Ali Masjid Fort, Military fort in Khyber District, Pakistan.
Ali Masjid Fort is a military fortification positioned at the narrowest point of Khyber Pass at an elevation of about 970 meters (3,174 feet), overlooking a deep mountain gorge. The structure occupies a strategic location along this key mountain passage between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The fort was built in 1837 by Afghan ruler Dost Mohammad Khan and changed hands multiple times during the Anglo-Afghan Wars. Following these conflicts, it became part of Pakistan's territory in 1947.
The fort and its surroundings are named after Ali, cousin of Prophet Muhammad, and a nearby boulder bears a mark that local people believe to be his handprint. This connection gives the place religious significance for visitors.
Visits require special permits since the fort is located in a restricted zone of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border. It is advisable to check requirements with local authorities and prepare accordingly before heading there.
The rock faces surrounding the fort display military insignias of various regiments that served during the British colonial period. These carved marks provide evidence of the prolonged presence of different military units in this strategic passage.
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