Batalik, 220 kms from Srinagar, which witnessed intense battle between Pakistani intruders and Indian army during 1999 Kargil war, was recently opened to tourists with a three-day tourists fair held in Dard Tribal area of Darchaks. The fair, aimed at attracting tourists to Batalik, was organised by the state tourism department.

Kachoo Ahmad Ali, Chief Executive, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, said that the opening of Batalik, located at a height of about 2,000 feet, to tourists would provide employment opportunities to the youths.

Ghulam Hassan Khan, Lok Sabha member from Ladakh, asked the local people to convert their houses into guest houses to earn from tourism. He announced that he would allot Rs 2.50 lakh from his Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund for preserving heritage spots of the area.