Pahalgam Attack: Tourism sector reports 60% job losses, cab drivers struggle to survive
TASK says transporters worst affected as earnings collapse, loan defaults loom
By: Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: The April 22 militant attack in Pahalgam, which killed 25 tourists and injured several others, has left deep scars on Kashmir’s tourism industry. Once bustling with summer visitors, the famed hill station and its surrounding destinations have seen a sharp drop in arrivals, with stakeholders reporting massive job losses and widespread cancellations.
President of the Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK), Ibrahim Siah, said the incident has crippled the sector just when it was recovering from earlier downturns.
“Our industry has suffered around 60 percent job losses since the April 22 attack. The entire tourism chain has been disrupted — from hotels and guides to transporters and small vendors. But cab drivers are the most frustrated lot. Many have no earnings for weeks and are now unable to pay back their monthly EMIs,” Siah told this correspondent.
On April 22, terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam killing 26 of them. The rare targeting of holidaymakers in a tourist zone not only shocked the Valley but also sent ripples through the travel market, leading to mass cancellations from domestic and international clients alike.
Dozens of cab drivers at Srinagar’s Tourist Reception Centre said they have been left in financial limbo since the tragedy.
“Before the attack, I would make at least Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 a day. Now, I barely get a single trip in three days,” said Farooq Ahmad, who has been driving tourists to Pahalgam for the past 12 years.
Another driver, Bashir Khan, expressed fear of losing his vehicle to the bank.
“My monthly EMI is Rs 12,000. Without tourists, there is no income. The bank calls every week, but what can I pay when I haven’t earned anything?” he lamented.
Siah urged the government to announce immediate relief measures for tourism stakeholders.
“If action is not taken, we may see large-scale defaults, vehicle repossessions, and a further erosion of livelihoods. This is not just an industry issue — it is a humanitarian crisis for thousands of families in Jammu and Kashmir,” he warned.
According to TASK, bookings for the remainder of the summer season have dropped sharply, with fears that the slump could extend into the lucrative autumn and winter periods.
Stakeholders say restoring tourist confidence must be a priority, and that the government, security agencies, and industry leaders must work together to ensure safety and stability in the Valley’s prime destinations.
