SRINAGAR: Six guests from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) arrived here while five Kashmiris cross over to other side of the Line of Control at Kaman post, last Indian military post on this side on the border in Uri sector.
As many as 12 returnees also crossed sides at the Kaman post after completing their stay, official sources said.
They said six PoK residents, including a woman, arrived here after crossing the Aman Setu, peace bridge in Uri sector. Three Kashmiris, including a woman, who had crossed over to the PoK also returned to their homes after completing stay there.
Sources said five Kashmiris, including two women, crossed over to the PoK to meet their relatives. Nine PoK residents, including two women and as many children also returned to their homes.
The bus service, introduced on April 7, 2005, has helped thousands of families separated due to partition in 1947 to meet each other after India and Pakistan agreed to allow travel of state subjects from both sides on travel permits, instead of international passports.
However, despite unrest since July 9 in the Valley, the bus run continued. On July 11 and 18, the bus could not operate for security reasons following strike by the separatists while on July 4 and September 12, it did not run in the wake of Eid festivities.
The weekly bus service was not affected even after the Fidayeen attack on Army Brigade Headquarters at Uri on September 18, which left 19 soldiers dead and over 20 wounded. Four Jaish-e-Mohammad militants, believed to be foreigners, were also killed in the encounter.
The Fidayeen attack was followed by surgical attack by Indian troops across the LoC.
On October 17, the peace bus could not operate due to tense situation on the LoC while on October 24, it was suspended due to some political activity in PoK.
The bus could not operate on December 12 in the wake of Eid-e-Milad. Later, it resumed last week and passengers who were scheduled to travel on December 12 were adjusted in December 19 bus, when 38 people crossed borders. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel