Response to "No major active backthrust bounds the Pir Panjal Range near Kashmir basin, NW Himalaya" by Shah

Abstract

This article presents a rebuttal to the entirely ambiguous and unwanted commentary made by Shah (JAES-D-15-00980) on Dar et al. (2014). The original article was aimed to evaluate the tectono-geomorphic evolution of the Kashmir Valley using geomorphic indices obtained from satellite images and detailed fieldwork. However, Shah while deviating from the core of the article has attempted to build an inexplicable tale about the structural configuration of the region. The comment is primarily based on the misinterpretation regarding the dip direction of a thrust fault. Pertinently, no major ∼SW dipping frontal fault bounding the Pir Panjal Range near Kashmir Valley is shown in the paper by Dar et al. (2014). The commentator has just recycled already documented text pertaining to general tectonic character of a few ∼NE dipping thrusts i.e., the Main Frontal Thrust (MFT) and Raisi Fault (RF). Moreover, some unknown structure named as Kashmir Basin Fault (KBF) by the commentator has been discussed, which does not even exist in the region. The commentary on the whole actually does not relate with the investigation reported by Dar et al. (2014), hence merits no consideration for publication.