In a strong push to revive tourism in the Kashmir Valley, the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism will host a high-level meeting of tourism secretaries from all states on July 7 and 8 in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
This crucial meeting aims to convey a powerful message: Kashmir is safe for tourists, and it’s time for them to return to its scenic destinations. This sentiment was echoed by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who recently held a Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam to reinforce the idea of a secure environment for visitors.
The decision to hold this meeting in Pahalgam comes in the wake of a heinous terror attack by Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) on April 22 in the Baisaran meadow. In this attack, 26 civilians – 25 tourists and a local pony owner who bravely tried to save them – were killed after being segregated by religion. The nation was outraged by this cowardly act, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant the armed forces a free hand to retaliate.
The Indian armed forces subsequently carried out targeted strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In response, Pakistan engaged in heavy shelling of civilian areas in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts, resulting in the deaths of 18 civilians, 13 of whom were in Poonch. The shelling also destroyed numerous homes, shops, and places of worship, including a temple, a gurdwara, and a church in Poonch.
In a somber move, the government has also decided to erect a memorial at Baisaran to honor those who lost their lives in the terror attack.
