One year after the Pahalgam attack, fear and uncertainty continue to linger in one of Kashmir’s most popular tourist destinations. The Baisaran Valley, once bustling with visitors, now reflects a fragile return to normalcy as tourism struggles to recover.
Local businesses, pony wallahs, and hotel owners say their livelihoods have taken a severe hit, with tourist footfall dropping sharply after the attack. While security has been tightened and authorities claim efforts to revive tourism are underway, many stakeholders argue that recovery remains slow and uneven.
This ground report from Pahalgam captures the human impact of the attack, the economic fallout on Kashmir’s tourism sector, and the cautious return of visitors navigating fear, safety concerns, and hope.