Kashmir’s famed Pahalgam stirs back to life

June 23, 2025 by News Desk

Representational Image

Suhail Dar

Just a few months ago, the streets of Pahalgam wore a deserted look following the deadly April 2025 attack that shook the region and brought its already fragile tourism industry to a near standstill. Hotels remained empty, shop shutters rarely opened, and the silence along the Lidder River was broken only by uncertainty.

But today, that silence has been replaced with the hum of activity. Crowded streets, packed hotels, and bustling markets suggest a revival — not from foreign or national tourists just yet, but from Kashmiris themselves.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who visited the area on Sunday, remarked on the contrast. “The last time I was in Pahalgam I cycled through a market that was all but deserted. Today I came back to a Pahalgam that was bustling with activity,” he said. He credited the administration’s efforts and expressed hope that such momentum would sustain local livelihoods.

Local shopkeepers and hoteliers say it’s the local visitors who are keeping Pahalgam alive again.

Bilal Ahmad, who runs a small hotel in the main market, said, “After the April incident, we didn’t think we would open this season at all. Now, most of our rooms are booked, and the guests are mostly from Srinagar, Anantnag, and nearby districts. That’s how it used to be years ago.”

Shabir Khan, who owns a bakery near the bus stand, said this is the first time in months he’s seeing daily sales cross a few thousand rupees. “Since April, it has been a shock. But this rush — it gives us a reason to keep the ovens running.”

Vendors along the riverbanks and at Aru Road echo similar feelings. Ruksana Jan, who sells handmade shawls and souvenirs, said, “People had stopped coming. After the attack, there was fear in everyone’s heart. But now, families are coming for picnics, school trips are happening again. It’s a sign that maybe, just maybe, things will be normal again.”

While many in Pahalgam agree that the flow of international and high-end domestic tourists is yet to return, the current local footfall is a significant morale booster. Authorities have stepped up security, worked on restoring infrastructure, and launched a quiet campaign to rebuild trust in the region.

For now, it is the familiar faces of Kashmiri families that are breathing life back into this iconic tourist destination. And for the people of Pahalgam, it’s enough to begin hoping again.