Following terror attack in Pahalgam, tourists start cutting their Kashmir trip short

A deserted view of the main market area in south Kashmir’s scenic Pahalgam following militant attack
| Photo Credit:
STRINGER

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, the tourists on Wednesday have started leaving the Valley, cutting their trips short. A huge rush was witnessed at Srinagar International Airport as desperate tourists scrambled to get out of Kashmir.

On Thursday afternoon, terrorists struck Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, leaving 27 tourists dead and injuring many. The horrific attack have sent tourists into panic mode, and many of them immediately departed for Srinagar. 

A tourism official at Pahalgam said that they have evacuated the tourists without going into the details. 

In the first quarter of 2025, the Valley recorded a heavy tourist influx with 5.25 lakh tourists arriving in the region. Presently, the tourist season in the Valley is at its peak with over 2 lakh tourists visiting the scenic region. 

“Yesterday, we arrived in Pahalgam after visiting Gulmarg and were just ten minutes from Baisaran when the attack occurred. We’re now stranded at our hotel and wish to return to Srinagar,” said a group of tourists. They said that they wanted to leave as soon as possible. 

Bushara Khan, a tourist from Chhattisgarh said that she was at the same spot a day before the attack took place. “We are stuck at a hotel in Pahalgam and wanted to leave for Srinagar,” she said. 

Adding to woes 

The closure of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway last week — after landslides triggered by a cloudburst — left tourists with few options to exit the Valley. 

With airfares soaring, many are instead opting for the historic Mughal Road, which connects Shopian in Kashmir to Rajouri in Jammu division. “We couldn’t afford the air ticket, so we took this route to reach Jammu,” said Mahesh Sharma, a tourist from Delhi.

Meanwhile, Air India and Indigo on Wednesday operated four additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai. Indigo has also decided to give a waiver on rescheduling and cancellation.“ In light of the current situation in Srinagar, We have extended waivers on rescheduling/ cancellation. We are also operating two special flights on April 23”, Indigo posted on X. 

Published on April 23, 2025