By Peerzada Ashiq

Copyright thehindu

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday (September 18, 2025) decried that security agencies were continuing to keep dozens of prime sites in the Kashmir Valley out of bounds for tourists six months after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Mr. Abdullah, who inaugurated the Gulmarg Convention Centre in Baramulla district, said half of Gulmarg, a popular destination, remained closed for tourists. “The nearby destination of Drung in Tangmarg is closed. This is in no way helpful for the tourism sector of J&K. Those responsible for security should start opening up closed destinations one by one,” Mr. Abdullah said.

The Chief Minister also named the popular destinations of Betaab valley and Aru valley in Pahalgam among those closed. “What happened in Pahalgam should not have happened. Since then, a number of steps have been taken. But unless closed destinations are thrown open, our tourism promotion will be a futile exercise. If they are not open, there is no point spending resources on promoting tourism,” Mr. Abdullah said.

At least 48 destinations were closed in J&K after the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead on April 22 this year. Later, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is in-charge of security, opened 16 destinations, eight each from Jammu and Kashmir regions, in June in the backdrop of the improvement in the security situation.

However, many popular destinations, including Doodhpathri and Aharbal, still remain closed for tourists, impacting the livelihoods of those who depend on tourism. “If we have closed the destinations, then we have to provide compensation for the losses,” Mr. Abdullah said.

The Chief Minister said that, on one hand, the Central government told the world that Kashmir was normal, and on other, such measures hit the confidence in promoting tourism in the region. “Closure of destinations and tourism promotion cannot run together,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Addressing the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, Mr. Abdullah assured tourism stakeholders that he would take up their concerns with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and request the opening up of closed tourist destinations in Kashmir.

“Even in the worst times, we had not kept these areas closed. I will speak to the Home Minister and request him to open these destinations. This will build confidence and help us attract more tourists,” Mr. Abdullah said.