How does the Pir Panjal Range separate Jammu from the Vale of Kashmir?

The Pir Panjal Range acts as a significant geographical barrier that separates the Jammu Hills to the south from the Vale of Kashmir to the north.1

As the southernmost mountain rampart of the Himalayas in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory, this range rises sharply to an average elevation exceeding 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). This high-altitude wall effectively isolates the Vale of Kashmir from the southern regions.12

Historically, movement between these two areas has been restricted by the rugged terrain, though access is facilitated by major mountain passes, most notably the Banihal Pass. Today, a highway tunnel near this pass ensures that the Vale of Kashmir remains accessible to traffic from the south throughout the year, including during the winter months when heavy snowfall would otherwise render the region isolated.1