Sunday, August 18, 2024 Jammu and Kashmir’s expanding militant presence in the upper regions has dampened the prospects for border tourism, which had been gaining momentum over the past two years following a renewed ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. The procedure for obtaining passes to visit areas near the Line of Control (LoC) has become more stringent once again, with several regions in north Kashmir now designated as no-go zones, according to official sources. Several visitors and off-roaders heading for Keran — named among 12 off-beat tourist destinations to be promoted by the J&K government — failed to get permission to travel there this month, official sources said.
The security forces suspected movement of militants after three infiltrators were killed on July 14 close to the LoC in the Keran Sector of Kupwara. The Lieutenant Governor’s administration had planned to promote Keran as a border tourist village as hundreds of tourists have showed interest in the destination since 2022. The high-altitude circuit — which connects Machil with Point 4040 with Zamindari Gali and Bandipora’s Razdan Top — has also been closed for off-roaders this year.
This year, the upper reaches of the Jammu region have experienced heightened activity by highly-trained militants. An estimated eight to twelve infiltrator groups are believed to be operating in the Pir Panjal and Chenab Valleys. Recently, official sources reported that security forces have intensified .