Last Updated:April 23, 2025, 16:34 IST

“All our 300 rooms were sold out for the season. Since yesterday, the cancellations alone have cost us Rs 50 lakh,” a hotelier from Kashmir tells News18

Following Tuesday’s terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir hotels are seeing massive booking cancellations, which, locals say, will hit the tourism sector hard.

Terrorists shot dead at least 26 people, mostly tourists from different parts of the country, in Baisaran meadow, which is often referred to as ‘mini Switzerland’.

ALSO READ | Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE Updates HERE

Security agencies have released sketches of three men suspected to be involved in the gruesome attack. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist group, claimed responsibility for the attack.

PEAK TOURIST SEASON

Baisaran Valley, just 5 km away from the hill town of Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, is one of the region’s most cherished tourist destinations. The valley is surrounded by snow-clad mountains, dense deodar forests, and sprawling green meadows. It attracts thousands of visitors every year. Baisaran has also been seen as a backdrop in many Bollywood films, as it resembles the European countryside with its expansive grassy fields, alpine trees, and snow-capped horizons.

Summer is the peak tourist season for Kashmir.

“At least five-six lakh tourists are in Kashmir at the moment. Hotels in the region were sold out for the season. All our 300 rooms were sold out. Every call is only to cancel a booking. There are cancellations after cancellations. Since yesterday, the cancellations alone have cost us Rs 50 lakh. Such an act in tourist season will hit us hard,” said a hotelier from Kashmir.

THE SAFE RETURN

“After the attacks, the only thing people are focusing on is going home. The roads are shut, so they are looking for available flights,” said the hotelier.

Between 6 am and noon on Wednesday, the Srinagar airport handled 20 departures with a total of 3,337 passengers, said Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued strict instructions to all airline operators not to hike airfares, he added.

“Strict instructions were given to Airline companies to avoid any fare surges, Fares are being monitored and kept at reasonable levels. In addition to the four extra flights already announced, three more flights to Delhi have been added for today—IndiGo 6E 3203 (Dep: 1700, Arr: 1800), IndiGo 6E 3103 (Dep: 1800, Arr: 1930), and a SpiceJet flight scheduled to depart at 10:30 PM. All airlines operating from Srinagar have waived cancellation and rescheduling charges to support passengers. Food and water are being provided at the airport, and an extra tent has been set up outside for those waiting. Between 6 AM and 12 PM today, Srinagar Airport handled 20 Departures with 3337 Pax. I’m personally monitoring the situation and in constant touch with Home Ministry & airline operators. This is a time for solidarity. We stand with every citizen and will ensure all support needed,” said Naidu on X.

Meanwhile, a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) led by an Inspector General on Wednesday reached terror-hit Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said. The team would provide assistance to the local police probing the attack.

“Beyond business, it is sad that people who came to just visit a new place for a change lost their lives. Such a thing shouldn’t have happened,” he said.

With inputs with agencies