate and very widely felt"."There was a mass exodus of those tourists who were already here, and a mass cancellation of those who were proposing to come. Then India and Pakistan, for all intents and purposes, were almost at war for a couple of days in May," Abdullah told the BBC."So the lasting impact has been felt both in the deterioration of relations between the two neighbouring countries and our tourism season for the year is going to be, what word do I use for it? I guess you can call it a disaster." Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has been a flashpoint for decades. The nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours have fought two wars and a limited conflict over Kashmir. For more than a quarter of a century, the region has seen an armed insurgency against Indian rule, but even at its peak, tourists were rarely Awwal said her family decided to continue with their holiday because "we weren't really afraid" and "we thought we'll deal with whatever came our way"."We are happy that we went ahead with our plans. The situation here is normal," she says and blames the "media hype" for the impression that it's unsafe to travel to Awwals are not alone in their optimism. Deepti and Anuj Gandhi of Jammu who made their plans just last week say "there's no summer holiday destination better than Kashmir"."The children love to ride water bikes and then we'll go boating in the lake. We come here every year, so why break the tradition now?" she says. Earlier this week, news agency ANI reported that a group of Polish tourists had arrived in the arrivals merely weeks after the Pahalgam attack are a cause of optimism for hoteliers, taxi drivers, tour guides, shopkeepers and owners of shikaras – the Venetian gondola-like narrow colourful wooden boats that ferry tourists on the Dal April, president of the shikara owners' association Haji Wali Mohammad Bhat says, the Dal Lake boulevard was packed with thousands of tourists, there were daily traffic jams and many complained they were finding it hard to get accommodation."The attack on tourists was unfortunate and tragic," he says."It has affected all of us and our livelihoods. Tourists are our life, tourism is our lifeline. God knows what sin we're paying for," he adds, Gosain, president of Indian Association of Tour Operators, who recently led a three-day "fact-finding trip" of tour operators - as "they are the ones who send travellers to Kashmir" says "for the past few years tourism was flourishing in Kashmir, lots of new hotels had been built, new vehicles were bought and new shops had opened".Last year, the government said 23.6 million tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir, with 3.49 million visiting the year, Mr Gosain says, the peak season has been lost in the valley, but tourism can still pick up. "Locals are very welcoming, hoteliers, tour guides and shopkeepers are very friendly and people are coming back. You can see it – all flights are coming in full, tourism is bouncing back quickly."I think the national sentiment is that if the purpose of the attack was to derail tourism, then it won't succeed. But I hope no untoward incident happens again," he to reports, some of the credit for the revival of tourism in Kashmir also goes to a new train link that has for the first time connected Srinagar with the rest of twice-daily train from Srinagar to Katra station, in Jammu region – which recently made headlines for passing over "the world's highest single-arch railway bridge" – has been running packed and tickets have been sold out for the next two which is the starting point for those visiting the popular Hindu shrine of Vaishno Devi, attracted 9.48 million pilgrims last many of those arriving there since 7 June, when the spanking new air-conditioned train was commissioned, have been hopping on it to go to Kashmir. Among the pilgrims taking advantage of the easy connectivity is Ghanshyam Bharadwaj and his wife Mamata Sharma and their children. For the Delhi-based couple enjoying hot sugary tea near the Dal Lake, coming to Srinagar was "a spur of the moment decision"."It took us just three hours from Katra. We'll spend the night here and take the train back to Katra tomorrow and travel on to Delhi," Mr Bharadwaj said."I ask him if he was worried travelling to the valley so soon after the Pahalgam attack?"There's nothing to be afraid of. This is my country," he Minister Abdullah says the fact that the pilgrims are choosing to come to the valley is a good start."Now those who are coming for a few hours, I'd like to see them come for a few days. Those who are coming for a few days, I'd like to see them having the confidence to stay for a week."But at least it's a beginning, and that's what helps."Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
Arab News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
India arrests two for harboring Kashmir attackers
SRINAGAR, India: New Delhi's counter-terrorism agency said Sunday it has arrested two men in India-administered Kashmir for allegedly harboring Pakistani gunmen behind a deadly attack on civilians that sparked a days-long conflict between the two countries. India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the two suspects were from the Pahalgam area, where gunmen killed 26 people two months ago. 'The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had... selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity,' a statement by NIA said. The majority of those killed were Hindu men. The agency identified the two men as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, claiming the duo 'have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack,' and have confirmed they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the attack without making public any evidence, and Islamabad has denied the charge. The April 22 killings triggered a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures by the nuclear-armed countries and led to intense exchanges of missile, drone and artillery fire. The four-day conflict left more than 70 people dead on both sides. Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between the South Asian rivals — claimed by both in full — since their independence from British rule in 1947, and the neighbors have fought two wars over its control. Rebel groups, demanding the divided region's independence or merger with Pakistan, have waged an insurgency since 1989.
Forbes
11-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Samsung Suddenly Raises Trade-In Prices In Rare New Offer
Samsung Galaxy S25 (left) and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (right) are displayed for sale at a mobile ... More phone store in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on February 8, 2025. (Photo by Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto via Getty Images) If you're a Samsung smartphone customer in the U.S., you get access to free subscriptions and huge trade-in deals that pay hundreds of dollars for years-old phones. In the U.K., the trade-in prices are poor, but British shoppers get free devices bundled with their Galaxy phones. The Korean company has balanced its promotional offers between the two countries like this for years. But, with the release of the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung is rewriting its rulebook to shift more units of a phone that is reportedly underperforming sales expectations. The latest U.K. Galaxy S25 Edge deal bundles a free Galaxy Tab A9 Plus with all purchases, alongside the regular list of freebies and accessory discounts. The trade-in prices, however, are far more generous than any previous U.K. Samsung sale. For example, U.K. shoppers will get £341 ($461.41) for their Galaxy S22 Ultra compared to the U.S. site's $500 price. Things get better with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is priced at £449 ($608.21), beating the U.S. store's $580 valuation. Here are some comparable prices between the two countries. That trend is continued across several devices from separate manufacturers. It's also completely unheard of. The only major difference in valuations between the two territories is that Samsung U.S. will accept a wider range of handsets. Also, some phones still net a higher valuation in the U.S. (the Galaxy Z fold 6: £230 ($310.39) U.K. $630 U.S.). Even on the cheaper end of trade-in pricing, Samsung U.K. beats its American counterpart by offering at least £200 ($269.90) for any Android phone, compared to the $50 the U.S. store will pay. Samsung will soon discount the new Galaxy S25 Edge again. The Galaxy S25 Edge is a new phone in a fresh device line, which doesn't have the history of previous models behind it to help sell the device. Samsung is working overtime to entice shoppers to try out the new handset by upping trade-in prices and giving away a free tablet. Reported sales data may also be a factor. According to its industry sources, SamMobile claims that Samsung's early Galaxy S25 Edge sales are below expectations. The site also theorizes that the company's lack of sales data in Korea and generous pre-order deals—that improved as the days went on—are signs that the device hasn't sold well. If true, we may see more Samsung Galaxy S25 edge deals on the horizon as the company attempts to shift units before the Galaxy Z Fold 7 steals the spotlight. If you're interested in the Galaxy S25 Edge, hold tight for bigger price cuts in the coming months. On the meantime, hit the follow button below for the latest deal news.
Al Jazeera
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Modi inaugurates strategic railway project in Indian-administered Kashmir
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opened one of the country's most ambitious railway projects, which will connect the Kashmir Valley to the vast Indian plains by train for the first time. Dubbed by the government-operated Indian Railways as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, the 272-kilometre (169-mile) line begins in the garrison city of Udhampur in the Jammu region and runs through Indian-administered Kashmir's main city of Srinagar. The line ends in Baramulla, a town near the highly militarised Line of Control dividing the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan. The Indian government has pegged the total project cost at about $5bn. The railway line travels through 36 tunnels and over 943 bridges and will facilitate the movement of people and goods, as well as troops, that was previously possible only via treacherous mountain roads and by air. One of the project's highlights is a 1,315-metre-long (4,314-foot) steel and concrete bridge above the Chenab River connecting two mountains with an arch 359 metres (1,177 feet) above the water. Indian Railways has compared its height with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which stands 330 metres (1,082 feet), and said the bridge is built to last 120 years and endure extreme weather, including wind speeds up to 260 km/h (161mph). Modi visited the Chenab bridge on Friday with tight security, waving an Indian tri-colour flag before boarding a test train that passed through picturesque mountains and tunnels to reach an inauguration ceremony for another high-elevation bridge named Anji. The railway 'ensures all weather connectivity' and will 'boost spiritual tourism and create livelihood opportunities', Modi said. The prime minister also helped launch a pair of new trains called 'Vande Bharat' that will halve the travel time between Srinagar and the town of Katra in the Jammu region to about three hours from the usual six to seven hours by road. Modi's visit to Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday is his first since a military conflict between India and Pakistan brought the nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of war last month when the countries fired missiles and drones at each other. The conflict was triggered after a shooting attack in late April that left 26 men, mostly Hindu tourists, dead in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attackers, a charge Islamabad denied. India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Armed groups in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi's rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels' goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir armed groups are backed by Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies.
Arab News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Modi inaugurates ambitious rail project connecting Kashmir to Indian plains
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated one of the most ambitious railway projects ever built in India, which will connect the Kashmir Valley to the vast Indian plains by train for the first time. Dubbed by government-operated Indian Railways as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, the 272-kilometer (169-mile) line begins in the garrison city of Udhampur in Jammu region and runs through Indian-administered Kashmir's main city of Srinagar. The line ends in Baramulla, a town near the highly militarized Line of Control dividing the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan. The line travels through 36 tunnels and over 943 bridges. The Indian government pegged the total project cost at around $5 billion. One of the project's highlights is a 1,315-meter-long (4,314-foot) steel and concrete bridge above the Chenab River connecting two mountains with an arch 359 meters (1,177 feet) above the water. Indian Railways compared the height to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which stands 330 meters (1,082 feet), and said the bridge is built to last 120 years and endure extreme weather, including wind speeds up to 260 kph (161 mph). Modi visited the Chenab bridge with tight security, waving an Indian tri-color flag before boarding a test train that passed through picturesque mountains and tunnels to reach an inauguration ceremony for another high-elevation bridge named Anji. The prime minister also helped launch a pair of new trains called 'Vande Bharat' that will halve the travel time between Srinagar and the town of Katra in Jammu to about three hours from the usual six to seven hours by road. Modi traveled to Indian-administered Kashmir on Friday for the first time since a military conflict between India and Pakistan brought the nuclear-armed rivals to the brink of their third war over the region last month, when the countries fired missiles and drones at each other. The conflict began with a gun massacre in late April that left 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists, dead in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attackers, a charge Islamabad denied. Addressing a public rally in Katra, Modi lashed out at Pakistan and alleged Islamabad was behind the massacre. He said the attack was primarily aimed at Kashmir's flourishing tourism industry and meant to fuel communal violence. 'I promise you, I won't let developmental activities stop in Kashmir,' Modi said, adding that local industries and businesses will get a boost from the new rail connectivity. The railway project is considered crucial to boosting tourism and bringing development to a region that has been marred by militancy and protests over the years. The line is expected to ease the movement of Indian troops and the public to the disputed region, which is currently connected by flights and mountain roads that are prone to landslides. India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Militants in the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi's rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels' goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, a charge Islamabad denies. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
