Kashmir Town Yearns for Tourists After Attack

Source: nytimes.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

One year after a terrorist massacre in Pahalgam, a scenic hill town in Indian-administered Kashmir, local workers like pony handlers report sharp drops in tourism. The article, reported from Pahalgam by Showkat Nanda, centers on business operators hoping Hindu pilgrimages will bring back visitors amid heavy security. It is being reported now to mark the April 22, 2025, anniversary of the attack that killed 26 people and ignited brief India-Pakistan hostilities.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)

Key points

Details and context

Pahalgam lies in southern Indian-administered Kashmir, a disputed Himalayan region where tourism had been a key economic driver before the attack. Pony handlers, who typically haggle with steady tourist streams this season, now idle for hours along roads with few cars passing.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)

Business operators pin hopes on Hindu pilgrimages to revive footfall, despite visible security on tourist routes. The article contrasts pre-attack busyness with current emptiness, quoting a handler with over a decade's experience.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)

Key quotes

“We just wait,” said Shabir Ahmad, who has worked here for more than a decade. “Sometimes a customer comes. Sometimes there is no one for hours.”[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)

Why it matters

The attack exposed vulnerabilities in Kashmir's tourism-dependent economy and reignited tensions in a long-disputed region claimed fully by both India and Pakistan. For locals like pony handlers and business operators, it means prolonged income loss and uncertainty over visitor return. Watch for signs of tourism rebound through pilgrimages or any new security incidents that could further deter travelers.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)

What changed

Before the April 22, 2025, attack, Pahalgam's pony handlers managed steady tourist streams for meadow rides and pilgrimages. Now, a year later, they face hours of idleness with sparse cars and customers. The shift followed the massacre and ensuing four-day India-Pakistan conflict.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)

FAQ

Q: What happened during the Pahalgam attack?

A: On April 22, 2025, three men armed with assault rifles stormed a tourist meadow near Pahalgam and opened fire, killing 26 people. Most victims were Hindu tourists singled out and shot, plus one local Muslim pony handler who tried to stop them. The site was a popular picnic spot in southern Indian-administered Kashmir.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)

Q: How did the attack affect India and Pakistan relations?

A: The killings triggered a four-day military conflict between the two countries. India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the terrorists; Pakistan denied it. President Trump later declared the conflict over.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)

Q: Why is tourism down in Pahalgam now?

A: Pony handlers report long waits with few tourists passing, unlike the usual seasonal busyness. Security remains heavy on routes, and operators hope Hindu pilgrimages will help recovery. The article notes idleness a year after the attack.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)

Q: Where is Pahalgam and what draws visitors?

A: Pahalgam is a hill town in Indian-administered Kashmir's south, with steep ravines, grassy hillsides, pine forests, and meadows called a "mini Switzerland." It serves as a base for Hindu pilgrimages and pony rides.[[1]](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/22/world/asia/kashmir-attacks-kashmir-india.html)