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.

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.