Dozens of tourist sites closed in Kashmir after Pahalgam attack
Authorities restrict access to 48 tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir amid rising security threats and declining visitor numbers
SRINAGAR, Kashmir (MNTV) — Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir have temporarily closed nearly half of the region’s public tourist sites following a deadly militant attack in the Pahalgam area that killed 26 people, most of them domestic tourists.
According to local media, access has been restricted at 48 out of 87 parks, gardens, and remote tourist spots across the Kashmir Valley. While no formal government order has been issued, officials say the move is part of a wider precautionary security response.
The closures primarily affect destinations in remote or mountainous areas that were opened to tourism over the past decade. Among them are Doodhpathri, Kokernag, Duksum, Sinthan Top, Acchabal, Bangus Valley, Margan Top, and Tosamaidan. Entry gates to several Mughal Gardens in south Kashmir have also reportedly been locked.
The closures follow ongoing threat assessments suggesting heightened risks to visitors, in the wake of the April 22 attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead.
Tourism in Kashmir had already seen a sharp decline in the days following the attack, with airport arrivals in Srinagar dropping and widespread cancellations reported by tour operators. Officials say remaining open destinations are being provided with enhanced security.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a unanimous resolution on Monday condemning the Pahalgam killings and expressing solidarity with the victims and their families.
The fallout from the attack has also spilled into the diplomatic sphere. India has suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and revoked visas issued to Pakistani nationals. In response, Pakistan has announced the suspension of all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement.
Indian security forces have launched an intensified military crackdown across the region, detaining nearly 2,000 people and demolishing homes of several Kashmiri families — without presenting evidence linking them to the Pahalgam attack. These demolitions directly violate Supreme Court guidelines issued in November 2024, which prohibit punitive actions against private property without due process.
Officials have not confirmed how long the closures will remain in place, though sources say more sites could be added to the list as intelligence reviews continue.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
