Thursday August 27, 09 : Along the Line of Control, porters make their living ferrying supplies for jawans. The Army's presence in the remote areas have come as a blessing for the people who now have a source of income. However, it's a give and take relationship.

It's been two years now, Imtiyaz Ahmad works as a porter for the Indian Army, ferrying supplies up the Pir Panjal Range for jawans at the LoC. Imtiyaz cannot read or write like most people in the mountain villages, literally cut off from development and civilisation.
 
His growing-up years were caught in the turbulence of militancy, and schooling was a distant dream. He started doing odd jobs, a battle to put food on the table, and a battle that has eased with the new job.

"We are not qualified. So we can't even go elsewhere looking for jobs. We now earn Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 from the Army," said Imtiyaz.

Army's presence is a boon for the local population living in this remote area. It provides a great economic fillip and a source of livelihood for the local population.

Working alongside the men in uniform, the force of porters is crucial. They carry vital supplies up the dirt tracks, to heights of 10,000 feet everyday. Without them, the Army won't be able to hold fort.

"Porters are our lifeline. They carry for us all the stocks and ration. They ferry materials to the mountain peaks. They work alongside us," said Major Rahul Salathia, company commander.

The porters have grown up amid terror and militancy, and their network often works as a rudimentary informers' squad, throwing up tips about infiltration.

The relationship between the locals and the Army may be strained in many parts of Kashmir, but on the lonely mountains, their interdependence has created a bond.