India Closes Half of Kashmir’s Tourist Spots After Attack

In response to last week's deadly attack on tourists, the Indian government has ordered the closure of more than half of Kashmir's tourist destinations, effective Tuesday, as part of heightened security measures. According to a government order reviewed by Reuters, 48 out of 87 tourist spots in the insurgency-prone region will be shut down, with enhanced security at the remaining locations.

The deadly assault took place in the Pahalgam area, where assailants segregated men, asked for their names, and specifically targeted Hindus before executing the victims at close range. The attack resulted in 26 fatalities, with both officials and survivors confirming the gruesome details.

India has identified two of the three attackers as militants from Pakistan, who are believed to have been involved in the ongoing insurgency in the Muslim-majority Kashmir region. Pakistan has denied involvement, calling for an impartial investigation into the incident.

Relations between India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed nations, have been tense for years due to their disputed claims over Kashmir, a region that both countries control in part. India accuses Pakistan of supporting militancy in the area, while Islamabad maintains it provides only diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people’s demand for self-determination.

Since the attack, there has been a sharp increase in tensions, with calls in India for stronger measures against Pakistan. In retaliation, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a crucial water-sharing agreement, and Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines.

As the tourist season begins, the Pahalgam attack has led to widespread panic, with many tourists opting to leave early. Security has also been tightened along the Line of Control (LoC), the 740-km (460-mile) de facto border between Indian and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir. On Tuesday, Indian military officials reported responding to "unprovoked" small arms fire from Pakistani army posts for the fifth consecutive day, though no casualties were reported.

Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, warned of a potential Indian military incursion and stated that Pakistan had bolstered its forces in preparation.