One year after the Pahalgam attack, former R&AW chief A.S. Dulat tells Outlook that the incident exposed a serious security lapse, but also deeper unresolved questions about militancy, statehood and public sentiment in Kashmir.
Outlook Lens
A year after the horrific Pahalgam attack, Pahalgam, one of the most popular tourist spots in South Kashmir, has lost its charm as tourists fear to visit it again, yet the picturesque valley continues to survive, waiting to welcome tourists. Following the April 2025 terror strike, tourism in the region collapsed almost overnight, bookings dropped by 90–95 percent, and the administration shut down 48 of 87 tourist spots, including routes to places like Baisaran meadow. The impact rippled across livelihoods, forcing layoffs and pushing many out of the tourism economy altogether. To restore confidence, authorities have reopened 39 locations with heightened security, QR-code vetting for pony wallas and guides, and an increased presence of patrols. Yet recovery remains uneven. Pony wallas wait for customers who arrive in trickles, while former hotel workers improvise to get by; their futures tied to uncertain footfall.
Visions du Réel 2026 |All We Imagine As Light editor Clément Pinteaux’s doc casts endless journeying as a limbo
Outlook’s Pahalgam series image by Yasir Iqbal has won the World Press Photo Award (West Asia) 2026. On the first anniversary of Pahalgam terror attack, Outlook Editor recounts the story behind the cover and the human cost of conflicts.
They carried out booth level voter verification, but found themselves deleted from the roll. They still have poll duties. They feel betrayed and broken.
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