Kaghan Valley: Latest Updates for 2012 season

[deadman78]

The looting occurred around 1.15 pm, which is normally peak time for tourists. It happened near lulusar lake.

No, police was not deployed until then, babusar top was opened few days back and police had just ignored the area for now. I heard police being deployed there on next day of this incidence, very usual

There are no police check posts between naran and babusar top, however when i visited babusar top in sep 2011, i saw a police vehicle there for security purpose. The jeep drivers even then constantly advised us to take are of mobiles, cameras because of kohistani looters.

So the police now deployed permanently between naran and babusar top or just for one day as usual in Pakistan any news regarding this and mobeen could you please check that also about permanent police deployment in this route when you checked out tomorrow from ur source that will be very helpful.

[deadman78]

Very sad to hear that u could not complete your trip as planned.

I hope that the situation improves.

I will check myself tomorrow what is going on there and will update the thread Inshallah.

Thanks a lot for your important feedback !!

Mobeen Yaar could you please check that also about permanent police deployment in this route when you checked out tomorrow from ur source that will be very helpful. I mean route between naran and babusar top.

[pakistanibandah786]

As i said above, jeeps looting happened near lulusar lake, but i am afraid camping at saif ul malook lake is not very safe too. We stayed in that hut near the lake, and our friends from sargodha stayed in adjacent camp. Around 2 am in night, they came to our room and informed us that someone is trying to steal bags from their camp. We got alert as well and did all safety precautions, however it was tense night. They told us in morning that someone opened their camp from outside to steal luggage, but they were awake and they chased him, however they could not catch him because it was a dark night without moon. I feel sad at such incidents in our beloved place.

@Kaliem Thanks for confirming what I had known on the morning of Friday 22nd June while driving out of Naran for Babusar Top and Lulusar. Army/FWO stopped us at the checkpoint and the guy very firmly told us NOT to go beyond Lulusar Lake as about 25 vehicles had been looted for everything the day/night before whih I presume would be Thursday 21st June...We went and drove up to Lulusar and I even showered from the fresh water stream flowing into the lake from the right hand side of the lake entrance....I had parked my jeep facing Naran...the ladies were carrying the loaded weapon and my son was on the stearing wheel...my wife did not want me to take a shower but that would mean that I have to give in to the ******** for spoiling my Babusar Top plan...So out of anger and a big FY to the bandits, we enjoyed the lake as there was no one around at 1045am..I showered and we saw two local shepherd boys approaching...told my family to get into the jeep while I talked to the guys...they appeared absolutely harmless...we stuck around there for about an hour and headed back...

[pakistanibandah786]

more info and pics are on my own thread.

[hassangr8]

Can anyone tell us the latest security siutaion if someone want to go to chillas via babusar top.

Is it adviseable.

[pakistanibandah786]

Can anyone tell us the latest security siutaion if someone want to go to chillas via babusar top.

Is it adviseable.

If you are with family, I will STRONGLY advise you NOT to go beyond Lulusar Lake under any circumstances....If you are alone or with a group of friends and want to go to Babusar Top, I'd advise that you guys carry licensed arms....If I was not with family, I would def go to Babusar Top. To go beyond Babusar Top to Chilas, be aware that the road is closed due to snow and even if the road was open, you would be under security threat

[mudasernaeem]

Ye issue to valley ko bemaza kr dy ga

[Haider53]

[moonraider]

v sad indeed..

[finediesel]

please do some thing mubeen bhai other wise asi tu chalay Skardu aur fairy meadows(H)

[aesiege]

OK friends i have checked with locals and here is the latest situation:

• The incidents of theft and looting did happen ahead of Besal area during last 10 days
• Now there are 4 new police checkposts at following positions:
  1- Besal
  2- Lulusar Lake
  3- Gittidas
  4- Babusar
• Trekkers are required to keep guide and there is no exception. I think it is a good idea to keep locals with u for overnight treks in upper Kaghan Valley.

Considering this set-up, you can go camping with friends and a day visit should be fine with family

[MultaniTraveler]

Thanks mobeen

[deadman78]

OK friends i have checked with locals and here is the latest situation:

- The incidents of theft and looting did happen ahead of Besal area during last 10 days
- Now there are 4 new police checkposts at following positions:
1- Besal
2- Lulusar Lake
3- Gittidas
4- Babusar
- Trekkers are required to keep guide and there is no exception. I think it is a good idea to keep locals with u for overnight treks in upper Kaghan Valley.

Considering this set-up, you can go camping with friends and a day visit should be fine with family

Great news thanks Mobeen for you and all others for their contribution to make us informed about the latest updates regarding valley issues and news. Are these posts will stay there till the end of SUMMER or for a few weeks time can you checked that up and one more thing is there any danger of looting occurring other then these places police check posts but that would not be possible for looters as the vehicle will be in the running position other then these places so less chances I guess. So now access till Babusar pass totally safe?

[aesiege]

Great news thanks Mobeen for you and all others for their contribution to make us informed about the latest updates regarding valley issues and news. Are these posts will stay there till the end of SUMMER or for a few weeks time can you checked that up and one more thing is there any danger of looting occurring other then these places police check posts but that would not be possible for looters as the vehicle will be in the running position other then these places so less chances I guess. So now access till Babusar pass totally safe?

My dear it is Pakistani police

Kaghan is still safer than big cities where such incidents are a bit too much common alongwith much more than just looting.

Trust The Almighty and go enjoy the nature

[deadman78]

My dear it is Pakistani police

Kaghan is still safer than big cities where such incidents are a bit too much common alongwith much more than just looting.

Trust The Almighty and go enjoy the nature

That's our bad luck that our police is such but anyhow still a concern for everyone as there is a cloud of fear is hovering over the valley which can't be deny. Yes we as Muslims do totally believe on Almighty Allah (SWT) no doubt about it.

[BlueHorn]

@ aesiege - Brothing I want to ask if they looted cars that were passing on the road or did they loot those who had camped at lakeside. I mean did they stop moving vehicles and then looted?? I am asking because I am planning a trip there. And if theses looters are coming to roads and stopping and looting vehicles then I will have to reconsider my plans

[Dispatcher]

A difference between a Looter and a desi Policeman is only the uniform in 70% of cases in my knowledge. Its more dangerous as he could be an informer without suspicion. My sincere advice to anyone is not to travel in small groups of less than 3 and particularly if it involves camping. The current economic situation of our country is not suitable. If there is no alternative than a 9mm or 30br is a must topped with at least a 25 round target practice. The trophy would be adequate for the rest to learn it from.

[kaliem]

@ aesiege - Brothing I want to ask if they looted cars that were passing on the road or did they loot those who had camped at lakeside. I mean did they stop moving vehicles and then looted?? I am asking because I am planning a trip there. And if theses looters are coming to roads and stopping and looting vehicles then I will have to reconsider my plans

They looted moving jeeps mostly, a cygnus came in their way and it was looted too. I am attaching a few pics of looted tourists which i captured then. This crowd was in jalkhad after looting incident. Most vehicles you can see in this pic were looted.

[BlueHorn]

They looted moving jeeps mostly, a cygnus came in their way and it was looted too. I am attaching a few pics of looted tourists which i captured then. This crowd was in jalkhad after looting incident. Most vehicles you can see in this pic were looted.

this is very bad
Allah hamare mulk ke logon ko hadayat dain. Amen

[aesiege]

Thx a lot for the info Kaliem !!