Apr 24 — In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the United States has issued a stern ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, citing risks of terrorism and the potential for violent civil unrest.
The updated travel warning, released by the U.S. Department of State, advises American citizens to avoid all travel to the Union Territory, particularly areas within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border.
The advisory states that terrorist attacks and unrest in the region remain a serious concern. “Due to the threat of terrorism and the possibility of violent civil disturbances, U.S. citizens are advised not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir. The security situation in the region is unpredictable and may deteriorate without notice,” the notice read.
The advisory comes just days after three Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives were identified as suspects in the Pahalgam attack, two of whom are believed to be Pakistani nationals. Indian authorities have issued sketches of the suspects and announced a ₹20 lakh reward for information leading to their capture.
While tourism in the region remains active, the international response to the attack underscores the concerns surrounding safety and stability in the Valley.
This is not the first time the U.S. has cautioned its citizens about travel to Jammu and Kashmir, but the renewed advisory adds weight in light of the recent violence.
Indian officials have yet to respond to the advisory, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to bring the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack to justice, stating that terrorism will not break India’s resolve.
