MANSEHRA: Police here on Saturday warned tourists of any adventurism in Kaghan Valley as Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road, which was blocked in November last year following the first snowfall of the season, was yet to be cleared.
“Police personnel have already been deployed in Kaghan town and will not allow visitors to move beyond that point as the valley remains cut off from the rest of the district due to MNJ road blockade,” the district police officer, Shafiullah Khan Gandapur, told journalists.
He said that Kaghan Valley had been inaccessible since the first snowfall of winter and remained covered in snow. “Traffic between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan is still suspended. National Highway Authority (NHA) will clear the road of snow after Eidul Fitr,” he said.
The DPO said that police personnel will be deployed at popular tourist resorts such as Shogran and Siren Valley to facilitate visitors during Eid holidays.
He said that an Eid security plan was put in place, with forces deployed outside mosques to ensure the safety of worshippers.
“Our week-long campaign against firing in the air on Chand Rat is under way, with awareness messages being delivered from mosques and through our mobile units across the district,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) has also made special arrangements for tourists visiting the area during Eid.
“We will deploy our staff and machinery to handle any emergency caused by rough weather, and to facilitate visitors in Shogran and up to Kaghan town,” KDA Director General Shabbir Khan told a meeting held at his office.
He said that officers and staff would remain in contact with the district administration, police, NHA, Rescue 1122, and other relevant departments throughout Eid holidays.
Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2025
