All closed tourist destinations in J&K to reopen by May: CM Omar Abdullah

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday (February 19, 2026) that all the tourist destinations in Kashmir, which were closed after the Pahalgam attack “will be reopened by May”. “The J&K Government has discussed the matter with the Union government,” Mr. Abdullah told the J&K Assembly.

At least 44 tourist destinations across Kashmir were closed after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in 2025 left 26 people, mainly tourists, dead. Around 30 destinations have been re-opened in a phased manner so far.

Mr. Abdullah also said tourists who visit the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine could become a resource. “Even if we divert 10% of that footfall to places like Bhaderwah or border tourism spots, it has the potential to invigorate tourism in the Jammu region,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Mr. Abdullah said the J&K government intends to open new destinations and market them, though it was always difficult to sell a new destination. “Kashmir, once described as a summer destination, has changed. The tourism period is a prolonged one now,” he added.