From Frontier Flashpoint to Tourist Magnet, Uri’s Kaman Post Draws Crowds to LoC
Once known only as a tense border crossing, the historic post is now emerging as one of Kashmir’s most unusual tourist attractions
Our Special Correspondent
Baramulla: Nestled along the rugged mountains of north Kashmir’s Uri sector, the historic Kaman Post — once synonymous with ceasefire tensions and divided families — is quietly transforming into a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness life along the Line of Control (LoC).
Over the past few months, hundreds of tourists, students and local visitors have been travelling to the border point to experience the rare sight of the heavily guarded frontier, interact with security personnel and witness the symbolic “last point” on the Indian side before Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Located around 110 kilometres from Srinagar in Uri’s Salamabad area, Kaman Post carries immense historical and emotional significance. The post lies near the Aman Setu Bridge, which once facilitated cross-LoC trade and bus services connecting divided Kashmiri families on both sides of the border.
Today, the area is witnessing a different kind of movement — tourists carrying cameras instead of traders carrying goods.
“I had seen borders only in movies,” said Aaarti , a tourist from Bangaluru, visiting the post with her family. “Standing here and seeing the fencing, bunkers and soldiers so closely gives a completely different feeling. It makes you realise how difficult life is for people living near borders.”
Another visitor, Neha Sharma, described the experience as “emotional and unforgettable.”
“We had heard so much about Uri during times of shelling and tensions. But seeing this place now welcoming tourists is something unique. The mountains, the river and the atmosphere make it both beautiful and deeply moving,” she said.
Deepak, a tourist from Maharashtra, said visiting the LoC point gave him a deeper understanding of border life.
“The atmosphere here is completely different from other tourist spots. Seeing the border from such close proximity fills you with curiosity and respect for the people guarding it,” he said.
Another tourist, Ritika Malhotra, said Uri had surprised her.
“We only knew Uri because of news about conflict. But when you come here, you see breathtaking beauty and peaceful surroundings. Kaman Post has become a place people genuinely want to visit,” she said.
Local residents say tourism has started bringing new economic activity to the region, benefiting taxi operators, eateries and small shopkeepers.
“For years, Uri was known only because of conflict,” said Bashir Ahmad, a local shopkeeper. “Now people are coming here to explore and understand the place. It is helping local businesses and changing perceptions about Uri.”
A local taxi operator said the increasing tourist flow has created fresh livelihood opportunities in the border town.
“Earlier tourists would rarely stop in Uri. Now many families specifically ask drivers to take them to Kaman Post. Hotels, shops and transport operators are all benefiting,” he said.
Officials said improved road connectivity, better security conditions and growing curiosity among visitors have contributed to the increasing tourist footfall.
Security personnel stationed in the area often brief tourists about the region’s geography and history, while visitors enthusiastically click photographs against the backdrop of the towering mountains and the LoC fencing.
Kaman Post also remains an important reminder of Kashmir’s divided history. The Aman Setu bridge near the post became operational in 2005 when cross-LoC bus services were launched as a confidence-building measure between India and Pakistan. Later, trade across the LoC also started through the route before remaining suspended in recent years.
For many older Kashmiris, the route still carries memories of reunion and separation.
Tourism stakeholders believe the growing interest in border tourism can open a new chapter for Uri, much like other frontier destinations across the country that attract visitors because of their strategic and historical significance.
“People want to see places that have stories,” said a local tourism operator. “Kaman Post is not just a border point; it represents history, resilience and hope.”
As tourists continue to flock to the frontier destination, the once-sensitive border post is gradually finding a new identity — not merely as a symbol of conflict, but as a place of curiosity, reflection and changing times in Kashmir.
