SRINAGAR : The weekly Karvan-e-Aman bus, operating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), reached Kaman post, the last Indian military post on this side of the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector, this morning.
The bus, carrying a Kashmiri and 13 PoK returnees, left Srinagar at about 0530 hrs today for Kaman post, official sources said.
They said to avoid any disturbances on way, the bus left early and reached Kaman post safely. However, only one fresh resident of Kashmir will cross over to PoK to meet the relatives separated in 1947 due to partition.
However, 13 residents of POK, who had arrived here in previous buses and almost remained confined inside houses due to curfew, restrictions and strike, also returned to their homes after completing stay in Kashmir with their relatives.
They said exact number of those travelling from here to PoK will be known only in the afternoon as some travellers are reaching Kaman post directly.
Due to unrest in the Kashmir valley, the bus service is operating from here to LoC Uri early in the morning while those who are travelling from PoK are being brought here late in the night.
The bus service has helped thousands of families, divided due to partition, to meet each other after India and Pakistan agreed to allow State Subjects from both sides to travel on ” Travel Permits” instead of International passports. However, permit is issued only after intelligence agencies from both the sides clear the traveller’s name.
The service was introduced on April 7, 2005, despite opposition by militant organisations, who carried out a fidayeen attack a day before the inaugural run of bus, targeting those travelling in it. (AGENCIES)
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