Keran valley

Explore Keran Valley with Roselet holidays  

keran is a village i in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is on the bank of the Kishanganga River. The village lies on the Line of Control. The Keran block includes four panchayats Keran, Mandian, Mandian-A and Kundian Patron.The adjacent habitation on the Pakistani side across the boundary is also called Keran. The Kishanganga river (known by the name Neelum on the other side) flowing through village acts as the natural border between the two habitations. While both sides have the same predominant religion, social and cultural practices differ greatly. The people are not allowed by Indian and Pakistani officials to intermingle. Keran village is surrounded by dense forests. Shalabhatu, a village in Keran sector is divided between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan administration Kashmir. It was among the foremost infiltration routes used in the early 1990s by militants. The village has three border posts — Khokhri, Kulari and Mangerta.After the reiteration of the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan in 2021, the village attracted tourists for the first time, offering unique view of the Pakistan administered Kashmir. Before this, only military and locals had access to the village.The village is said to have been established by Raja Karn in the tenth century. In 1990, the Indian army relocated the villagers due to frequent firing and shelling by the Pakistan Army. In 1992, a flood swept over the cultivated land and houses. In 2013, armed militants infiltrated the village, but were killed by the Indian Army during a 15-day operation.Torn out by cross border shelling and infiltrations the Keran Valley has now slowly moved out of this and with the fresh cease fire accords between the governments of both countries the valley has witnessed peace across the border. With the opening of border tourism last year Keran has become one of the favorite offbeat location for the tourists. Year 2023 has seen the highest footfall of tourists proceeding Keran Valley.