Pahalgam terrorist attack: 80 Telangana tourists stranded in J&K, send SOS to govt for safe return

Srinagar: As many as 80 Telangana tourists are in predicament as they are stranded in the Union Territory, Jammu and Kashmir, a day after the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, at Baisaran Meadow on Tuesday.

This comes amid heightened security measures throughout the region and a shutdown call from political parties and trade bodies. At least 80 tourists from Telangana, both young and old, who are part of a large group, are also scared because of the fatal tragedy.

Tourists seek help from the government

The group, which includes visitors from Medak, Hyderabad, Warangal, Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda, has petitioned the Telangana government for immediate assistance and to allow their return home. All the tourists left their native state early Tuesday and arrived in Jammu around 10:30 am. They then proceeded to Srinagar, arriving at 3 pm.

“After checking into the hotel, we were informed of the terrorist assault in Pahalgam. The news devastated us and caused us to change our plans. Then the regional shutdown left us stuck,” a tourist said in a video statement released on Wednesday.

“We intended to visit Pahalgam today and return to our hometowns by April 26, but the security situation has left us concerned and apprehensive. We are growing increasingly concerned about the present upheaval. We want to stay safe and get home as soon as possible," said another tourist.

KTR seeks the government’s intervention

Taking on his X account, BRS working president KT Rama Rao wrote, “About 80 tourists from Telangana have been stranded in Srinagar since yesterday. I request the State and Central Governments to swiftly make arrangements for their safe return. @TelanganaCMO, please ensure these tourists receive necessary care and support during this challenging time. Let’s bring them home safely.”

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay acts:

Upon finding out about the tourists from Telangana stranded in Kashmir, representatives from Union Minister Bandi Sanjay reached out to the resort where the tourists were staying and inquired about their whereabouts. All the tourists traveled to Kashmir on a trip sponsored by a chit fund company through a Mumbai-based travel agency.

Swiftly responding, Bandi Sanjay also contacted all 80 stranded individuals. DGP Nalin Prabhat, who previously served as the SP Karimnagar, deployed security. Telangana tourists now wish to continue their holiday there and visit local sites on Thursday. The tourists would fly back to Hyderabad on April 25 as per their schedule, a representative of Bandi Sanjay’s office told NewsMeter.