Tourists trapped in Kashmir as militancy and floods paralyse travel

Over fifty tourists from Goa are among countless others across India left stranded in Jammu and Kashmir after the Pahalgam compounded the chaos already caused by flash floods and landslides.

On Tuesday, gunmen opened fire on visitors at Baisaran, a scenic meadow often dubbed “Mini Switzerland”, sending shockwaves through the tourism sector. One tourist was killed and several injured in what many have described as a targeted strike on the Valley’s thriving tourism industry.

The incident triggered widespread cancellations, leaving visitors in panic. “We were planning to visit Baisaran after lunch—where the shooting happened,” said a Goa-based tour operator. “Thankfully, the group had not left the market area.”

All tourists from Goa are reportedly safe and have been moved to hotels in Srinagar. However, they remain stuck due to the closure of National Highway 44 following flash floods, and exorbitant flight prices that have made exit nearly impossible.

One-way tickets from Srinagar to Delhi have spiked to over Rs 20,000—more than triple the usual rate—prompting urgent calls from travel operators for government intervention. Some have appealed for additional flights or even Indian Air Force support to airlift visitors out of the region.

Tourists’ families across the country are flooding them with calls, desperate for updates. “Our guests are safe but anxious. The road is blocked and the airfare is unaffordable. They’re caught in a crisis,” said Gowhar Maqbool, president of the Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association.

Goan tour operator Daxal Naik added, “A group of 26 tourists was having lunch when the attack occurred. They were meant to head to the same meadow soon after. We’re doing everything we can to bring them home.”

Many of the stranded visitors had arrived only days before, expecting a peaceful holiday amidst record-breaking tourist numbers in the Valley. With over 10,000 arrivals by road and more than 50 flights landing daily in Srinagar, the season was shaping up to be one of Kashmir’s most successful in years.

But the combination of militant violence and nature’s fury has brought travel to a standstill. While hoteliers and travel agents scramble to care for their guests, the uncertainty looms large.

“We’re urging the authorities to act swiftly,” said Rauf Tramboo, president of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir. “This is a humanitarian issue now. Tourists should not have to suffer like this.”

As the situation unfolds, officials have promised to clear the highway within the next few days. Until then, hundreds of holidaymakers remain trapped, caught between fear, frustration, and an urgent desire to get home.

With PTI Inputs