The scenic town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, once thriving with tourists and vibrant local businesses, now faces an uncertain future in the wake of the tragic terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
The attack, which primarily targeted tourists in the region, has deeply impacted the local tourism industry, leaving many reliant on it in a state of distress. For the long-time residents and workers of Pahalgam, this tragedy is not just a loss of lives but a blow to the backbone of their economy—the tourism sector.
Tourism has always been the lifeblood of Pahalgam, with hotels, restaurants, shops, and other services all heavily reliant on the influx of visitors. However, following the attack, the tourism industry has ground to a halt, and businesses and workers who depend on it are now facing dire consequences.
A local chef with 30 years of experience in Pahalgam’s hotel industry expressed his distress, saying, “I have worked as a chef in Pahalgam for 30 years, and I’ve never witnessed anything like this. My livelihood depends entirely on tourists. Now, I don’t know what I will do. I don’t own enough property to survive without tourists. The tourism season was going well, and hotels were fully booked, but now the loss won’t just be in crores, but billions.”
The tourism season was previously thriving, but many tourists have canceled their bookings following the attack, leaving hotel owners and workers struggling to stay afloat. Another local chef, with 25 years of experience, commented, “This entire town has come to a standstill. The tourism season was bustling, but now the local people, many of whom took loans to run their businesses, are facing immense hardship. I hope such an incident never happens again.”
For Pahalgam’s small business owners and local workers, the attack has not only disrupted their work but also jeopardized their ability to support their families. The impact is already being felt, and many fear it could take years for the town to recover from the damage.
The attack, in which 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen were killed, occurred at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam. This has been one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.
In response to the attack, India has taken strong measures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to hold the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance until Pakistan ceases its support for terrorism. Additionally, India has closed the integrated Attari Check Post, canceled all visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, and ordered Pakistan to withdraw its personnel within 48 hours.
The Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors at the Pakistani High Commission have been declared persona non grata and must leave within a week. As part of a security measure, India has also withdrawn its Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, rendering their posts annulled. The overall strength of both high commissions will be reduced, with further reductions planned by May 1, 2025.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced these decisions in a press briefing following the CCS meeting.
