NEW DELHI: Tourists continue to visit Bhaderwah in Jammu and Kashmir despite a recent deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen at the Baisaran meadow on April 22, with visitors expressing their determination to keep exploring the region while condemning the violence.
Multiple tourists spoke about their resolve to continue visiting Kashmir, refusing to be deterred by the attack.
“The attack that happened a few days ago in Pahalgam, the act done by Pakistan, is very shameful, and our government will give them a befitting reply. Their aim behind attacking tourists was to reduce tourism here. But this will not happen. Kashmir was ours, is ours and will remain ours. This motherland is ours; we have come here and will continue to come. We feel safe here. There is nothing to fear, and the Indian Army is here. The people here are very good, there is no problem here,” a tourist said.
Another visitor emphasized that avoiding travel to the region would only show fear. “Some people told us not to visit, but we refused to do this because it was just a show that we are scared… We will continue visiting these places and want to show that we are strong. We hope the country gives a befitting reply,” the tourist said.
“Kashmir is ours, and whatever happened will not stop us from visiting. We are Indians, and we will not be scared of anything. This is heaven for us,” expressed another tourist.
Rishi Bhatt, a tourist from Ahmedabad who was ziplining during the attack, praised the swift response of the Indian Army.
“Army covered Pahalgam within 20-25 minutes. They gave cover to all the tourists within 18-20 minutes… We felt safe once the Army gave us cover. I am grateful to the Indian Army,” Bhatt told ANI.
“We soon found the Indian Army personnel before us. They gave cover to all the tourists,” he added.
The terrorist attack occurred at the popular Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, where several others were also injured in addition to the fatalities.
