Snapdeal’s Kunal Bahl Shares Heartfelt Post After Pahalgam Attack: ‘Will Stop Urging People To Visit Kashmir’ – News18

Last Updated:April 24, 2025, 11:46 IST

Snapdeal co-founder Kunal Bahl said on Wednesday that he will no longer encourage people to visit Kashmir; Here’s why

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Following the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, many of them tourists, Snapdeal co-founder Kunal Bahl said on Wednesday that he will no longer encourage people to visit Kashmir. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bahl, once a vocal advocate for the region’s tourism, said the risk is no longer worth it.

“Beauty of Pahalgam from my last trip. Despite people’s fear of going to Kashmir, I have always been the voice that’s been telling those around me to go experience its beauty, culture. Probably the best tourist destination of India. I will stop doing that now. Not worth the risk,” he wrote.

The massacre occurred at Baisaran meadow, a popular tourist destination near Pahalgam. The victims included tourists from the UAE, Nepal, and India—among them, three from West Bengal. The attack marks a rare instance where tourists have been deliberately targeted, sparking fear and widespread travel cancellations.

Author Rahul Pandita also weighed in, urging travelers to reconsider their plans. “There are beautiful places in India. I mean go to Arunachal, for God’s sake. Kerala is beautiful. The Western Ghats will take your breath away. Don’t go to a place where terrorists can end your life. It’s just not worth it. And if you really ask me — and I am a native — Kashmir is over-rated.”

The impact has been particularly severe in eastern India. Travel agencies in Kolkata are reporting a surge in cancellations. Bilolaksha Das, chairman of the eastern chapter of the Travel Agents Federation of India, said the response has been swift and intense. “There had been terror attacks in Kashmir before. But never were tourists specifically targeted and killed. This is madness. The entire tourism ecosystem in Kashmir, and in parts of India linked to it, is going to be hit hard,” he said.

According to Das, travel agents have been overwhelmed with cancellation calls since Tuesday night. “We are now staring at a bleak tourist season, which runs from February-end through mid-October, including the crucial Durga Puja holidays,” he added.

The attack comes at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing record growth in tourism. The region saw 2.35 crore tourist visits in 2024, up from 2.11 crore in 2023 and 1.88 crore in 2022. Improved infrastructure, safety initiatives, and international promotions—including last May’s G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar—had helped fuel the surge.

But that progress may now be in jeopardy. Anil Punjabi, national committee member of the Travel Agents Federation of India, said the consequences will be far-reaching. “Over 30% of Kashmir’s tourism inflow comes from eastern India, especially West Bengal. Most of those bookings are either going to be cancelled or indefinitely postponed. Tour operators are bracing for heavy losses.”

Tour operator Mrinmoy Chandra in Kolkata confirmed that cancellations began within hours of the incident. “There were so many new hotels opening in Pahalgam, and even more in the pipeline. This attack sends out a damaging message, especially to foreign tourists, even if their numbers are usually lower in summer,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the fallout in a post on X. “It’s heartbreaking to see the exodus of our guests from the valley after yesterday’s tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, but at the same time, we totally understand why people would want to leave.”