Tale of Liyakat Ali Khan, a rescuer at ‘Valley of death’

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag,October,26:

Liaquat Ali khan has been serving people for the last 38 years at Margan Top known as the “valley of death”. Liyakat hails from Gawarn village, a remote area of Kokernag area in South Kashmir’s Anantnag District.

Liyakat is a shopkeeper by profession, running a small shop in the ‘Nawkan’ area at the foothills  of the dangerous  Margan Top. Liyakat lives with his family at Nawkan area from last 38 years and runs a small shop at Nawkan area the lone road  which passes  from Gawran to connect wardwan area of kashtiwar. The Margan Top comes in the mid of this road ,its   a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.696m (12,125ft) above the sea level, located in Anantnag district .

The snaky and uphill road to the summit is called Margan Top Road. It’s one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Located within the Margan range, the road passes through alpine forest and lush green meadows. The road is in dreadful condition and requires strong nerves to negotiate it. This adventurous road connects the remote and inaccessible Valley of Warwan and Marwah to Vailoo Anantnag.  Its name is derived from two words; Mar meaning death and Gan means valley. For its unpredictable weather conditions, it had been a valley of death till a road was constructed just ten years ago.

The Margan Top has of late become a tourist attraction for being one of the most beautiful mountain tops of the Himalayan region in south Kashmir. Situated at about 40 km from Kokernag, this mountain pass is the gate way to a hidden valley called Warwan. Surrounded by beautiful meadows all around, the Margan Top boasts of a 360 degree view with Kashmir valley on one side and the Warwan valley on the other.

During the spring season  the Wardwan road  is opened for travelers  and remains open for only  5 months as the foot hills of Margan Top and wardwan receive massive snowfall during winter season.

Among all these harsh conditions Liyakat Ali Khan has been serving travellers from last 38 years . The lone and small shop of Liyaqat functions  at the Margan top  to cater to the needs of travellers  passing through this road . Liyaqats shop cum hut serves as a one stop shop where tourists ,travellers can eat ,relax or incase of any calamity can stay here .

According to Liaqat Ali khan, who lives at the foothills  of the beautiful Morgan Top has rescued many people during the inclement weather .

With no means of Communication,transport or settlements around this little unknown man has succeeded in saving the lives of others while risking his own life many a times. According to  Khan ,in February last year ,he  saved 7 people at the Margon top ,who were stuck there after the area had received massive snowfall. There has been no help from administration or govt owing to the  inaccessibility and the area being totally out of bounds .But this unsung hero  in spite of the hardships has seamlessly been performing his duty without  expectation of any reward .

Without any frown or grumble on Khan’s  face, this hero gently smiles and says, ‘my  sole motive is to help people .” Indeed ,such are the real heroes.