After the Pahalgam terror attack, where terrorists gunned down 26 people, the government shut down 48 tourist spots. Today, 39 of them have been opened. Heavy security presence is seen at tourist spots like Baisaran, Pahalgam, Tulip Garden, Srinagar, Sonmarg, Badamwari, and Drang Tangmarg, Baramulla.
At Baisaran, a CRPF officer from Kanyakumari urges a group of six young tourists not to venture beyond a certain point. The 5km road from main Pahalgam town to the meadow is heavily guarded with over a dozen CRPF and police personnel round-the-clock.
Tulip Garden, Asia's largest, opened on March 16, with 1.8 million tulip bulbs in bloom. The garden has seen around 252,000 visitors since its opening. Security measures are strong, with at least 20 personnel patrolling the three gates of the garden.
Sonmarg, a hill station, has seen hundreds of tourists flocking to it after the Z-Morh tunnel was opened in January 2025. Pony operators guide tourists daily to the nearby Thajiwas glacier via a 5-km trek.
Badamwari, or the almond garden, was among the first batch of tourist places opened in June 2025. The garden is dotted with almond trees which have bloomed early this year. At least 10 security personnel patrol the approach road, with a similar number of personnel on the back side.
Drang Tangmarg, Baramulla, is another tourist spot that has reopened. A bulletproof bunker now stands at the edge of the tourist spot, near a small village with 200-250 houses. From Tangmarg to Drang, at least five teams each comprising four to five personnel both police and the CRPF are guarding the road.
