April 20, 2026

Solan blast CHANDIGARH: Punjab police suspect Thursday’s explosion in Himachal Pradesh’s Nalagarh was orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI, allegedly to destabilise the region.A purported press note surfaced Thursday, with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Punjab Sovereignty Alliance (PSA) claiming responsibility for the attack near Nalagarh police station in Himachal’s Solan.The note said the mission was planned and executed by Gopi Nawanshehria and Kabal Singh. Nawanshehria has claimed responsibility for many attacks on police establishments since Nov 2024.BKI and PSA claimed it targeted “synthetic drugs manufactured in Himachal Pradesh and sent into Punjab”. A senior police officer dismissed ideological clai-ms as a “farce”. “These elem-ents are working at the behest of ISI to destabilise the region,” the officer told TOI.About the AuthorNavjeevan GopalBased in Punjab with journalistic experience of over two decades, Navjeevan Gopal is a senior journalist reporting on crucial issues such as drugs, crime, gangsters, terror and other security issues in the border state. The Punjab Police is one of his core beats. Currently an assistant editor with The Times of India in Punjab Bureau, he comes with a vast experience of over 18 years in The Indian Express, the national daily known for its investigative journalism. Gopal had started his career in journalism with the Hindustan Times as a contributor, gradually moving to The Indian Express and thereafter TOI. He also covers Punjab’s politics with his area of interests being the 104-year-old party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He also extensively reported on Sikh diaspora settled across the globe.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosShankh Air Founder Speaks Out As Airline Eyes March Launch, Targets Intl Flights By 2029’Their Islamist Ideas…’: Ex-Bangladesh Minister Hits Out Over Attacks on Hindus And Christians’Very Petty & Shameful’: Shashi Tharoor On Row Over KKR Selecting Bangladeshi Player In IPLINLD President Calls For Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal Type Uprising In India Politics, Triggers RowBJP Claims Rahul Gandhi Ties To ‘Anti-India’ Panel Over US Lawmakers’ Umar Khalid LetterNot All Are Illiterate: Rajnath Singh Cites Red Fort Blast, Flags Educated, White Collar Terrorists’Arunachal Pradesh Is And Will Always Be…’ Jaishankar Warns China, Blasts Harassment Of IndiansBullet Train Gets August 15, 2027 India Launch Date, Minister Shares Details On Tunnel BreakthroughCleanest City Hit By Water Contamination As Lab Links Indore Diarrhoea Outbreak To Pipeline LeakUS Lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi Condemns Violence Against Hindus In Bangladesh Urges Global Action Up123Photostories7 foods to combine with sweet potato for a wholesome breakfastOlder people who live happily, do these 10 things in their 30 and 40s8 winter pickles to add warmth and taste to your mealsLessons from centenarians: What the world’s longest-living people eat‘Shark Tank India Season 5’: FULL LIST of judges, their net worth, and the brands they ownKylie Jenner-Timothée Chalamet to complete 3 years of dating in 2026: 3 relationship lessons to learn from themHow to make Dhaba-style Dal Makhani at homeAttract True Love During the January 2026 Full Moon; According To Birth Number10 oldest trees in the world that are still living and where can they be foundBest mushroom varieties for vitamin D and how to cook them123Hot PicksPremarital Test OmanVande Bharat Sleeper TrainJanuary Bank holidayGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins
Solan blast CHANDIGARH: Punjab police suspect Thursday’s explosion in Himachal Pradesh’s Nalagarh was orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI, allegedly to destabilise the region.A purported press note surfaced Thursday, with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Punjab Sovereignty Alliance (PSA) claiming responsibility for the attack near Nalagarh police station in Himachal’s Solan.The note said the mission was planned and executed by Gopi Nawanshehria and Kabal Singh. Nawanshehria has claimed responsibility for many attacks on police establishments since Nov 2024.BKI and PSA claimed it targeted “synthetic drugs manufactured in Himachal Pradesh and sent into Punjab”. A senior police officer dismissed ideological clai-ms as a “farce”. “These elem-ents are working at the behest of ISI to destabilise the region,” the officer told TOI.About the AuthorNavjeevan GopalBased in Punjab with journalistic experience of over two decades, Navjeevan Gopal is a senior journalist reporting on crucial issues such as drugs, crime, gangsters, terror and other security issues in the border state. The Punjab Police is one of his core beats. Currently an assistant editor with The Times of India in Punjab Bureau, he comes with a vast experience of over 18 years in The Indian Express, the national daily known for its investigative journalism. Gopal had started his career in journalism with the Hindustan Times as a contributor, gradually moving to The Indian Express and thereafter TOI. He also covers Punjab’s politics with his area of interests being the 104-year-old party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He also extensively reported on Sikh diaspora settled across the globe.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosShankh Air Founder Speaks Out As Airline Eyes March Launch, Targets Intl Flights By 2029’Their Islamist Ideas…’: Ex-Bangladesh Minister Hits Out Over Attacks on Hindus And Christians’Very Petty & Shameful’: Shashi Tharoor On Row Over KKR Selecting Bangladeshi Player In IPLINLD President Calls For Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal Type Uprising In India Politics, Triggers RowBJP Claims Rahul Gandhi Ties To ‘Anti-India’ Panel Over US Lawmakers’ Umar Khalid LetterNot All Are Illiterate: Rajnath Singh Cites Red Fort Blast, Flags Educated, White Collar Terrorists’Arunachal Pradesh Is And Will Always Be…’ Jaishankar Warns China, Blasts Harassment Of IndiansBullet Train Gets August 15, 2027 India Launch Date, Minister Shares Details On Tunnel BreakthroughCleanest City Hit By Water Contamination As Lab Links Indore Diarrhoea Outbreak To Pipeline LeakUS Lawmaker Raja Krishnamoorthi Condemns Violence Against Hindus In Bangladesh Urges Global Action Up123Photostories7 foods to combine with sweet potato for a wholesome breakfastOlder people who live happily, do these 10 things in their 30 and 40s8 winter pickles to add warmth and taste to your mealsLessons from centenarians: What the world’s longest-living people eat‘Shark Tank India Season 5’: FULL LIST of judges, their net worth, and the brands they ownKylie Jenner-Timothée Chalamet to complete 3 years of dating in 2026: 3 relationship lessons to learn from themHow to make Dhaba-style Dal Makhani at homeAttract True Love During the January 2026 Full Moon; According To Birth Number10 oldest trees in the world that are still living and where can they be foundBest mushroom varieties for vitamin D and how to cook them123Hot PicksPremarital Test OmanVande Bharat Sleeper TrainJanuary Bank holidayGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk


Punjab police suspect ISI hand in Himachal Pradesh blast; BKI, PSA own up to it

CHANDIGARH: Punjab police suspect Thursday’s explosion in Himachal Pradesh’s Nalagarh was orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI, allegedly to destabilise the region.A purported press note surfaced Thursday, with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Punjab Sovereignty Alliance (PSA) claiming responsibility for the attack near Nalagarh police station in Himachal’s Solan.The note said the mission was planned and executed by Gopi Nawanshehria and Kabal Singh. Nawanshehria has claimed responsibility for many attacks on police establishments since Nov 2024.BKI and PSA claimed it targeted “synthetic drugs manufactured in Himachal Pradesh and sent into Punjab”. A senior police officer dismissed ideological clai-ms as a “farce”. “These elem-ents are working at the behest of ISI to destabilise the region,” the officer told TOI.



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Strait of Hormuz NEW DELHI: “Iranian Navy, Iranian Navy. I will alter to starboard and go back, I will alter to starboard and go back, don’t fire…Sepa Navy, Sepa Navy, motor tanker Sanmar Herald. Sepa Navy, you gave me clearance, you gave me clearance to go. My name is second on your list, you gave me clearance to go. You are firing now, let me turn back.” The distress call from the captain of Indian-flagged oil tanker Sanmar Herald captured vividly the confusion that ensued during the firing in Strait of Hormuz on Saturday as Iran reimposed restrictions on passage casting a shadow on the ceasefire and the movement of ships through the Strait. The over two-minute audio recording on Channel 16, the international marine radio frequency dedicated to emergency, distress, safety, and calling, has the captain of the Indian ship appealing to the Iranian navy not to fire and promising to turn back. Meanwhile, another video recording of the radio communications captured and shared on social media show that Indian cargo ship Bhagya Laxmi was approaching the Strait from UAE waters when it was intercepted. The social media post shows an IRGC operator telling the crew, “Hormuz Strait is blocked and there is no permission for you. You are ordered to go back to your departure immediately.” The Iranian Navy personnel also told the captain to wait forpermission. As per Maritime Traffic data, no ship was crossing the crucial global energy choke point as of Sunday evening. The shipping ministry on Sunday said that one Indian Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Samnar Herald and another bulk carrier Jag Arnav, returned to the Persian Gulf following a firing incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz and no injury to any crew has been reported.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missWhy it’s so hard to end long-term relationships as per science, therapist revealsBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Strait of Hormuz NEW DELHI: “Iranian Navy, Iranian Navy. I will alter to starboard and go back, I will alter to starboard and go back, don’t fire…Sepa Navy, Sepa Navy, motor tanker Sanmar Herald. Sepa Navy, you gave me clearance, you gave me clearance to go. My name is second on your list, you gave me clearance to go. You are firing now, let me turn back.” The distress call from the captain of Indian-flagged oil tanker Sanmar Herald captured vividly the confusion that ensued during the firing in Strait of Hormuz on Saturday as Iran reimposed restrictions on passage casting a shadow on the ceasefire and the movement of ships through the Strait. The over two-minute audio recording on Channel 16, the international marine radio frequency dedicated to emergency, distress, safety, and calling, has the captain of the Indian ship appealing to the Iranian navy not to fire and promising to turn back. Meanwhile, another video recording of the radio communications captured and shared on social media show that Indian cargo ship Bhagya Laxmi was approaching the Strait from UAE waters when it was intercepted. The social media post shows an IRGC operator telling the crew, “Hormuz Strait is blocked and there is no permission for you. You are ordered to go back to your departure immediately.” The Iranian Navy personnel also told the captain to wait forpermission. As per Maritime Traffic data, no ship was crossing the crucial global energy choke point as of Sunday evening. The shipping ministry on Sunday said that one Indian Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Samnar Herald and another bulk carrier Jag Arnav, returned to the Persian Gulf following a firing incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz and no injury to any crew has been reported.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missWhy it’s so hard to end long-term relationships as per science, therapist revealsBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

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Dinesh Trivedi (PTI image) NEW DELHI: India has proposed the name of West Bengal BJP functionary Dinesh Trivedi as the next high commissioner to Bangladesh. According to official sources, Dhaka’s approval is awaited for what would be a rare political appointment in the neighbourhood. Trivedi (75) has served multiple terms as MP in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and was also railway minister and minister of state for health. He left TMC in 2021 to join BJP. If it goes through, the appointment will come at a sensitive moment in the bilateral relationship when both sides are working towards a reset in ties. Following former PM Sheikh Hasina’s exit, the relationship descended and entered a period of severe strain characterised by border disputes, trade restrictions and heightened rhetoric. However, with the new BNP govt settling in, the relationship is beginning to stabilise although differences remain over critical issues like Hasina’s continued presence in India and what Dhaka calls border killings by Indian security forces. Foreign minister Khalilur Rahman raised the Hasina issue during his recent “goodwill” visit to India. Trivedi’s appointment will be significant as this will be the first time that India will have a political appointee as an ambassador or high commissioner in the immediate neighbourhood since the early 90s. India had appointed JNU professor Bimal Prasad as ambassador to Nepal in 1991. More recently, in the extended Indian Ocean neighbourhood, India appointed former army chief Dalbir Singh Suhag as high commissioner in Seychelles in 2019. There had been speculation for weeks now about a political appointee for Dhaka who would serve there with the status of a minister of state.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missWhy it’s so hard to end long-term relationships as per science, therapist revealsBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Dinesh Trivedi (PTI image) NEW DELHI: India has proposed the name of West Bengal BJP functionary Dinesh Trivedi as the next high commissioner to Bangladesh. According to official sources, Dhaka’s approval is awaited for what would be a rare political appointment in the neighbourhood. Trivedi (75) has served multiple terms as MP in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and was also railway minister and minister of state for health. He left TMC in 2021 to join BJP. If it goes through, the appointment will come at a sensitive moment in the bilateral relationship when both sides are working towards a reset in ties. Following former PM Sheikh Hasina’s exit, the relationship descended and entered a period of severe strain characterised by border disputes, trade restrictions and heightened rhetoric. However, with the new BNP govt settling in, the relationship is beginning to stabilise although differences remain over critical issues like Hasina’s continued presence in India and what Dhaka calls border killings by Indian security forces. Foreign minister Khalilur Rahman raised the Hasina issue during his recent “goodwill” visit to India. Trivedi’s appointment will be significant as this will be the first time that India will have a political appointee as an ambassador or high commissioner in the immediate neighbourhood since the early 90s. India had appointed JNU professor Bimal Prasad as ambassador to Nepal in 1991. More recently, in the extended Indian Ocean neighbourhood, India appointed former army chief Dalbir Singh Suhag as high commissioner in Seychelles in 2019. There had been speculation for weeks now about a political appointee for Dhaka who would serve there with the status of a minister of state.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missWhy it’s so hard to end long-term relationships as per science, therapist revealsBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

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PTI image PAHALGAM: A year after the terrorist attack that shook Kashmir’s scenic hill town, tourist arrivals to Pahalgam, have fallen sharply, dimming the vibrancy of what was once among the region’s busiest holiday destinations.Before the attack, the town routinely hosted between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors a day. Today, the numbers tell a different story. Official figures, procured by TOI from the local tourist centre, revealed that from May 2025 to April 15, 2026, Pahalgam recorded 4,30,495 domestic tourists, a steep drop compared to earlier years, when annual footfall ranged between 12 and 15 lakh, with monthly averages hovering around 1 to 1.1 lakh visitors.The decline is particularly striking when contrasted with April 2025, the month of the attack. By April 22, when the attack happened, around 1.37 lakh tourists had already visited the town in 22 days.The drop of tourists in Pahalgam could also be gauged from comparison of data of tourist footfall in the picturesque town from Jan to April 2025, when the total number of visitors for these four months reached 463,390. In contrast, data from Jan to April 2026 shows a sharp decline across all months with just 254,930 tourists, which is almost 45% lower than the same period in 2025. The cumulative drop of over 200,000 tourists suggests a significant negative trend.Yet, amid the downturn, a new and sombre landmark has emerged. A martyrdom memorial, set up by J&K govt near Pahalgam’s popular “Selfie Point” along Lidder river, has become a focal stop for visitors. The memorial bears the names of all the 26 tourists who lost their lives in the attack.For many, the visit is less about leisure and more about remembrance.Along the riverbanks, tourists gather as they always do, some standing on stones to take pictures, some sitting in small groups having snacks, others dipping their feet into the cold water.However, as they approach the memorial, their expression shows what has changed in a year. Their mood shifts. Some stand in silence, reading each name written on the memorial. Others raise their phones to capture the sad moment.The list of 26 begins with Atul Shrikant Mone. It ends with Yatish Bhai Sudhirbhai Pamar. At number 22, is Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local ponywallah killed while trying to save tourists during the attack.Ravi C, a tourist from Karnataka, said it was his first visit to Pahalgam and he came despite what had happened last year. He was taking pictures of his young child, who was saluting the memorial.Ayaan from Mumbai, travelling with his family, said the violence had not kept him away. “Incidents happen,” he said.Kuldeep Singh, a driver from Punjab, had brought visitors from Punjab. They, too, were reading the names. Kantarajpa, a retired Army officer from Bengaluru, said he wanted to see the place for himself. The attack, he said, has not deterred him.Across the road at the tourist reception centre, officials from the tourism department said visitors have started returning to Pahalgam. They said in the four months after last year’s attack, the resort saw almost no tourists. “Hoteliers had shut their hotels. But with sustained efforts of govt, things are beginning to improve,” said an official.Tourism infrastructure in the area remains substantial, with around 107 hotels, 100 guest houses, and a similar number of homestays recorded by the tourism department. However, officials note that a significant number of unregistered accommodations continue to operate outside formal records.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro cities123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

PTI image PAHALGAM: A year after the terrorist attack that shook Kashmir’s scenic hill town, tourist arrivals to Pahalgam, have fallen sharply, dimming the vibrancy of what was once among the region’s busiest holiday destinations.Before the attack, the town routinely hosted between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors a day. Today, the numbers tell a different story. Official figures, procured by TOI from the local tourist centre, revealed that from May 2025 to April 15, 2026, Pahalgam recorded 4,30,495 domestic tourists, a steep drop compared to earlier years, when annual footfall ranged between 12 and 15 lakh, with monthly averages hovering around 1 to 1.1 lakh visitors.The decline is particularly striking when contrasted with April 2025, the month of the attack. By April 22, when the attack happened, around 1.37 lakh tourists had already visited the town in 22 days.The drop of tourists in Pahalgam could also be gauged from comparison of data of tourist footfall in the picturesque town from Jan to April 2025, when the total number of visitors for these four months reached 463,390. In contrast, data from Jan to April 2026 shows a sharp decline across all months with just 254,930 tourists, which is almost 45% lower than the same period in 2025. The cumulative drop of over 200,000 tourists suggests a significant negative trend.Yet, amid the downturn, a new and sombre landmark has emerged. A martyrdom memorial, set up by J&K govt near Pahalgam’s popular “Selfie Point” along Lidder river, has become a focal stop for visitors. The memorial bears the names of all the 26 tourists who lost their lives in the attack.For many, the visit is less about leisure and more about remembrance.Along the riverbanks, tourists gather as they always do, some standing on stones to take pictures, some sitting in small groups having snacks, others dipping their feet into the cold water.However, as they approach the memorial, their expression shows what has changed in a year. Their mood shifts. Some stand in silence, reading each name written on the memorial. Others raise their phones to capture the sad moment.The list of 26 begins with Atul Shrikant Mone. It ends with Yatish Bhai Sudhirbhai Pamar. At number 22, is Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local ponywallah killed while trying to save tourists during the attack.Ravi C, a tourist from Karnataka, said it was his first visit to Pahalgam and he came despite what had happened last year. He was taking pictures of his young child, who was saluting the memorial.Ayaan from Mumbai, travelling with his family, said the violence had not kept him away. “Incidents happen,” he said.Kuldeep Singh, a driver from Punjab, had brought visitors from Punjab. They, too, were reading the names. Kantarajpa, a retired Army officer from Bengaluru, said he wanted to see the place for himself. The attack, he said, has not deterred him.Across the road at the tourist reception centre, officials from the tourism department said visitors have started returning to Pahalgam. They said in the four months after last year’s attack, the resort saw almost no tourists. “Hoteliers had shut their hotels. But with sustained efforts of govt, things are beginning to improve,” said an official.Tourism infrastructure in the area remains substantial, with around 107 hotels, 100 guest houses, and a similar number of homestays recorded by the tourism department. However, officials note that a significant number of unregistered accommodations continue to operate outside formal records.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS Nationals Detained At Srinagar Airport Over Banned Satellite DeviceNo Fuel Shortage: Govt Assures 100% Domestic Gas Supply As India’s LPG Demand Falls 13% In MarchPM Modi Takes ‘Jhalmuri’ Break, Interacts With Locals In West Bengal’s Jhargram Amid Poll CampaignIndia Warns Iran Of Consequences After Attack On Two Tankers In Strait Of HormuzIndia Expands Export Relief After Hormuz Tensions Adds Egypt & Jordan To Shield Trade RoutesCongress Holds Protest After PM Modi’s Address To The Nation On Women’s Reservation Bill SetbackIndia’s Naval Push In Indo-Pacific: IOS Sagar Departs Phuket After Successful Thailand Port CallManipur Streets Erupt As Security Forces Fire Tear Gas On Protesters | WatchManipur Horror: Retired Soldier Among Two Shot Dead In Ukhrul Highway AttackWhat We Know About Indian Ships Hit In Hormuz Strait By Iran Gunboats And Unknown Projectile123Photostories5 style lessons from Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic wardrobeWhy you forget names instantly: It’s not your memory, it’s your attention, and here’s how to fix it5 Horror movies based on real-life events: ‘The Conjuring’, ‘The Exorcist,’ and moreTop 5 sneaker releases of 2026 you shouldn’t missBeautiful Indo-Arabic and Persian baby names quietly used in Indian familiesHe never drank alcohol, yet was diagnosed with severe fatty liver: What this says about modern diets and silent lifestyle risksHow to stop rice flour roti from cracking: 5 proven home tips to make soft and puffed rotiAs Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announce second pregnancy, a look at Bollywood’s cutest pregnancy announcementsInside Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s parenting style: How they’re raising grounded, disciplined teen sons7 factors driving property price growth in Indian metro cities123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayPM Modi LiveWorld Largest EconomySue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

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