A new chapter of hope, healing Visible At Top Tourist Resort
Srinagar: Nearly two months after the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives and brought the region’s tourism to a standstill, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the iconic hill station on Sunday—this time amid bustling markets, cheerful crowds, and a palpable sense of revival.
Marking a symbolic return to normalcy, the Chief Minister shared images of a vibrant Pahalgam on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, capturing scenes of foreign and domestic tourists mingling with local picnickers along the rain-kissed banks of the Lidder River. “The last time I visited Pahalgam, I biked through an all but empty market,” Abdullah wrote. “Today I returned to a Pahalgam filled with activity. Foreign tourists from across the country jostled for space with local visitors enjoying the cold weather and rain.”
Calling it a moment of satisfaction, he added: “It’s highly rewarding to observe the hard work that my team and I have been investing begin to yield results.” The visit comes as a powerful signal of confidence after the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran, which sent shockwaves through Kashmir’s tourism sector and led to mass cancellations and an eerie silence in what should have been the start of the peak tourist season. Hotels emptied overnight, markets fell silent, and pony owners—the lifeline of local tourism—were left with no work. The psychological toll was heavier than the economic loss, locals say. But weeks of intensive security measures, outreach by the administration, and reassurances from local stakeholders are now bearing fruit. On Sunday, Pahalgam was alive again—shops open, hotels seeing healthy bookings, and families, both local and visiting, soaking in the monsoon charm.
“I still recall that April evening. We feared the season was lost,” said Bilal Ahmad, a hotelier. “But seeing tourists walking around, shopping, and taking selfies brings peace to our hearts. It’s not just about revenue—it’s about morale.” Tourists, too, acknowledged the recent tensions but expressed confidence in the improving situation. “We were a bit apprehensive at first, especially after the April incident,” said Deepika Rathi, a visitor from Pune. “But the welcome here has been heartwarming. We’re glad we didn’t cancel.”
With the annual Amarnath Yatra just days away, the renewed tourist activity in Pahalgam is being seen as a positive sign—not only for the local economy but also for Kashmir’s broader image of resilience and recovery. As smiling tourists, busy bazaars, and rain-soaked landscapes featured prominently in the Chief Minister’s social media updates, the message was loud and clear: Pahalgam is healing, hopeful, and open again.
