A week after a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 people, tourists have begun trickling back to Pahalgam, with small numbers visiting the town’s main high street. The attack on tourists has sparked widespread anger and uncertainty, but local business owners and residents are exhorting visitors to come.
Tourists had largely abandoned the area after the attack, but some have returned due to low airfare options and reassurances from locals and security forces. Bollywood actor Atul Kulkarni visited Pahalgam days after the attack, urging tourists not to cancel their bookings.
However, uncertainty lingers in Pahalgam, and experts warn that a sense of normalcy may take several years to return. Indian authorities have launched combing operations and exchanged small arms fire with Pakistan across the border, escalating tensions in the region.
The Kashmir valley’s economy relies heavily on tourism, which has suffered significantly due to the recent violence. The government has closed down over half the tourist destinations in the valley as authorities review security measures. A group of prominent tour operators reported that 80-90% of all bookings had been cancelled.
As the region continues to boil over, local leaders have expressed deep anguish to families who lost their loved ones. The attack on tourists has also put the inauguration of the world’s highest single-arch rail bridge in doubt, with the timeline now uncertain.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn80k0ven13o