SRINAGAR, India (Diya TV) — In a response to last week’s deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam and rising cross-border tensions with Pakistan, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have shut down more than half of the region’s tourist destinations following a comprehensive security audit.
Out of 89 tourist spots surveyed across the Kashmir Valley, 49 have been closed indefinitely, government officials confirmed Monday. The clampdown comes after militants killed 26 civilians on April 22 in Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district—an incident that has reignited fears of a resurgence in violence just as the region was heading into its peak summer tourism season.
“These closures are precautionary and will be lifted shortly once the areas are declared secure,” Nasir Aslam Wani, advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, told local media. “There is no need to panic.”
The state government has implemented a multi-tiered security system at the remaining open sites, with military and paramilitary forces increasing patrols and surveillance. Wani added that only locations that passed the audit with sufficient security infrastructure are currently permitted to host tourists.
In north Kashmir, close to the volatile Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, popular destinations such as Gurez, Bangus Valley, Baba Reshi, and Kaman Post have been declared no-go zones for travelers. Central and south Kashmir have also seen sweeping closures. Authorities have shut down Yousmarg, Naranag, Toisamaidan, Aharbal, and Kousarnag in central Kashmir, while the Sun Temple at Kehribal, Verinag, Sinthan Top, and Margan Top in the south have also been cordoned off.
Even Srinagar, the summer capital and a city not located near the LoC, has seen restrictions imposed on 16 popular tourist areas. Sites including Jama Masjid, Badamwari, Rajouri Kadal, Aali Kadal, Faqir Gujri, Astanmarg, and the upper stretches of Dachigam National Park are now off-limits.
The crackdown follows not only the April 22 massacre but also a spike in skirmishes along the LoC. The Indian Army reported multiple incidents of “unprovoked” small arms fire from Pakistani military posts over the past five days, with the latest occurring around midnight on April 29. While no casualties have been reported, the exchanges have added to the sense of unease across the valley. Pakistan’s military has not responded publicly to the allegations.
The closures mark a sharp reversal for Kashmir’s tourism industry, which had been experiencing a revival in recent years amid a relative lull in militant violence. Once renowned for its snow-capped peaks, verdant meadows, and historic Mughal gardens, the region had drawn increasing numbers of domestic and foreign visitors. That momentum has now ground to a halt, with travel agents reporting widespread cancellations and hotel bookings plummeting since the attack.
Officials insist the restrictions are temporary, though no date has been given for reopening the closed sites. Security forces remain on high alert as they continue sweeping operations in the affected districts.
“Tourism is vital to our economy,” Wani said. “We want to ensure the safety of every visitor, and that means taking tough decisions in the short term.”
The situation remains fluid, and travelers are being advised to consult local authorities before making plans to visit the region.
