In pictures: The rainbow house

Meet Mohammed Akram, once a fighter with the militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. He came to Pakistan-administered Kashmir in 1995 as a fiery 21-year-old to fight Indian rule in Kashmir.

But life was not what he had expected. "People from across the Line of Control were not really trusted."

He was tempted to quit many times but there were no jobs. The Hizb would pay them $55 a month.

Words and photos: Aamer Ahmed Khan