Pahalgam: A year has gone by. Twenty-six people were killed ruthlessly. Twenty-six families were shattered forever. Still in mourning, Kashmir and Kashmiris remember April 22 as the blackest day in their history, when, in the land of Lalla Ded and Nund Reshi, innocent blood was spilled with impunity.
The day is a reminder of both barbarism and humanity. It reminds us of terrorism and humanism. While terrorists were spraying bullets at tourists, locals were trying to save them.
A year later, a memorial has been erected in Pahalgam as a sombre tribute to the 25 tourists and a local ponywallah who lost their lives in the brutal terror attack last year.
The April 22 attack not only sent shockwaves across Jammu and Kashmir but also dealt a severe blow to the region’s tourism industry, a key pillar of the local economy.
Although all three Pakistani terrorists involved in the massacre were killed by security forces in an encounter in the Srinagar hills three months later, the probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) continued. The agency filed a chargesheet in mid-December against seven accused, including the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF), and a handler operating from across the border.
In an unprecedented response, people across Kashmir took to the streets in protest, marking one of the first such large-scale public demonstrations against a terror attack in over three decades.
In a significant political gesture, the Jammu and Kashmir government convened a special session of the Legislative Assembly on April 28, 2025. The House unanimously passed a resolution expressing shock and anguish over the Pahalgam attack and resolved to fight resolutely against nefarious designs aimed at disturbing communal harmony and hindering progress in the Union Territory.
A memorial built of black marble, bearing the names of the 26 victims, has been constructed along the banks of the Lidder River. It stands as a solemn reminder of the terror attack that took place in the meadows of Baisaran Valley.
A year on, the site draws a large number of tourists, many of whom refuse to let fear define their travel choices. Some visitors also spoke highly of the security arrangements and the hospitality of the locals.
“What had to happen has already happened. But if we choose not to visit this place now, that would be wrong. In India, almost every household nurtures a dream. I hail from Assam, and we too share that dream of visiting Kashmir,” Navojit Sarkar, a tourist, told PTI.
Sarkar, along with a sizeable number of tourists from different parts of the country, is currently staying in the hill resort of Pahalgam, reflecting a steady return of visitors to the popular destination.
Despite the shadow of last year’s attack, tourists have continued to arrive, with many expressing confidence in the prevailing security arrangements and the region’s hospitality.
“We did not face any issues at all. There was never a moment of trouble or discomfort during our stay. The people of Kashmir have been exceptionally warm and helpful. They interacted with us kindly and ensured we felt welcome at every step.
“From small gestures of guidance to genuine hospitality, the experience has been reassuring and memorable,” said Ankur Maheshwari, a tourist from Punjab.
Dropadi Rawat, a middle-aged visitor from Lucknow, said she and her companions had a positive experience, noting that they were not afraid and felt confident travelling as Indians.
She said they were deeply impressed by the overall atmosphere and would gladly visit the place again.
“We would like to tell other travellers to definitely visit this place and experience it for themselves. It is truly wonderful and reassuring. We felt very comfortable throughout our stay, with strong security arrangements and a very pleasant environment, which made our experience thoroughly enjoyable in every respect,” Rawat said.
The administration has deployed additional police and paramilitary personnel in and around Pahalgam, with intensified checking at multiple points and heightened surveillance to ensure a peaceful commemoration.
Senior officials said all necessary arrangements have been put in place for the event, which is expected to be attended by several politicians, civil society members, families of the victims, and local representatives.
Following the terror attack, tourism stakeholders said the industry has shown signs of revival in recent months, aided by sustained outreach and promotional efforts spearheaded by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the tourism portfolio. (With PTI inputs)
