Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha convened a significant security review meeting at Raj Bhavan on Friday, following which he announced the reopening of 12 tourist destinations across the Union Territory (UT) that had been closed after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
During the Unified Headquarters (UHQ) meeting, the LG emphasized that the “war against terrorism is not over yet,” instructing security forces to remain vigilant in addressing emerging challenges. “Kinetic and non-kinetic operations must continue. We must maintain momentum and take strict action against terrorism and its entire ecosystem,” Sinha stated to the attendees.
The meeting was held in the context of heightened tensions following violent protests in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Attendees included Army’s Northern Command Chief Lt-Gen Pratik Sharma, Air Vice Marshal Vikas Sharma, various corps commanders, as well as senior military officials, chief secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and other prominent police and bureaucratic figures.
Sinha commended the security forces, J&K Police, and intelligence agencies for their “successful anti-terror operations” in the UT and urged for continuous enhancement of security measures to proactively respond to evolving threats. He advocated for a “whole-of-government approach” to effectively combat radicalization and the drug menace.
In the aftermath of the security review, he announced the reopening of 12 out of the 48 tourist and religious sites that had been temporarily closed as a precaution following the tragic killings of 25 tourists and a local. These sites will reopen on Monday, September 29, and include five destinations in Jammu and seven in Kashmir. Notable locations include Aru Valley, Rafting Point Yanner, Akkad Park, Dara Shikoh Garden, and Padshahi Park in Anantnag district, Kaman Post in Uri, Eco Park Khadniyar in Baramulla district, 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 have advocated for the reopening of tourist destinations, highlighting the importance of tourism in the region.
