Chakothi is a border village on the Jhelum river in Hattian Bala district, Azad Kashmir, about 52 km from Muzaffarabad and the practical end of the road for civilian visitors on the Line of Control. It is a controlled area with army checkpoints, and what you can see and photograph is decided on the day by the soldiers on duty, not by anything printed in a guidebook.
This post covers what visitors can realistically expect at Chakothi, the checkpost rules, and the history of the crossing that once ran through it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| District | Hattian Bala, Azad Kashmir |
| From Muzaffarabad | About 52 km on the paved Jhelum Valley road |
| Position | On the Jhelum river, at the Line of Control |
| Crossing point | The Kaman Aman Setu bridge, to Uri on the Indian side |
| Bus and trade service | Suspended since 2019 |
| Access for visitors | Controlled; checkpoints, ID checks and photography limits apply |
Where Chakothi is
Chakothi sits at the eastern end of the Jhelum Valley road out of Muzaffarabad, about 52 km away on a paved route that also passes Garhi Dupatta and Chinari. It stands on the bank of the Jhelum, directly opposite Uri on the Indian-administered side of the Line of Control, with the Kaman Aman Setu bridge crossing the river between the two. Our route guide to the Jhelum Valley from Muzaffarabad to Chakothi covers the whole drive and the stops along the way.
What visitors can actually see
Chakothi is not a viewpoint laid out for tourism. It is a working border post, and what a visitor sees is largely what the checkpoint on the day allows: the approach road along the river, army positions on the hillsides, and, from a distance, the bridge itself. Some visitors describe being able to see bunkers and the crossing point from designated spots; others are stopped earlier and told to turn back, depending on the security situation at the time.
Treat any specific claim about what is currently open at Chakothi, including anything you read here, as something to confirm on the day rather than rely on in advance. Ask in Muzaffarabad before you set off, and expect the final answer to come from the soldiers at the checkpoint itself.
Checkpost rules
- Carry identification for everyone in the vehicle. Pakistani visitors need their CNIC; you will be asked to show it and may need to register.
- Expect more than one checkpoint on the approach to Chakothi, with the final one deciding how far you can go that day.
- Follow instructions exactly. Soldiers on duty tell you where you can stand, drive or stop, and their word is final regardless of what you had planned.
- Don't argue or linger at a checkpoint. If you are told to turn back, the reasons are rarely explained on the spot, and the situation can change from one day to the next.
Photography limits
Photography at Chakothi is restricted, and the restrictions are enforced strictly given the location.
- Do not photograph military positions, checkpoints, bunkers or personnel. This applies even if a position looks abandoned or informal.
- Ask before photographing anything near a checkpoint, including the bridge or the far bank, and accept a "no" without argument.
- Put drones away. Flying a drone near the LoC is not permitted, and doing so can bring serious consequences.
- General valley and river shots away from military infrastructure are usually fine, but use judgement and stop if asked.
The history of the crossing
Chakothi's significance comes from what once operated here. The Srinagar–Muzaffarabad bus service, known as the Karwan-e-Aman, began on 7 April 2005, crossing the Kaman Aman Setu bridge between Chakothi on the Pakistani side and Uri on the Indian side. It ran fortnightly at first and moved to a weekly schedule from August 2008, alongside a barter-based cross-LoC trade route through the same crossing, one of only two such trade points between the two countries.
Both the bus service and the trade route were suspended in 2019, after the Pulwama attack in February that year, and they have not reopened since. What remains today is the crossing point itself and its history, visible from a distance rather than something a visitor can use.
Is a visit to Chakothi worth it?
For most travellers, Chakothi is worth the drive as the natural end point of a Jhelum Valley day out from Muzaffarabad, giving a sense of how close the Line of Control runs to ordinary daily life in this part of Azad Kashmir. It is not a sightseeing stop with facilities, viewpoints or anything laid on for visitors, and a trip here can end at an earlier checkpoint depending on the day. Anyone expecting a polished border experience, or travelling with young children who will struggle with the waiting and the formality of checkpoints, is better served by the stops at Garhi Dupatta and Chinari earlier on the same road.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Chakothi from Muzaffarabad?
About 52 km by road, on the paved Jhelum Valley road that also passes Garhi Dupatta and Chinari, roughly two hours' drive.
Can tourists reach the Line of Control at Chakothi?
Access is controlled and can change day to day. Checkpoints decide how far visitors can go, and you should confirm the current situation in Muzaffarabad before setting off rather than assume you will reach the border itself.
Can I take photographs at Chakothi?
Only away from military positions and checkpoints, and only after checking with soldiers on duty. Photographing bunkers, checkpoints or personnel is not permitted, and drones are not allowed near the LoC.
Is the Muzaffarabad–Srinagar bus service still running through Chakothi?
No. The service, launched in 2005, was suspended in 2019 along with the cross-LoC trade route through the same crossing, and neither has resumed.
What documents do I need to visit Chakothi?
A CNIC for every Pakistani visitor in the vehicle. Expect to show it at more than one checkpoint on the approach.
Is it safe to travel to Chakothi?
Pakistani visitors do drive this road, but Chakothi sits directly on the Line of Control, and as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel within 10 miles of the LoC, which covers Chakothi itself, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Azad Kashmir. Check current local news and police advice in Muzaffarabad before travelling, and if you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice too, since travelling against it can void your insurance.
