Reshun is a village on the Chitral–Mastuj road in Upper Chitral, at about 1,867 metres on the left bank of the Chitral river and roughly 40 miles (about 65 km) from Chitral town by Wikipedia's account. Travellers going to Booni, Mastuj, Laspur or Shandur pass through it without noticing it, but it has a place in Chitral's history: in March 1895 two British officers were captured here after being invited to watch a polo match. It also sits on the stretch of road that has been blocked by local protests in 2026, which matters for anyone planning a day.
Reshun is not a tourist attraction in the usual sense, with no ticketed sights and no known hotels, so this guide is about what it is, why it matters and how to plan around it. It suits a stop on an Upper Chitral road trip, not a trip of its own.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Left bank of the Chitral river, Upper Chitral |
| Elevation | About 1,867 m |
| On the road | Chitral–Mastuj (Chitral–Shandur) road, between Barenis and Zait |
| Distance from Chitral | About 40 miles, or 65 km (Wikipedia) |
| Known for | 1895 siege history, polo ground, hydropower dispute |
| Facilities | Village shops; we could not verify tourist lodging |
Where is Reshun?
Wikipedia lists Reshun among the villages on the 172 km Chitral–Shandur road, in the order Denin, Moroi, Kari, Istangol, Barenis, Reshun, Zait, Kuragh, Charun, Junalikoch, Booni, Parwak and Mastuj. That puts it before Booni on the way north. A drive from Chitral town to Reshun is the first part of any trip to Upper Chitral. Our Chitral to Mastuj road guide covers the whole drive, and the Upper Chitral road trip guide covers what you can see along it.
Why Reshun matters: the 1895 polo match
The siege of Chitral fort ran from 3 March to 20 April 1895, after a succession crisis in the state. Our siege of Chitral 1895 guide tells the main story. Reshun's part in it is a smaller episode.
An ammunition column under Lieutenants Edwardes and Fowler, heading for the besieged fort, halted at Reshun in early March. After several days of skirmishing around the village, on 15 March 1895 the two officers were persuaded to join a local leader, named in accounts as Muhammad Isa, in watching a polo match on a ground next to the buildings their troops held. During the match they were overpowered, and their position was stormed. They were later taken to Chitral and eventually released to the relief force.
It is a vivid detail of Chitrali politics, though you will not find a marked monument. Do not expect to be guided to an exact spot, and treat any local pointing out of the site as local tradition.
The polo ground
Polo is the game of Chitral and the rest of the Hindu Kush, and in the princely state every major village had its own ground. In 2019 the KP government allocated Rs120 million to repair or expand polo grounds across Chitral district, and Dawn listed Reshun among eight in Upper Chitral, alongside Booni, Kosht and Laspur. A ground is just a long, flat field and is easy to miss, so ask locally if you want to see one.
If your plans include a match, the best-known event is the Shandur festival in July. Our Shandur polo festival guide covers dates and travel. Village matches happen at other times, but there is no schedule we could verify.
Road blockades and the electricity dispute
Reshun's name has been in the news in 2026 for a reason unrelated to tourism. Residents have protested high tariffs on electricity from the local hydropower station, and Chitral Today reports that a protest in June 2026 ended, then another began in late August.
In late August 2026 protesters blocked the Chitral–Mastuj road at Reshun for around a day, leaving travellers, tourists and transporters stranded on both sides of what is Upper Chitral's only main road. They reopened it for two hours on the Saturday afternoon, then reopened it fully on Sunday 30 August, while continuing a sit-in and giving the government a week to meet demands. Separately, reports say the KP government approved a one-megawatt hydropower house for Reshun at about Rs450 million after the earlier protest.
The practical lesson is that a blockade at Reshun can cut off every village further up the valley. If you are heading to Booni, Mastuj, Laspur or Shandur, check with your driver or a hotel in Chitral before leaving, and do not plan a tight flight connection on the same day.
Floods and the river
Reshun is also one of the villages Chitral news names as at risk from the Chitral river in flood. Dawn reported that swollen water inundates Reshun and that residents want protection walls. Summer meltwater and rain can wash out or damage sections of the road, so ask locally in July and August. Our Chitral GLOF flood risk guide explains the wider picture.
Is it safe? UK advice and what to check
The UK government's Pakistan travel advice (updated 22 September 2026) advises against all travel on the N45 road from Mardan to Chitral city, including the Kalash valleys, and against all travel within 10 miles of the Afghan border. It also advises against all travel to Upper and Lower Dir and Swat. Reshun is not named, but it is on the route into upper Chitral from the south, and most overland journeys pass through Dir first.
Pakistani visitors still travel in Chitral. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen serious attacks in 2026, including in Lower Dir in July. Check local news and current police advice before leaving, and register at checkposts as asked. Foreign visitors should check their government's advice, which may say not to go and can void travel insurance. Our guide to whether Chitral is safe explains the road options.
Should you stop at Reshun?
Stop if you are interested in 1895 history, want to see an ordinary working Upper Chitral village or are breaking a long drive. It is not worth a special trip, and it offers less than Chitral fort, the Kalash valleys or Booni. A better plan is to use it as a place to read about the history while the driver stops for tea, and carry on.
If you want somewhere to stay or eat, Chitral town has far more choice; see hotels in Chitral. For more places like this, see our destinations page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Reshun in Chitral?
On the Chitral–Mastuj road in Upper Chitral, between Barenis and Zait, at about 1,867 metres on the left bank of the Chitral river. It is roughly 65 km from Chitral town.
What happened at Reshun in 1895?
Lieutenants Edwardes and Fowler were captured on 15 March 1895 after being persuaded to watch a polo match next to their troops' position. They were later released to the relief force.
Is there a hotel in Reshun?
We could not verify tourist lodging in Reshun. Most visitors stay in Chitral town or Booni.
Why was the road blocked at Reshun in 2026?
Residents protested high electricity tariffs from the local hydropower station. The main road was blocked for about a day in late August 2026, then reopened while the sit-in continued.
Does Reshun have a polo ground?
Yes. Dawn listed Reshun among the polo grounds in Upper Chitral chosen for repair funding in 2019. It is an ordinary village field rather than a visitor venue.
Is Reshun safe to visit?
Pakistani visitors do travel through Reshun, but the UK advises against travel on the N45 and near the Afghan border, and road blockades happen. Check current advice and local news first.
