Location:
Kotli is at a distance of 141 km from Islamabad – the capital of Pakistan. It is linked with Mirpur by two metalled roads, one via Gulpur and Rajdhani (90 Kilometers), and the other via Dhungi and Charohi. It is also directly linked with Islamabad and Rawalpindi via Sehnsa and Holar. It is also directly linked with Rawalakot via Trarkhal (82 Kilometers).
District Kotli is bounded by the occupying Indian forces of Indian-administered Kashmir in the east, and by Mirpur District in the south and Rawalakot to its north. Kotli is one of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Kotli the chief town of the district, was originally a minor town between Mirpur and Muzaffarabad, but has recently seen major growth.
In South of the city is Gulhar. In the north west of Kotli city (between Kotli and Sarsawa) lies union council Chowki Tinda having an old history. Sarsawa is linked with Sehnsa with road on left hand from Sarsawa Chowk towards west and Panjera comes on right hand and is linked to Plandri. While moving towards east from Sarsawa Chowk, Baloch and afterwards Rawlakot come on left hand link. Right hand link towards east leads Kotli city through Chowki Tinda (also misleadingly called as Tinda Kalah).
Southwest is the small town of Gulpur, where a large refugee camp is situated. Adjoining Gulpur is Throtchi famous for its castle built in 1460. It was here in 1947 that a contingent of local men headed by Col. Mahmood defeated and chased out the Dogra army.
Initially name Kotli was originated from two words, those were spoke for a small population of local village.These names were koh and talay, which means that a population under mountains. By the passage of time the composite name Kotli was originated.
Kotli was a subdivision of Mirpur District up to the year 1975 and was known as Kotli Mangralan. Prior to 1947, it was a part of the Jammu and Kashmir area, it comes under the Jammu section which is part of the greater dispute between India and Pakistan.
Kotli district is a hilly area with narrow valleys and rises gradually towards the high mountains of Poonch district. These hills are the southern limits of the Pir Panjal Range. Hills are generally covered with coniferous trees. The average height in the eastern and central part of the district is about 1000 meters above sea level. The rest of the area is less than 1000 meters in altitude. Hills are generally covered with coniferous trees. Its climate is more moderate than that of Mirpur due to the sub-mountainous topography. The river Poonch passes through Kotli to be joined by a smaller river called the Baan at Brahli, a short distance from Kotli.
Kotli has a scenic landscape with many mosques. Dahmole is a beautiful village near by Kotli and is a great place to live. At a distance of 26 km from Kotli via a metalled road lies Tattapani, a popular tourist and mythical destination. It is further linked with Hajeera (Poonch). Thousands of people flock to the sulphur springs each year in the hope to find magical cures for illnesses.
The Poonch is the main river in this area, and enters the district from the north at Tatta Pani and flows south passing west of Kotli town and finally enters Mirpur district before flowing into Mangla Lake. Jhelum rivers makes the western boundary of the district and flows in north-south direction. The Rangpur Nala is an important western tributary of the Poonch river while two important streams namely Ban Nala and Mahuli Nala join it from the east. The River Poonch passes through Kotli to be joined by a smaller river called the Baan at Brahli, a short distance from Kotli.
38 kilometers from Kotli ahead, a road leads to Khoiratta. Khoiratta and nearby area provide remarkable attraction to tourists because of the remains of gardens and fountains of the older times. Khoi Ratta, lying close to the Cease-Fire-Line, has been the victim of agressive firing and shelling by the Indian army in recent years, causing casualties in the military and civil sector.
Khuiratta is a very nice place and worth seeing place. Its most area consists of a valley which is named the Bannah valley. All basic needs of everyday life are provided, like electricity, telephone, hospitals and a good networks of roads throughout the whole valley. Its most famous places are dhairy sahibzadian, sairi, manjwal, phalni, bhayyal, gayaen, karjai deehari bagh darbar mai toti and chattar. Literacy rate is very good in this town. There are so many government and private schools and colleges in the Khuiratta town. Government high school khuiratta , holy public college and school the Pasban academy khuiratta are much popular for their eduational level.
Nearby Khoiratta, Banah is a beautiful area full of natural springs and waterfalls. At Bahees Naraha several springs emerge from the mountains.
Fatehpur (Nakyyal):
Due to high altitude (1524 meters) Fatehpur is comparatively a cold place than the rest of the district. A Tourist Rest House provides accommodation facilities to the tourists/ visitors. Nakyal and its surrounding areas are considered among most beautiful parts of Azad Kashmir
Karela Majhan:
Tattapani:
Gulpur:
Throtchi:
Adjoining Gulpur is Throtchi famous for its castle built in 1460. It was here in 1947, that a contingent of local men headed by Col. Mahmood defeated and chased out the Dogra army. The Dogra soldier were beseiged at the Throtchi Castle until they decided to make a run for Jammu. They were chased through Changpur and Khawas villages, and some through the Mhooli river. They were eventually caught up at a place called Dabrian, near Joona, where a final showdown took place. Many of the Dogra soldiers were killed in the encounter, whilst one or two who were heavily armed managed to retreat towards Jammu. Today, the Late Col. Mahmood is regarded as a celebrated hero and Dabrian is place of national importance.
Sehnsa is a large town in Pakistan Administered Azad Kashmir which lies on the west of Gulpur on the Kotli-Rawaplindi road. Sehnsa is a sub-divisional (Thesil) headquarters of Kotli district in the center of Sehnsa valley. It is situated at a distance of 35 km from Kotli. Sehnsa Valley runs from Holar through to Gulpur with beautiful villages and forests. Main occupation in the valley is farming. Nearby is the scenic Bruhian surrounded by Chir forests and natural beauty.
Dhungi valley runs between Kotli and Khoiratta. Maneel, Dhana,Sarhota, Samror, Dhungi and other villages lie within this beautiful valley.
Changpur and Khawas are two neigbouring villages near Throtchi in Kotli district. Although they are two distinct administrative villages, they are usually referred together because they share most of the infrastructure (Post Office, School, Medical clinic etc.).
Holar is a small town on the boundary between Pakistan and AJK. The bridge over the river Jhelum marks the soft border between AJK and Pakistan.
This vast fort near Khoiratta lies in Kharjai village high overlooking the Banaah valley. The grandeur of this fort and the views it offers leave the visitor outstanded. However, the government of AJK has allowed this fort to fall into ruin. Most of the walls have fallen down, property looted and wild growth taken over.
Koi:
Koi is a small village in Kotli District, Pakistan. Waterfalls on the river Mhool running through Village Koi, Near Bratla in District Kotli, Azad Kashmir.
This is close to where the famous battle of Dabrian took place. A few heavily armed Dogra soldiers managed to escape to Jammu by following the path of the river Mhool.
Kotli is an easy approachable place. If you have landed in Islamabad. Then you can use rent a car or just go to peer Wadhai bus station and you will find commfortable small vans going to Kotli directly. You will reach the town in 3 hours. It is not more than 141 kms journey but the whole journey is full of excitement and thrill. As the zig zag road is moving along the high mountaineous chain.

























