Post Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdown, until Tuesday, the Kashmir Valley was one of the most sought-after tourist destinations. With summer holidays around the corner, many families had made plans and bookings for a trip to Kashmir — but after Tuesday’s terror attack in Pahalgam, some are cancelling plans and looking at alternative destinations, while others who just returned, are still trying to process the news.
Santanu Das, a resident of Salt Lake in Kolkata, had recently visited the Valley with his wife and family friends. Das returned last week after a seven-day tour. He told The Indian Express, “We were in Pahalgam for two nights and three days. I had visited Kashmir 10 years ago. This time, I felt Kashmir has completely changed. The Army was there and the residents were so helpful. I cannot imagine that such a thing happened.
Das added that after returning from Kashmir, he went around telling people that Kashmir has changed and that there is nothing to be afraid of.
“This has shaken us all from inside,” said Das. “Mini Switzerland was a five-kilometre trek or horse-back ride; we had trekked around three kilometres but then came back. I still cannot believe that we were only there last week,” Das said.
Sarmistha Nandi, a resident of Tollygunge, who had visited Kashmir with her husband, returned Monday. She told The Indian Express, “My husband works in the Bangalore IT industry. He had got a few days off and we quickly made a vacation plan to Kashmir. I was in Pahalgam for two days. I have never been to Switzerland but truly, it was a mini-Switzerland. Since it was a sudden plan, most hotels were packed and when we reached, we saw a huge crowd. Residents had said that the tourist rush would increase but after the attack, I am seeing deserted streets on TV.”
Nandi added, “I just cannot thank our stars enough (from getting back safe).”
Dr Mita Saha, a resident of New Town, said that their family trip of 10 people was immediately cancelled. “My two daughters, son-in-laws, four grandchildren and my husband and I go for a family trip every year. This year, we had made plans for Kashmir. We were to board a flight on April 27.”
Saha added, “Since we were not going through a travel agent, we do not know if our flight tickets will be refunded. The hotels are saying that after some time, things will be normal, but we do not want to take any risk, so they have refunded the booking amount.”
Banani Guha, a resident of Ultadanga, said, “I just retired in March and my birthday is on April 30. Thus, to celebrate both, I planned an all-girls trip to the Valley with three of my friends. In our itinerary, there was a one-night stop at Pahalgam. Bookings were done months back. After this incident, I don’t feel Kashmir is safe at all. The travel agent has given alternative destinations, like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where we can visit. I have asked for a few days’ time to think over the matter.”