In what comes as a somber yet befitting tribute to 25 tourists who lost their lives to terror attack last year, a memorial has been erected in the hill resort of Pahalgam by the UT administration . A similar gesture has been shown for the local ponywallah who also lost his life in the brutal attack. The authorities have beefed up security across Kashmir ahead of first anniversary.
A memorial built of black marble, bearing the names of the 26 victims, was constructed along the banks of the Lidder river, standing a solemn reminder of the terror attack that took place in the meadows of Baisaran valley.A year on, the site draws a large number of tourists, many of whom refuse to let fear define their travel choices. Some visitors also spoke highly of the security arrangements and the hospitality of the locals.
The April 22 attack not only sent shockwaves across Jammu and Kashmir but also dealt a severe blow to the region’s tourism industry— a key pillar of the local economy— which is now showing signs of revival following sustained efforts by the National Conference government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
As for the security arranagements at the world famous spot, the administration has deployed additional police and paramilitary personnel in and around Pahalgam, with intensified checking at multiple points and heightened surveillance to ensure a peaceful commemoration.Senior officials said all necessary arrangements have been put in place for the event, which is expected to be attended by several politicians, civil society members, families of the victims, and local representatives.
Although all three Pakistani terrorists involved in the massacre were eliminated by security forces in a gunfight in the Srinagar hills three months later, the probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) continued even as it filed a chargesheet in mid-December against seven accused, including the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF), and a handler operating from across the border.
Post terror attack, many tourism stakeholders said the industry has shown signs of revival in recent months, aided by sustained outreach and promotional efforts spearheaded by Chief Minister Abdullah, who also holds the tourism portfolio.
In an unprecedented response, people across Kashmir had taken to the streets in protest, marking one of the first such large scale public demonstrations against terror attack in over three decades.In a significant political gesture, the Jammu and Kashmir government on April 28, 2025 convened a special session of the Legislative Assembly which unanimously passed a resolution to express shock and anguish over the Pahalgam attack and resolved to fight resolutely to defeat the nefarious designs to disturb communal harmony and hinder progress in the Union Territory.
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