J&K: 16 Tourist Spots Closed After Pahalgam Terror Attack To Be Reopened In Phases

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday (14 June) announced the reopening of 16 tourist destinations across the Union Territory.

These sites were temporarily closed after the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists, reported ZeeNews.

Eight of the tourist spots and parks that are set to be reopened are in the Jammu Division, and eight are in Srinagar.

Betab Valley and parks in Pahalgam Market, Verinag Garden, Kokernag Garden, and Achabal Garden will reopen on 17 June.

The Lieutenant Governor stated the other tourist destinations being reopened include Badamwari Park, Duck Park, Taqdeer Park in Srinagar, Sarthal, Dhaggar in Kathua, Devi Pindi, Siyad Baba, Sula Park in Reasi, Guldanda and Jai valley in Doda and Pancheri in Udhampur.

Reopening will occur in a phase-wise manner, the LG stated.

He met with delegations including MLAs, DDC Chairpersons, tour and travel operators, and hoteliers at Pahalgam.

He assured them that authorities would lift restrictions on other tourist spots after a thorough security assessment.

The Lieutenant Governor also observed that the upcoming Amarnath Yatra will help in reviving tourism in Kashmir.

"I urge people to come forward and make the annual Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage successful. This Yatra is not just the responsibility of the administration or security forces; it is the people’s Yatra. Everyone should feel proud to contribute to it," Sinha was quoted as saying by Zee News.