Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 9: Only one guest from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) arrived as the cold wave conditions intensified due to very heavy snowfall here while three Kashmiris cross over to other side of the Line of Control (LoC) in Karvan-e-Aman bus service, which was operational despite slippery road condition due to recent heavy snowfall in the region.
Meanwhile, six returnees also crossed sides at the Kaman post, last Indian military post on this side on the border in Uri sector, after completing their stay, official sources said.
They said just one PoK resident arrived here after crossing the Aman Setu, peace bridge in Uri sector. Four Kashmiris who had crossed over to the PoK also returned to their homes after completing stay there.
The number of PoK guests decreases during the winter when mercury drops to below freezing point. However, the number increases during summer when weather is pleasant.
They said three Kashmiris crossed over to the PoK to meet their relatives while two PoK residents returned to their homes after completing their stay here.
The bus service continued its run despite unrest in the Kashmir last year and tension on the LoC due to ceasefire violation. The cross-LoC bus service, started on April 7, 2005 despite opposition by militant organisations, has helped thousands of families, divided in 1947 due to partition, to meet each other after India and Pakistan agreed to allow travel of state subjects from both sides on travel permits instead of international passport.
However, travel permit is issued to citizens from both sides of the LoC only after their names are cleared by intelligence agencies from India and Pakistan.
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