Pahalgam terror attack occurred on the fateful day of April 22 2025, casting a long shadow over the valley. Not only did it disrupt lives in that moment, but it also changed the course of everyday work, travel, and trade across Kashmir, including an industry built quietly on willow and craft that thrives quietly along highways and inside small workshops - the cricket bat industry. At its peak, the famed cricket bat industry was steady and growing.

Then the attack came at Baisaran meadow inPahalgam, killing 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local pony owner. Almost overnight, the entire system came to a standstill and almost broke the backbone of the industry.

“For the cricket bat industry, we have around 200 units. If we talk about production, it is roughly between 2.5 and 3 million bats,” said Firdaus Khan, a member of the Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association of Kashmir (CBMAK), in a chat with Sports Now.

The industry’s link with tourism is direct and visible. “Most of the unit holders are located along the highway. Every tourist who comes to Kashmir passes through that road. They stop there, buy bats,” Firdaus said in a freewheeling chat with Sports Now.

“As you know, after the Pahalgam incident, tourist footfall dropped. This affected the tourism industry first, but it also had a major impact on the cricket bat industry,” explained Firdaus.

The drop was immediate. With fewer visitors, retail sales collapsed. For many units, that meant losing a key revenue stream overnight. According to a media report last year, the industry stakeholders claimed that losses ran to nearly Rs 2.5 crore per day, as production came to a total halt.

Most of the skilled labour came from outside Kashmir, namely Meerut and Jammu. When they left, machines slowed. Workshops fell silent. Unfortunately, they are still recovering.

“For example, if someone’s daily production used to be 50 bats or even 100 bats, that production has now come down to around 60%,” he added.

Even those who stayed were affected. “Even among the existing workers, there is still some fear in their minds.”

The impact is visible in hard numbers. From around 200 to 250 units earlier, only about 150 are currently operational. “Some units have definitely shut down,” Firdaus admitted.

Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now