Mangla

Mangla (Urdu: منگلا‎) town is located in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir at the border with the Jhelum District in Punjab, with the Jhelum River making the boundary. Mangla is an ancient town and is slated to be named after Mangla Devi. It is also the site of the crossing of the Jhelum river by the forces of Alexander the great facing King Porus. At the time of construction of the Mangla Dam, the villages of Thill, Baral and Baruti across the river in Jhelum District were developed as residential colonies and offices for foreign workers and officials.

Mangla is located 10 km from the city Mirpur at the mouth of the Mangla Dam. The construction of the dam reservoir, which has a perimeter of 400 km, has turned it into a place of interest. Mangla also hosts the Mangla Power Station which is the second largest in Pakistan.

Mangla is the site of the historic Mangla Fort. The fort is situated on a high hill overlooking the Jhelum river which divides the Mirpur and Jhelum districts. Most of the fort was razed during the construction of the Mangla Dam, a part remains and serves as a public recreation place.

After the completion Mangla Dam,most of the Baral Area was taken over by Pak Army and converted into a Cantonment whereas a small colony within the Cantonment was alloted to WAPDA.It is also known in relation with Former Pakistani President and Army General Pervez Musharraf who served in Mangla as a Base Commander.