J&K Tourism Takes a Hit
In the aftermath of a brutal terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector has come to a screeching halt. What was once a peaceful haven for travellers with lush valleys and snow-kissed peaks now stands eerily quiet as fear grips the region.
In a sweeping move driven by security concerns, authorities have shuttered 48 resorts across the Union Territory and barred access to several top tourist destinations, including the idyllic Doodhpatri in Budgam and the enchanting Verinag springs in Anantnag. The preventive closures come just days after the shocking attack rocked the serene meadows of Pahalgam, a place that, until recently, buzzed with visitors.
J&K Tourism Takes a Hit
The fallout has been immediate. Panic-stricken tourists have fled, and future bookings are vanishing by the hour. The region, heavily reliant on tourism, is facing economic uncertainty. For the locals, the empty streets and shuttered hotels spell more than just silence, they represent lost livelihoods.
“We are still in shock,” said one local vendor. “This isn’t just about tourism. This is about our daily bread.”
J&K Tourism Takes a Hit
Despite the somber mood, what’s emerged powerfully from the tragedy is unity. From Kathua in the south to Kupwara in the north, an unprecedented wave of protests has swept across J&K, not against the government, but against terrorism itself. Locals poured into the streets with one collective message: “Not in our name.”
J&K Tourism Takes a Hit
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in an emotional address to the special assembly session, hailed the people’s resolve. “This is the first time in over 20 years that Kashmiris have risen in such numbers against terror,” he said. Refusing to politicize the incident, he added, “I will not use this tragedy to demand statehood. My politics is not cheap.”
J&K Tourism Takes a Hit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed the sentiment, promising that the perpetrators and their backers would be relentlessly pursued. “They will not escape justice,” he declared, “even if we have to chase them to the ends of the earth.”
As Kashmir reels from the horror and grapples with the economic shock, one thing is clear: its people are refusing to be defined by terror. Their message to the world is loud and clear, peace is non-negotiable.
