Kashmir, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, is witnessing a near-complete standstill in business activity, regardless of scale. Most shops remain shuttered, hotels are deserted, and once-crowded tourist spots now lie haunted. Local vendors and small business owners, who once relied on tourism for their livelihood, are now grappling with the economic paralysis gripping Pahalgam.
Ground Report by Aasif Suhaf.
Pahalgam Attack On April 22, 2025
The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists, is sure to deal a significant setback to Kashmir. Beyond the brutality of the attack, experts expect it to negatively impact the valley, which had shown promising signs of recovery after decades of hardship. Pakistan-based controllers and infiltrators lured local individuals into terrorism, hindering this recovery.
Observers view it not only as a tragic loss of lives but also as a potentially severe setback to the region’s economy, which had recently begun to recover. The attack could harm the economic revival that was beginning to take place, especially in the tourism sector.
The attack’s aftermath will likely have widespread consequences, especially on tourism. The attack could undo or disrupt years of gradual economic improvement in Kashmir, built through strengthened security, increased investor confidence, and growing tourist footfall.