KKH - checkpoints/security
Hi all,
Appreciate that this might be a tricky one to answer, given the last 18 months or so.
When I rode the KKH in November 2015 by motorbike, I struggled to get away for most of it to explore side routes/surrounding areas independently, with the police insisting I just go from checkpoint to checkpoint, with an escort, pretty much all the way from Sost to Islamabad.
I'm now considering going back for a summer 2022 bike packing trip on a MTB for 3 weeks, but only if I've got the ability to independently explore in a way I couldn't last time.
In 2015, there were some kind of armed operations taking place due to internal unrest in Gilgit-Balitstan which no doubt contributed to the wariness of the police, but I must admit I'm unaware of what the latest is on that; it might be that they have calmed down. I need to research that, clearly.
Does anyone have any up to date information on how stringent the security might be for a foreigner/Westerner visiting and travelling independently, as described?
Thanks,
Ed
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