Snowy valleys of Gulmarg remained silent despite the ceasefire, but Shikaras floating in Dal Lake

A ceasefire happened on the border. The booms of cannons and bullets are not coming anymore but Shikaras on Dal Lake, snow-clad valleys of Gulmarg, green meadows of Pahalgam and hustle-bustle of Srinagar remain silent. The Pahalgam terrorist attack not only sent the echoes of bullets but also dispersed the tourism economy of the Kashmir worth crores like an ensemble of card players.

The valley is empty in midst of off-season of the tourist season but there's also some difference between the present silence and silence of the time of terrorism. The youth here now desire employment and not weapons. They desire to see their tomorrow shining and not stones in their hands and life lost in the haze.

Jahoor Lone, a resident of Keran sector near the LoC in Kupwara, has a shop at Lal Chowk. He says that the Pahalgam attack has caused a big loss. This season will pass like this. The situation is expected to improve from December. People are expected to come for the Amarnath Yatra. Shops have opened after the ceasefire but there is no hustle and bustle of buyers.