Year after Pahalgam attack, PM talks tough, tourism revives, but survivors fail to move on

The Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba had carried out an attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on this day last year, killing 26 innocent people, mostly tourists from across India, which included 26-year-old navy officer, Lt Vinay.

His father, Rajesh Narwal, a government employee, told reporters at his Karnal residence that the past one year has been painful coming to terms with the death of his son Lt Vinay Narwal. Life has not been the same for the family of the Indian navy officer who was among those killed in cold blood.

Lt Vinay, 26, and his wife Himanshi were on a honeymoon in Pahalgam when terrorists shot him at point-blank range. A photograph of Himanshi sitting beside her husband's body went viral, sparking nationwide grief and outrage.

Also read: A year after Baisaran attack, victims’ families yet to heal, and so is Pahalgam

One year down the line, the father said that his son’s death was not just a immeasurable loss to the family, but also a major loss for the nation. "We are simply unable to deal with grief. We are still grieving," Rajesh said, adding that the pain is still unbearable.

His work keeps him distracted but the moment he reaches home, the pain hits hard, he added.

'India will never bow to terror'

In a post on X today, PM Modi said, "Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten.”

The Prime Minister said his thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. "As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," he said.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up across Kashmir with police and paramilitary forces deployed at important places, including tourist resorts across Kashmir on the first anniversary of the deadly terror attack, officials said, expecting events and rallies to be held in memory of the victims.

Senior officials said all necessary arrangements have been put in place for the commemoration event, which is expected to be attended by several politicians, civil society members, families of the victims, and local representatives.

Tourists flock to Pahalgam

The dark shadow that was cast on the famed pretty meadows of Pahalgam appears to have dimmed somewhat.

A year after the terror attack, the 'mini Switzerland in Anantnag district is once again buzzing with tourist activity, with none rueing their decision to visit the spot that was the ground for last year's terror attack. Right after the attack last year, the authorities had to shut nearly 50 tourist spots before reopening some of those in a phased manner after a security audit.

Today, however, Pahalgam continues to draw 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.

“What had to happen has already happened. But if we choose not to visit this place now, that would be wrong. In India, almost every household nurtures a dream...I hail from Assam—we too share that dream of visiting Kashmir,” Navojit Sarkar, a tourist, told PTI.

Sarkar along with a sizeable number of tourists from different parts of the country is currently camping in the hill resort of Pahalgam, reflecting a steady return of visitors to the popular destination.

Also read: Ahead of Pahalgam anniversary, Pakistan defence minister threatens to strike Kolkata

They are confident about the prevailing security arrangements and the region’s hospitality.

'No trouble, genuine hospitality'

“We did not face any issues at all—there was never a moment of trouble or discomfort during our stay. The people of Kashmir have been exceptionally warm and helpful; they interacted with us with kindness and ensured we felt welcome at every step.

“From small gestures of guidance to genuine hospitality, the experience has been reassuring and memorable,” Ankur Maheshwari, a tourist from Punjab, said.

In fact, after the dastardly attack, 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.

Positive experience: Tourist

Dropadi Rawat, a middle-aged visitor from Lucknow, said she and her companions had a positive experience, noting that they were not afraid and felt confident travelling as Indians. She remarked that they were deeply impressed by the overall atmosphere and would gladly visit the place repeatedly.

Also read: Ten months on, Pahalgam terror victim’s daughter still awaits Maharashtra govt job

“We would like to tell other travellers to definitely visit this place and experience it for themselves—it is truly wonderful and reassuring. We felt very comfortable throughout our stay, with strong security arrangements and a very pleasant environment, which made our experience thoroughly enjoyable in every respect,” Rawat said.

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.

Tourist safety measures

Several new measures have been introduced in the Pahalgam resort to ensure tourist safety. These include background verification of service providers and vendors, including ponywallahs, before they interact with the visitors.

A unique QR code-based identification system has been introduced for all tourism service providers for the safety of tourists in Pahalgam.

The system enables easy identification and verification of genuine and registered service providers, including pony-ride operators, hawkers, business establishments, and outside vendors.

"Each service provider has been properly vetted by police, registered by the authorities and has been provided a unique QR code that contains personal information and other details about that person," the official said.

The QR codes contain the service provider's name, parentage, detailed address, mobile number, Aadhaar number, registration number, operational route, and whether they are police-verified.

A memorial has been erected in the hill resort of Pahalgam ,as a sombre tribute to the 25 tourists and a local ponywallah, who lost their lives in the terror attack last year.

The memorial built of black marble, was constructed along the banks of the Lidder river, and it now stands as a solemn reminder of the terror attack that took place in the meadows of Baisaran valley.

Operation Sindoor

After the Pahalgam terror attack, India carried out a retaliatory military offensive against Pakistan named Operation Sindoor, in which Indian armed forces destroyed military and terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

The April 22 attack not only sent shockwaves across Jammu and Kashmir but also initially dealt a severe blow to the region’s tourism industry— a key pillar of the local economy— which is now showing signs of revival after sustained efforts by the state government.

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.