Surankote: In a rare example of courage and resilience in the fight against terror in Jammu and Kashmir, people here have picked up arms to protect the work force involved in the execution of the Mughal road project.

In the last 16 years, various infrastructure projects in the State came to a standstill due to militant threats. But this belt proved to be an exception. The locals, realising the importance of reviving the historic route, readily took up arms this summer to protect the project.

The Mughul road, mooted as an alternate route to the Kashmir Valley, originated in Jhelum town of Punjab province (now in Pakistan), touched Kotli (in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) and Thanna Mandi (Rajouri district) and ended at Poshanna on the Pir Panjal mountains. One branch crossed over to Shopian via Heer Pora of south Kashmir.

Reduced distance

Once completed, it would reduce the distance between the region and the Kashmir Valley. Also, it would lessen the load on the highly protected National Highway 1 A — the Valley's only link with the rest of the country.

Besides the problem of logistics, militancy was the number one threat to the project. With the beginning of summer, militants started visiting the area. Sources in the Bakerwals, a nomadic tribe, said Abu Hazala Farad, a divisional commander in the Lashkar-e-Taiba, was prominent among them. During one of his visits, the Punjabi-speaking Pakistani asked his cadres to strike at the workforce involved in the project.

Qasim Mohammad, a village defence committee (VDC) member said: "This road is of considerable importance to us as it would improve our socio-economic status. As soon as there was an increased presence of militants in these heights, we resolved to take up weapons."

The VDCs have thrown a protective security ring around the road project with the help of the Rashtriya Rifles, a counter-insurgency force of the Army.

Due to the round-the-clock vigil, militants have not been able to pierce the security apparatus. Work is going on unhindered. The first layer has been laid.

The 89-km road will have 14 permanent bridges and eight service bridges, the longest bridge being 30 m. It will also have a few tunnels.

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