Authorities in India’s Jammu and Kashmir have closed more than half of the region’s tourist destinations starting Tuesday, following a deadly attack on Hindu holiday-makers in the Pahalgam area that killed 26 people. The decision, revealed in a government document seen by Reuters, aims to boost security amid heightened tensions.
The attackers reportedly singled out Hindu men before shooting them at close range. India has blamed the assault on militants from Pakistan, identifying two of the three assailants. Pakistan has denied involvement and called for an independent investigation.
The violence has strained already tense relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, while Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian carriers. Meanwhile, the Indian army reported continued cross-border firing for a fifth day, describing it as “unprovoked.”
The government has now shuttered 48 of the region’s 87 tourist sites, though no timeline was given for reopening. Once a growing tourism hub, Kashmir is now seeing a wave of panic among visitors, many of whom are cutting trips short as the busy summer season begins.
The attackers reportedly singled out Hindu men before shooting them at close range. India has blamed the assault on militants from Pakistan, identifying two of the three assailants. Pakistan has denied involvement and called for an independent investigation.
The violence has strained already tense relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, while Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian carriers. Meanwhile, the Indian army reported continued cross-border firing for a fifth day, describing it as “unprovoked.”
The government has now shuttered 48 of the region’s 87 tourist sites, though no timeline was given for reopening. Once a growing tourism hub, Kashmir is now seeing a wave of panic among visitors, many of whom are cutting trips short as the busy summer season begins.
