Katra — The deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives has had a major fallout on tourism across Jammu and Kashmir, with a sharp rise in booking cancellations even in otherwise peaceful regions like Katra.
Rakesh Wazir, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Katra, told media on Monday that
“The Pahalgam terrorist attack has significantly impacted tourist bookings. According to our assessment, about 35 to 37 percent of bookings have been cancelled so far. The daily footfall for the Vaishno Devi Yatra has dropped from 45,000 to merely 20,000–22,000.”
He appealed to the public to recognise that many regions in the Union Territory, including Katra, have remained completely safe and unaffected.
“The situation in Katra was never disturbed before, nor is it disturbed now. The place where the incident occurred is very far away from here. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir remains peaceful overall, and there is a need to change the wrong perception about it,” he said.
Security Concerns Rise at Vaishno Devi Shrine:
In a separate incident highlighting the ongoing security vigilance, the Police Station Bhawan at Vaishno Devi confirmed the arrest of a man impersonating a registered porter (“pithu”).
- The accused, Mast Ali, son of Nazir Ahmed from Harot Kot village, Reasi district, was caught operating without valid registration or a service card.
- This violated strict protocols issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), which mandate official registration for all service providers at the shrine.
Police stressed that unverified individuals offering services at religious sites pose serious security risks, particularly in the aftermath of recent terror activities.
Background:
On April 22, terrorists ambushed and gunned down 26 civilians at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, a tragedy that has shaken the entire nation. The attack has also triggered intense diplomatic reactions and escalated security concerns between India and its neighbor.
Authorities continue to urge travelers to remain calm but vigilant, and have assured that security has been tightened across all major pilgrimage and tourist destinations.