Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, currently on a two-day visit to Gujarat to promote tourism in the Union Territory, took to social media to compliment Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront, calling it “one of the nicest places” he has ever run.
Abdullah, who went for a morning jog along the scenic promenade, is in Gujarat to connect with tour operators and revive interest in Kashmir as a tourist destination, following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that severely impacted the region’s tourism sector.
Posting on X, he wrote: “While in #Ahmedabad for a tourism event I took advantage of being here to get my morning run at the famed Sabarmati River Front promenade. It’s one of the nicest places I’ve been able to run & it was a pleasure to get to share it with so many other walkers/runners. I even managed to run past the amazing Atal Foot Bridge.”
While the tweet struck a lighthearted note, Abdullah’s visit carried a more serious objective: restoring confidence in Jammu and Kashmir as a safe travel destination. The Pahalgam attack in April, which claimed 26 lives—including several from Gujarat—shook public sentiment and dealt a blow to tourism in the region.
Speaking at a tourism outreach event, Abdullah emphasized Gujarat’s importance in Kashmir’s tourism economy. “Gujarat, along with Maharashtra and West Bengal, has always played a significant role in our tourism sector,” he said, expressing optimism that Gujarati tourists would soon return in large numbers.
However, the visit also had a political dimension. At a press conference on July 30, Abdullah openly criticized both the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration for security and intelligence failures related to the Pahalgam attack. “Even the Lieutenant Governor has acknowledged there was a lapse. If that’s the case, someone must be held accountable,” he stated.
Although the three terrorists involved in the attack have been neutralized, Abdullah noted that no action has been taken against officials responsible for the security breach.
He also challenged the central government’s narrative following the abrogation of Article 370. “They claimed terrorism would end after the removal of 370. It’s been five years, and terrorists are still being killed. So what happened to those promises?” he asked.
Earlier in the day, Abdullah met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar. Their meeting focused on strengthening inter-state ties, promoting tourism, and exchanging best practices for inclusive development.
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