US issues ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for Jammu and Kashmir after Pahalgam attack

The United States has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory on Wednesday for Jammu and Kashmir following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 28 lives, most of them tourists.

The attack, described as the deadliest in the region since Pulwama in 2019, has sparked international concern and led to strong diplomatic reactions.

In its updated guidance, the US Department of State warned its citizens against travelling to Jammu and Kashmir, stating, “Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Do not travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh).” 

“Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. It also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam,” it added.

The advisory also urged travellers to avoid areas within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border, citing the potential for armed conflict. It noted that US government personnel are prohibited from travelling to Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pahalgam attack, which took place on Tuesday, was reportedly carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group linked to the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The attackers opened fire in the popular tourist destination, resulting in widespread panic and loss of life.

US President Donald Trump, in a reported phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strongly condemned the attack and expressed full support for India's efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

In the aftermath of the incident, India has announced a series of retaliatory measures, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 and the downgrading of diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

As per reports, this includes the expulsion of Pakistani military attachés. The water-sharing agreement, which allocates the eastern rivers to India and the western rivers largely to Pakistan, has been considered a key diplomatic accord for decades. India is entitled to use 20% of the Indus River system’s waters under the treaty.

The attack and its diplomatic fallout mark a serious escalation in tensions in the region, with both sides now reassessing long-standing arrangements amid renewed security concerns.