Hope trumps worry in Kashmir, vacationers returning to Valley days after Pahalgam terror assault

Per week after terrorists opened hearth on individuals in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians, vacationers are flocking again to the city. Following the April 22 assault, the area wore a abandoned look with vacationer points of interest shut and markets closed. Nonetheless, as days have handed, Pahalgam appears to be coming again to life.

Locals reassure vacationers

Locals in Kashmir, a lot of whose companies have taken successful for the reason that assault, have been reassuring vacationers and urging them to not lower quick their journeys. Whereas some vacationers needed to swallow a bitter tablet and proceed staying within the area regardless of safety threats as flying again to dwelling instantly proved costly.

Bollywood actor Atul Kulkarni was amongst these encouraging vacationers to go to Pahalgam, making his journey to the city simply days after the assault. Talking to BBC Hindi, he mentioned that if militants have been attempting to ship a message to cease guests from coming to Kashmir, the suitable response must be to return in even larger numbers.

“Don’t cancel bookings, cancel your different plans and are available right here,” he mentioned.

Vacationers resolved to go to Kashmir

In the meantime, different locations in Kashmir have additionally been witnessing a sluggish rise in tourism after the April 22 assault.

A vacationer, visiting Bhaderwah, mentioned, “The assault that occurred just a few days in the past in Pahalgam, the act finished by Pakistan, could be very shameful, and our authorities will certainly give them a befitting reply. Their goal behind attacking vacationers was to scale back tourism right here. However this is not going to occur. Kashmir was ours, is ours and can stay ours. “

#WATCH | Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir: “The assault that occurred just a few days in the past in Pahalgam, the act finished by Pakistan, could be very shameful, and our authorities will certainly give them a befitting reply. Their goal behind attacking vacationers was to scale back tourism right here. However it will… https://t.co/p8FmjLdugN pic.twitter.com/E87JbcVJMx

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2025

Well-liked vacationer spots shut

Alternatively, authorities have shut almost 50 public parks and gardens situated in susceptible areas of the Kashmir valley within the wake of the assault.

Gates have been closed at 48 of the 87 public parks and gardens in Kashmir in view of the risk notion to vacationers.

Officers mentioned the safety assessment was an ongoing course of and extra places could also be added to the checklist within the coming days.

The spots postpone restrict for the vacationers embody Dooshpathri, Kokernag, Duksum, Sinthan Prime, Acchabal, Bangus valley, Margan Prime and Tosamaidan.

With inputs from businesses