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**"Decades of Safe Tourism Shattered by Pahalgam Attack in Kashmir"**
For over three to four decades, tourists have flocked to Kashmir, drawn by its breathtaking Himalayan landscapes and reputation as a peaceful destination—until Tuesday’s brutal attack in Pahalgam left 26 dead, marking one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in the region’s recent history.
Akib Chaya, a hotel owner and member of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce, told BBC’s *Newshour*: *"Tourists have been coming to Kashmir for decades, and they have never been touched like this. This incident has shaken our sense of security and the hospitality we pride ourselves on."*
The attack, carried out by gunmen who emerged from nearby forests, has raised urgent questions about security failures in a region where tourism is a vital economic lifeline. While eyewitnesses reported that the assailants appeared to target non-Muslims, India’s government has not officially confirmed whether religion played a role in the killings.
The massacre has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, with New Delhi swiftly retaliating by closing its main border crossing, suspending a key water-sharing treaty, and expelling Pakistani diplomats. Islamabad denies any involvement, calling India’s response "immature" and "hasty" .
As Kashmir mourns, the attack threatens to unravel years of efforts to project normalcy in the region, leaving locals fearful of the economic fallout and the potential for further military escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
**Related Topics:**
- Pakistan
- Asia
- Kashmir tensions
- India
- India-Pakistan relations
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