No matter how difficult it is to reach this area adjacent to the India-Pakistan Line of Control in Ladakh, tourists are drawn here to see the Pakistan Occupied Area (PoK) from Turtuk. On one side the Shyok, which is called the river of death flows and on the other side we have the skyscraper rocky mountains. In this difficult geographical condition there is an influx of tourists this year as well.
Tourists from Thang village in the Turtuk sector of the LoC reach the Pakistani occupied part. According to Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Thang village was a barred area for common people. People from all over the country are reaching here every year since it was opened for tourists. Border tourism has got a boost due to the efforts of the Central Government. He said Turtuk, Thang, Tyakshi and Chalukha villages were acquired back in the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Interesting history of Turtuk
After the Indo-Pakistan partition, Pakistan occupied the Turtuk region of Ladakh in a tribal attack, but during the 1971 war the Indian Army regained an area of about 800 square kilometers. It included the villages of Turtuk, Thang, Tyakshi and Chalunkha.
Those who are going to visit this place shall have valid Identity card. In case they are foreign tourist then they will have to carry protected area permit to walk in the allowed areas only. The Ladakh Administration will issue separate rules for ‘zero kilometer’ villages falling in the border areas. Tourist would not be allowed to go into these areas. The Ministry of Home affairs has directed to prepare a list for these areas, which will be prepared by the police and the army.
As per officials Thang village along with Pakistan border in Numbra valley, Dungti, Koyul and Demchak and Chumar in Nyoma subdivision of eastern Ladakh may remain closed for the people. Tourists are not allowed go to these places.