SRINAGAR, May 6: On the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, tourists across Kashmir’s major destinations have struck a defiant note — the Valley is safe, the security response has been reassuring, and no terror attack will dictate their travel plans.
“We feel proud of how the situation was handled. We have come here without fear,” Rohan Mehta, a tourist from Delhi, told Kashmir Convener at Dal Lake. “Kashmir is safe, and we will keep coming.”
Operation Sindoor was launched on the night of May 7-8, 2025, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, most of them tourists. The military operation targeted terror infrastructure across the Line of Control, triggering a brief escalation before a ceasefire understanding was reached.
For many visitors, that tough response has become a reason to return.
“If something happens, the response is strong. That gives us confidence,” said Arvind Kumar, visiting from Lucknow. “We feel the situation is under control.”
Anjali Sharma, who came with her family from Jaipur, admitted having postponed her trip last year. “We had plans even then but delayed after the attack. This time, we made sure to come. Such incidents should not stop people from travelling,” she said.
At popular spots — from the boulevard along Dal Lake to the gondola rides in Gulmarg — tourists were seen going about their routines. Houseboat owners reported steady footfall, and local businesses said the mood had visibly lifted compared to last summer.
“We are enjoying our trip. People here are welcoming. Everything feels normal,” said Sneha Gupta, another visitor. “There is no reason to be afraid.”
Some framed their presence as a political act of normalcy. “We should not let such incidents affect tourism. Kashmir is beautiful and peaceful,” said Manish Verma from Mumbai. “We will come again.”
Officials said security arrangements remain in place at key destinations, though no additional restrictions have been imposed. Locals in the tourism sector, still grappling with losses from the pandemic and last year’s attack, said such confidence from domestic travellers is vital.
“We just want peace here. And we will keep coming back,” Mehta said, echoing a sentiment heard across the Valley this week.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has deployed additional police and paramilitary personnel in and around tourist locations to ensure the safety and security of visitors.
A senior police official told the Kashmir Convener that intensified checking at multiple points and heightened surveillance are already in place to ensure peaceful travel for tourists.
The official stated that all necessary arrangements have been made for the enhanced safety of tourists across Kashmir’s major tourist destinations.
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