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‘Trust people who have been to Kashmir after attack’: Omar Abdullah appeals to potential tourists from West Bengal

The leader expressed his gratitude to the West Bengal government and said, “People of West Bengal are with J&K. The relationship between the two regions transcends over time in the context of ‘trust and affection'.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar AbdullahJammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (ANI Photo)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed to potential tourists from West Bengal to visit Kashmir, stating that security would be given. Speaking at a Travel and Tourism fair inauguration programme in Kolkata on Thursday, he said, “I understand everybody’s concern after the Pahalgam terror attack. But be assured that all security-related steps have been taken by the government, and trust the people who have been to the place after the attack, rather than believing those sitting outside and making judgments without even knowing the place.”

Abdullah noted that the Amarnath yatra is taking place, and claimed there has been a “noticeable increase” in the number of direct flights to Jammu and Kashmir: “Tourism is bouncing back. I am here in the city (Kolkata) to boost that.”

“There are some places where we are conducting security audits. We are working to give tourists a safe and secure destination,” he said.

“2025 has not been an easy year for us. The year can be divided into two parts: before the Pahalgam attack, when Kashmir Valley was packed with tourists, and after the Pahalgam attack, when the region was trying to recover from the massive drop in the numbers,” he said.

The leader expressed his gratitude to the West Bengal government and said, “People of West Bengal are with J&K. The relationship between the two regions transcends over time in the context of ‘trust and affection’.

He added, “West Bengal stood with J&K both politically and economically. We offer adventure and destination tourism. On the ground, there is an air of hope of a new beginning.” On April 22 this year, twenty-six people were killed in a terror attack in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience  Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More

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