Mughal Road Reopens for Limited Daytime Vehicular Traffic on April 23 After Winter Closure

The Mughal Road — the historic mountain route connecting Shopian in south Kashmir with Bafliaz in Pir Panjal range of Poonch district — was officially reopened for limited vehicular traffic on April 23, 2026, with movement permitted only during daytime hours from 10 AM to 5 PM. The road, which serves as an alternative route between Jammu and Srinagar and passes through the Pir Panjal mountain range at elevations exceeding 3,000 meters, had been closed during winter months due to heavy snowfall blocking the Peer Ki Gali pass. The reopening allows traffic to move between Shopian and Rajouri/Poonch via this route, providing relief to traders and residents of border districts. The route carries special strategic significance in the current security environment: the Mughal Road passes through Poonch district — which experienced Pakistani retaliatory shelling during the May 2025 Operation Sindoor exchange — and its reopening facilitates both civilian movement and logistical access for security forces in the Pir Panjal range. Administrative officials confirmed that the road was open subject to weather conditions. The reopening was scheduled to coincide with the spring tourist season, supporting J&K's broader effort to restore normalcy and tourism confidence following the Pahalgam attack first anniversary.