Khai Gala is a small town in the hills a short drive from Rawalakot, at around 1,600 metres in the Pir Panjal range, and it sits on the road that climbs on towards Toli Pir. Most visitors pass through it rather than stop specifically for it, but it has a genuine place in Poonch's history and a few quiet viewpoints worth a short break.
This guide covers where Khai Gala is, what happened there in 1947, and what there is to see if you slow down on the way through.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Rawalakot Tehsil, Poonch district |
| Altitude | About 1,600 m |
| Distance from Rawalakot | A short drive, on the Toli Pir road |
| What it is | Small hill town, historical site, viewpoints |
| Facilities | Basic; schools, small shops, no dedicated tourist infrastructure |
Where is Khai Gala?
Khai Gala sits in the Pir Panjal range, close to Rawalakot on the road that continues up towards Toli Pir. Rawalakot's disused airport lies a short distance to its west, which gives a sense of how close the two places are, though Khai Gala itself has its own separate identity as a town rather than being a suburb of Rawalakot.
The surrounding villages include Barmang and Ali Sojal, and the area functions as a normal working town: schools, colleges, small shops and homes, not a resort built for visitors.
A place with real history
Khai Gala's significance goes back to 1947. According to Sardar Ibrahim Khan, the first president of Azad Kashmir, the first armed clash between the local Poonch uprising and the Dogra state forces took place at Khai Gala, making it one of the opening sites of the conflict that led to Azad Kashmir's creation. Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, who later served as President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, was also from the town.
None of this is marked with a formal monument or museum on site; it is a piece of local history worth knowing rather than something built for visitors to view.
What there is to see
Khai Gala's appeal is its setting rather than any single sight: hillside views over the surrounding valleys, a cooler climate than the plains, and a slower pace than Rawalakot's town centre. Travellers passing through on the way to Toli Pir often stop briefly for the view or a cup of tea before continuing the climb.
There are hiking opportunities on the tracks and slopes around the town for anyone with time to spare, though these are informal routes rather than marked trails, and a local guide or a chat with residents is the practical way to find them.
Food and where to break the journey
Khai Gala is not set up for tourists the way Banjosa or Toli Pir are, so don't expect a run of restaurants or dhabas built for passing traffic. What you will find is the kind of small roadside tea stall and general store common to hill towns in Poonch, useful for a cup of tea, biscuits or a cold drink rather than a proper meal.
For food, most travellers either eat in Rawalakot before setting out or carry something for the road, saving a proper stop for Toli Pir's rest house or for after they are back down in town. Treat Khai Gala as a pause in the drive rather than a meal stop.
How to get there and where it fits in a trip
Khai Gala is reached by the same road out of Rawalakot that leads towards Toli Pir, so it works naturally as a first stop on that drive rather than a separate outing. There is no scheduled public transport specifically to the town; travellers without their own car typically use a hired car or taxi from Rawalakot, the same way they would arrange a trip to Toli Pir.
If your plan for the day is already Rawalakot to Toli Pir, build in a short stop at Khai Gala rather than treating it as a destination that needs its own trip.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Khai Gala from Rawalakot?
It is close to Rawalakot, on the road towards Toli Pir, and most visitors reach it within a short drive of leaving the town.
Is Khai Gala worth visiting on its own?
Not usually as a standalone trip. It works best as a stop on the way to Toli Pir, for its history and hillside views, rather than a destination in itself.
What happened at Khai Gala in 1947?
It is cited by Sardar Ibrahim Khan, Azad Kashmir's first president, as the site of the first armed clash between the Poonch uprising and Dogra state forces, an early episode in the events that led to Azad Kashmir's formation.
Are there hotels in Khai Gala?
No established tourist hotels. Travellers stay in Rawalakot and visit Khai Gala as a day stop.
Is Azad Kashmir safe to visit right now?
Pakistani travellers visit Rawalakot and the surrounding towns every year. As of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control and against all but essential travel to the rest of Azad Kashmir, and 2026 brought protests in the region with road closures and internet shutdowns. Check your own government's current advice if you hold a foreign passport, since travelling against it can void insurance, and check local news before setting out regardless.
