"Bholenath is waiting for you": Farooq Abdullah urges tourists to return

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday appealed to tourists to return to Kashmir saying security atmosphere has improved in the Valley since the last month terror attack in Pahalgam.

Speaking to media during his visit to Pahalgam, Abdullah said the Kashmir is peaceful now and the normalcy was being restored.

“Thankfully, the fear is receding now. The tourist places (that were shut after the attack) are being thrown open. .. The situation has improved,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Abdullah was seen playing golf at the picturesque Pahalgam Golf Course. Abdullah was in Pahalgam on a day when J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a special cabinet meeting in Pahalgam to boost the morale of tourists.

<

VIDEO | Pahalgam: JKNC president Farooq Abdullah plays golf at Pahalgam golf course, as the Jammu and Kashmir government intensifies efforts to boost tourism in South Kashmir. The initiative aims to promote the region as a safe and attractive destination for visitors.

(Full… pic.twitter.com/Eg1ZF8gh1h

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 27, 2025 >

Tourist arrivals have seen a significant dip since the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, which left 25 tourists and a local dead.

Farooq Abdullah expressed optimism about the recent visit of tourism-related delegations to Kashmir, saying it will significantly contribute to the revival of the region’s tourism industry.

“I believe it will have a strong impact. These delegations are witnessing things firsthand — how peaceful it is here. Just look around. The weather is far better than in many other parts of the country. While temperatures there are soaring to 50 degrees, here it’s a pleasant 20 to 25 degrees. The air is fresh, there's no pollution. I say, come and see for yourself,” Abdullah said.

He said the visitors should not be scared from travelling to Kashmir.

"I say, those who live in fear are already dead. Don’t be afraid — come and see for yourself. Bholenath is waiting for you," he said when asked about the preparations for Amarnath Yatra beginning July 3.