Amarnath Yatra Safe: Pahalgam Attack Won’t Impact Pilgrimage, Says J&K Deputy CM

Almost 70% of tourists who come to Pahalgam visit Baisaran as this is a very beautiful place. No permission was ever required from administration or police to visit this place,

said Sheikh Mohammad Sultan, senior tour operator and President of the Indian Association of Travel & Tourism Experts, Kashmir chapter

For 20 years, I have been taking tourists up to the meadow. I have never required any permission from police or security forces. Now this place is visited by tourists even during winter,

said Waheed Ahmad, president of the local pony riders association

Only if it snows or during heavy rains, tourists do not go due to the slippery trek. Otherwise, the meadow is always open for tourists. Our tourist guests visited Baisaran during winters as well,

he said

This is a destination where ever tourist wants to spend time. It remains open for tourists and there are no security protocols or permissions required for tourists to follow once they go to that place. Even infrastructure has been developed by department and more projects are in pipeline for Baisaran tourism,

he said

The treaty was suspended to show the government's intention to take strict action. This has been done to give a strong message. This decision also tells what the government's stand is going to be in the future,

the government said

He told us there had been an accident, but didn’t mention a terror attack, probably so we wouldn’t panic,

Bijoy told DH, adding

We saw security personnel in most tourist areas of Kashmir, but Baisaran and a few nearby valleys stood out for their complete absence,

he said ... the DH report added

We were initially reluctant because we didn’t want to miss Chandanwari, but he was firm that our safety was more important. Only later did we realise the seriousness of what had happened,

he added

We only grasped the gravity of the situation once we reached our hotel and saw the news,

he said

Four of our colleagues were deployed on the route to Baisaran that day. Many of us have carried out the same duties to assist tourists, guide them and ensure a hassle-free time,

said Muzammil Ahmed, a 27-year-old special police officer (SPO).