Thang : India's Most Northerly Village
The "Northernmost Village of India" as an Indian Army proclamation states there. On the banks of the Shyok.
The patch of green on the right is the Village of Thang. The Village lies a few kms beyond Turtuk and you cross Tyakashi Village to get to this point. To go beyond Turtuk you need permission from the Army and after that this is the Northernmost that the Army lets you get to. The Mountain heights on the right of the Shyok are all territory in Pakistani control. You can see a fence which denotes the LOC and 100 meters on each side are No Mans Land.
The best part is that a certain Gentleman over there even gives you a guided Tour and shows you stuff like the fence, Indian Army bunkers, Pakistan Army bunkers, Pakistani Flags on the Peaks as they dominate the heights. Quite revealing. And the best part is that you are allowed to take Pics and Videos. All authorized by the Indian Army.
Apricots at Thang Village
Going to Thang Village is not allowed except for the locals. And pesky little fellows who come with all sorts of excuses to be let into the Village, a beautiful one with Apricot, Walnut and Apple laden Trees. And from where you see the Village of Phorbu across the LOC. And nothing separates this Village from the other side besides certain Landmines. ;)
Looking across the LOC from Thang
On a personal level I actually find it good that the Army is slowly opening up areas which were otherwise no go for civilians. It reflects a higher degree of confidence and maybe we can look forward to more areas being opened up. Areas about which I have read since I was a kid. Maybe the Changchenmo or DBO or Siachen or Aksai Chin or Depsang.
The Green patch in the distance at the bottom of the Mountains is the first Village, Phranu on the other side.
Pic from last week. Thang, Ladakh