5 Days After Attack, Hope, Confidence Take Over Pahalgam As Tourists Return

Pahalgam:

Pahalgam, hit by terror that cost 26 lives, appears to have bounced back with tourists who wanted to enjoy summer in Kashmir Valley, sticking to their travel plans. The refrain was — “We thought it over and decided to come”.

The scenic area that had drawn the “Little Switzerland” tag, was opened to tourists a couple of days after Tuesday’s attack. Ground Zero of the attack, Baisaran meadow, is still shut though. 

For a few days after the group of terrorists emerged from the pine forests around the meadow and opened fire on a group of unsuspecting tourists, the bustling tourist hub had almost emptied out. 

In place of 5,000 to 7,000 sightseers a day, hardly 100 could be seen after the massacre, raising spectres of unemployment for locals who mostly depend on tourism.