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Omar Abdullah Demands Reopening of Kashmir Tourist Sites Closed After Pahalgam Attack

He says livelihoods hinge on access, pledging to take the request to the Union Home Minister.

Overview

  • Six months after the April 22 Baisaran Valley shooting that killed 26 civilians, many destinations remain closed to visitors.
  • Roughly 48 sites were shut as a security precaution, triggering mass cancellations, a steep fall in arrivals and deep losses for tourism-dependent households.
  • Abdullah flagged Doodhpathri, Drang and parts of Gulmarg as still off-limits and noted these locations were not closed even during peak militancy.
  • He criticized "two voices" within J&K, contrasting the elected government's push to revive tourism with restrictions maintained by the unelected security administration.
  • J&K has sent a promotion delegation to Singapore with outreach planned in Berlin and London next month, while some spots such as Aru and Betaab Valley have seen limited reopenings.