India to lift travel advisory on occupied Kashmir as residents continue to live under lockdown

Published October 8, 2019
An Indian paramilitary force soldier stands guard near a barbed wire barricade during restrictions in Srinagar Indian occupied Kashmir on September 27. — AP/File
An Indian paramilitary force soldier stands guard near a barbed wire barricade during restrictions in Srinagar Indian occupied Kashmir on September 27. — AP/File

India will lift a travel advisory on occupied Kashmir on Thursday, Indian media said quoting authorities, two months after the government launched a security crackdown before stripping the region of its semi-autonomous status on August 5.

Thousands of Indian tourists, pilgrims and workers fled the Muslim-majority region in early August after authorities issued a security alert.

Read: India’s warning to tourists sparks tensions in occupied Kashmir

Telephone and internet services were suspended and public movements restricted to prevent protests hours before India announced it had revoked the region's special status.

Mobile and internet services are largely still blocked in the Kashmir valley.

The travel advisory issued on Aug 2 will be lifted from Thursday, Indian government said in a statement on Monday.

"The governor [Satya Pal Malik] directed that the Home Department's advisory asking tourists to leave the Valley be lifted immediately. This will be done with effect from October 10," an official spokesman was quoted as saying by India Today.

Read: 60 days on, occupied Kashmir remains under siege

Kashmir touts itself as a "Paradise on Earth" and known for its mountains, glaciers and Dal Lake, a favourite destination centuries ago for Mughal emperors escaping the summer heat of India's plains.

However, Britain and other countries still have advisories in place discouraging their citizens from travelling to occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where a grenade attack injured 10 people on the weekend.

Opinion

Editorial

Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...
A year later
Updated 08 Feb, 2025

A year later

A war of egos has been fought between a handful of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Wheat decision
08 Feb, 2025

Wheat decision

THE federal decision to stop setting the minimum support price for wheat and cease the staple’s procurement...
Dhanmondi attack
08 Feb, 2025

Dhanmondi attack

HISTORY has shown that unless states deliver development and equal rights to all, disenfranchised people can target...