J&K LG Manoj directs reopening of 12 tourist spots closed after Pahalgam attack

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level Unified Headquarters (UHQ) meeting at Raj Bhavan on Friday to assess the security situation across the Union Territory. As reported by TOI, following the meeting, he announced the reopening of 12 tourist destinations that had been closed after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

While addressing officers during the review, Sinha asserted that “the war against terrorism is not over yet” and instructed security forces to remain on high alert. “Kinetic and non-kinetic operations must continue. We must maintain the momentum and take stringent action against terrorism and its entire ecosystem,” he said, as per the report.

Senior security leadership attends key review

The meeting came in the backdrop of recent protests in Ladakh and was attended by top officials including Northern Command chief Lt-Gen Pratik Sharma, Air Vice Marshal Vikas Sharma, corps commanders, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, and other senior police and civil administration officials.

Sinha praised the efforts of the security forces, J&K Police and intelligence agencies for recent “successful anti-terror operations” and urged them to continue improving and adapting to emerging threats. He also called for a “whole of government approach” to tackle radicalisation and drug abuse.

Twelve sites to reopen from September 29

Sinha announced that 12 of the 48 tourist and religious sites temporarily closed after the attack, which left 25 tourists and a local dead, will reopen starting Monday, September 29.

These include Aru Valley, Rafting Point Yanner, Akkad Park, Dara Shikoh Garden and Padshahi Park in Anantnag; Kaman Post (Uri) and Eco Park Khadniyar in Baramulla; Dagan Top in Ramban; Dhaggar in Kathua; Chinkah and Shiv Cave in Reasi; and Padri in Doda district.

Both former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti had earlier called for the reopening of these tourist destinations.

(With inputs from TOI)