Pahalgam Residents Face Economic and Emotional Struggles One Year After Terror Attack
Year after attack that changed their town, Pahalgam residents struggle with its emotional and economic toll
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
One year after a deadly terror attack on April 22, 2025, Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, India, faces a significant decline in tourism, impacting local livelihoods. Residents, including ponywalas and shop owners, grapple with emotional scars and financial instability as the town's once-thriving tourism industry suffers from ongoing fear and closures.
- 01Pahalgam's tourism has plummeted since the April 2025 attack, with hotel occupancy at only 10%.
- 02Ponywalas, crucial to the local economy, have lost significant income due to the closure of popular attractions.
- 03The emotional toll on residents is profound, with many struggling to cope with the aftermath of the attack.
- 04Security measures and investigations by the National Investigation Agency have further complicated tourism recovery.
- 05Families affected by the attack, like that of local ponywala Adil, continue to seek closure and support.
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The April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has left deep emotional and economic scars on the community. Once a bustling tourist hotspot, the town now sees only 10% hotel occupancy during its peak season, a stark contrast to pre-attack levels. The attack, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local ponywala, has led to a significant decline in visitors, with daily footfall dropping from 15,000 to just 100. Local ponywalas, who earned up to ₹8,000 a day during peak season, now face financial hardships due to the closure of key attractions like Baisaran. Residents express a pervasive sense of fear that deters tourists from returning. The emotional toll is evident, particularly for families like that of Syed Haider Shah, whose son Adil was killed in the attack while trying to help others. As the community copes with grief and economic loss, many residents hope for a return to safety and normalcy, while the state government offers limited support to affected families.
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The decline in tourism has led to significant financial struggles for local families, particularly those relying on tourism-related jobs. The ongoing fear and closures have made it difficult for residents to envision a stable future.
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