JK News Today News Analysis
Jammu
In what might be called a signal of the complete reversal of the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam syndrome , Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today ordered 14 tourist spots, across J&K, mostly in the Kashmir Valley , to be reopened immediately , responding to the rising sensitivities of the people and tourism stake holders.
The announcement of the re-opening of these tourist spots, which hold big attraction for the visitors from across the country and abroad came within nine days of the conclusion of Home Minister Amit Shah who had discussed in detail this issue with Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah doubles as Tourism Minister . Omar had been campaigning for reopening of these spots. During his meetings with Home Minister , he had been pitching for the reopening of the tourist spots that were closed after April 2025 massacre of tourists in Baisaran, Pahalgam .
While chairing a development projects review meeting in Jammu on February 7, union Home Minister Amit Shah had stated that ,” the enthusiasm of tourists from across the country to visit Jammu and Jas not diminished ,” implying that despite the tragic incident at Baisaran, Pahalgam of April 22, 2025 , the tourists were keen to visit Kashmir and the tourist spots in Jammu region . He had stressed on the need for “ aggressive marketing of Jammu and Kashmir’s tourist destinations in other states of the country to explore the tourism potential here..” He had also assured that the “ Government of India will provide all possible assistance to the plan to develop new tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir.”
The Chief Minister endorsed Home Minister word by word and took the opportunity to plead for reopening the tourist spots closed after the Pahalgam carnage . He argued that the new destinations can be developed only after the now-closed tourist destinations were reopened first.
LG had agreed to review the security situation and take the call. He took this call on Monday after receiving feedback about the security set up in the tourist destinations , and decided to order reopen 14 tourist spots on February 16 , 2026.
Forty-eight tourist spots across J&K, some of them remote and nestled in high mountains and dense forests were closed by LG administration . Pakistani terrorists had inflicted murderous brutality on 25 tourists , all of them Hindus, and a Kashmiri Muslim pony driver. The local man had grappled with terrorists in a bid to save the lives of tourists . .
Today, LG ordered
14 tourist spots in J&K, 11 in the Kashmir Valley, and three others in Jammu region . He said that these spots were being reopened with immediate effect after a thorough security review According to his office and the posts he posted on X, LG Manoj Sinha .said that Yousmarg, Doodh Pathri in Budgam, Dandipora Park in Kokkernag , Anantnag, Peer ki Gali Dubjan and Padpaawan in south Kashmir’s Shopian district ; Astanpora, Tulip Garden in Srinagar , Thajwas Glacier and Hung Park in Ganderbal, and Wullar/ Watalab in Baramulla. Were among the 11 tourist spots that were being re-opened with immediate effect for tourists to visit an stay . The tourist spots – Gurez , Athwatoo in Bandipoa and Bangus of Kupwara district and Ramkund in Ramban district of Jammu Division to be re-opened after the snow clearance . There is accumulation of heavy snow in these areas and as such it is risky to travel to such areas . As the winter I still continuing in Kashmir, there is a danger that snowfall may block the routes and cause difficulties for the visitors .
Three spots Devi Pindi in Reasi , Mahu Mangat in Ramban and Mughal Maidan in Kishtwar in Jammu region will be re-opened immediately .
The re-opening of the tourist spots , especially in the Kashmir Valley, will brighten the chances of tourist footfalls in the Valley. Tourists had fled the Valley after Pahalgam terror attack , and this scare was amplified after the LG administration declared 48 tourists , including pahalgam, Gulmarg and adjoining areas out of bounds for tourists . Now, it is expected that tourists will regain confidence to visit the valley.
