Tourists were scheduled to visit Baisaran Valley; tour operators cancel trips amid safety concerns
PANAJI
More than 60 Goan tourists were caught in a situation of panic and fear after narrowly escaping the deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on Tuesday. The incident has prompted several Goan travel agencies to cancel all future trips to the Union Territory, citing growing safety concerns in ‘mini Switzerland’ and a breach of what was previously considered a tourist-safe zone.
The tourists, travelling in two separate groups organised by the Goa Adventure Club and Travel Bug, are now stranded in Srinagar. While the Goan travellers are safe, the proximity to the attack and the visible chaos on the ground has shaken both tourists and tour operators alike.
“We have postponed or cancelled all future trips to this place till the situation is better,” co-proprietor of Goa Adventure Club Ahraz Mulla confirmed to The Goan. The agency had 34 Goans on a trip that began on April 17.
“Pahalgam was on the itinerary, and on Tuesday they were meant to trek 8-12 kms to Baisaran Valley. That plan didn’t go through, and shortly after, the group heard the news of the attack. Fortunately, all are safe and have returned to Srinagar,” he added.
GAC’s two clients of the total have already flown back to Goa while the rest are at resorts awaiting rescheduled return journeys.
Pahalgam, the peaceful hill station popular with Indian and international tourists, has long been seen as insulated from the sporadic violence elsewhere in the Valley.
“We never expected this. There have been terror attacks in Jammu & Kashmir, yes, but never on tourists. That changed on Tuesday, and it was shocking,” another travel agency operator said.
Travel Bug Goa, another tour operator, also had a group of 26 Goans on a tour that started on April 21. The group had just finished lunch around 2 pm and was preparing to head towards Baisaran when the gunfire sound shook them all.
“Our group was near ABC Valley and had their lunch at 2 pm. Minutes later, there were gunshots, people screaming and running around...some stained with blood claiming a terrorist attack... Locals and tourists ran for safety. Our group rushed back to the hotel, where staff immediately shut the shutters. From there, our guide took them safely back to Srinagar,” proprietor of Travel Bug Daxal Naik said, speaking to The Goan. The operator has also cancelled all plans to the destination till further notice.
According to one of the tourists travelling with Travel Bug, the locals helped them take shelter.
“We were at lunch when we heard firing. People were running around screaming. It was chaos. Local people and our tour guide helped us escape. We are now safe in Srinagar,” the lady traveller said.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa has strongly condemned the attack, calling it “cowardly.”
“It is a cowardly attack aimed at fomenting unrest in Kashmir and set the communities against each other. Hope swift action is taken against the perpetrators and they are brought to justice. It is vitally important that communal harmony is maintained, as this will ensure that terrorists’ aims are foiled,” TTAG President Jack Sukhija told The Goan. It is learnt that there have been also independent travellers from Goa, who are also safe.
