A CRPF man signals the vehicles moving towards south Kashmir along the new NH44 near Lasjan, on the outskirts of Srinagar city, to stop, as the convoy of pilgrims need to pass, on Friday July 11, 2025. Photo/Haseeb Ibn Hameed
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The Road To South Kashmir Amid Rigid Security

Extraordinary Restrictions affecting daily lives. Traders and locals see it is an impediment on the road to economic recovery.

Haseeb Ibn Hameed
Also read:Notes from the Ground: Glimpses of Curbs, Stifled Tourism Amid a Fortified Amarnath Yatra-I

Following the April 22, 2025, attack which killed at least 26 people, mostly non-local tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran, security has been nearly doubled across the famous resort.

The curbs have also been intensified since the Amarnath Yatra commenced, with the main road to Pahalgam closed for locals and non-pilgrim tourists.

Locals, non-pilgrim tourists and other civilians required to go to Pahalgam, need to take the alternative route through Sarbal, where they will also be required to get down from their vehicles for a fool proof security check. It is the same on the other side as well, people needing to exit Pahalgam are required to take the same Sarbal route, while the main road remains blocked using concertina wires.

The administration has declared Pahalgam as no-fly zone, resulting in the closure of helicopter services to the Amarnath Cave Shrine. The move, traders and hoteliers believe have discouraged the VIPs, VVIPs, and business class pilgrims from coming. This, they say, has also affected the economy heavily. 

Hotel Pahalgam is deserted with almost all the lights turned off and it is only 9:00 in the evening. “It costs around Rs 18,000 to stay there for one night, but when there are no tourists and the pilgrims belonging to higher strata of the society, many people are discouraged from coming, who will stay there?” asks Imran, a resident of Hawal Srinagar, who owns a hotel and a shop in Pahalgam.

Also read:If the photographs didn’t belong to the Pahalgam attackers, what were the actions based on?
This year’s Amarnath Yatra is said to be the most heavily fortified as the centre deployed an additional over 40,000 more troops before the Hindu pilgrimage commenced on July 3, 2025, in Kashmir.
Stopping of civilian traffic along the busy NH44 has drawn massive criticism from regional leaders and common masses, especially after a video of a young boy suffering from seizures inside the car while his parents requested the security forces to let them pass, went viral and was also shared by MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and J&K former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Also read:Aftermath of Pahalgam Terror Attack: Collective Punishment of Kashmiris
This year, the security forces are using steel barricades to block the civilian traffic while the convoy carrying pilgrims are allowed to pass through the road in Kashmir.
What would normally take 30-minutes to cover, a distance of at least 20 kms takes nearly two hours to cover amid the uncompromising curbs along the national highway during the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage in Kashmir Valley.
The curbs have also been intensified since the Amarnath Yatra commenced, with the main road to Pahalgam closed for locals and non-pilgrim tourists in Kashmir Valley.
Locals, non-pilgrim tourists and other civilians aspiring to go to Pahalgam, need to take the alternative route through Sarbal, where they will also be required to get down from their vehicles for a fool proof security check. It is the same on the other side as well, people needing to exit Pahalgam are required to take the same Sarbal route, while the main road remains blocked using concertina wires in Kashmir Valley.
Also read:Homes Destroyed, Mass Detentions Following Pahalgam Attack
The rigid restrictions are not helping the business establishments in Pahalgam, which were already stressed following the April 22, 2025, attack which forced 90% booking cancellations and deserted the famous tourist resort in Kashmir Valley.
The market is closed by 9.00 PM on the directions of the police. The restrictions come amid what is considered a ‘business season’ in Pahalgam. Earlier during the same period, markets here remained open till midnight or past midnight with tourist and pilgrims shopping for gifts or souvenirs, traders say.
Also read:House Demolitions, Pseudo-Patriotic Rhetoric Can't Hide Modi Govt's Broken Security Policy at Pahalgam
The main market in the Pahalgam town is almost deserted during the major portion of the day. Amid no or negligible number of non-pilgrim tourists, and locals, many shops here remain closed. And those which are open, rue lack of business and tight restrictions, which they believe contribute to the economic losses in Kashmir Valley.
Although Kashmir witnessed a scorching heat in June and July this year, locals have been refraining from visiting Pahalgam, especially after the Amarnath Yatra began, citing curbs and unusual restrictions, which take almost half a day of one’s life. Vehicles are seen halted along the Sarbal route to Pahalgam, as passengers take out their belongings before walking to the frisking and scanning station in Kashmir Valley
Also read:Security Lapses in Pahalgam Continue To Haunt Government
While the April 22, 2025, attack negatively impacted the tourism economy across the Kashmir valley, Pahalgam has been the worst sufferer.
Also read:False Narrative of Normalcy in Kashmir: The Truth Behind Pahalgam Attack
What would be open till late night with rarely available vacant spaces, Cafe Log Inn, one the earliest and renowned cafes in Pahalgam is seen shut at 9:05 PM on July 11, 2025.
A police car patrols the Pahalgam market as the evening approaches.
Also read:Intelligence, Security Failures Revealed in Pahalgam Attack Investigation: Report

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