Latest news with #ofControl
Mint
a day ago
- Mint
The Pahalgam attack crushed Kashmir's fledgling offbeat tourism. The Amarnath Yatra could be a new start.
SRINAGAR : In March 2023, the Jammu and Kashmir |(J&K) government launched an ambitious initiative to spotlight 75 offbeat destinations—37 in Jammu and the rest in the Kashmir Valley. But April brought a brutal end to the fragile optimism that had begun to take root in these lesser-known tourist attractions. Baisaran Valley, known as 'mini Switzerland' for its picturesque meadow, is now remembered for the haunting image of a numb young bride sitting beside her husband's lifeless body. The first-ever terror attack on tourists in 'Paradise on Earth' claimed 26 lives, and with them, the hard-earned trust. Six days after the 22 April attack, the Union territory's administration ordered the closure of 48 out of 87 tourist destinations across the Valley. Nearly all offbeat spots, such as Gurez Valley, Lolab Valley, Bangus Valley, Tulail Valley, Keran, and Doodhpathri, were declared off limits, leaving once-lively trails and meadows in deafening stillness. 'Coming in April, just as the peak summer season was about to begin, and directly targeting tourists, the attack dealt a heavy blow to the industry at its most crucial moment," Javed Bashir, a 33-year-old tour operator from the Baramulla district, 53 kilometres from Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K) summer capital Srinagar, told Mint. While some tourists can be spotted at popular tourist destinations, the far-flung places remain completely deserted, said Bashir, who has been in the business since 2018. Encouraged by the newfound normalcy in the Valley following the abrogation of Article 370, tourists turned up in droves, with J&K recording 23.6 million tourist visits in 2024—the highest ever, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. To accommodate this growing influx, the administration gradually started promoting offbeat destinations. Hidden valleys, quiet villages, and virgin alpine meadows began welcoming visitors, marking an unexpected turning point for tourism in the Valley. There was a tourist boom, and with it came hope. "Many hotels, guest houses, and other properties were under construction. People invested heavily, believing the momentum would continue. But now, it seems all is lost," said Mushtaq Chaya, chairman of the J&K Hoteliers Club. Thousands of families who depend on tourism for their livelihood are suffering. 'Many are now on the brink of bankruptcy unless tourist confidence is restored soon," a senior tourism official told Mint on the condition of anonymity. The official added that repeated communications with higher authorities have proven futile, as not a single site has been reopened yet. Struggling to make ends meet, two million people—from hotel and homestay owners to their staff, tour guides, transport operators, 'ponywallahs'—are now pinning their hopes on the Amarnath Yatra (3 July to 9 August), an annual Hindu pilgrimage, to revive the industry this winter season. Investments down the drain The tourism had also been flourishing along the Line of Control (LoC), a rare and hopeful sight after years of uncertainty. By the summer of 2021, just months after the February ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, the streets of border villages were alive. Also Read: From Konkan's Alphonso to Andhra's Imam Pasand, why are Indian mangoes losing their sweet spot? For the first time in nearly three decades, people of these once-restricted zones were able to welcome tourists, both domestic and international, eager to explore the serene valleys that had long been off limits. The calm along the border seemed to promise a new chapter for Kashmir, a peaceful and prosperous future where the beauty of the land could finally shine through without the looming threat of conflict. For example, in 2023, the border district of Kupwara hosted 140,000 tourists. Those who invested in offbeat tourism now find themselves idle with no work. In Kupwara's Lolab Valley, about 20 hotels set up by locals through loans and leases are now facing heavy losses, said Talib Hussain, who has lost his job as a travel agency manager. 'Between April and June, we usually see a good flow of tourists who come to enjoy trekking, camping, the gushing streams, lush green forests, and the centuries-old Kalaroos caves, but not this year," the 29-year-old told Mint. Similarly, Keran, nestled amid lush green forests, walnut trees, meadows, streams, and wooden houses, once provided a serene escape for visitors, drawing many to its peaceful atmosphere. One part in Kupwara district and the other in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the village is bisected by the Kishanganga River (known as Neelum on the other side), making it a unique offbeat tourist attraction. In its Jhelum Bazar, hotelier Dilshad Ahmad Bhat remembered the joy of welcoming tourists after the 2021 ceasefire, which inspired him to take a ₹5 lakh bank loan in 2024 to renovate his hotel. But now, 'the hotel is empty, and so are the vegetable and meat shops I used to buy from for my guests. It's not just about the money, but it is also my mental health, slipping away with every silent day," Bhat told Mint. Gurez Valley in the Bandipora district is another breathtaking slice of paradise, bordered by thick forests, towering mountains, and the winding Kishanganga River. Nestled 123km from Srinagar, at an altitude of 2,400 meters, once a key stop on the ancient Silk Route, the valley's beauty is rivalled only by its isolation, with snowfall cutting off access for more than six months each year. Mohammad Ismail Lone, a homestay owner and the head of the Gurez Traders Federation, recalled with quiet pride how his modest homestay welcomed hundreds of visitors in just a single year, earning him ₹5-6 lakh, a lifeline not just for him, but also for the four employees who ran the place like family. 'After the attack, everything changed. The tourists disappeared overnight, and so did the jobs." Also Read: India's liquor stocks are on a high—what's fuelling the rally, and what could derail it 'After years of living under the shadow of cross-border shelling, we were finally beginning to breathe easy, watching tourists bring life back to Gurez Valley, but we never imagined it would all slip away so soon and we would find ourselves back where we started," he added. Today, the homestays and hotels are empty. Restaurant shutters creak half-open in the wind. Taxis purchased on credit wait silently at village junctions, their engines cold. Livelihoods interrupted For the past three years, 55-year-old Ghulam Qadri Bhatti and his wife Mughali had begun each morning in the hills of Doodhpathri, or 'Valley of Milk', 44km from Srinagar, by setting up their modest tea stall in the open meadows, gently brewing Nun Chai, the traditional pink salty tea of Kashmir made with green tea leaves, milk, and baking soda. 'Our days were spent making tea and talking to tourists. We served not just tea, but a piece of Kashmiri hospitality. But after the violence, the authorities told us to leave because of security concerns. Now, with no tourists around, we had to pack up our stall," said Bhatti, his voice trailing into a sigh. For years, the region's tea sellers earned a modest living—between ₹20,000 and ₹40,000 a month—every summer. Bhatti is one of nearly 200 such tea sellers who lost their livelihood in the aftermath of the terrorist attack. 'We are landless people. Since Doodhpathri in the Budgam district was sealed off and our stalls were shut, we have been left jobless, with nothing to do. It has become a daily struggle just to make ends meet. Our dreams of providing a better future, of sending our children to school, seem impossible now, " Bhatti said. In the adjoining Riyar Riyar Ich village in the same district, 32-year-old tourist guide Mohammad Shafi Mir has the same story to share. For the past 13 years, he has guided visitors through Doodhpathri, supporting his entire family through this job. 'When there are no tourists, there is no work and no income," he said. Since the attack, Mir has not earned a single rupee, calling it the most unprecedented situation he has faced in his career. About 10,000 people directly associated with tourism, including hoteliers, transporters, pony riders, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) operators, tea sellers, and tourist guides, have lost their livelihoods in Doodhpathri alone, according to Mir. 'In anticipation of the growing influx of tourists, many hoteliers and ATV operators took out loans to construct hotels and purchase ATVs. It is concerning to think how they will repay these loans, given that they are not earning anything at the moment," Mir lamented. In Budgam's Yusmarg, pony riders sit quietly next to their horses, watching the empty paths. The place, which once echoed with tourists' adventure and the sound of hooves on the ground, is now silent. Long-lasting impact Political instability has a profound impact on global tourism. 'Tourists always look for peace and security, which are fundamental prerequisites for travel. Incidents like 9/11 and the 2008 Mumbai attack have had far-reaching consequences beyond their immediate regions," said Reyaz Ahmad Qureshi, head professor at the department of tourism, hospitality and leisure studies, University of Kashmir. Also Read: Why is walking on eggshells beyond Gurugram, its home turf He added that while Kashmir has endured a prolonged period of unrest, it has been gradually transitioning into a post-conflict phase since 2021, fostering a sense of growing optimism within the tourism sector. He argued for a more nuanced approach to dealing the terrorism's impact on tourism. 'Sealing off tourist spots or banning trekking sends the wrong message. Offbeat destinations could be reopened gradually with proper regulation." 'We must project Kashmir as a safe, beautiful, and affordable destination. Campaigns like 'Aao Kashmir Chalein' should be sustained and should emphasize the warmth and sacrifices made by locals to ensure visitors feel welcome," added Qureshi, stressing that negative media coverage must be addressed with professionalism and assured security. Still many, including Bashir, remain cautiously optimistic about a revival in tourism in the Union territory. He expects the Amarnath Yatra and snow-draped landscapes during winters to lure visitors back to the Valley. 'While the summer season may have slipped away in the shadow of recent events, the story is not over yet. The season is definitely behind us, but once the Amarnath Yatra concludes in August, the spotlight will shift to winter," he said. The successful conduct of the Amarnath Yatra will now serve as a litmus test for the government's ability to restore confidence among tourists.
India.com
4 days ago
- Business
- India.com
How India Ramping Up Army Firepower Following Israel-Iran Conflict, Eyeing Indigenous Edge Over Pakistan And China
New Delhi: Seemingly taking lessons from the recent Israel-Iran conflict, India has quietly shifted gears to strengthen its own military muscle. The Ministry of Defence, under Rajnath Singh's leadership, has approved a fast-track plan to arm the Indian Army with new-generation weapons sourced from domestic firms. The list includes high-tech drones, loitering munitions and advanced counter-drone systems – tools tailored for today's evolving battlefield. These purchases carry weight beyond just numbers. They signal a strategic message that New Delhi is preparing for any threat looming on its western or northern frontiers. The decision is likely to cause unease in both Islamabad and Beijing. The Indian Army has been given full autonomy to make rapid acquisitions. It is already in talks with domestic companies to deliver precision-guided systems, artillery shells and long-range strike equipment. These tools are being treated as essentials for operations ranging from counter-terror missions to high-altitude defence posturing. One of the most notable acquisitions is the Nagastra 1R loitering munition. The Army has placed an order worth Rs 158 crore with Solar Industries to procure 450 units. These munitions are already deployed in select sectors and have proven effective. Capable of eliminating infiltrators and destroying enemy infrastructure along the Line of Control, the new batch is expected to be delivered within a year. Another key addition is the hybrid mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) – a fixed-wing VTOL system that can take off and land vertically. It has been tested thoroughly by two high-level technical committees to ensure that no components are of Chinese origin. These UAVs have been field-tested during recent military exercises and are now approved for frontline use. Behind these decisions is a larger plan. The Army is drawing up contracts worth tens of thousands of crores. In the coming weeks, purchases totalling Rs 44,000 crore are on the table. These include long-range strike weapons, smart jammers, advanced radars and an arsenal of ammunition built for sustained warfare. The Army's focus remains sharp on 'long-range vectors' – systems capable of hitting deep inside enemy territory without needing boots on the ground. The need for stronger air defences is also high on the list. After 'Operation Sindoor', where Pakistani drones posed a serious threat, the Army wants to deploy low-altitude radars and anti-drone systems in more locations. These tools were critical during that operation and are now seen as a core component of India's future defence architecture. A new security doctrine is quietly taking shape. It favours homegrown innovation, battlefield autonomy and 24x7 readiness. The Army is also ensuring that modernisation does not get entangled in red tape. Instead of waiting years for approvals, it is now signing faster contracts with domestic vendors. This is no ordinary procurement push. It is a recalibration of India's military approach in a world where regional conflicts can spill across borders within hours. As global powers react to the Israel-Iran war, India is making its own moves – which appear to be calculated, quiet and deeply strategic.
NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
Crime, Terror, Rape: United States Flags India Travel Risks
The US Department of State has continued to issue a Level 2 travel advisory for American nationals living in or traveling to India, urging them to "exercise increased caution" due to ongoing risks linked to crime and terrorism. The advisory, recently updated by the US State Department, highlights: • Key security threats • Travel restrictions by region • Legal considerations for US citizens visiting or residing in India Officials in the Trump administration have also recommended that women avoid traveling alone and stay alert, especially at tourist destinations and public spaces. "Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Violent crime and terrorism occur in India. Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations," the advisory noted. It was reissued on June 16 after a routine review, including updates to entry and exit requirements. India has remained under Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) since 2022. Similar warnings were issued on March 28, July 25, and October 5 in 2022, and have been reiterated through 2023 and 2024. Citing terror threats, the advisory recommends avoiding tourist hubs, transport centres, markets, and government buildings, calling them frequent targets for attacks. Renewing concerns around sexual violence, the notice follows the April 22 attack in Pahalgam where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-based militants. "Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir: Do not travel to this area (except for visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest," the advisory states. "Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible. Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. Violence also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian government does not allow foreign tourists to visit certain areas along the LOC," it adds. The State Department also raised the risk of armed conflict between India and Pakistan and advised Americans to avoid travel near the international border. The notice further stressed caution for women, especially in rural areas, where US authorities have limited ability to deliver emergency assistance. The advisory also points to Maoist activity: "Maoist extremist groups, or Naxalites, are active in a large area of India that spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal." States impacted include Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, and Odisha. For travelers heading to India, the advisory warned against carrying satellite phones or GPS devices. "Possessing a satellite phone or GPS device is illegal in India and may result in a penalty of $200,000 or jail time of up to three years. Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman." US citizens currently in India are advised to stay alert, review travel plans, and ensure they have travel insurance. Travelers are advised to: • Enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) • Carry a valid visa or e-Tourist visa • Avoid raw food and unfiltered water • Be cautious on roads and public transport The advisory also reminds Americans to respect local customs, laws, and dress codes, especially in conservative regions. LGBTQ+ travelers are advised to be discreet, given prevailing social attitudes in some areas.
Scroll.in
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
US issues advisory urging citizens to exercise ‘increased caution' while travelling to India
The United States has issued an advisory urging its citizens travelling to India to exercise 'increased caution' due to incidents of crime and terrorism, adding that certain parts of the country have heightened risks. The Level 2 advisory issued by the US Department of State on June 16 said that 'rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India'. It added that violent crimes, including sexual assault, happened at tourist sites and other locations. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, the department said, adding that they 'target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls and government facilities'. The advisory also noted that the US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in rural areas. 'These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal,' it said. 'Due to the risks, US government employees working in India must obtain special authorisation to travel to these areas.' The department asked its citizens not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir, except for visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital Leh, due to 'terrorism and civil unrest'. 'Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible,' it said. 'Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control [LOC] between India and Pakistan. Violence also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam.' This comes in the backdrop of the terror attack at Baisaran near the town of Pahalgam on April 22, which left 26 persons dead and 16 injured. The terrorists targeted tourists after asking their names to ascertain their religion, the police said. All but three of those killed were Hindu. The attack led to a four-day military skirmish between India and Pakistan. The US further advised its citizens against travelling to the area around the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict. It also flagged Maoist violence in parts of Central and East India. 'Maoist extremist groups, or 'Naxalites,' are active in a large area of India that spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal,' it said, adding that suspected Maoists have carried out several 'terrorist attacks, targeting local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials'. The advisory said that the US government employees working in India were required to obtain permission prior to traveling to most areas in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Odisha. 'US government employees working in India also need approval to travel to the eastern region of Maharashtra and the eastern region of Madhya Pradesh,' it added. The department advised its citizens against travelling to Manipur due to the threat of 'violence and crime'. The state has been mired in ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities that have killed at least 260 persons and displaced more than 59,000 persons since May 2023. There were periodic upticks in violence in 2024. 'Ongoing ethnic-based conflict has resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement,' the US government said. 'Attacks against Indian government targets occur on a regular basis.' It also asked its citizens to reconsider travel to the northeastern states due to terrorism and violence. 'Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast,' it said. 'These incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets.'
India Today
05-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Islamabad may terminate Simla Agreement: Pak minister amid tensions with India
India's actions against Pakistan have resulted in the Simla Agreement losing its sanctity, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on known for shooting his mouth, made the remarks to Geo Pakistani Defence Minister has made several inconsistent statements in the last few weeks following the Pahalgam terror attack. "The agreement was bilateral as no third party or the World Bank was involved," Asif told the Pakistani Defence Minister also indicated that Islamabad could consider terminating the Simla Agreement and that in such a situation the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan will become a "ceasefire line".Following India's punitive measures against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan had only threatened to terminate the Simla Agreement. But there was no subsequent move to cancel the historic Simla Agreement was signed after the 1971 war between the two countries and lays down principles meant to govern bilateral between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on May 7. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani hostilities between the two sides ended with an understanding of stopping military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May InTrending Reel IN THIS STORY#India-Pakistan#Pakistan
