SRINAGAR, April 29 – In a heartbreaking move for a region known for its breathtaking beauty and growing tourism, authorities in India’s Kashmir have ordered the closure of more than half of the valley’s tourist destinations starting today. The decision comes after a brutal attack last week that claimed the lives of 26 holiday-makers.
The attack unfolded in the scenic Pahalgam area, a place where families once flocked to enjoy the peace of the Himalayas. Survivors recall the horror: gunmen forcing men to separate, demanding names, and then, targeting Hindus before opening fire at close range.
Officials have identified two of the three attackers as militants from Pakistan. Pakistan has strongly denied any involvement and is calling for an independent investigation. Meanwhile, India, which accuses Pakistan of fueling militancy in the Muslim-majority region, has seen public anger and demands for firm action soar.
The tragedy has once again strained the already fragile ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—a vital agreement for sharing river waters—and Pakistan has retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian flights.
According to an official document seen by Reuters, authorities have now shut 48 of Kashmir’s 87 tourist spots. Security has been heavily increased at the few destinations still open, though no timeline has been given for when normalcy might return.
For a region that was just beginning to heal, with visitors returning in record numbers to enjoy its grand Mughal gardens, serene valleys, and snowy peaks, the attack has shattered a fragile sense of hope. Many tourists are cutting their trips short, scrambling for early flights out of the valley.
Meanwhile, violence has also flared up along the 740-km Line of Control, the heavily militarized border between Indian and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. The Indian Army reported firing incidents for the fifth night in a row, though no casualties have been confirmed.
Adding to the tension, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned Reuters on Monday that India might soon launch a military operation, prompting Pakistan to reinforce its forces.
For the people of Kashmir, once again, dreams of peace seem painfully out of reach.
