Pahalgam, a booming tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir, witnessed a shocking attack by suspected rebels, killing at least 26 people in its deadliest incident in 25 years. This sudden violence has led to a rapid decline in tourism, with hotels and shops closing as visitors flee in fear. Local business owners, previously optimistic about rising tourism, now face bleak prospects, expressing despair about the future. The Resistance Front, responsible for the attack, has heightened concerns over escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, drastically altering the region's landscape for both residents and tourists alike.
Along the Liddar River, which winds through the picturesque valley, all the hotels have closed, and the shops stand shuttered. The town, which draws millions of visitors each year, has emptied almost overnight.
By Wednesday, he had been forced to close his restaurant, and now believes the outlook is bleak. We are condemned forever. I don't think the industry will recover now, he says.
All my 20 rooms were booked for the next month, he says. But everything changed overnight. All my customers left early this morning. They were sad, frightened, and terrified – and rightly so.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a little-known armed group that emerged in the region in 2019, claimed responsibility for the attack, raising fears of an escalation in India-Pakistan tensions.
Collection
[
|
...
]