48 Tourist Spots Shut in Kashmir Amid Fresh Terror Threats Following Pahalgam Attack
Amid mounting fears of fresh terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has shut down 48 out of 87 designated tourist destinations across the Kashmir Valley following credible intelligence inputs warning of targeted killings and larger-scale strikes. The move comes just days after the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down by Pakistan-based militants.
According to intelligence reports accessed by India Today, security agencies have intercepted communications indicating that sleeper cells across the valley have been activated post the Pahalgam incident. These cells have reportedly been instructed to launch retaliatory operations in response to the recent demolition of homes belonging to active terrorists by Indian security forces.
“In light of the recent militant attack on tourists dated 22.04.2025, reliable inputs from credible sources and sister intelligence agencies suggest that militant organisations are actively planning attacks targeting security forces and non-local individuals in the upcoming days,” one intelligence input said.
The reports also claim that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is coordinating targeted strikes against non-local civilians, Kashmiri Pandits, and CID personnel, particularly in the Srinagar and Ganderbal districts. These revelations have prompted authorities to take preemptive action to secure civilian areas, especially those frequented by tourists.
Among the closed destinations are Dooshpathri, Kokernag, Duksum, Sinthan Top, Acchabal, Bangus Valley, Margan Top, Tosamaidan, Astanpora, Kousarnag, Ringawali Tangmarg, Habba Khatoon Point, and Kawnar. While popular spots like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Dal Lake remain open, they are now under intense surveillance, with the deployment of anti-fidayeen squads, primarily from the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s elite Special Operations Group.
Sources said that security forces have been instructed to treat all intelligence as actionable and prepare for high-impact attacks. Railway infrastructure has been flagged as a vulnerable target due to the large presence of non-local staff. Personnel have been advised to remain within secured areas and limit outdoor movement.
The intelligence community fears that terrorists are aiming to instill panic and destabilize the ongoing tourism revival in the Valley. The April 22 massacre in Pahalgam, which occurred just as the state was witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals, led to a mass exodus of visitors. With the summer travel season approaching, many tourists had slowly begun to return, making the timing of the latest threat particularly alarming.
In response to the Pahalgam carnage, security agencies have launched one of the largest coordinated anti-terror operations in recent years. Hundreds of suspects and sympathisers have been detained in massive search and raid drives conducted across North, Central, and South Kashmir. Authorities have also intensified the crackdown on terror infrastructure, demolishing several homes linked to active militants.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has taken over the probe into the Pahalgam attack, has begun on-ground investigations. The agency has recreated the crime scene and is questioning local workers who were present at the site, including those linked to the zipline facility near the attack location. Survivors, including Rishi Bhatt, a Gujarati tourist whose video footage captured images of the terrorists, are being interviewed for key leads.
The closure of 48 tourist sites is a stark reminder of the fragile security situation in the Valley. While the administration attempts to safeguard lives, the tourism sector—often considered the lifeline of Kashmir’s economy—suffers yet another blow. Authorities continue to urge caution while assuring the public that all efforts are being made to neutralize the threat and restore normalcy.
As security agencies remain on high alert, the coming days are critical in determining whether the Valley can avoid further bloodshed and maintain fragile peace amid the looming specter of terror.
IT.
