Valley tourists remain unfazed

The militant attack on a shop in a busy tourist hub Boulevard here on Thursday has failed to create panic among tourists who thronged the area their in hundreds on Saturday.

On Thursday, Militants  shot a liquor shop salesman with pistols and injured three others at the Hemal Complex.

The building is situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, a favourite haunt of tourists.
“We are here to enjoy the beauty of Kashmir and are least bothered about it (militant attack). Life and death are in the hands of God and why should we worry about such incidents,” Rajesh Apte, a tourist from Gujarat told Deccan Herald.

Apte who is here with his family for a week said terror attacks have become common around the world and isolated incidents in the Valley should not deter tourists from coming here.

He said Kashmir was like paradise on Earth and believes every Indian should come to the state once in his lifetime.

Life as usual

His views were echoed by Rajdeep from Mumbai. “I was in Gulmarg yesterday and today was spent in visiting the Mughal Gardens and the Dal Lake. I don’t feel any fear and isolated terror incidents shouldn’t be given much importance,” he said.

“People of Kashmir are really hospitable and there is no reason why people should shy away from coming here,” Rajdeep added.

Ghulam Hassan, who runs a fast food joint on the Boulevard said the attack did not impact their business like it used to in the past.

“People are now aware that attacks happen everywhere in the world and Kashmir is no different.”

“This is the time when tourists from Gujarat and Mumbai visit Kashmir and they are the high spending tourists. I am happy that they (tourists) didn’t run away this time,” he hoped.

Meanwhile, sources said, police are investigating the attack and have obtained some clues.

“We are scrutinising the call details of suspects and within a few days a breakthrough is expected,” a senior police official said.