Cross-LoC trade, peace bus to resume next week

Trade across the Line of Control (LoC) and the peace bus service between India and Pakistan-administered Kashmir will resume next week, officials said.

Officials at Salamabad trade facilitation centre near Uri town said authorities on the two sides of the LoC have agreed to resume both cross-LoC trade and the peace bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad next week.

"Cross LoC trade will start on Monday while the 'Carvan-e-Aman' (Caravan of Peace) bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad will be resumed on Tuesday next week," officials said here.

The cross-LoC trade was suspended following heightened tensions between the Indian and Pakistan armies on the LoC and recovery of 66 kg of heroin from a Muzaffarabad-based vehicle on July 21 on the Indian side.

The vehicle's driver, Muhammad Yusuf Shah, belonging to Chakote near Muzaffarabad was arrested by police and customs officials at Salamabad trade facilitation centre.

State Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had pitched strongly in favour of resumption of cross-LoC trade asserting that the CBM was essential to bring down tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

--IANS

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