Turtuk was part of Pakistan until 1971, when the Indian army occupied the village during a border war along the Line of Control and never gave it back. By Dave Stamboulis A tumultuous history Turtuk is incredibly hard to get to. The small hamlet sits at the far end of Ladakh’s Nubra Valley in far northern India, hemmed in by …

Patience pays off for K2 climbers. In all 24 climbers make it to the summit of the savage mountain. This season’s success rate remains 100%   Herald Report Islamabad, July 26:  Patience paid off for the K2 climbers who remained on the mountain after the first summit attempt failed last week because of dangerous conditions. A total of 19 people …

Almost 20 years on, thousands of displaced families from kargil are struggling in slums around Pakistan, waiting for government promises to materialise     By M Ilyas Khan BBC News Islamabad, July 26: The war began soon after Zainab Bibi was married in the spring of 1999. “We were at home and it was night time, around 8pm. We saw shells exploding on …

Around 120 climbers are currently making their way up K2, in 10 separate teams   Herald Report Islamabad: Five Nepalis among seven climbers who reached on top of the 8,611 metres (28,251 feet) K2, the world’s second-highest peak on Wednesday, media reports said. Nirmal Purja and four others became the first climbers to stand atop the savage mountain at 7:50am Pakistan time …

Farman Baltistani SKARDU, May 2: A top army officer has said that ban on entry of tourists in restricted zones in Baltistan has been lifted to promote tourism in the region. “There were restricton on entry of domestic and foreign tourists in Kharmang, Tchorbat, Siachen, Gultary and Astore valleys which have now been lifted,” announced Force Commander Gilgit Baltistan Maj-General Ahsan …

By Farman Baltistani SKARDU: Participants of a conference have stressed the need for coordinated efforts and measures for the promotion of tourism in Baltistan that will help create jobs and earn the much-needed foreign exchange. They were of the view that the federal as well as regional governments can earn a substantial revenue by developing tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan. The first …

Awami Action Committee Baltistan chapter to launch movement against GB division, revival of Numbardari system Herald Correspondent SKARDU: The Awami Action Committee Baltistan chapter has opposed division of Gilgit-Baltistan and revival of the numbardari system described it a move to grab public land and resources and to strengthen the bureaucratic system in the disputed mountainous region. “A conspiracy is being …

By Farman Baltistani There are certainly many interesting tourist spots, mountains and landscapes in the world that attract millions of tourists every year. But there are certain spectacular views that attract only daredevil adventure-loving tourists. Among them are Trolltonga hanging or pulpit rocks in Norway and cliffs in China and Ireland which are very famous in the world. Baltistan is …

By Farman Baltistani SKARDU A one-day Snow Sports Festival was held in the municipal ground of Skardu on Saturday. The main feature of the gala, organised by army in collaboration with the district administration, was the traditional ancient Ko Polo competition. A tough and thrilling game was played between Shigar Hurchos and Shigar Kalimal teams. The game ended in a …

Runyu Liang This Photo Friday highlights Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield, located on the India and Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir. Soldiers there are facing harsh conditions to ensure stableness of the line between the countries. On 25 December, the Indian Army announced the recovery of an army helicopter stuck at 18,000 feet. This ALH Dhruv chopper had …

By Farman Baltistani SKARDU: Mayfung, a centuries-old festival is gaining popularity among the people of Baltistan with the passage of time. May Fung, means playing with fire is to welcome the new year and say goodbye to the harsh winter season on December 21 which marks the longest night and shortest day of the year, when the temperature drops to …

By IKRAM BOKHARI ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: The appointment of Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon as Gilgit-Baltistan’s (GB) governor is another addition to the series of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s controversial decisions. Reports of the new governor’s alleged role in the Rs320 million corruption surfaced soon after his oath-taking ceremony. The NAB has launched an inquiry into the matter. The corruption charges have …

HAH Correspondent GILGIT: Local authorities have banned eight firebrand clerics from entering Gilgit for two months effective from September 11. According to a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Gilgit, Capt (retd) Samiullah Farooq on Sept 11, five clerics from Punjab, one from Sindh and two from Skardu have been conveyed that their presence in the capital metropolis “may jeopardise law …

HAH Special Islamabad Political and social activists have won a reprieve from the Gilgit-Baltistan High Court which has suspended the operation of a section of the draconian anti-terrorism law in the disputed. A two-judge bench comprised of Justice Wazir Shakeel and Justice Ali Beg, on Thursday suspended the operation of Section-11(EEEE) or popularly known as Schedule-4 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. …

Ali Ahmed Jan The much-awaited Gilgit-Baltistan Champions League (GBCL) kicked off with a greater participation of the enthusiastic and talented teams from over two dozen universities and colleges of twin cities of Islamabad-Rawalpindi and Lahore. The opening ceremony of the third season of the mega event was held at the Open Air Theatre of the Pakistan National Council of the …