US issues ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisory for Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 24: Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the United States has advised its citizens to avoid all travel to Jammu and Kashmir, citing the risk of more terror strikes and possible unrest.
The updated advisory was issued after the attack, making it the strongest warning issued by the US for J&K in recent times.
The US Department of State, in its revised travel alert, said, “Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest may occur in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Do not travel to this region, except for visits to the eastern Ladakh area and its capital Leh.”
The warning highlights the risk of violence not just in conflict zones, but also in popular tourist destinations in Kashmir such as Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam—where the recent mass shooting occurred.
The advisory also told American citizens to stay away from areas within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border. “There is a potential for armed conflict in this zone,” the advisory said.
India has responded strongly after the April 22 terror attack. The government has suspended the historic Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960 and reduced diplomatic engagement with Pakistan which includes the expulsion of Pakistani military officers stationed in India.
According to Indian authorities, the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam massacre have links to cross-border terror networks, which has heightened tensions between the two countries once again.