Security in Pahalgam after terror attack.
Credit: PTI Photo
The tranquility of the picturesque Baisaran valley was shattered when terrorists opened fire indiscriminately on a group of tourists, killing at least 26 people. Baisaran valley is located six-and-a-half kilometres from Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, ‘Valley of Shepherds’
Pahalgam in South Kashmir is on every tourist's itinerary as it stands at the confluence of Lidder river and Sheshnag lake. Surrounded by thick pine forests, meadows and rolling snow-clad Himalayan mountains, Pahalgam is one of the two routes to the Hindu shrine—Amarnath temple—which brings lakhs of pilgrims to the Valley every year. It is also home to a popular trekking route, Baisaran pine forest, where the deadly terror attack unfolded.
Betaab valley is another popular tourist destination. The valley gets its name from the Bollywood movie Betaab starring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh, which was shot there.
Baisaran valley
Known as mini-Switzerland, Baisaran valley is hilltop meadow, flaked by dense lush pine forests and snow-covered mountains. The valley attracts thousands of tourists every year.
The valley is accessible only on foot or a pony ride. A 6kms dirt track connects Pahalgam to Baisaran valley.
For the more adventurous who wish to continue up to Tulian Lake, which provides sweeping views of the town and the Lidder Valley, Baisaran is a great campsite.
Other popular tourist points which one can see en route to Baisaran are Kanimarg, Pahalgam Old Village, Kashmir Valley Point, Dabyan and Deon Valley Point.
Kashmir’s breathtaking landscapes have made it a favorite destination for Bollywood filmmakers for decades. School (2005), Jab tak ha Jaan (2012), Haider (2014), Highway (2014), Raazi (2018) and Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) are some of the popular movies shot in the valley in recent times.
The emotional reunion scene of Bajrangi Bhaijaan was shot in Baisaran while the popular qawwali scene was filmed at Ziyarat of Aishmuqam.
A popular tourist destitination is now gripped by fear a day after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. Many stranded tourist are desperately trying to flee.