2 weeks Ago
Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir): Just five days after a shocking terrorist attack rocked the peaceful town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, a wave of resilience and optimism is sweeping through the region. While the number of visitors had dropped drastically to a mere 50-100 in the immediate aftermath, down from the usual 5,000 to 7,000 daily, a heartening shift is now taking place. On Sunday, the streets of Pahalgam witnessed a heartwarming sight – both foreign and domestic tourists strolling through the town, bringing a sense of normalcy and renewed hope to the area.
Tourists from Croatia and Serbia were seen exploring the town, at ease and unperturbed. They expressed admiration for Kashmir’s unmatched beauty and the warmth of its people. Ljiljana, a tourist from Croatia, shared her experience with ANI, saying, “We are from Croatia and have been here for three or four days.
We feel very safe, and your country is incredibly beautiful. We haven’t encountered any problems here. Kashmir is stunning, and the people are kind.
We are all 12 of us, including two from Serbia and the rest from Croatia.” Reflecting on the attack, she added, “We heard about the incident a day before arriving, but we were determined to come to Kashmir. We feel safe and have had no problems here.
It’s terrible what happened, and I hope it will stop everywhere – not just here, but in the whole world.” Number one Vlatko, also from Croatia and visiting Kashmir for the tenth time, said, “Kashmir is number one in the world for me. It’s natural, peaceful, and the people are incredibly soft.
My group is experiencing it for the first time, and they’re absolutely loving it. We feel completely safe, no fear at all.” Admir Jahic, another tourist from Croatia, expressed similar sentiments, saying, “I feel wonderful here.
I have made many friends in Kashmir. The people are welcoming, and I’m happy to meet such kind people. It’s tragic what happened, but I didn’t feel any fear.
These things can happen anywhere, and I won’t let it stop me from traveling and meeting new people. I hope Kashmir enjoys peace and prosperity, as it truly deserves it.” Ivana, from Serbia, shared her gratitude for Kashmir, saying, “We are excited to explore more of this beautiful valley and your incredible country.
We knew about the incident before we left, but we decided to come anyway. This trip is one we’ve been planning for years, and we knew Kashmir was beautiful. We’ve experienced only good things here.
Thank you, Kashmir.” Adding an Indian perspective, Mohammad Anas from Surat, Gujarat, said, “We are enjoying our time here in Pahalgam. We were deeply saddened by the loss of our fellow tourists.
It’s a huge tragedy. However, the markets are still open, and everything is normal here. The Indian Army is present, and the local people are very supportive.
Since arriving, I haven’t felt any fear. Initially, when we heard about the attack, we were scared and considered returning. But the locals and the army reassured us that there was no danger.
They encouraged us to visit Pahalgam, and we’re grateful we did.” The spirit of unity and courage was also visible in a local protest, where the people of Pahalgam marched with the national flag, defying terror and standing strong in solidarity. Despite recent tragic events, Kashmir’s undying charm, the warmth of its people, and the resilience of its spirit are slowly bringing travelers back, one step at a time.
The beauty of the region, coupled with its enduring spirit, continues to shine brightly..
