J&K L-G Manoj Sinha announces re-opening of 12 tourist spots closed after Pahalgam attack

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who chaired the Unified Headquarters (UHQ) of multiple security wings meeting at the Raj Bhawan on Friday (September 26, 2025) in Srinagar, announced the reopening of 12 more tourist spots in Jammu and Kashmir, which were closed in the wake of the Pahalgam attack in April this year.

An official said out of 12 tourist spots thrown open, five are in the Jammu division and seven in the Kashmir division. The parks and gardens in and around Pahalgam, including Aru Valley, Rafting Point Yanner, ⁠Akkad Park, Padshahi Park, Bijbehara and Dara Shikoh Garden, were also reopened for tourists. 

Those re-opened in the Jammu division included Dagan Top in Ramban, Dhaggar in Kathua, Chinkah in Reasi, Shiv Cave in Salal, Reasi, and Padri in Doda.

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 in June, the L-G, who is in charge of security, reopened 16 destinations, eight each from the Jammu and Kashmir regions, in the backdrop of the improvement in the security situation. However, many popular destinations, including Doodhpathri and Aharbal, still remain closed for tourists.

The latest decision came after Mr Sinha reviewed security with top security officials on Friday. Those who attended the meeting included Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat; GoC 15 Corps Lt. Gen. Prashant Srivastava, GoC 16 Corps Lt. Gen. P.K. Mishra, GoC 9 Corps Lt. Gen. Rajan Sharawat, Air Vice Marshal Vikas Sharma; and ADGP CID Nitish Kumar

A Raj Bhawan spokesman said the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the security forces, the J&K Police and intelligence agencies for the recent successful anti-terror operations in the Union Territory.

“War against terrorism is not over yet. Kinetic and non-Kinetic operations must continue. We must maintain the momentum and take stringent action against terrorism and its entire ecosystem,” the Lieutenant Governor told the officers.

He directed the security apparatus for continuous improvement and to proactively adapt to evolving threats. The Lieutenant Governor called for ‘Whole of Government Approach’ for effectively tackling radicalization and drug menace.