Memorial unveiled at Lidder banks to honour 26 victims
Tourist inflow holds steady as authorities push confidence measures
Tight vigil, checkpoints across key destinations
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: Kashmir is on high alert as the Union Territory will mark the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday (April 22), with heightened security arrangements and solemn tributes planned across the Valley.
Authorities have intensified surveillance and deployed additional police and paramilitary forces at key locations, particularly in tourist hubs, to ensure a peaceful observance.
The black marble memorial, installed along the Lidder river, commemorates 26 victims, 25 tourists, and a local pony handler who were killed in the April 22 attack at Baisaran meadows.
Officials said the site will serve as a permanent tribute to those who lost their lives in the incident that had shaken the region and the nation.
Senior officials said all arrangements are in place for the anniversary, which is expected to draw participation from political leaders, civil society members, and families of the victims.
The 2025 attack had sent shockwaves across the region and dealt a significant blow to Kashmir’s tourism sector. However, officials said sustained efforts and confidence-building measures have helped restore visitor inflow in recent months.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the tourism portfolio, has been spearheading outreach initiatives aimed at reviving the sector, officials said.
Tourists currently in Pahalgam said they felt safe and welcomed despite the shadow of last year’s tragedy.
Aman Verma, a visitor from Haryana, said security arrangements were visible and reassuring. We did not face any issues. The environment is peaceful, and people here are very supportive, he said.
Verma said that the incident had not discouraged travel plans. “Such incidents are unfortunate, but one should not stop visiting. We felt safe throughout,” he added.
Local stakeholders said tourism activity has gradually picked up, with hotels and transport services witnessing improved occupancy and bookings compared to the immediate aftermath of the attack.
Meanwhile, authorities have ramped up security across key tourist destinations, including Gulmarg, Tangmarg, Doodhpatri, and Drung, ahead of the first anniversary of last year’s terror attack.
Security forces have intensified vigilance across the tourist belt, establishing multiple checkpoints and conducting extensive vehicle inspections.
Police personnel, assisted by central armed police forces, carried out identity checks and random searches throughout the day to ensure the safety of both visitors and locals.
Officials said the measures are preventive in nature to maintain peace, especially with tourist footfall on the rise.
A senior officer told Kashmir Horizon that the focus remains on ensuring a secure environment and averting any untoward incident.
“Authorities have urged the public to cooperate with security agencies and report any suspicious activity. The security build-up is also aimed at maintaining public confidence and ensuring smooth tourist movement,” he added.
The 2025 strike had also triggered rare public protests across Kashmir, with people taking to the streets to condemn the killings.
Days later, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly convened a special session and passed a unanimous resolution expressing grief and reaffirming commitment to peace and communal harmony.
Investigations into the attack continue, with security agencies having earlier neutralised the terrorists and filed charges against several accused linked to cross-border terror networks.
Officials said the anniversary will be observed with solemnity, with the memorial emerging as the focal point for remembrance.
As the Valley prepares to mark the day, authorities maintained that security remains robust and urged visitors not to be deterred.
In a social media post, the Army said, “When boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive. Justice is Served. India Stands United. SindoorAnniversary #JusticeEndures, #NationFirst”.
The post, heavily symbolic, also carried a digital poster bearing a silhouetted image of the map of India with the caption “SOME BOUNDARIES SHOULD NEVER BE CROSSED”.
In retaliation, India launched a military operation early on May 7 and decimated multiple terror infrastructure in Pakistan and along its border areas.
The military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, lasting nearly 88 hours, halted after they reached an understanding on the evening of May 10.
