Panic overshadows trust; influx of tourists in Kashmir before first anniversary of Pahalgam attack, bookings reach 0% to 90%

News India Live, Digital Desk: A picture is emerging from Kashmir Valley which is not only comforting, but is also a slap on the cheek of terrorism. One year is about to be completed on April 22, 2025, that black day that took place in Baisaran, Pahalgam, in which 26 innocent lives were lost. While the tourism of the valley had completely collapsed after the attack, today, just before the first anniversary, the huge rush of tourists at the tourist places of Pahalgam and Srinagar is telling a new story. ‘Shaheed Marg’ has become the center of reverence and peace. A memorial built by the government near the famous ‘Selfie Point’ on the banks of Lidder river in Pahalgam is today the center of attraction for every tourist. It is known as ‘Shaheed Marg’. The memorial has been built in memory of the 25 tourists and a local pony rider who lost their lives in the dastardly terrorist attack on the grounds of Baisaran last year. The tourists coming here are not only enjoying the natural beauty, but also do not forget to stop at this martyrdom memorial and pay tribute to the dead and light candles. This place has now become a symbol of deep peace and introspection amid the fun. Crowd gathered in Tulip Garden, a befitting reply to the masters sitting across the border. The figures of the Tourism Department show that the magic of the beauty of Kashmir is once again on the rise. In the last one month, more than 2.5 lakh tourists have visited ‘Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden’ in Srinagar. Administration and local people believe that this record presence of tourists is the biggest answer to the terrorists and their masters sitting across the border, who wanted to derail the economy and peace of Kashmir. Booking of Pahalgam became hero from zero, confidence increased on security. While after the April attack last year, hotel booking in Pahalgam had fallen to 0%, this year this figure has crossed 90%. Tourists say that their decision to come here is not based on fear, but on ground reality and trust in the security forces. Many tourists have praised the hospitality and security arrangements of Kashmiris. The atmosphere has now changed from fear to complete trust. Hi-tech security: Pahalgam equipped with QR code and digital tracking. The administration has started ‘Digital Identification System’ to make the security system transparent and strong. Now special QR codes have been given to pony operators, shopkeepers and guides in Pahalgam. By scanning these codes, tourists can instantly check the correct identity, registration and police clearance status of the service provider. Additionally, a GPS-based monitoring system has been introduced for taxi drivers and hotel staff, adding an additional layer of security. Baisaran Valley remains a ‘no-entry zone’, strictness in sensitive areas. Even though Betab Valley and Aru Valley are completely open for tourists, Baisaran Valley (Mini Switzerland) is still closed to the general public due to security reasons. This is the same place where the attack took place last year. CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police have put up barricades there and there is a strict ban on any kind of photography or videography. The government aims to fully reopen all 48 tourist destinations after a security review by the end of 2026. Following intelligence inputs, security agencies are on high alert. A ‘multi-tier’ security system has been deployed across the valley in view of the first anniversary of the attack. Security agencies are on high alert after intelligence reports suggested threats to target the tourism sector again. Surveillance is being maintained through CCTV and FRS (Face Recognition System) cameras at key locations. Strictness is also being maintained regarding foreign tourists and immigration rules so that no untoward incident can happen. Today Pahalgam has emerged as not just a tourist destination but a global symbol of victory and recovery against terrorism.