SRINAGAR, May 7:
Altogether 11 residents of the Kashmir valley crossed over to other side of the Line of Control (LoC) at Teetwal crossing, which remained closed during winter due to heavy snowfall.
This was the first batch of Kashmiris, mostly belonging to frontier district of Kupwara after winter, to cross through this point on foot to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) today, official sources said. They said there were 13 people registered to cross to PoK from this side. But today only 11 turned up to undertake the foot journey to other side of the LoC. However, they said the number of PoK residents travelling to this side was not immediately known since the area is very remote with any telephone or mobile connectivity.
They said the number will be known only when they reach Tanghdhar, 10 km from the LoC. Teetwal is one of the five crossing points opened after 2005 earthquake devastated both sides of the LoC. However, it was initially used to exchange relief material on both sides as a goodwill gesture.
However, since it was the closest points with PoK, it was decided to allow local residents from both sides to cross the LoC on foot.
Srinagar-Muzaffarabad is main road connecting the two divided sides.
A bus service Karvan-e-Aman was introduced on April 7,2005 to help families divided in 1947 due to partition to meet each other after India and Pakistan Governments agreed to allow travel on Travel Permits instead of International Passports. However, any person can undertake the travel only after both the Governments cleared his or her name. Bus is operating on every Monday.
The Regional Passport Officer (RPO), Kashmir, has been authorized to issue travel permits for all the crossing points, including Teetwal. (UNI)
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