Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: After remaining suspended for two to three weeks, cross-LoC bus and trade would resume from January 28 and 29 respectively after India and Pakistan decided to re-start the biggest Confidence Building Measure (CBM) between two parts of the divided State.
The cross-LoC bus and trade had been suspended on Poonch-Rawlakote route after killing of two Indian Army soldiers brutally on January 8 at Mankot in Krishna Ghati sector by Pakistan Army. However, the bus service and trade continued on Uri-Muzaffarabad route.
Ahead of the resumption of bus service and trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route, Army officers of India and Pakistan exchanged sweets at Chakan-Da-Bagh along the Line of Control (LoC) yesterday on the occasion of India’s Republic Day. BSF and Rangers also exchanged sweets on the International Border (IB) at Octroi Post in Suchetgarh sector of RS Pura tehsil. Sweets were also exchanged at various other places on the LoC and IB.
Official sources told the Excelsior that cross-LoC bus service would resume tomorrow after remaining suspended for two weeks. The bus plies between two parts of divided States once a week (every Monday) carrying citizens of two sides to each other’s territory.
According to latest updates, 217 citizens from two sides were stranded in both the sides. While 108 civilians from this side were held up in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), 109 PoK citizens were stranded on this side due to abrupt suspension of the bus service. A number of PoK citizens had completed their extended term of 42 days stay. The External Affairs Ministry had, as a special provision, extended their stay by one week.
Sources said over 100 civilians, mostly the PoK citizens were expected to board the cross-LoC tomorrow to return home. The civilians, who have completed their stay would be given priority to return home while others could wait for another week, they added.
Similarly, all stranded civilians of this side in PoK, were expected to come back tomorrow, sources said, adding that the list of first time visitors from both the sides would be available only tomorrow. Some civilians possessed permits on this side to undertake visit to PoK to meet their divided family members and relatives but whether they undertake visit to other side of the LoC under present circumstanced would be known tomorrow.
The cross-LoC bus had last moved on Poonch-Rawlakote route on January 7 and remained suspended on January 14 and 21.
Sources said the trade would resume from Tuesday (January 29). Pakistan authorities had abruptly suspended trade on January 10 claiming that their trucks on Poonch-Rawlakote route fall under firing range of the Indian Army.
After getting report of resumption of trade from January 29, the traders from both sides got in touch with each other. The number of trucks crossing LoC this Tuesday could be low but it would pick in next three days of the week, sources said. Cross-LoC trade takes place every week for four days from Tuesday to Friday. It was suspended since January 10.
Meanwhile, Army officers of India and Pakistan exchanged sweets yesterday at Chakan-Da-Bagh on the occasion of India’s 64th Republic Day.
Col PS Bal, Commanding Officer offered sweets to Pakistani troops when gates were opened at Chakan-Da-Bagh at 11 am today. The Pakistan delegation was led by Lt Col Javed Ahmad and Major Yasir Ahmad.
Both sides exchanged sweets and fruits in friendly environment for over half an hour.
BSF and Rangers also exchanged sweets at Octroi Post in Suchetgarh sector yesterday. Senior officers from both sides were present on the occasion.
Sources said sweets were also exchanged by both the sides at various other places on LoC and IB to mark India’s Republic Day.
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