A day after the United States updated its travel advisory, the United Kingdom has issued a similar warning, urging its citizens to avoid travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Thursday revised its advisory, cautioning against all travel within this 10 km stretch and specifically advising against visiting popular tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir, including Pahalgam and Srinagar.
The latest advisory also highlighted that the Wagah-Attari border, which connects India and Pakistan, has been closed. The FCDO’s guidance also included warnings about the safety of the border regions in Gujarat and Rajasthan, which remain unmarked in some areas, potentially leading to illegal crossings into Pakistan.
The update comes just two days after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, including 25 tourists and one local resident. This attack has significantly heightened concerns over the safety of travelers to the region. The UK government noted that “there is a continuing threat towards Indian government targets and civilians, including tourists and foreign nationals.”
The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, expressed his shock and condemnation following the attack, speaking to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Starmer conveyed his horror over the killings, and the UK government reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation closely.
In response to the attack, the United States had also updated its travel advisory earlier in the week. The US Department of State reiterated its “Do Not Travel” warning for Jammu and Kashmir, citing potential threats from terrorist activities and violent civilian unrest. The US also cautioned its citizens to stay clear of the 10 km India-Pakistan border zone due to the risk of armed conflict.
Despite the ongoing security concerns, Kashmir has seen a surge in tourism in recent years. In 2024, the region welcomed a record 2.36 crore visitors, including 65,000 international tourists. Popular destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Patnitop continue to attract both foreign and domestic visitors. However, the region’s rising tourism numbers have been overshadowed by recent security threats and the ongoing geopolitical tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
As tensions continue to rise, both the UK and US advisories highlight the volatile situation, urging travelers to exercise extreme caution when planning visits to the region.