J&K’s ‘Mini Switzerland’ Is In Nature’s Lap. Its Remoteness Became A Curse
New Delhi: Till Tuesday morning, Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam was Kashmir’s ‘mini Switzerland’, a tourist hotspot known for jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas and the Valley’s signature pine forests. Later that noon, Baisaran would become a killing ground, four terrorists going from one tourist to another, and shooting them in cold blood. The body count at the end of the killing spree stood at 26 — 25 tourists and a local pony ride operator who died shielding a tourist. In the aftermath of the attack, many have wondered why help reached late, why the terrorists were long gone by the time security forces reached, and why many of those still breathing after being shot could not be saved. The answers to many of these questions lie in the tricky terrain one must cross to reach this ‘Mini Switzerland’. Tourists would flock to Baisaran to enjoy the pristine scenery still largely untouched by pollution. On Tuesday, this attraction turned out to be their curse. The Rough Road To Baisaran The Baisaran meadow is located about 6 …
