PAHALGAM: Undeterred by the killing of 26 tourists by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22, holidayers were seen returning to the picturesque resort town on Saturday
The tiny hill station was completely shut down from April 22 till Thursday. TOI on Saturday found tourists taking pictures and clicking selfies at Pahalgam’s popular “selfie point” on the banks of the Lidder river.
Most tourists said since there was no ban or restriction on tourists visiting Pahalgam, they had decided to go ahead with their holiday plans. Hoteliers are also offering special discounts and some eating joints are offering a meal free with every meal ordered.
Baisaran meadow out of bounds for visitors, we visited other places in Pahalgam: Tourist
We came on Friday and found that everything was normal. Although most of the markets and shops were closed, local people and security personnel were very supportive. Except Baisaran meadow, which out of bounds for visitors, we visited other places,” said Joydeep Ghosh Dastidar of Kolkata.
Mrityunjay Pande, another tourist, said they had bookings from April 24-26 but had cancelled it after the terror attack. “However, when we were told that there are no restrictions on tourists visiting Pahalgam, we could not resist and came Saturday morning. We will return by evening,” said Mrityunjay, a teacher from Bihar.
TOI found one family from Kolkata who had come to Pahalgam on April 21, a day before the massacre of tourists, who had returned to Pahalgam on Saturday after visiting Sonmarg and Gulmarg.
“People here are helpful after that incident; we have not felt any fear. That was an unfortunate tragedy, but we cannot stop coming to such a place just because of that,” said Mohammad Safiq, a businessman from Kolkata who was visiting along with his family.
However, one tourist hotspot that usually sees around 3,000-5,000 tourists daily was deserted, with only security forces and local residents on the streets. Most shops, except those stocking essential commodities, remained closed on the fifth day after the attack.
BREAKING NEWS
- Quiet Sadness No One Talks About
- Delhi Airport Issues Travel Advisory: ‘Operations Running Smoothly; There May Be Flight Adjustments, Longer Wait Time at Security Checkpoints’, Indira Gandhi International Airport Says Amid India-Pakistan Tension
- ‘Blood and Bookings Won’t Flow Together’: Ixigo Halts Flight Tickets and Hotel Bookings to Turkey, China and Azerbaijan Amid India-Pakistan Tension
- Gul Panag Takes a Dig at Pakistan As They Celebrate International Monetary Fund Loan, Says ‘India Has Not Taken Any Financial Assistance From IMF Since 1993’
- Koyo Kouoh, Prominent Art World Figure, Is Dead at 57
- Weekly Numerology Horoscope For May 12- 18: Destiny Number 1- Check Your Ruling Planet; Love Life And More | Culture News
- Studies point to redlining as a ‘perfect storm’ for breast cancer
- Putin proposes restarting direct peace talks with Ukraine ‘without preconditions’
- India Declares Future Terror Attacks Will Be Treated As Acts of War Amid Tensions With Pakistan: Govt Sources
- Malvani Police Files FIR Against 40-Year-Old Woman For Criticising ‘Operation Sindoor’ On Facebook