Summer was upon us. Our vacation was scheduled. P & I were all set to join our family for a holiday in Jammu & Kashmir next month. Then, the Pahalgam terror attack happened on April 22, 2025—and everything changed in an instant. Doubt crept in, fear overpowered our practical mindset, and suddenly, every booking was put on hold. Alternative destinations were discussed. Why? Because of a barbaric, heinous, and cowardly act of terror in Pahalgam, Kashmir—a place often described as heaven on earth.
What was meant to be a peaceful summer getaway for so many tourists turned into a nightmarish tragedy — a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the volatility that shadows even the most serene landscapes. The internet flooded with heartbreaking images and gut-wrenching videos of the victims. Our hearts sank. I, for one, have no words to fully express the hurt, pain, and anguish I felt — knowing that once again, our beautiful nation was under attack, and the victims were those who sought nothing more than joy, rest, and the simple wonder of Kashmir’s beauty.
This is not just a terror strike. It’s a strike on peace, on hope, on humanity. But before I take you further, let’s go back—one step, or rather, one booking at a time.
Pahalgam Attack: Terror Strike or Tactic to Scare Off Tourists & Impact Kashmir’s Economy?
Let me be honest. P & I were excited about our summer getaway with family—for the first time. But it wasn’t just about a vacation; it was about going to Kashmir, a place revered for its beauty. A week before the attack, we were all gathered in our living room, chatting about summer plans. Someone said “Kashmir,” and in an instant, we were sold.
Source: ChatGPT
We decided to book flight tickets right then to avoid a price surge later. But our parents hesitated. They opted for refundable tickets. I asked why, and the response—though cautious—was telling. “Beta, kuch nahi pata Kashmir ka.”
That stayed with me. A seemingly simple statement, yet it revealed the uneasy truth behind the breathtaking postcards of Kashmir: the tulip fields, the serene Dal Lake, the snow-clad peaks—and the harsh undercurrent of violence and loss.
Still, we pushed those thoughts aside. We booked our stay and started mapping our itinerary for the Prinkled fam—Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Srinagar and more.
Pahalgam Terror Attack—Heartbreak, Haunting Images & Shattered Plans
Everything was planned. Three nights in Srinagar, one in Pahalgam. We were confident that Kashmir was safe, and that this summer was perfect for exploring the valley. Then came April 22, 2025—a black day. I first saw the news around 5:30 PM via an Instagram post by Hindustan Times. The headline read: “Tourists injured in terrorist attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran.” And in that moment, my mind spiralled and my heart broke.
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“This is horrible. What was their mistake?”
“They were regular folks like you and me.”
“This could be anyone tomorrow.”
“When will all this be over?”
“Everyone’s going to cancel now.”
“What will happen to Kashmir’s economy?”
“How will the innocent survive?”
“Was this meant to scare off tourists before peak season?”
“Should we too cancel?”
“Will we get refunds?”
“Hotels need to be informed.”
My thoughts raced from one scenario to the next, but there was no concrete answer — and it seems there never will be.
As the evening wore on, more horrifying details emerged—over 26 tourists killed, some critically injured, after terrorists opened fire while they were enjoying time with their families. The internet flooded with haunting images and videos—women wailing, tourists in hospitals, casualties reported across channels. That was it. P & I knew we had to cancel.
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We spoke to our parents. They suggested we wait. But we insisted. Things were likely to shift in the valley. It took us just 20 minutes to cancel a trip we spent days planning—all because a few soulless terrorists couldn’t stand peace in a beautiful land.
Questions Remain…Prayers Prevail
We still don’t know if cancelling was the right decision. But it got me thinking—if we, outsiders, are this shaken, what must the locals feel? The hoteliers, the drivers, the guides, whose livelihoods depend on the tourist season. Will they ever see a peaceful Kashmir? Will their children grow up in a thriving land, or one shadowed by recurring tragedy?
The questions didn’t stop once the trip was cancelled. They’re still with me. Unanswered. And maybe unanswerable. But what I do know is this—I feel awful. For those who lost loved ones. For those who lived through the nightmare. For those who must now bear the fallout of someone else’s hatred. And for the soldiers, who must once again rise to protect their homeland—Kashmir, India.
For now and forever more, we’ll keep everyone affected in our prayers and hope strength finds those who need it most in this hour of tragedy and grief.