After Pahalgam Terror Attack, J&K Government Closes 48 Tourist Spots Across Valley; Security Tightened Elsewhere

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Srinagar: In a swift and sweeping response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday announced the closure of 48 tourist destinations across the Valley, citing security concerns. The action comes days after gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists at the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, killing 25 people, including a Nepali national and a local, in what is being described as a targeted attack on Hindu men.

The attack has sparked nationwide outrage and led to a dramatic dip in tourist arrivals, particularly through the Srinagar airport. Officials said that out of the Valley’s 87 listed tourist spots, nearly 55% have now been temporarily shut down to ensure safety and prevent further incidents.

The closed sites include prominent destinations such as Yousmarg, Doodpathri, Aharbal, Bangus Valley, Wular Lake, Verinag Garden, Sinthan Top, Babareshi, and Dachigam beyond the trout farm, among others. “This is a precautionary step. Some of these places have been shut temporarily until the situation normalises,” a senior tourism department official told the media.

Meanwhile, the remaining tourist destinations remain open with heightened security. Security forces have been deployed in large numbers and surveillance has been intensified. “We are ensuring that areas which are still open to visitors are fully secure,” the official added.

The brutality of the Pahalgam attack has shaken the nation, with leaders across political lines condemning the violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed strict retribution, stating, “The terrorists, their backers, and handlers will be hunted down and punished in a way they cannot imagine.”

In a significant development, the security forces demolished ten houses belonging to active terrorists, including that of Adil Hussain Thoker and Asif Sheikh, who are believed to be behind the attack.

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution on Monday, condemning the attack as “heinous, barbaric, inhumane, and cowardly.” The resolution added that such acts were an attack on the ethos of Kashmiriyat and the principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

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