dearJulius.com

$type=carousel$count=12$sn=0$cols=4$va=0$source=random$show=home

Is it Safe to Travel to Kashmir?

[post_ads_2]
Tourists often, and understandably, have reservations about visiting Kashmir. After all, this picturesque region is prone to civil unrest and violence. It's been declared off-limits to tourists on a number of occasions. There have also been a few isolated incidents, with Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley being temporarily shutdown. However, tourists always begin returning after peace is restored. 
So, is it safe to travel to Kashmir?

Understanding the Problem in Kashmir

Prior to the partitioning of India in 1947 (when British India was divided into India and Pakistan along religious lines, as part of the independence process) Kashmir was a "princely state" with its own ruler. Although the king was Hindu, most of his subjects were Muslim and he wanted to remain neutral. However, he was eventually persuaded to accede to India, giving control to the Indian government in return for military assistance to deal with invading Pakistanis.
[post_ads_2]
Many people in Kashmir aren't happy about being governed by India though. The region has a predominantly Muslim population, and they'd rather be independent or be part of Pakistan. Due to its location, mountainous Kashmir is of strategic importance to India, and a number of wars have been fought over its border.

By the late 1980s, dissatisfaction had increased greatly due to issues in the democratic process and erosion of Kashmir's autonomy. Many of the democratic reforms introduced by the Indian government had been reversed. Militancy and insurgency grew in the uprising for freedom, with violence and unrest peaking in the early 1990s. It's said that Kashmir is the most densely militarized place on earth, with more than 500,000 Indian troops estimated to be deployed to counter any incidents. To complicate the situation, there are accusations of human rights violations being committed by the armed Indian forces.

The most recent situation, known as the Burhan aftermath, arose in July 2016 followed the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani (leader of a Kashmiri separatist group) by Indian security forces. The killing provoked a series of violent protests and clashes in the Kashmir Valley, and the implementation of a curfew to maintain law and order.

How this Affects Tourists Visiting Kashmir

The substantial presence of military in Kashmir can be unnerving for tourists. However, it's important to keep in mind that Kashmiris have problems with the Indian administration, not with the people of India or anyone else. Even the separatists have nothing against tourists. 
[post_ads_2]
Tourists in Kashmir have never been deliberately targeted or harmed. Instead, angry protestors have actually given tourist vehicles safe passage. In general, Kashmiris are hospitable people, and tourism is an important industry and source of income for them. Hence, they will go out of their way to make sure visitors are safe.
The only time that travel to Kashmir is not recommended is when there is tense conflict in the region and travel advisories are issued. Although tourists are unlikely to be hurt, the disturbances and curfews are very disruptive.

Behavior of Tourists in Kashmir

Anyone who visits Kashmir should keep in mind that the people there have suffered a lot, and should be treated respectfully. In keeping with local culture, women must also take care to dress conservatively, so as not to risk causing offense. This means covering up, and not wearing mini-skirts or shorts!

My Personal Experience in Kashmir

I visited Kashmir (both Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley) in late 2013. There was a disturbance less than a month beforehand, with militants opening fire on a convoy of security forces in Srinagar. Admittedly, it did make me uneasy about going there (and worried my parents). However, everyone I spoke to, including people who had recently visited Srinagar, advised me not to worry. They told me to still go, and I'm very glad I did!
[post_ads_2]
The only indications that I saw of the issues plaguing Kashmir were the pervasive police and army presence in Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley, and the added security procedures at Srinagar airport. I didn't experience anything to give me any cause for concern.

Kashmir is a predominantly Muslim area, and I found the people to be particularly warm, friendly, respectful, and polite. Even when I was walking through Srinagar's Old City, I was surprised by how little I was harassed -- a huge contrast to many other places in India. It was very easy to fall in love with Kashmir and to want to return again soon.

It seems that many other people feel the same way, as there were plenty of tourists in Kashmir, particularly domestic Indian tourists. I'm told that it's almost impossible to get a room on a houseboat on Nigeen Lake in Srinagar during peak season. It wouldn't surprise me at all, as it's absolutely blissful there.

|Featured Content_$type=three$c=3$l=0$m=0$s=hide$rm=0


A Part of Julius LLC
Made with in NYC by Julius Choudhury
Name

Abu Dhabi,3,Adventure,29,Adventure Travel,728,Advice,72,Africa,30,Air Travel,195,Alabama,5,Alaska,29,Albania,2,Alberta,2,America,79,Amsterdam,3,Anguilla,4,Antarctica,9,Antigua,5,Antigua and Barbuda,1,Argentina,18,Arizona,29,Arkansas,4,Armenia,1,Aruba,4,Asia,2,Asia Travel,45,Athens,3,Austin,9,Australia,108,Austria,18,Azerbaijan,1,Bahamas,19,Bangladesh,8,Barbados,3,Beach Travel,76,Belarus,2,Belgium,16,Belize,17,Bermuda,7,Bhutan,9,Blue Lagoon,2,Boatswana,2,Bolivia,6,Bosnia and Herzegovina,2,Boston,3,Botswana,3,Brazil,57,Brunei,1,Budget Travel,106,Bulgaria,3,California,140,Cambodia,6,Canada,97,Caribbean,57,Caribbean & Mexico,6,Chicago,14,Chile,12,China,28,Christmas Travel,21,Clothes,1,Coliseum,1,Colombia,20,Colorado,53,Columbia,3,Connecticut,6,Corporate Travel,1,Costa Rica,20,Country Travel,253,Croatia,29,Cruiser Travel,18,Cuba,18,Cultural Travel,65,Cyprus,3,Czech Republic,7,D.C.,2,Delaware,2,Denmark,21,Destinations,31,Dominican Republic,4,Dubai,17,East Africa,4,Easter Island,1,Eco Travel,23,Ecuador,11,Egypt,13,Emirates,1,England,21,Estonia,2,Eswatini,1,Ethiopia,2,Europe,120,Fall Travel,52,Family Travel,130,Faroe Island,2,Faroe Islands,1,Featured,72,Features,417,Festival Travel,26,Fiji,10,Finland,16,Florida,92,Food,7,France,65,Free Travel,1,French,6,French Polynesia,11,Galapagos,4,Georgia,21,Germany,30,Ghana,3,Great Britain,1,Greece,56,Greenland,2,Grenada,2,Guatemala,3,Halloween Travel,11,Hawaii,74,Hayden Panettiere,1,Hiking Travel,69,Historical Travel,86,Holiday Travel,42,Holland,1,Honeymoon Travel,140,Hong Kong,16,Hotels,77,Hungary,4,Ibiza,1,Iceland,53,Idaho,8,Ideas,11,Illinois,20,India,42,Indiana,5,Indonesia,15,Iran,1,Iraq,1,Ireland,48,Island,64,islands,2,Israel,15,Italy,86,Ivory Coast,1,Jamaica,14,Japan,65,Jordan,7,Kansas,8,Kentucky,2,Kenya,3,Korea,2,Kosovo,1,KSA,2,Kyrgyzstan,1,Las Vegas,5,Latin America,4,Latvia,2,Lithuania,4,London,29,Louisiana,15,Lowa,4,Luxembourg,2,Luxury Travel,35,Madeira,1,Maine,12,Malawi,1,Malaysia,1,Maldives,23,Malta,8,Maryland,9,Massachusetts,18,Mauritius,5,Mexico,99,Miami,18,Michigan,10,Mississippi,2,Missouri,8,Moldova,1,Monaco,3,Mongolia,1,Montana,18,Montenegro,3,Morocco,22,Myanmar,10,Namibia,5,National Parks,1,Nature,4,Nature Travel,130,Nepal,7,Netherlands,22,Nevada,30,Nevis,2,New England,6,New Hampshire,3,New Jersey,4,New Mexico,12,New Year,1,New Year's Day Travel,9,New York,77,New York City,32,New Zealand,58,Newfoundland,1,Nicaragua,2,North America,14,North Carolina,14,North Dakota,1,North Ireland,1,North Macedonia,2,Northern Ireland,1,Norway,24,Occasional Travel,8,Oceania,3,Ohio,6,Oklahoma,1,Oman,6,Oregon,15,Orlando,1,Pakistan,4,Panama,10,Paraguay,1,Paris,27,Pennsylvania,14,Peru,27,Philippines,5,Phoenix,2,Photo Feature,1,Poland,5,Portugal,32,Prague,1,Puerto Rico,16,Qatar,5,Quebec,1,Resort,13,Rhode Island,5,River Travel,2,Road Trips,66,Romania,7,Romantic Getaways,16,Rome,7,Russia,17,Saint Lucia,4,San Francisco,2,San Miguel de Allende,1,Scotland,18,Seasonal,54,Seasonal Travel,62,Serbia,2,Seychelles,1,Sightseeing Tours,2,Singapore,21,Ski Resorts,11,Slovenia,8,Solo Travel,30,Solomon Islands,1,Somoa,1,Soth Africa,1,South Africa,22,South America,7,South Carolina,13,South Dakota,8,South Florida,2,South Korea,7,South Pacific,3,Space Travel,15,Spain,52,Special,21,Special Features,298,Spring Travel,24,Sri Lanka,9,Student Travel,1,Summer Travel,79,Summer Vacation,9,Sweden,21,Swiss Alps,1,Switzerland,32,Sydney,2,Tahiti,5,Taiwan,7,Tanzania,5,Tasmania,1,Tennessee,11,Texas,63,Thailand,43,Thanksgiving Travel,8,Things to Do,167,Tibet,2,Tips,116,Train Travel,29,Transportation,21,Travel,187,Travel Advice,66,Travel Apps,1,Travel Guide,39,Travel Stories,28,Travel Technology,1,Travel Tips,290,Trip Ideas,1,Tunisia,3,Turkey,21,Turkish,1,Turks and Caicos,1,Tuscany,1,UAE,12,Uganda,1,UK,49,Ukrine,1,Urban Travel,56,Uruguary,3,US Virgin Islands,3,USA,685,Utah,21,Uzbekistan,2,Vacation Travel,319,Valentine's Day Travel,1,Vehicle Travel,2,Venezuela,1,Vermont,6,Victoria Falls,1,Vietnam,10,Village Travel,1,Virginia,12,Virtual Travel,6,Wales,5,Washington,18,Washington DC,22,Weddings Travel,5,West Indies,2,Wildlife Travel,13,Winter Travel,71,Wisconsin,9,Worldwide,158,Wyoming,13,xxx,1,Yemen,1,Zadar,2,Zambia,5,Zimbabwe,6,
ltr
item
Travel Magazine: Is it Safe to Travel to Kashmir?
Is it Safe to Travel to Kashmir?
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY1fAkXBlkWjqMhr8UuXpBIQ5TSuakkGkSpCdVM-FN5R7v-xvyuypKz7X1Q8qSVyuTDP01JD_ojZ-4EvvabHzeBeKzYCjQdlTdGRXAIOMpSEByOmrcXaKY7zIGmG1IKrj1jbQ2ExVWn-W/s1600/dear.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXY1fAkXBlkWjqMhr8UuXpBIQ5TSuakkGkSpCdVM-FN5R7v-xvyuypKz7X1Q8qSVyuTDP01JD_ojZ-4EvvabHzeBeKzYCjQdlTdGRXAIOMpSEByOmrcXaKY7zIGmG1IKrj1jbQ2ExVWn-W/s72-c/dear.jpg
Travel Magazine
https://travel.dearjulius.com/2017/01/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-kashmir.html
https://travel.dearjulius.com/
https://travel.dearjulius.com/
https://travel.dearjulius.com/2017/01/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-kashmir.html
true
5866858605520326948
UTF-8
Loaded All Posts Not found any posts VIEW ALL Read More Reply Cancel reply Delete By Home PAGES POSTS View All RECOMMENDED FOR YOU LABEL ARCHIVE SEARCH ALL POSTS Not found any post match with your request Back Home Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat January February March April May June July August September October November December Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec just now 1 minute ago $$1$$ minutes ago 1 hour ago $$1$$ hours ago Yesterday $$1$$ days ago $$1$$ weeks ago more than 5 weeks ago Followers Follow THIS PREMIUM CONTENT IS LOCKED STEP 1: Share to a social network STEP 2: Click the link on your social network Copy All Code Select All Code All codes were copied to your clipboard Can not copy the codes / texts, please press [CTRL]+[C] (or CMD+C with Mac) to copy Table of Content