Miscreants torch Army huts on historic Mughal Road

Unidentified miscreants set ablaze Army's summer huts on the historic Mughal Road at Dubjan in south Kashmir's Shopian district on Thursday night.

The unmanned huts are used by the Army during summers for the area domination on the 432 year-old-Mughal Road. The 83.9 kilometre road, which connects Shopian in south Kashmir with Bafliyaz in Poonch district of Jammu, is the alternative link to connect valley to rest of the country.

Sources said fire started on late Thursday night and immediately engulfed the entire structure. Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot to douse the flames. Police teams also reached the spot to inquire into the incident.

"We are investigating. We are inquiring into the incident", said Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian.

The area has no visible habitation and army mans this highway during summer to keep an eye on the anti-national elements. This road is an important axis between south Kashmir and Poonch and it has been on the target of terrorists.

Plus security forces are deployed on this road to check the movement of the militants from one place to another. Sources said these huts were used by army for security of this road and keep militants at bay.

Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesman at Srinagar, said they are ascertaining the details. "Details are being ascertained (about the fire incident)," he said.

Emperor Akbar led grand Mughal army had used this cart road (now Mughal road) to defeat Yousuf Shah Chek in 1586 AD. Historians say a caravan of horses, chariots and foot soldiers used this road to assimilate the valley with the rest of Mughal Kingdom.

The road was later frequented by the Mughal Royals and their wives who used to spent good part of summer in serene valley of Kashmir. They even established several gardens in Srinagar and Anantnag which are now major tourists' attractions across the valley.

KNOW THE ROAD

Emperor Akbar led grand Mughal army had used this cart road (now Mughal road) to defeat Yousuf Shah Chek in 1586 AD. The road was later frequented by the Mughal Royals and wives.