Kashmir’s Tourism Industry Reels After Deadly Attack as Tensions Escalate
- Rahaman Hadisur
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff
H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia
One week after a devastating militant attack near the scenic mountain resort of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir claimed 26 lives, the region remains gripped by uncertainty and grief, even as tourists slowly trickle back.
The once-bustling high street of Pahalgam, abandoned in the immediate aftermath of the attack, is showing early signs of life. Shops are cautiously reopening, and a few visitors are returning, drawn by the town’s famed natural beauty, often likened to Switzerland.
On 16 April, militants opened fire on tourists visiting Baisaran, a popular mountain-top meadow near Pahalgam. The brazen attack, one of the deadliest in Kashmir in recent years, primarily targeted civilians and sent shockwaves across India, stirring anger and fear.
In its aftermath, tensions between India and Pakistan both of whom claim Kashmir have flared, with reports of cross-border skirmishes and retaliatory measures announced by both sides. Speculation over a possible military response from Delhi is mounting.
While Kashmir has endured violence since an armed insurgency erupted in 1989, attacks on tourists have been rare, making this incident particularly damaging to the region’s vital tourism sector.
Tourism Industry Faces Uncertain Future
Tourism, a mainstay of Kashmir’s economy, has been deeply shaken. Locals, like shawl-seller Rafi Ahmed, fear for their livelihoods if visitors stay away. After three days without business, Ahmed managed a few sales but worries the long-term impact could be devastating.
Despite lingering fears, some tourists have chosen to stay. Mumbai tourist Akshay Solanki described the panic that gripped his group on the day of the attack, but soaring flight prices and reassurances from locals and security forces convinced them to continue their trip.
Bollywood actor Atul Kulkarni, visiting Pahalgam in a show of solidarity, urged more tourists to visit, saying: "If the message from the militants was 'don’t come here,' we should respond by coming in even larger numbers."
Yet cancellations have surged. Mumbai-based tour operator Abhishek Sansare reported 80-90% cancellations from cities like Pune, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with fears of escalating violence driving many to abandon their travel plans.
Heightened Security and Economic Uncertainty
In response to the attack, Indian authorities have launched widespread combing operations, detaining hundreds and demolishing homes linked to alleged militants. Increased security presence in tourist areas is aimed at reassuring visitors but has also contributed to a tense atmosphere.
The fallout extends beyond tourism. Major infrastructure projects, such as the inauguration of the world’s highest single-arch rail bridge linking Kashmir to the rest of India, now face delays. Business investments, which had only recently begun flowing into the region, are also at risk.
"People who were investing in logistics and other sectors will now think twice because of the security environment," said Ubair Shah, a prominent business owner in south Kashmir.
Political Leaders Express Anguish
In a heartfelt address to the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Omar Abdullah paid tribute to the victims, reading out all 26 names. He expressed deep sorrow, acknowledging that tourists who had come at his invitation had suffered unimaginable losses.
"I had no words to apologise to them," Abdullah said emotionally. "What could I say to the children who saw their father drenched in blood? To the widow of the navy officer who was married barely a few days ago?"
As Kashmir struggles to recover, the attack has cast a long shadow over hopes for peace and prosperity, with locals and authorities grappling with how to restore the confidence of a nation shaken to its core.
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