Tour operators term Taliban reports 'false propaganda'

Upset over the cancellation of travel plans by tourists following media reports that claimed Taliban and other militants have sneaked into Kashmir, major tour operators on Wednesday termed the information as "false propaganda".

Upset over the cancellation of travel plans by tourists following media reports that claimed Taliban and other militants have sneaked into Kashmir, major tour operators on Wednesday termed the information as "false propaganda".

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"A false campaign about presence of Taliban and infiltration of militants has been launched to harm the tourist season in the state," people connected with the tourism industry assembled at a seminar "Current tourism scenario" organised by the state government, said.

"We don't know why such false reports are being telecast even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his military advisors have strongly refuted them," President of Travel Association of Kashmir Abdul Khaliq Wangnoo said.

"European countries, America and Australia have issued advisories. But another advisory from electronic media has played havoc as the domestic tourists have been kept at bay."

Reports claiming that Taliban has entered the country have come in a section of the media recently, which have been vehemently denied by the army.

"We have suffered immensely due to the negative reports. As much as 30 per cent reservations have been cancelled," Tourism Director Farooq Ahmad Shah told reporters on the sidelines of the seminar.

He said the programme has been organised to discuss tourism related issues and how to negate the false campaign.