Nakyal

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Nakyal is one of the three tehsils, (administrative subdivisions), of Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.

[edit] History

Nakyal was part of Mehndar sub-division of Poonch before the division of Kashmir in 1947. After the separation from Mehndar it became a tehsil of Kotli District.

[edit] Location

The town of Nakyal is situated 1524m above sea-level, and is 40 km from Kotli city.

Nakyal is a small town located in a beautiful valley nearly 3 kilometre from the Line of Control (Or the Ceasefire Line). A nearby place called Tatapani is known for being one of the five crossing points at the LoC that were opened for the exchange of relief goods between Pakistani and Indian Administered parts of Kashmir after the devastating October 8 Earthquake. Nakyal and its surrounding areas are considered among most beautiful parts of Azad Kashmir. It can also be a tourist attraction but tourists are not encouraged as facilities are either not available or are not in good shape and because of uncertain conditions at the LoC in the past years.

Before 1947, appreciable number of tourists from all over India used to visit the area. But since Partition, it became part of Kotli District and the conditions entirely changed. Local people have lots to talk about the firing of shells from across the LoC and incidents of fierce crossfire in the past years. In the town of Nakyal, many residents say how their houses were damaged in the crossfire. Most of the residents here are literate: can read, write and speak their own language with having an appreciable fluency of Urdu. Many also understand and speak English. Life style is simple and moderate. By occupation, they are mostly agriculturists, small traders, school teachers and skilled labourers. They have fair complexion with normal physique. Some of them are really beautiful and remain unforgettable.