Omar Abdullah Shares Lively Tourist Scenes from Pahalgam as Kashmir Sees Signs of Revival

Pahalgam, once eerily quiet following a terror attack in Baisaran Valley, is showing signs of revival — and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is at the forefront of highlighting this positive change. Back in the picturesque town for his second visit in a month, Abdullah shared vibrant images of bustling markets, heavy traffic, and packed picnic spots, signalling a cautious but hopeful return of tourism to the Valley.

“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 wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Tourists from various parts of the country competed for space with local picnickers who were enjoying the cool climate and rainy weather.”

Calling it a satisfying development, the Chief Minister added, “It is very satisfying to see the efforts my colleagues and I have been putting in slowly bearing fruit.”

This upbeat post comes just weeks after a deadly terror attack in Baisaran Valley that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local resident. The incident led to the temporary closure of several tourist hotspots across Kashmir, triggering a mass exodus of visitors and causing widespread booking cancellations. Hotel occupancy reportedly plummeted, with as much as 80% of bookings cancelled in the days following the attack.

In a strong message of resilience and normalcy, the Chief Minister and his Cabinet had held a meeting in Pahalgam in late May — a symbolic move aimed at restoring public confidence and assuring safety. That decision now appears to be paying dividends.

Of the 48 tourist destinations that were shut after the attack, 16 have now reopened, and footfall is slowly increasing. While the current numbers are yet to match the pre-May levels, industry insiders are optimistic that the summer season may still be salvaged.

The stakes are high. Tourism is not just a seasonal activity in Kashmir — it is a lifeline. The sector contributes nearly 7-8% to Jammu and Kashmir’s GDP, and the proportion is even higher for the Kashmir Valley, where many livelihoods depend on travel and hospitality.

The recent scenes in Pahalgam — traffic jams, full hotels, and crowded viewpoints — offer a glimmer of hope for the region’s economy and its people. As calm begins to return, the government hopes this momentum continues, reviving what is fondly known as “Paradise on Earth.”

IT.