65 passengers of 'Karvaan-e-Aman' cross sides in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 10 (UNI) Altogether 65 passengers on board ''Karvaan- e-Aman'' bus between Srinagar and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) capital, Muzaffarabad, crossed sides today at the Kaman Post amid massive security cover, official sources said.

While 31 passengers crossed over to PoK's capital, Muzaffarabad, from the Kaman Post, 34 people from across the border arrived here this evening.

Seven passengers from here are going to PoK for the first time after the partition to meet their relatives while 24 passengers, who had come here in the Karvaan-e-Aman bus last month, also left for their homes in specially-designed 19-seater Ashok Leyland Stag State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses, sources said.

The buses left for PoK capital Muzaffarabad this morning. A large number of people, comprising relatives, friends and well-wishers sent off the passengers, they added.

Passengers will deboard the buses near Kaman Post, the last Indian military post on the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector and cross the Aman Setu brige on foot to reach the other side.

They will the board buses of PoK administration to reach Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK.

Security forces scanned the entire stretch for possible landmines yesterday and this morning.

Similarly, 25 residents of PoK arrived here through Aman Setu for the first time since 1947 to meet their relatives. Nine others, who had crossed over to PoK in the last bus, also arrived here after visiting to their relatives in PoK.

The cross-border bus service between divided Kashmir was launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 7, 2005 after nearly 58 years following the agreement between India and Pakistan to allow families separated since 1947 to meet each other.

The 170-km Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, also known as the Jhelum Valley road, was closed for traffic on October 27, 1947 when ''Kabailis (tribesmen)'' invaded parts of Jammu and Kashmir which came to be known as PoK.

The bus service between the divided Kashmir was established after nearly 58 years following agreements between India and Pakistan to allow families separated since 1947 to meet each other.

UNI