Srinagar, May 17:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday stated that the recent terror attack in Pahalgam has severely impacted tourism in the Kashmir Valley, adding that the government’s primary focus is now on ensuring a peaceful and secure Amarnath Yatra.
“Tourism has taken a significant hit this season. The summer months, usually peak times for visitors, have almost been completely lost. Very few tourists are coming now,” Omar said during a press briefing at his residence in Srinagar.
He emphasised that the government’s top priority remains the smooth and incident-free conduct of the upcoming Amarnath pilgrimage. “Our full attention is on the Amarnath Yatra. We want all pilgrims to complete their journey safely and return home unharmed. Once that is accomplished, we will begin to address how to bring tourists back to the Valley,” he added.
On the foreign policy front, Omar welcomed the decision to send delegations from India to other countries in response to the Pahalgam attack and the recent military operation, “Operation Sindoor.” He stated that such delegations would help convey India’s stance on terrorism to the global community.
“It’s a positive step to send all-party delegations abroad. Leaders from major political parties will be part of these teams, providing an opportunity to explain India’s position to other nations,” Omar noted, comparing the current situation to the aftermath of the 2001 Parliament attack during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure. “Back then, during Operation Parakram, parliamentary delegations were sent abroad. It proved beneficial, and this is a similar situation,” he said.
Discussing the border situation, Omar assured that there have been no reports of ceasefire violations between India and Pakistan. “At present, there are no reports of any breach of the agreement between the two sides,” he stated.
He further mentioned that the government is conducting a damage assessment in areas affected by recent tensions along the border and will soon prepare a compensation plan. “We are reviewing the damages. Once we receive the full report, we’ll begin the process of providing compensation. We will do everything we can from our side and also seek assistance from the central government if necessary,” he concluded.
