Poonch-Rawalakot cross-LoC trade resumes after two days

The cross-LoC trade between Poonch-Rawalakot resumed on Friday, after remaining suspended for two days due to ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control, officials said.

A total of 67 trucks, including 35 from India and 32 from Pakistan, crossed the border via Chakan-Da-Bagh, custodian of LoC trade centre, Poonch, Fareed Kohli told PTI.

The trade took place smoothly, he said.

The cross-LoC trade was suspended on Wednesday after five mortar shells hit the facilitation centre at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district. Though there were no casualties in the shelling, several sheds, including the one housing the X-Ray scanner, were damaged.

The cross-LoC trade between Poonch on this side and Rawalakot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which started in October 2008, takes place four days a week, from Tuesday to Friday, on barter system.

Despite increased tensions between the neighbours in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack and India's subsequent air strike in Balakot, the cross-LoC trade and bus service remained largely unaffected, even as there was a spurt in cross-border skirmishes.