Did you know that a village in Kashmir is half in India and half in Pakistan? Yes, you read that right!!!
Tithwal or Teetwal, is a village located in the Kupwara district of Kashmir and its other half is located in the Muzaffarabad district of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, where it is also known as Chilhana village.
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The village is separated by the Kishen Ganga River that also acts as the border between two countries. Once it crosses the border Kishen Ganga River comes to be known as Neelum River.
It acts as a part of the Line of Control (LOC), a line that was created by the British to keep apart two nations – India and Pakistan. LOC that was created in 1948 led to many families losing their loved ones to borders, some remained in the Indian side while others were left in the POK side.
A bridge is present over Kishen Ganga River that connects the two villages where residents of Tithwal and Chilhana used to meet their relatives, called the ‘Meetup Point’, after securing a permit and under the supervision of the Army. However, in 2019, due to growing tension between the two countries the ‘Meetup Point’ permit was discontinued, and barbwires were set up to prevent anyone from crossing over to the other side.
But bonds between people of the two villages are stronger than barbwires and borders. The residents of either side of the villages would meet at the narrowest bank of the river and interact endlessly.
As people residing in the border village of Tithwal had ruefully mentioned “Why should love stop at the border? We have relatives there. The waters of Kishen Ganga divide us into two halves. But it can’t divide love”, similarly this love also extends to the Army when during Diwali, Pakistani and Indian Army exchange sweets.
This village is a real-life example of love transcending borders!!
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