Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s decision to hold a cabinet meeting in Pahalgam was a clear reaction to the April 22 tragedy at Baisaran, where 26 people lost their lives. The terror attack dealt a heavy blow to the Valley, especially its tourism industry, which supports many livelihoods. This move carried both administrative and symbolic weight. By gathering the government’s top brass at the heart of the affected area, a message was sent—to the people of Kashmir, to visitors, and to the nation at large—that terror will not shape the Valley’s path forward. During the cabinet meeting, Omar emphasised that tourism should be treated as a “conflict-neutral” activity—something that must continue regardless of political tensions or security challenges. He stressed that efforts must be made to shield tourism from the impact of violence in the region, so that people feel safe to visit and the local economy can recover. He added that discussions are ongoing with the Central Government to take strong and practical steps to bring tourists back to the region and help the tourism industry recover. The cabinet session, plans for a memorial, and engagement with tour operators all pointed in one direction: rebuilding trust and stability. The setting up of a memorial at Baisaran is more than an act of remembrance. It is also an acknowledgement of loss, a formal gesture to honour those killed, and an attempt to build a public space that will preserve the truth of what occurred. Omar Abdullah’s remarks show an awareness that no words or monuments can undo the horror, but that refusing to forget is a step toward collective healing. His meeting with tour operators showed that the recovery plan is being shaped through dialogue and real input. It highlighted a practical, consultative approach to reviving tourism. Tour operators who interacted with the Chief Minister represented a cross-section of country’s top travel and operators and bodies such as Raja Rani Travels, Pooja Travels, Heena Travels, Veena World, Off Beat Destinations, KK Tours, Jai Mata Di Travels, Arihant Travels, Madhuchanda Travels, TAFI, Kass Travels, ADTOI, Beckon Tours Pvt Ltd, Trans Global Travels, SHR Harshil Travels (representing OTOAI), Golden Tours (under ETAA), Ajay Modi Travels (Gujarat), Travel Munk (Jain Travel Associations), Thomas Cook, Tamarind, Kraft Vacations, and Travel Lounge. Omar Abdullah’s cycling through Pahalgam alongside his sons also offered a quiet but resonant message: life will move forward. It was a gesture made not in speeches, but in action, one that many locals found reassuring. The message emerging from Pahalgam is clear: Kashmir is still standing. Its beauty has not faded, its people have not retreated, and its leaders are choosing to act rather than wait. What happened at Baisaran was an attempt to intimidate, to disrupt. The way Kashmir has responded shows strength and patience. It may take time for things to fully get better, but the first steps have already begun—with action, with clear intent, and with the belief that trust will return not through words, but by what is done.
Forward Together
