India shuts over half of Kashmir tourist spots in security review
By Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - More than half of the tourist destinations in India's insurgency-torn Kashmir region have been closed to the public from Tuesday, according to a government order reviewed by Reuters, in a bid to tighten security after last week's attack on holiday-makers.
The assailants segregated men, asked their names and targeted Hindus before shooting them at close range in the Pahalgam area, killing 26 people, officials and survivors said.
India has identified two of the three attackers as "terrorists" from Pakistan waging a violent revolt in Muslim-majority Kashmir. Pakistan has denied any role and called for a neutral probe.
Hindu-majority India accuses Islamic Pakistan of funding and encouraging militancy in Kashmir, the Himalayan region both nations claim in full but rule in part. Islamabad says it only provides moral and diplomatic support to a Kashmiri demand for self-determination.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have increased since the attack, along with calls in India for action against Pakistan.
Delhi and Islamabad have taken a raft of measures against each other since the Kashmir attack. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty - an important river-sharing pact. Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines.
The government of India's Jammu and Kashmir territory has decided to shut 48 of the 87 tourist destinations in Kashmir and enhanced security at the remaining ones, according to a government document reviewed by Reuters.
No time period was given. Government officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Nestled in the Himalayas with lofty peaks, picturesque valleys and grand Mughal-era gardens, Kashmir has been emerging as India's tourism hotspot as violence there has waned in recent years.
But the Pahalgam attack has left panic-stricken tourists seeking an early exit at the start of the busy summer season.
Firing has also increased along the 740-km (460-mile) de facto border separating the Indian and Pakistani areas of Kashmir.
On Tuesday, for the fifth consecutive day, the Indian army said it had responded to "unprovoked" small arms fire from multiple Pakistan army posts around midnight.
It gave no further details and reported no casualties. The Pakistani military did not respond to a request for comment.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters on Monday that a military incursion by India was imminent and it had reinforced its forces in preparation.
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42 minutes ago
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Trains have begun operating across the world's tallest railway arch bridge, the Chenab Rail Bridge, which towers 1,178 feet above the Chenab River in India. The bridge, located in the Reasi district, officially opened on Friday, June 6, after an inauguration ceremony led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Jammu and Kashmir region this morning. Why It Matters The Chenab Rail Bridge's completion bridges links Kashmir to the rest of India via railway for the first time. Modi's inauguration of the bridge underlines India's hold on Kashmir just weeks after an insurgent attack on tourists in Pahalgam killed 26 people and prompted the biggest confrontation in decades with Pakistan, which India blamed for the attack despite its denials. Chenab bridge, the world's highest rail arch bridge in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, on July 6, 2024. Chenab bridge, the world's highest rail arch bridge in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, on July 6, 2024. Getty Images What To Know The Chenab Rail Bridge is a steel and concrete structure stretching 4,314 feet across the Chenab River gorge. Its main deck is raised 1,178 feet above the riverbed, making it both the highest rail bridge and the tallest arch bridge on the planet. This structure is taller than France's Eiffel Tower in height, and its opening coincided with the launch of new Vande Bharat Express trains on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. The bridge was designed by WSP Finland and built under the supervision of the Konkan Railway Corporation. Blast-proof steel and self-compacting concrete were used in its construction due to seismic risks and security concerns. The bridge is engineered to withstand earthquakes up to magnitude 8 and wind speeds up to 266 km/h (165 miles per hour) A graph comaparing the height of the Chenab Rail Bridge to other landmarks. A graph comaparing the height of the Chenab Rail Bridge to other landmarks. Flourish Unlike a suspension bridge, arch bridges are more rigid and less flexible under pressure, but are better for supporting heavy loads like trains. Construction took place in a section of the Himalayan mountains, which complicated the transport of materials and machinery. The Chenab Bridge will complete the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, a 169-mile project aimed at integrating Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. The bridge's completion is expected to stimulate tourism, improve logistics for agriculture and industry, and enhance military mobility where needed. The Chenab bridge overtook the Najiehe Railway Bridge in Guizhou, China, which is 310 meters tall (1,017 feet) and had been the tallest rail bridge since its opening in 2016. The bridging of the Chenab has been discussed since the late 1970s. The foundation for broader railway integration in Kashmir was laid in 1983, with significant progress only materializing in the 2000s. After numerous delays for safety and design reassessment, the main arch was completed in April 2021. What People Are Saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the inauguration event, said: "The Tricolour flies high over the Chenab Rail Bridge! It's a feeling of immense pride that this bridge seamlessly blends ambition with execution, reflecting India's growing capability to build futuristic infrastructure in the most challenging terrains. The world's highest rail arch bridge in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir on July 6, 2024. The world's highest rail arch bridge in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir on July 6, 2024. Getty Images "The inauguration of mega infrastructure projects today marks a turning point in Jammu and Kashmir's development journey." What Happens Next Regular passenger trains, including Vande Bharat Express services, are now set to operate along the USBRL with the Chenab Bridge as a central link.
