Srinagar, Apr 21: On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 tourists persons, mostly tourists dead, visitors on Tuesday said no such incident would stop them from travelling to the Kashmir, asserting they would continue their visits without fear and that Pakistan would not be able to disrupt the prevailing peaceful atmosphere.
Pertinently, on April 22, 2025, a major terror attack took place in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in South Kashmir, where terrorists targeted tourists in the popular meadow known as “Mini Switzerland.” Victims included 25 tourists from across the country, one from Nepal, and a local pony operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who died while trying to disarm an attacker.
Visitors said, “Pakistan would not be able to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” and asserted that tourists would not be deterred by fear, adding they would continue to visit and explore destinations across the Valley.
“We are not afraid of Pakistan or those trying to disrupt peace in Kashmir. India is a peace-loving country and we want peace. We will not tolerate any attempts to harm us,” said Sunil Kumar, a retired Army officer from Himachal Pradesh, at Razdan Top in Bandipora.
He said the nation is paying tributes to the Pahalgam terror attack victims and that they will always be remembered. At several places, including Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Gurez Valley, tourists paid tribute to the victims.
“Kashmir is a peaceful place and its people are peace-loving. We see them as our family members and there is no fear at all. We are visiting Kashmir and will continue to come again and again because it is a paradise in India,” said Abisheikh.
Describing the Pahalgam attack as an unfortunate incident, he said it would not deter tourist footfall in Kashmir and that visitors would continue to arrive.
Another group of tourists from Haryana said they would continue to explore the Valley, describing Kashmiris as peace-loving and asserting that Pakistan would not be able to harm the region or carry out attacks like Pahalgam.
“Kashmir is like a mini Switzerland and its beauty is unmatched anywhere else in the country,” they said, urging tourists to continue visiting and exploring the Valley.
Tourists said they love Kashmir’s hospitality and prayed for peace to prevail in the Valley.
Ganesh Kumar, a tourist from Chhattisgarh who recently visited Pahalgam, said he felt encouraged by the security arrangements in place. He added that visitors should make the most of their trip and explore the region, describing it as a part of India worth experiencing.
Meanwhile, authorities introduced a QR code-based identification system for all tourism service providers and intensified patrols across the valley to restore tourist confidence.
Abdul Waheed, president of the Ponywalla Association in Pahalgam, said all service providers have been verified by the police and registered with the authorities, with each issued a unique QR code carrying personal details such as Aadhaar and driving licence information.
He added that the code can be scanned on a mobile phone by tourists or security personnel to access complete identification details of the individual.
Security has been tightened across major hubs, with intensified patrols and drone surveillance marking the anniversary of the attack.
Seventeen major destinations that were closed after the attack, including parts of Betaab Valley, have been reopened to restore normalcy.
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