Since April 22, when a terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, authorities have barred non-local workers from entering Gurez Valley and other tourist hubs in Bandipora district. This closure came amid a rapid military escalation: on May 7, India struck alleged militant sites across the Line of Control; Pakistan responded with shelling, drone and missile attacks; a ceasefire was declared on May 10.

Each spring, several hundred migrant labourers—primarily from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar—travel to Bandipora on three-month contracts for construction, road maintenance and carpentry, earning up to ₹900 per day. This year, all arrivals have been stopped at the Razdan Pass checkpost, leaving workers unable to reach project sites. With transport restrictions in place and most local employers unwilling to hire non-locals, those still in town face rapidly depleting savings and no alternative income.

An article by Policy Circle published in June 2025 says the military escalation between India and Pakistan "starkly exposed" the vulnerabilities of internal migrant workers in India. The article also argues legislation intending to safeguard the rights of internal migrant workers in India are ineffective.