People pay obeisance at Manga Sahib shrine after 6 decades

Musharaff was injured here in 1971 War

http://www.risingkashmir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15053&Itemid=55 Leepa Valley, July 19: After a gap of six decades, hundreds of devotees Sunday paid obeisance at the shrine of saint Manga Sahib near the Line of Control in Leepa Valley, where former President of Pakistan Parvez Musharraf was injured in 1971 War. The public gathering in which more than 1500 people participated was facilitated by MLA Langate, Engineer Rashid with the help of 17 Infantry Brigade Nowgam. After paying obeisance at the shrine, Er Rashid said: “The shrine should act as a bridge between the two parts of Kashmir. It is a meeting point of love and peace.” People from Sopore, Kupwara, Srinagar and other areas participated in the gathering. Leepa Valley that was a part of Pakistan administered Kashmir until 1971 was a hotspot of war between the two nuclear neighbours. Former President of Pakistan Parvez Musharaf was injured and hospitalized during the India-Pakistan War in 1971 in Leepa Valley. Leepa Valley was part of Pakistan administered Kashmir until 1971 but after the war, India took over the control of the valley. Leepa Valley, 74 km from Handwara in North Kashmir via Mawer area has a picturesque locale with glaciers en route the Valley. Hazrat Manga sahib is revered as a saint by people from both sides of LoC. However authorities closed the shrine immediately after the partition. “I dreamt to visit this place. I always heard about it from elders. I hope the steps taken by Engineer Rashid will bear fruit and people from other side will also be allowed to come to this place,” said Imran Ahmed, a participant in the procession. The Valley is un-trodden and authorities can develop the health resort. “It is more beautiful than Bungus Valley and has the temperature similar to Srinagar. It should be brought on Kashmir’s tourist map,” said Muhammad Shafi of Baramulla. According to Engineer Rashid, Pakistan Army had constructed an underground hospital in Leepa Valley. “It is now under the control of Indian Army. The name of Parvez Musharaf is still in the hospital records when he served as Major.” Regarding Saint Manga Sahib, locals say their ancestors told them that he was a potter. “There was no water in Kashmir valley. Manga sahib axed a stone from which water came out and this water is still flowing there,” said an elderly Ghulam Muhammad Khan. “This is what my elders have told me.” Locals also believe that the water in the area never freezes.