Panicked tourists are leaving the Kashmir valley following a shooting rampage that killed 26 people. The incident has also raised fear and uncertainty among the local population, especially those dependent on tourism for survival.
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00:00Sanjay and Anupama had just started their dream holiday when the rampage began, a kilometer away.
00:09They escaped but they are haunted by images of the attack.
00:15I thought that it could have been me because if I would have been there or maybe it has happened to a different spot where we were.
00:24I may be one of the victims of that particular incident.
00:28Whenever we think about these memories of visiting Kashmir and seeing this beautiful place,
00:34always that one point will disturb that point, that happiness.
00:42Sanjay is not alone. Thousands of tourists are rushing to leave.
00:47Many are gripped by fear and cancelling their trips.
00:51On the streets of Kashmir, there is sadness and anger.
00:55The local population is reeling from the shock.
00:59They are holding protests and peace vigils across Kashmir, condemning their attack.
01:07The killing of these innocent people have left a stain on us.
01:10I want to tell the world and the people of India, Kashmiris had nothing to do with this attack.
01:15We've always welcomed tourists into our homes and hearts.
01:19We are deeply saddened and disturbed.
01:25These tourists came to enjoy the beauty of our land and instead, they have lost their lives here.
01:33Kashmir region has seen heights of armed insurgency during the 1990s.
01:38Thousands of people have been killed here.
01:41But rarely have we seen an attack like this in which tourists were targeted at this scale.
01:46Experts say that there was always this unwritten rule, even among many militant groups,
01:51that tourists will never be targeted.
01:53But it seems that those rules have been changed now.
01:57And many Kashmiris fear the consequences will be far-reaching.
02:03Tourism is their lifeline, a crucial part of the local economy.
02:09At Dul Lake, one of Kashmir's most iconic tourist spots, the impact is already being felt.
02:16Yasin Ahmad has been running a houseboat business for decades.
02:20He says the fallout has been devastating.
02:22Just days ago, his houseboat was full. Today, it's nearly empty.
02:27We have received 130 cancellations in the past few days.
02:31And if tourists won't be coming, then we Kashmiris won't be able to support and feed our families.
02:36And people like us will die of hunger.
02:39Back to Sanjay and Anupama. These are their final moments in Kashmir.
02:43Like thousands of others, they're heading home shaken and heartbroken.
02:48We are carrying very sad memories along with us.
02:51And it will not get vanished so fast.
02:54I think it will be forever with us.
02:57Till the things we get sorted out, those people will get caught or get punished.