Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: Cross-LoC trade between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) resumed today via the Poonch-Rawalakot road after remaining suspended for nearly four months.
Heavy Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district forced suspension of trade and travel between the two sides on July 10.
The cross-LoC bus service, named Paigam-e-Aman (‘Message of Peace’), resumed operations yesterday.
There was no ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district for the past fortnight. The resumption of trade and travel followed a meeting between the civilian officials from both sides on Friday last.
“One truck carrying goods from this side left Poonch for the trade facilitation centre at Chakan Da Bagh this morning, while two trucks came from across the LoC, marking the resumption of trade between the two sides after 17 weeks’ suspension,” official sources said.
While the weekly bus operates on Monday, the trade takes place for four days beginning Tuesday.
The trade, which works on the barter system, between the two parts of Kashmir started in October 2008. According to official figures, goods worth Rs 1,500 crore have been traded since then.
Cross-LoC trade and transport facilities are considered major confidence building exercises between India and Pakistan.
Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the highest number of border skirmishes between India and Pakistan along the LoC this year.
According to Indian Army figures, till August 1, there were 285 such violations by the Pakistan army, while in 2016, the number was 228 for the entire year.
Travel and trade between Poonch and Rawlakote had been suspended due to ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
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