Set on Pir Panjal mountain ranges in Jammu and Kashmir, Banihal Pass is one of the popular mountain passes in the state. Lies at an altitude of 2,832 meter (9291 feet), the pass connects Banihal with Qazigund. Majestic Pir Panjal ranges of Himalayan Mountain divides the Kashmir valley from Jammu region and other parts of the India. After partition of India, Muzaffarabada-Srinagar, the only road connects the valley of Kashmir with Jammu, was closed due to political issues. Then Banihal Pass was the passage that connects both the regions until 1956, when a tunnel (Jawahat Tunnel or Banihal Tunnel) was bored through the Pir Panjal Mountain. This pass is accessible only during summer season and remained closed in winters due to heavy snowfall.

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Mountain Passes in Jammu & Kashmir