Pahalgam Rebounds After Deadly April Attack, Tourists Return Amid Heavy Security

Two months after the April 22 terror attack that left 26 civilians dead, Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir is once again bustling with tourists and locals. 

On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noted the revival, stating on social media: “The last time I was in Pahalgam I cycled through a market that was all but deserted. Today I came back to a Pahalgam that was bustling with activity.”

Image Source: J&K CM Omar Abdullah on X

The return of visitors comes after one of the deadliest civilian-targeted assaults in the region in over a decade. Armed terrorists traced to have been trained and facilitated by Pakistan had opened fire on unarmed tourists at Baisaran, a meadow above Pahalgam, killing families and honeymooners in broad daylight. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers questioned names and faith before shooting. This is what made the assault particularly chilling in its precision.

Victims included software engineers, newlyweds, and children from across India and abroad. The attackers, reportedly armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, escaped into the surrounding forests before security forces arrived. Intelligence agencies suspect involvement of The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

In the immediate aftermath, New Delhi launched extensive counter-terror operations, increasing surveillance, freezing suspected financial networks, and coordinating with international partners to trace TRF operatives. Security across Jammu and Kashmir remains heightened, with expanded checkpoints and monitoring of tourist zones.

Despite the lingering trauma, the region’s economy—which had seen a resurgence with over 3.5 million tourists in 2024—is slowly regaining momentum. Local businesses, guides, and civil society groups have played a key role in supporting survivors and rebuilding confidence. Candlelight vigils, community outreach, and public condemnations from local leaders, including mosque sermons, have underscored the collective rejection of the violence.

The Pahalgam attack also prompted a broader strategic recalibration in New Delhi, balancing public demand for justice with diplomatic caution to avoid regional escalation. Military planners continue to prepare contingencies while intelligence operations are expected to intensify further.