Pahalgam massacre: Tourism in J-K returns to pre-attack levels, says Shekhawat
New Delhi (PTI): The Pahalgam terror attack had dealt a big blow to tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, but the sector has recovered reaching the level that existed before the brutal assault on April 22 last year, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Wednesday.
Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event here, he also said in the wake of the terror strike, a "new India" sent a firm message with Operation Sindoor, punishing perpetrators and destroying terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
"One year ago, the kind of brutal terrorist attack that took place, the way tourists were picked up and killed on basis of their religious identity...and surely it had enraged the nation against terrorists," Shekhawat said.
"However, whenever we talk of Pahalgam, we also talk of Operation Sindoor, and how the perpetrators were punished and terror infrastructure was destroyed," he said.
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The prime minister had sent a message that every activity inimical to India, whether emanating from Indian soil or any other soil outside the country, will not be tolerated, and that "this is new India, it will strike them hard", the minister said, referring to May 7 military action against terrorists and terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
Tourism in J&K and Ladakh, which was growing profoundly after abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, suffered a big blow as a result of the terror attack on April 22 last year, he said.
But, J&K tourism department and the Ministry of Tourism worked together after that to bring the sector back on track, the minister asserted. "I can happily say this...various ministries held their meetings in Pahalgam, my ministry also held several meetings there to rebuild confidence among the people, and revive tourism."
In June 2025, Shekhawat had visited the Pahalgam attack site and said the strength of the people and the "quiet resolve" to not let fear define them represent the "real soul of Kashmir".
A year on, the famed Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, the site of the horrific act in Anantnag district, is also seeking to step out of the shadow of the terror attack.
Shekhawat said, "Overall, from the point of view of Kashmir, the tourism situation has nearly reached the level that was before the Pahalgam attack."
In Pahalgam, some tourist spots were closed at that time, now they are being opened again. "Baisaran Valley, where the incident took place, there also tourism activities will resume...we are working on it," he added.
In retaliation to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 and decimated multiple terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan later also launched offensives against India. The military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, lasting nearly 88 hours, halted after they reached an understanding on the evening of May 10.
Top Indian military officers in the past year have asserted multiple times that Operation Sindoor "still continues", and the country's military preparedness must remain at a "very high" level, round-the-clock and throughout the year.
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Couple found dead at home in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A couple was found dead at their home here on Wednesday, police said.
The deceased were identified as David (35), a driver, and his wife Sumitra (30), they said.
The incident came to light around 12.30 pm, police said, adding that no suicide note was recovered from the spot.
When police inspected the spot, David was found hanging from a ceiling fan using a saree, while his wife was found lying dead on a bed with no visible injuries on her body, a senior police officer said.
Police suspect David might have smothered his wife before dying by suicide, though the exact cause of her death would be known only after the post-mortem examination, the officer said.
The couple had been married for seven years and had two children, who were at a relative's house at the time of the incident, police said.
All angles, including the possibility of a domestic dispute behind the incident, are being probed, police said.
