Keran, Jammu and Kashmir

Keran is a village 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.[3]

For Keran village administered by Pakistan, see Keran, Neelum Valley.
Keran
Village
Keran in Jammu and Kashmir, as seen from the opposite side of the LOC
Keran in Jammu and Kashmir, as seen from the opposite side of the LOC
Keran is located in Jammu and Kashmir
Keran
Keran
Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India
Keran is located in India
Keran
Keran
Keran (India)
Coordinates: 34.6505°N 73.9507°E / 34.6505; 73.9507
Country India
Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir
DistrictKupwara
BlockKeran
Demonym(s)Kerani, Keranwala, Keraniya
Languages
 • OfficialKashmiri, Hindi, Urdu, Dogri, English[1][2]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
193224
Websitekupwara.nic.in

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.[4][5] 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.[6]

History

The village is said to have been established by Raja Karn in the tenth century.[7] 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.[8] Year 2023 has seen the highest footfall of tourists proceeding Keran Valley.

See also

References
  1. "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  2. "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  3. NREGA report
  4. Army’s claim over Keran operations under cloud
  5. "Army's claim over Keran operations under cloud".
  6. Iqbal, Naveed (23 August 2023). "Bunkers give way to homestays in this remote J&K village". Indian Express. Keran. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  7. "Villages of historical importance in Kupwara district". Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  8. '15-day Keran ops over, Pak army supported infiltrators'
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