SRINAGAR: A day after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that left multiple civilians dead and injured, an exodus of tourists from Kashmir has gripped the Valley, with chaotic scenes unfolding at Srinagar International Airport and along key travel routes out of the region. Hundreds of panicked travellers reported at the airport overnight, with many forced to sleep in their vehicles outside the terminal in a desperate bid to leave.
With fear and uncertainty gripping visitors, the administration scrambled to respond to the sudden surge in departures. Of the 53 scheduled flights, four additional ones were organised to accommodate the rush, bringing the total to 57. The Director General of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are coordinating the effort. By now, 29 have landed and taken off from Srinagar airport.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a statement on social media, expressed anguish over the situation. “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,” he wrote.
Adding to the challenges, NH-44 — the principal road link between Srinagar and Jammu — has only partially reopened and is currently operating on a single-direction basis. The Chief Minister noted that while movement is being permitted, it will be done in a “controlled and organised way” due to instability on certain stretches and the presence of stranded vehicles.
The alternative Mughal Road is open but remains heavily congested with painfully slow vehicular movement.
To assist stranded passengers and ease the pressure on road and air infrastructure, a special train service has been launched from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to New Delhi. The train (number 04612) will depart at 9:20 p.m., with stops at Udhampur and Jammu, and is expected to reach New Delhi by 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Tickets are available over the counter at the Katra, Udhampur, and Jammu stations. Authorities have urged people to opt for the service to ensure a safe and comfortable return home.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has announced an ex-gratia relief package for the victims of the attack. Families of those who lost their lives will receive Rs 10 lakh each. Those seriously injured will be given Rs 2 lakh, and those with minor injuries will receive Rs 1 lakh. The administration is also overseeing the dignified transportation of mortal remains to victims’ hometowns and has assured the best possible treatment for the injured.
Condemning the attack in the strongest terms, Omar Abdullah called it “a barbaric and senseless act of brutality against innocent civilians,” adding, “Terror will never break our resolve. We will not rest until those behind this barbarity are brought to justice.”
Even as authorities work around the clock to manage the crisis, the emotional and psychological toll on departing tourists is evident. For many, Kashmir’s springtime charm has now turned into a memory marred by fear and loss.
The government continues to urge calm and cooperation as it works to ensure the safe passage of every stranded individual.
