With 26 innocent lives lost, mostly tourists, the J&K government has taken a hard decision to shut down 48 of the Valley’s 87 tourist spots. This unprecedented action comes amid credible intelligence inputs warning of further attacks, reportedly being planned by Pakistan-backed terror sleeper cells.
The terrorist organisation The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam massacre. Intelligence agencies believe this is the beginning of a larger campaign of violence coordinated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Following intercepts and reports suggesting potential high-impact attacks and targeted killings of non-locals, CID personnel, and Kashmiri Pandits, the administration has acted swiftly to prevent further tragedies. The J&K government’s notification includes iconic tourist sites, eco-parks, trekking trails, hotels, temples, and paragliding points. These sites span several districts and are now officially off-limits:
BANDIPORA
- Gurez Valley – A serene border valley, popular for summer trekking, now inaccessible due to high-security alerts.
BUDGAM
- Yousmarg
- Tosa Maidan
- Doodhpathri
These lush meadows and trekking destinations, once hailed as alternatives to Gulmarg, are now closed to visitors.
KULGAM
- Aharbal Waterfall
- Kousarnag Lake – A sacred glacier-fed lake, now part of the shutdown amid infiltration concerns.
KUPWARA
- Bangus
- Kariwan Diver
- Chandigam
- Bangus Valley (Handwara Sector)
- Kupwara, close to the LoC, has seen a spike in militant activity; authorities say sleeper cells are active in these zones.
BARAMULLA
- Habba Khatoon Point (Kawnar)
- Babareshi Tangmarg
- Ringawali Tangmarg
- Gogaldara Tangmarg
- Baderkote Tangmarg
- Shrunz Waterfall
- Kaman Post (Uri sector)
- Namblan Waterfall
- Eco Park Khadniyar
Tangmarg and Uri regions, historically volatile, have been shut amid threats of cross-border infiltration and fidayeen attacks.
ANANTNAG
- Sun Temple Kheribal
- Verinag Garden
- Sinthan Top
- Margan Top
- Akad Park
These destinations, usually filled with spring tourists, now lie silent under heavy troop deployment.
PULWAMA
- Sangarwani – A quiet forest retreat, now deemed a sensitive zone due to movement of suspected militants.
SRINAGAR (and City Outskirts)
- Jamia Masjid
- Badamwari Garden
- Rajouri Kadal – Hotel Kanaaz
- Aali Kadal – JJ Food Restaurant
- Ivory Hotel, Gandtal (Theed)
- Padshapal Resorts & Restaurant (Faqir Gujri)
- Cherry Tree Resort (Faqir Gujri)
- North Cliff Café & Retreat (Astanmarg Paragliding Point)
- Forest Hill Cottage (Astan Mohalla, Dara)
- Eco Village Resort (Dara)
- Astanmarg View Point
- Astanmarg Paragliding Spot
- Mamneth and Mahadev Hills (via Faqir Gujri)
- Buddhist Monastery, Harwan
- Dachigam National Park – Beyond Trout Farm
- Astanpora – Especially Qayam Gah Resort
Srinagar’s famous hospitality sector, including hotels and resorts, has suffered a massive economic blow due to these closures. Paragliding, which had recently taken off near Astanmarg, is now banned for civilian use.
GANDERBAL
- Lachpatri Lateral
- Hung Park
- Naranag – A historic pilgrimage and trekking base, now sealed off due to warnings of terror movement.
CHRAR-E-SHARIF (BUDGAM)
- A site of spiritual significance, Charar-e-Sharif, is under heightened security and remains shut due to threats of a symbolic strike.
SHOPIAN-KULGAM BELT
- Mundij-Hamam-Markoot Waterfall
- Khampoo, Bosnia, Vijitop – Offbeat trekking and meadow routes that have recently gained popularity are now under security lockdown.
Security agencies have intercepted communications suggesting a resurgence of sleeper cells, especially in Srinagar, Kupwara, Baramulla, and Ganderbal. These cells are reportedly receiving orders from ISI to reignite Kashmir unrest, focusing on high-profile targets and tourists to spread fear and draw international attention.
A senior intelligence officer revealed that, “This isn’t just about one attack. The objective is clear – hit the heart of Kashmir’s economic recovery and peace narrative by targeting civilians, especially outsiders and minority communities.”
The fallout has been immediate. Tour operators report that over 90 per cent of bookings for April-May have been cancelled, with fear gripping potential travelers. Srinagar International Airport saw:
- April 23: 17,653 passengers on 112 flights (6,561 arrivals, 11,092 departures)
- April 24: 15,836 passengers on 118 flights (4,456 arrivals, 11,380 departures)
Clearly, the departure rate has spiked, reflecting mass evacuation by tourists. A tour operator in Pahalgam lamented, “We were beginning to see hope after years of conflict. Now, people are fleeing again. Bookings are down, staff laid off, and our meadows are empty.”
The J&K government says these closures are temporary, but will remain in place until the threat perception is significantly reduced. Meanwhile, central intelligence agencies and the Army are coordinating counter-infiltration operations, especially in south Kashmir and LoC zones.
