Pahalgam, May 27: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday announced the establishment of a memorial at Baisaran to honour the 26 civilians killed in the April 22 terror attack near Pahalgam.
“We have been discussing this from day one—a memorial will be set up in Baisaran for the 26 innocent lives lost. It will serve as a lasting tribute and reminder that they will never be forgotten,” the Chief Minister said during an interactive session with tour operators from across the country.
The announcement came shortly after the Chief Minister chaired a special Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, which he described as a symbolic move to affirm that “brutality and bloodshed will not derail Jammu and Kashmir’s path to peace, development, and representation.” He said the Public Works Department had been granted in-principle approval for the construction of the memorial.
Omar added that the design and concept for the memorial would be finalised after consulting stakeholders to ensure it remains “dignified and respectful.”
Addressing the gathering of tour and travel operators, the CM thanked them for their presence in Pahalgam. “Your presence here supports the revival of tourism in the region. I remember when many of you were the first to bring tourists back to the Valley even in the most difficult times,” he said.
He recalled how the early 1990s saw the re-emergence of tourism in Kashmir, led by operators from Mumbai and Gujarat. “They helped bring tourism back to its peak—until the events of April 22 reminded us how fragile peace can be. Words fall short in comforting the families of those 26 victims. All we can do is bow our heads in their memory,” he said.
Speaking on the reopening of tourist destinations, Omar stressed the need for clear communication. “Let’s focus on what’s open, not what’s closed. Tourists should not feel misled. Reopening will begin in phases, starting with destinations like Betaab Valley, which I visited myself recently.”
He assured tour operators that they would be actively consulted during the reopening process. “Together, we will ensure that the revival is responsible and timely,” he added.
Addressing the future of international tourism, Omar noted that domestic tourism would pave the way. “The first sign of normalcy is when our children and local families start visiting picnic spots again. That’s when international guests feel confident to follow. While global promotion will continue, our immediate focus must remain on domestic tourism,” he said.
He acknowledged existing shortcomings and assured they would be addressed. “We are aware of the gaps—and we will act on them,” he said, expressing confidence in the recovery of the tourism sector.
Tour operators representing a broad spectrum of the Indian tourism industry participated in the session, including representatives from Raja Rani Travels, Veena World, Off Beat Destinations, Thomas Cook, Travel Munk, Heena Travels, KK Tours, and many others from associations like TAFI, ADTOI, ETAA, and OTOAI.
The session was also attended by former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, local MLAs, the Director of Tourism, and senior officials from the JKTDC.
He also met with local delegations led by MLA Pahalgam and reviewed the preparations for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra at the Nunwan Base Camp. Emphasizing coordination and pilgrim safety, the CM interacted with ground-level officials and lauded the local population for their support during recent difficult times.
In a symbolic gesture of promoting sustainable tourism, Omar undertook a short cycling tour from a local hotel to the Nunwan Base Camp and back. As the Tourism Minister as well, he said such initiatives are part of a broader push for eco-tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
