Srinagar1 hour agoAuthor: Haroon Rasheed
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Hundreds of tents pitched on the banks of Kishanganga river on LOC.
Every day 3000 tourists are reaching Keran village with population of 3770 situated on LOC (Line of Control). The open homestays in the villages of Gurez, Tangdhar, Teetwal, Uri and Tulail valley are full and there is no space left in the tents set up on the banks of the Kishanganga river. LOC has become the new tourist center of Kashmir.
The number of tourists here has increased 51 times in 7 years. While only 7900 tourists came here in 2020, 4 lakh tourists have arrived so far this year. It is expected that by the end of the year this number will cross 7 lakhs.
Whereas till now the record of highest number of tourists here was in 2024, when 3.43 lakh tourists came here. Where bullets used to be fired, this change has started coming after the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan in February 2021.
Tourists coming to LOC to see PoK villages
Leaving tourist places like Gulmarg-Pahalgam, people are coming to LOC from Indian soil to see the villages of PoK. Taking selfies and making reels amidst the beautiful views of Jhelum-Kishanganga.
Enjoying the hospitality of local Kashmiris and their food. The nuns here are capturing the views in their cameras while sipping tea.
Many areas on the Line of Control that were closed for years are gradually opening up for tourists.
People are converting ancestral houses into homestays
The local economy has completely changed. Families who left the village and went to the city in search of employment are returning to their ancestral homes and converting them into homestays. After the 2021 ceasefire, many areas on the Line of Control that remained closed for years were gradually opened for tourists.
Business increased in Pak border areas also
Tourism on LOC has increased rapidly not only towards India but also towards Pakistan. Business has also increased due to tourists. Homestays and shops are opening. Bashir Ahmed, a local resident on this side of the border, says tourists come from both sides. No fear is visible.
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