Keran, Jammu and Kashmir

Keran
town
Keran

Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India

Coordinates: 34°39′02″N 73°57′03″E / 34.6505°N 73.9507°ECoordinates: 34°39′02″N 73°57′03″E / 34.6505°N 73.9507°E
Country  India
State Jammu and Kashmir
District Kupwara
Block Keran
Languages
 • Official Urdu
Time zone IST (UTC+5:00)
PIN 193224

Karen is a village located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located in the Neelum Valley on the bank of the Neelum (Kishanganga) river. The village lies on the Indo-Pakistan border. The Keran block includes three villages: Keran, Mundiyan and Pathran.[1]

The adjacent habitation on the Pakistani side is also called Keran. The Neelum river 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. Karen village is surrounded by dense forests.Shalabhatu, a village in Keran sector is divided between Jammu and Kashmir and Azad Kashmir.[2][3] It was one of the famous infiltration routes in early 1990s.The village has three border posts — Khokhri, Kulari and Mangerta

History

The village is said to have been established by Raja Bhaudar Khan in the tenth century.[4] In 1990, the Indian army relocated the villagers due to frequent firing and shelling by Pakistanis in Jammu and Kashmir. In 1992, a flood swept over the cultivated land and houses. In 2013, armed terrorists infiltrated the village, but were killed by the Indian Army during a 15-day operation.[5]

References

  1. ↑ NREGA report
  2. ↑ Army’s claim over Keran operations under cloud
  3. ↑ http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Armys-claim-over-Keran-operations-under-cloud/2013/10/20/article1845751.ece#.UvK7LGKSyAo
  4. ↑ Villages of historical importance in Kupwara district
  5. ↑ '15-day Keran ops over, Pak army supported infiltrators'