Balakot (Urdu: بالاکوٹ), is a town in Mansehra District in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The town was destroyed during the 2005 earthquake and later rebuilt with the assistance of the Government of Pakistan and Saudi Public Assistance for Pakistan Earthquake Victims (SPAPEV)[1], a Saudi relief organization. A separate project, initiated by the Government of Pakistan 'New Balakot City' is being developed near Mansehra, with plans to relocate the population of two Union Councils of Balakot, demarcated as a Red Zone.
The town or village of Balakot is occupied mainly by members of the Awan, Gujar, syed,Qureshi,Mughal, &Swati tribe and is on the banks of the River Kunhar before it enters the Kashmir Valley. The Sikhs tried to free Mansehra in the 1818 but were met with resistance from the occupying army. As the Mansehra region fell under Sikh control, it was annexed to Punjab. The movement placed Waziristan, the Mohmand country beyond Kunhar, Chitral and Yusufzai tribes within the control and responsibility of the Indian government. Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed, with the help of the Mujahadeen, including the 6 Swati's tribes of Balakot and Syeds of Kaghan, led many revolts and attacks against the Sikhs. At last on 6 May 1831, during a fierce battle, Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed along with hundreds of their followers were killed[3]. The central mosque of Balakot is named after Syed Ahmed Shaheed. The areas includes diverse groups, the predominant spoken languages however are Hindko and Gojri.Pashto is being spoken by swatis of Balakot.
Here is photographic team during breakfast in Balkot hotel
So after having breakfast we started to explore Balakot valley which was the main area affected by one of the biggest aisa earthquake 2005 but after 5 years it is still beautiful and full of life.
Shooters busy in shots one Balakot Bridge
