‘Valley safe, welcoming; past attack will not deter travel plans’
Srinagar, May 06: Tourists visiting Kashmir have expressed a sense of pride and confidence on the anniversary of ‘Operation Sindoor,’ saying they will continue to travel to the Valley despite past incidents and tensions.
At several tourist spots across Srinagar and nearby destinations, visitors told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the events of last year have not deterred them. Instead, they said, the response by security forces has strengthened their resolve to visit Kashmir.
“We feel proud of how the situation was handled. We have come here without fear,” said Rohan Mehta, a tourist from Delhi. “Kashmir is safe, and we will keep coming.”
Pertinently, ‘Operation Sindoor’ was launched on the night of May 7–8, 2025, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed. The operation targeted multiple terror infrastructure sites across the Line of Control and beyond, followed by a brief escalation before a ceasefire understanding was reached.
Tourists said the incident had initially raised concerns, but the subsequent restoration of calm and continued security presence have reassured them.
“We had plans even last year but postponed after the attack. This time we made sure to come,” said Anjali Sharma, visiting with her family from Jaipur. “We believe such incidents should not stop people from travelling.”
Many visitors said they view continued tourism as a sign of resilience and normalcy. “If something happens, the response is strong. That gives us confidence,” said Arvind Kumar, a tourist from Lucknow. “We feel the situation is under control.”
At Dal Lake and other popular locations, tourists were seen engaging in routine activities, with houseboats and local businesses reporting steady footfall.
“We are enjoying our trip. People here are welcoming and everything feels normal,” said Sneha Gupta, another visitor. “There is no reason to be afraid.”
Some tourists said that continued visits to Kashmir also send a message against disruption caused by violence.
“We should not let such incidents affect tourism. Kashmir is beautiful and peaceful,” said Manish Verma, a visitor from Mumbai. “We will come again.”
Officials said tourist movement has remained steady, with security arrangements in place to ensure safety at key destinations.
Locals associated with the tourism sector said such confidence among visitors is important for the region’s economy.
Tourists said they hope peace continues and that Kashmir remains open and accessible for visitors from across the country. “We just want peace here. And we will keep coming back,” Mehta said. (KNO)
