By The Sampadak Express
In the aftermath of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives—most of them tourists—nearly 50 tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir have been closed due to heightened security concerns.
Sources reveal that 48 of the region’s 87 public parks and gardens have been shut as a precautionary measure, though no formal government order has been issued. Authorities have physically locked gates and restricted access to several prominent and emerging tourist spots, including Dooshpathri, Kokernag, Duksum, Sinthan Top, Acchabal, Bangus Valley, Margan Top, and Tosamaidan.
Even iconic Mughal Gardens in south Kashmir have reportedly been sealed off. The closures are being enforced on the ground, with officials citing tourist safety as the top priority.
The shutdown follows the brutal April 22 attack at Baisaran meadows near the Pahalgam resort, where terrorists opened fire, killing 26 people in one of the deadliest assaults in the region in recent years.
Kashmir’s tourism industry, a vital economic driver, has been dealt a significant blow. The closure of major tourist hubs during peak season is expected to have far-reaching financial and symbolic impacts.
Rising Indo-Pak Tensions
The situation has also triggered a spike in tensions between India and Pakistan. For the fifth consecutive night, the Pakistan Army engaged in unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC), targeting Kupwara, Baramulla, and the Akhnoor sector. The Indian Army responded in what it described as a “measured and effective manner.”
In a significant diplomatic move, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—a decades-old water-sharing agreement between the two nations—while Pakistan has retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian aircraft.
High-Level Security Briefings Underway
Amid the deteriorating security landscape, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to provide a detailed briefing on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The 40-minute meeting focused on military preparedness and security measures in the region, coming just hours after fresh cross-border firing incidents.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as both domestic and international stakeholders express concern over the unfolding crisis.
