The district administration in South Kashmir has issued an immediate and comprehensive two-month prohibition on all trekking, hiking, and camping activities in several popular high-altitude mountain passes. The order, citing public safety and security concerns, directly impacts the scenic areas of Margan Top, Chuharnag, and Sinthan Top within the Pir Panjal range.
Security Operation Triggers Precautionary Measure
Authoritative sources have confirmed to The Indian Express that the ban is a direct consequence of a significant anti-militancy operation launched by the Indian Army across the Pir Panjal mountains. This strategic mountain chain acts as a crucial link between the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu regions of Poonch-Rajouri and Kishtwar-Doda.
The operation, involving large contingents of troops, aims to flush out highly trained militants suspected to be operating from the dense, high-altitude forests. Security forces have moved to seal potential exit routes on both sides of the range. "The operation has been launched on both sides of the Pir Panjal mountains. A large contingent of the Army is involved… and exit routes on both sides have been plugged," a senior police officer stated.
Historical Context and Specific Locations Under Ban
The banned locations are not just tourist destinations but have a historical context in the region's security landscape. Margan Top, a pass soaring above 12,000 feet that connects South Kashmir to Kishtwar's Warwan Valley, was a known stronghold for Pakistani militants in the 1990s.
Similarly, Sinthan Top (also around 12,000 feet), linking Anantnag to Kishtwar's Chatroo area, has witnessed multiple gunfights between security forces and militants in its surrounding forests over the past two years. Chuharnag, a stunning cluster of four alpine lakes situated between 14,000 and 15,000 feet, is a major draw for adventure tourists.
The administration's order, issued by Kokernag Sub-Divisional Magistrate Prince Kumar, mandates strict compliance. It references specific inputs from police and security agencies regarding threats in these forested, high-altitude zones.
Broader Regional Restrictions and Strategic Timing
This decision in South Kashmir follows a similar move by the North Kashmir administration, which recently banned trekking in the Danwass forests of Tangmarg, near the Gulmarg ski resort. The Danwass area, also part of the Pir Panjal, connects to Poonch, Rajouri, and even to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Sources indicate the timing of the military offensive is strategic. Most mountain exit routes are currently closed due to heavy winter snow, making it harder for militants to escape. The ban on civilian movement serves a dual purpose: preventing potential casualties from "mistaken identity" in a conflict zone and maintaining the operational secrecy of the ongoing security sweep.
The two-month prohibition underscores the persistent and evolving security challenges in the region's rugged terrain, even as it temporarily halts adventure tourism in these majestic landscapes.
