Border Crossings in Kashmir?
Border Crossings in Kashmir?
I am a 3rd generation US Passport holder with ancestry on both sides of Kashmir. I am about to go to college and before that, I want to visit my ancestral hometown on the Pakistan side and would like to visit other relatives 30 miles away in Indian Kashmir. I know that obtaining a visa for a Pakistan connected person is almost impossible.
1. Are there Kashmir only border crossings where I can cross without a visa? I don't want to enter the rest of India.
2. There are reportedly 'guides' who escort travelers across the border for a fee. I presume this can get hairy with the border patrol. But its worth thinking about, if my US passport can get the Indian border patrol to back off.
1. Are there Kashmir only border crossings where I can cross without a visa? I don't want to enter the rest of India.
2. There are reportedly 'guides' who escort travelers across the border for a fee. I presume this can get hairy with the border patrol. But its worth thinking about, if my US passport can get the Indian border patrol to back off.
#2 
Jul 25th, 2012, 17:57 Learning... from others' experiences!
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This could be treated as illegal, and you could be put behind bar for doing so. Better option would be take visa for it; cross border legally and remain safe!
Originally Posted by jatlani 
...
2. There are reportedly 'guides' who escort travelers across the border for a fee. I presume this can ...
...2. There are reportedly 'guides' who escort travelers across the border for a fee. I presume this can ...
Don't do it. There is no official border crossing in Kashmir.
#4 
Jul 26th, 2012, 06:56 Maha Guru Member
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Your US passport won't do you a damn bit of good in that sensitive area. After Mumbai it might be enough to get you shot in "an encounter". Only residents with relatives on the other side are allowed across & you can bet that is controlled. A visa with Palistani background is not impossible. However, it does involve a lengthy amount of time. I would go to Pakistan before it crumbles & save India for a later trip..
Just a thought......
As many families have been split by the border, is there a system in place for them to cross to visit other members of the family?
If so, and they are only 30 miles away, could they visit you?
Otherwise, agree with Edward, Pakistan needs to be your priority this time.
As many families have been split by the border, is there a system in place for them to cross to visit other members of the family?
If so, and they are only 30 miles away, could they visit you?
Otherwise, agree with Edward, Pakistan needs to be your priority this time.
#6 
Jul 26th, 2012, 19:07 Off-Topic Specialist
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@all of you above, I understand that there's a bus between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar and another between Rawalkot and Poonch. As of 19th July, this report says there is: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-7-2012_pg7_26
Also says difficult to get permits etc.
Also says difficult to get permits etc.
#7
Jul 26th, 2012, 19:39 Learning... from others' experiences!
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Even then, the OP would require Visa to cross the border, I believe!
Originally Posted by vaibhav_arora ... there's a bus between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar and another between Rawalkot and Poonch ...
... there's a bus between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar and another between Rawalkot and Poonch ...
#8
Jul 26th, 2012, 23:28 Maha Guru Member
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And likely Kashmiri residence status (which is is challenging & complicated)..
Ummm? Was suggesting the O/P visited Pakistan and invited his Indian relatives to visit him there?
Was this not clear?
My apologies.
Appreciate there are difficulties for them with permits, but might be a lot easier than India/Pakistan visa situation.
If "additional funding" (bribes or otherwise) required, fine.....cheaper and safer than sneaking across the border in Kashmir?
Sorry if this possible solution is not as exciting as illegal border crossings
Was this not clear?
My apologies.
Appreciate there are difficulties for them with permits, but might be a lot easier than India/Pakistan visa situation.
If "additional funding" (bribes or otherwise) required, fine.....cheaper and safer than sneaking across the border in Kashmir?
Sorry if this possible solution is not as exciting as illegal border crossings
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Originally Posted by jatlani if my US passport can get the Indian border patrol to back off.
if my US passport can get the Indian border patrol to back off. 
are you even serious, it doesnt matter which passport you have , there is no border crossing and if you do come it will be infiltration, and there is a 99% chance that you will be shot down.The authorities dont care a hoot to your "US Passport", as its a sensitive area and also a infiltration hotspot which of course you can only use in these few months like the rest of the terrorists.
So my advice to you is buddy, go to Pakistan , get an visa to India ( your US passport might help ), catch a flight to Delhi-Srinagar and visit family .
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#11
Jul 27th, 2012, 14:15 Maha Guru Member
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The bad news is that a tourist visa for Pak has become challenging. You could tell them you are an American. That might help..
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According to unreliable sources (Indian media
Originally Posted by Nomad_traveller are you even serious, it doesnt matter which passport you have , there is no border crossing and if you do come it will be infiltration, and there is a 99% chance that you will be shot down.
are you even serious, it doesnt matter which passport you have , there is no border crossing and if you do come it will be infiltration, and there is a 99% chance that you will be shot down. 
) there were over 15 documented shoot-to-kill orders/directives/announcements in the last two years along the LoC (Line of Control)
#13
Jul 28th, 2012, 13:00 Maha Guru Member
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Probably more accurate than the official line that there are none..
#14
Jul 28th, 2012, 16:37 Off-Topic Specialist
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Originally Posted by Nomad_traveller catch a flight to Delhi-Srinagar and visit family .
catch a flight to Delhi-Srinagar and visit family .
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Originally Posted by edwardseco And likely Kashmiri residence status (which is is challenging & complicated)..
And likely Kashmiri residence status (which is is challenging & complicated)..
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To all of you above, there's certainly a difficult to get visa situation involved but all I am pointing out is that there's more than one legal land route that is wholly within kashmir to reach the pakistan side from the indian side. Also, i wouldnt be so pessimistic about it overall.
Originally Posted by Prakaant Even then, the OP would require Visa to cross the border, I believe!
Even then, the OP would require Visa to cross the border, I believe! I do not possess the level of contacts necessary to get the details at this point of time but since the OP really has to do this crossing, he would do well to start calling relevant authorities to get the answer he needs to hear .... because there is a bus, he now just has to figure out how to get onto it!
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