Stranded and scared: Highway blocked, airfares soar as tourists struggle to leave Kashmir

Srinagar: A day after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 27 civilians—most of them tourists—panic and fear gripped the Kashmir Valley, with thousands of visitors desperately trying to flee on Wednesday.

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only road link connecting the Valley to the rest of the country, has remained blocked for four consecutive days due to landslides triggered by cloudbursts. Simultaneously, airfares have surged, leaving families with children feeling trapped and helpless.

“We had heard so much about the peace and beauty of Kashmir, but what unfolded yesterday in Pahalgam is a nightmare. We’re terrified,” said Anchal Mehta, a tourist from Delhi, clutching her 10-year-old son at a hotel in Srinagar. “Flights are ridiculously expensive—Rs 18,000 for one seat! We just want to go home, but we feel trapped.”

Mohammad Yaqoob, a tourist from Mumbai, echoed the same fear. “We were in Pahalgam just a day before the attack. We are lucky we left early. Now we’re stuck here with no affordable way out. We didn’t expect this nightmare.”

In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an advisory to airlines, urging them to increase flight frequency to and from Srinagar. The Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed that four special evacuation flights—two each to Delhi and Mumbai—have been arranged. However, tour operators warn that with the highway closed and thousands of tourists still in the Valley, the additional flights fall far short.

Despite the grim situation, locals have rallied to support the stranded tourists. Hotel owners, cab drivers, pony handlers, and everyday residents are stepping up—offering free rides, opening their homes, and providing comfort to shaken visitors.

“We’re ashamed that something like this happened to our guests,” said Ghulam Mohammad, a hotel manager in Pahalgam. “We Kashmiris have suffered due to terrorism for over 35 years—we understand the pain.”

Cab driver Bilal Ahmad, who has been offering free rides to tourists trying to reach the airport, said, “They came here as guests, and they must leave with the feeling that Kashmiris stood by them. Terrorists want to scare people, but we will fight them together.”

The administration has assured that steps are being taken to reopen the highway and regulate airfares in coordination with airlines. Meanwhile, security has been tightened across tourist destinations, and additional help desks have been set up at Srinagar Airport and major hotels.

However, for many, the scars of the attack remain deep. “We will think twice before coming back,” said Ankur Jain, a tourist from Gujarat. “But the humanity and warmth shown by the local people— we’ll never forget that. I appeal to fellow countrymen to ensure that no Kashmiri is harassed anywhere in the country in response to the terror attack.”