Azad Jammu and Kashmir, abbreviated as AJK and colloquially referred to as simply Azad Kashmir, is a region administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity and constituting the western portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947. The territory shares a border to the north with Gilgit-Baltistan, together with which it is referred to by the United Nations and other international organizations as "Pakistani-administered Kashmir". Azad Kashmir also shares borders with the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the south and west, respectively. On its eastern side, Azad Kashmir is separated from the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir by the Line of Control (LoC), which serves as the de facto border between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir. Geographically, the administrative territory of Azad Jammu and Kashmir covers a total area of 13,297 km2 (5,134 sq mi) and has a total population of 4,045,366 as per the 2017 national census.
The Line of Control (LoC) is a military control line between the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir—a line which does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary, but serves as the de facto border. It was established as part of the Simla Agreement at the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Both nations agreed to rename the ceasefire line as the "Line of Control" and pledged to respect it without prejudice to their respective positions. Apart from minor details, the line is roughly the same as the original 1949 cease-fire line.
Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It lies in the Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus, and Dal and Anchar lakes. The city is known for its natural environment, gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts like Kashmir shawls and also dried fruits. It is the northernmost city of India to have over one million people, the 32nd most populous city in the country, and the second largest city located in the Himalayas, after Kathmandu.
The Bagh District is one of the ten districts of Pakistan's dependent territory of Azad Kashmir. The district, which had previously been part of the Poonch District, was created in 1988.
Rawalakot is the capital of Poonch district in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located in the Pir Panjal Range.
Bagh City is the chief town and district headquarters of Bagh District, in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The town is situated on the confluence of two nullahs (streams), Malwani and Mahl at the distance of 93 km from Muzaffarabad.
Badami Bagh is a cantonment town on the outskirts of Srinagar city in Srinagar district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. A portion of Indian army in the valley resides in the Badami Bagh cantonment. The cantonment is established on the two road sides of Srinagar Jammu National Highway.
Bandipore or Bandipora is the headquarters of district of Bandipore in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located on the northern banks of Wullar Lake—the second-largest freshwater lake in Asia. Bandipora has a terraced garden similar to that of Nishat Bagh in Srinagar. Bandipora is bound by mountains on three sides and by Wular Lake on the fourth. Bandipora is famous for three A's - A'lim (knowledge), Adab and Aab (water). As can be known from the folklore, the name of Bandipora originated either from Bund of Wular as Bund e pur, from the local folk-singing bands (bāṇd) as Baand e pur or from the enclosed (band) geographical location as Bandh e pur. Bandipora is bound by mountains on three sides and by Wular Lake on the fourth.
Bijbehara is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district of the Indian administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on NH 44, connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. Bijbehara town is also known as "Chinar Town" because of two Chinar gardens which are known for their chinars trees. Bijbehara is the home to oldest chinar tree in the region. The town is situated about 45 km (28 mi) from the summer capital of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar.
Tral is a town, sub-district and a notified area committee in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. The town is 40 kilometres (25 mi) from summer capital Srinagar and 26 kilometres (16 mi) from district headquarters Pulwama. Tral is the second largest area committee in Pulwama district.
The 2005 Kashmir earthquake occurred at on 8 October in Pakistani-administered Azad Kashmir. It was centred near the city of Muzaffarabad, and also affected nearby Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and some areas of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. It registered a moment magnitude of 7.6 and had a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe) or XI (Extreme). The earthquake also affected countries in the surrounding region where tremors were felt in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India and the Xinjiang region. The severity of the damage caused by the earthquake is attributed to severe upthrust. Over 86,000 people died, a similar number were injured, and millions were displaced. It is considered the deadliest earthquake to hit South Asia, surpassing the 1935 Quetta earthquake.
Nishat Bagh is a terraced Mughal garden built on the eastern side of the Dal Lake, close to Srinagar in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is the second largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley. Shalimar Bagh, which is also located on the bank of the Dal Lake. ‘Nishat Bagh’ is Urdu, and means the "Garden of Joy," "Garden of Gladness" and "Garden of Delight."
Birpani is a town and Union Council in Bagh District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located 20 km west of Bagh city and at an altitude of 2000 metres. The origin of the word Birpani comes from the Pahari word Beer and means Veer (Brother/بھائی).
Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Chenab Valley, Sindh Valley and Lidder Valley. Some major tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are Srinagar, the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Patnitop and Jammu. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which has had significant impact on the state's economy.
Mahldara is a village of Union Council Bani Minhasan in Bagh District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located 10 km north of Bagh city and at an altitude of 4000 metres.
Doru Shahabad is a town and notified area committee in the Anantnag district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It also known as a historical township in South Kashmir's Anantnag district. Doru Shahabad is considered place of intelligence, where great scholars like Mehmood shah Gami, Rasul Mir Shahabadi were born. These scholars contributed to the literature and culture of Kashmir. In present times, Shahabad has produced chief ministers such as Syed Mir Qasim, other politicians, bureaucrats, and leading agricultural scientists.
Kotla is a village and tourist resort in Bagh District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Kotla is 6,560 feet (2,000 m) above sea level. Kotla contains pine trees that are hundreds of years old. It takes approximately 1 hour to drive from Bagh to Kotla.
Indira Nagar is a residential area in the city of Srinagar in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It used to be a lake before but now only few hundred meters of the lake is left.
Waripora Bangil is a village located in the town of Kunzer in the Baramulla district of the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated 23 kilometres (14 mi) east of the district headquarters of Baramulla and 33 kilometres (21 mi) west of the capital city of Srinagar.
Tangdhar is a village located in Kupwara district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The village is located at a distance of 67 kilometres from the district headquarters Kupwara. It is a forward village along the Line of Control (LoC). With Neelum valley to its north & Leepa to the south, Tangdhar is surrounded by Pakistan administered Kashmir from three sides. Tangdhar sector is popular for infiltrations and ceasefire violations from Pakistan.
