A huge blow to tourism in J&K

Vijay Hashia

With spring already in full bloom and summer approaching, the Kashmir Valley should have been preparing to welcome its peak tourist season, a time when visitors from across the globe converge upon its snow-capped mountains, verdant meadows, and tranquil rivers. Adding to this, the revered 38-day Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to commence in July, drawing thousands of Hindu devotees, who traverse the arduous journey to Amarnath by enduring hunger, pain and exhaustion in extreme weather conditions through Pahalgam and Baltal to reach the holy cave shrine of Lord Shiva.
However, this seasonal optimism has been brutally shattered by the terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in the serene Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, where at least 28 people lost their lives in a senseless act of violence. Terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on a group of tourists, plunging the entire region into a state of shock and grief. The attack not only devastated families but also struck at the very heart of Kashmir’s tourism-based economy, which had only just begun to recover after years of socio-political unrest and pandemic-related disruptions.
This act of terror is a calculated blow to the already fragile tourism sector in the Valley. Occurring mere months before the commencement of the Amarnath Yatra, it casts a long and ominous shadow over the region’s tourism prospects. The incident has evoked widespread fear and insecurity, rekindling old anxieties among potential travelers and pilgrims.
Over the last few years, Kashmir had been witnessing a gradual and hopeful resurgence in tourism. After decades of conflict, border skirmishes, curfews, militant threats, and the disruptive lockdowns of the COVID-19 era, the region finally began to enjoy a semblance of normalcy. In 2022, Kashmir saw approximately 1.88 crore tourists, which increased to 2.11 crore in 2023, and an impressive 2.35 crore in 2024. These figures marked a remarkable revival and testified to the enduring allure of Kashmir’s natural beauty and cultural richness.
Destinations like Pahalgam, known for its emerald valleys, the gentle flow of the Lidder River, and proximity to the pilgrimage routes, had emerged once again as favourites among honeymooners, trekkers, and spiritual seekers. The local communities, especially those dependent on tourism for their livelihood, had begun to breathe a sigh of relief after years of economic hardship.
But this recent atrocity threatens to undo much of that hard-earned progress. Heart-wrenching accounts have emerged from the survivors. One woman reportedly watched her husband being shot after militants asked him to reveal his religion. Others were allegedly forced to lower their under- wears for identification. These disturbing images from a place that symbolizes peace and hospitality have triggered national outrage and international concern.
This isn’t the first time that Pahalgam has witnessed terror. In August 2000, terrorists massacred 32 people, including 24 Hindu pilgrims at the Nunwan base camp. On July 20, 2001, militants launched a pre-dawn assault on the Sheshnag camp, killing 15 people. In 2002, Chandanwari base camp, 11 yatris were killed. And in 2017, 8 pilgrims were ambushed and killed in a bus attack in Kulgam, Anantnag District and now April 2025 Baisaren attack 28 were killed.
This is apart from 1989-90 Kashmiri Pandit massacre, Sangrampora (1997 killing 7 KPs), Wandahama (1998 killing 23 KPs-women and children), Chattisinghpora (2000- killing 36 minority community Sikhs), State Legislature Complex Srinagar (2001- killing 36 people), Lower Munda, NH-1( 2002 killing 19), Nandimarg ( 2003- killing 24 KPs), Prankot (1998-killing 29), Chapnari (1998- killing 26 ), Kishtawar (2001- killing 43), Kasimnagar,( 2002- killing 29), Kaluchak( 2002- killing 7 ),
Pulwama (2005- killing 13), Doda (2006- killing 57 ), Pulwama ( 2019- killing 40 CRPF personnel), Kulgam (2006- 9 Nepalis and Beharis), Ganderbal ( 2024- killing 6 migrant workers)
The implications for the Amarnath Yatra are immense. Pahalgam is not only a major tourist destination but also one of the primary base camps for the Yatra. The current security lapse jeopardizes not just lives but the entire infrastructure and administrative planning associated with this revered pilgrimage. Authorities are now racing against time to restore public confidence, boost intelligence coordination, and reconfigure threat assessments. The success or failure of these efforts will determine not only the fate of the Yatra but also the region’s socio-economic trajectory for the rest of the year.
For Kashmiris, this is not just an economic tragedy but an emotional and moral wound. The region prides itself on its deep-rooted tradition of “mehmaannawazi”-gracious hospitality. That tourists were targeted while in their care fills many locals with sorrow and shame. From ponywallahs and shikara owners to hoteliers and handicraft artisans, the fear of cancelled bookings, financial ruin, and further isolation looms large.
Yet within this grim scenario lies an opportunity. The government must now deliver a strong and coordinated response, reassuring citizens, protecting pilgrims, and supporting tourism workers. More importantly, abandoning the Yatra is not an option. A successful and secure Yatra would serve as a powerful counter-narrative to the forces of fear and fragmentation. It would affirm that Kashmir remains a land of faith, resilience, and beauty.
The Baisaran attack is a painful reminder of Kashmir’s lingering vulnerabilities. But it can also become a turning point-one where the region refuses to yield to terror and instead reasserts its identity as a cradle of coexistence and spiritual unity. The road ahead is difficult, but with resolve, solidarity, and careful planning, Kashmir can once again echo not with gunfire, but with the sounds of prayer, laughter, and renewal.

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