Breaking News: Heightened Security in Srinagar After Pahalgam Attack, Tourists Voice Fear and Resolve

Following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of over 26 people, security has been intensified across Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Srinagar. While tourists are still allowed to move around areas near Srinagar, travel to Pahalgam itself remains restricted. Thousands of tourists were evacuated from the area following the attack, and many have expressed a deep sense of fear and uncertainty. On the ground, heavily armed security forces are stationed at key points, particularly in areas like Lal Chowk, where visible security deployments reflect the administration’s heightened alert. Tourists present in Srinagar, such as a 16-year-old girl from Ahmedabad, shared their shock over the attack and emphasized the need for a strong response. Many are disturbed by eyewitness claims that victims were asked about their religion before being targeted—an act they condemned as barbaric. Local Kashmiris have also come forward, condemning the violence and demanding strict action against the perpetrators. There is a shared sentiment that terrorism has no religion and that it affects everyone. The region, which had seen a tourism boom with over 2 crore visitors in 2024, is now reeling under tension. Calls for unity and justice dominate public discourse in the aftermath.