Nangal Sahdan

Nangal Sahdan ننگل ساہداں
Town
Nangal Sahdan
Nickname:  مرکزِطیبہ
Nangal Sahdan Nangal Sahdan| Pakistan
Coordinates: 31°50′10″N 74°15′47″E / 31.836°N 74.263°E / 31.836; 74.263
Country	Pakistan
Province	Punjab
Elevation	205 m (673 ft)
Population  (2017)
• Estimate	22,500
Time zone	UTC+5 (PST)
Calling code	0423

Nangal Sahdan ننگل ساہداں is a town in suburb of Muridke in Sheikhupura District.^[1]

Nangal Sahdan Nangal Sahdan (ننگل ساہداں) is a town located as a suburb of the city of Muridke in the Sheikhupura District of the Punjab province, Pakistan. Situated near the historic Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), the town is historically agrarian, known for its diverse population, which includes a multitude of castes, sects, and religions. The population is clustered around the remains of a Ruined Sikh Temple located in the downtown area. The town has received international attention due to its proximity to the headquarters of a controversial organization, which has significantly impacted its development since the 1990s [1, 2]. | Quick facts | Nangal Sahdan ننگل ساہداں | |---|---| | Town | Nangal Sahdan | | Nickname | Markaz-e-Taiba [3] | | Country | Pakistan | | Province | Punjab | | District | Sheikhupura | | Tehsil | Muridke [4] | | Elevation | 205 m (673 ft) [3] | | Population (2017 Est.) | 22,500 [3] | | Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |

History

Etymology The name Nangal Sahdan is believed to have evolved from its former name, Nangal Bawa [5]. The term Nangal is thought to be of Punjabi origin, derived from the Majhi dialect, where it once meant "Home" (now considered obsolete), suggesting the name may have historically meant "Home of Bawa" [5]. The town is one of a cluster of villages whose names begin with Nangal, such as Nangal Kassan, Nangal Dunna Singh, Nangal Essa, and Nangal Waris [5]. Pre-Partition Era Before the Partition of India in 1947, Nangal Sahdan was a multi-religious settlement, home to Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, and Diwans [5]. The names of surrounding settlements often reflected the dominant community; for instance, Nangal Essa is believed to have been associated with the Christian community (as Essa is the Punjabi/Urdu name for Jesus) [5]. The pre-Partition society saw Sikhs generally occupying the landowning class (landlords), while many Muslims belonged to lower artisan castes involved in weaving (Jullaha) and pottery (Kumhar) [5]. Despite the social hierarchy, the major communities reportedly lived in harmony [5]. A specific video recollection suggests that following the 1947 partition, the situation deteriorated, leading to the migration of Sikhs to East Punjab, with violence directed at remaining elderly residents [5]. Post-Partition Development and Controversy Following the Partition, the town experienced a period of isolation, lacking basic infrastructure, healthcare, and educational facilities until the 1990s [6]. The town's trajectory changed significantly in the 1990s when it became the site for the establishment of the Markaz-e-Taiba complex, the headquarters of the organization formerly known as Markaz Dawa wal Irshad (MDI) and later Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), which is the political wing of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) [2, 7]. This complex, sometimes referred to by the town's nickname, Markaz-e-Taiba, led to a significant population influx and rapid urban expansion, including the establishment of new colonies [6]. The complex is noted for its extensive infrastructure, including a mosque (Umm al-Qura Mosque), a madrasa, schools, a hospital, residential quarters, and various factories, presenting itself as a religious and educational institution [7]. However, international intelligence assessments and security reports have widely identified the facility as a major hub for militant training, radical indoctrination, and recruitment [7, 8, 9]. The complex was notably the target of an airstrike by the Indian Air Force in May 2025 during Operation Sindoor [7].

Geography and Climate

Location Nangal Sahdan is located approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) from Muridke City and about 22 miles (35 km) from the provincial capital, Lahore [5]. The major city of Gujranwala is about 25 miles (40 km) to the north [5]. The town is situated on the fertile plains of Central Punjab. The international border with India lies about 18 miles (29 km) to the southeast (aerial distance) [5]. Climate The town has a semi-arid to sub-tropical climate, characterized by hot summers, with the peak heat occurring in June and July. The area receives crucial rainfall during the Monsoon season, which supports the cultivation of rice [5]. Winters are generally mild but are marked by dense fog during November, December, and January [5]. Agriculture and Economy The economy was traditionally dominated by agriculture, with crops including wheat, rice, water chestnuts, sorghum, oats, and various grasses [5]. However, increased urbanization and the development of housing societies have led to a gradual decrease in agricultural land and activities [5]. The local economy is now primarily driven by the services sector, trade, and income from overseas employment [5]. Flora and Fauna The local flora includes indigenous trees such as the Melia azedarach (Dharek), Eucalyptus (Safaida), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Vachellia nilotica (Kikar/Babul), and Dalbergia sissoo (Tahli) [5]. Domesticated animals commonly found are horses, mules, buffalo, cows, dogs, ducks, and rabbits [5].

Demographics

Population and Composition Nangal Sahdan is considered a highly populous town within the Sheikhupura District, with a 2017 estimate placing the population at approximately 22,500 [3]. The population primarily consists of adults and young people [5]. Religion and Sects The community is religiously diverse, though primarily consisting of Muslims and a significant Christian population [5]. A small number of Ahmadi Muslims also reside in the town [5]. The Muslim community is fractured into various sects of Sunni Islam, including Barelvi, Ahl-e-Hadith (Salafi), and Deobandi followers [5]. The Christian population is divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations [5].

Administration and Governance

Nangal Sahdan is governed locally as a Union Council or Town Committee under the umbrella of the Muridke Tehsil and Sheikhupura District administration [4, 5]. Local services and maintenance are managed at this level [6]. The presence of the Markaz-e-Taiba complex has historically meant that certain areas of the town have been subject to unique administrative or security arrangements, often involving government oversight following its banning and subsequent takeovers by the Punjab government [7].

Facilities and Services

The town offers a variety of public and private services:

* Health Facilities: These include a Basic Health Unit (BHU), a dedicated Animal Hospital, and private clinics such as Al Aziz Hospital [5].
* Education: Nangal Sahdan is home to educational institutions, including a Government Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS), established in 1999 [4].
* Commercial Services: Local trade is supported by numerous private shops, including medical stores, stationery shops, building material stores, and several auto and electric workshops, along with food points and marriage halls [5]. The town also hosts a Utility Store [5].

See also

* Markaz-e-Taiba
* Muridke
* Sheikhupura District
* Lashkar-e-Taiba
* Grand Trunk Road

References

* Target Number 2: Markaz Taiba Facility in Nangal Sahdan, Muridke, Sheikhupura, Pakistan. YouTube. NewsX. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
* Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
* "Nangal Sahdan - Wikipedia". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
* "Gghss Nangal Sahdan". Eduportalbd.com. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
* [Input Text used for article creation. Claims require further verification from independent sources.]
* Nangal Sahdan - Wikipedia (Post Partition Era Section). Retrieved 2 October 2025.
* "Muridke - Wikipedia (Markaz-e-Taiba section)". Retrieved 2 October 2025.
* "Camp where Ajmal Kasab, David Headley trained destroyed in Operation Sindoor". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
* "LASHKAR-E-TAYYIBA | Security Council - the United Nations". Retrieved 2 October 2025.

References

1. "Pakistan- Settlements". data.humdata.org. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.

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