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Pakistan, India open third Kashmir crossing for quake survivors' help

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Nov 12, IRNA
Pakistan-India-LoC
Pakistan and India on Saturday opened the third crossing point on the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed region of Kashmir to allow entry or aid to victims of last month's earthquake, but no Kashmiri was allowed to cross over.

The crossing at Nosehry and Titwal sector was opened to help movement of relief supplies to the affected areas in Pakistan- administered Kashmir.

Last month Pakistan and India struck a deal to open five points along the heavily militarized LoC to help quake victims.

The deal was intended to allow Kashmiris divided by years of conflict to help each other following the October 8 quake.

However, the two countries have not yet permitted people to cross and observers believe that political sensitivities and longstanding distrust are slowing things down.

Army and government officials from both sides met at the LoC and shook hands during the opening of the crossing that links Nosehry on the Pakistani side with Titwal in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Volunteers handed over relief material, including tents, rice and medicines across the crossing.

The Nosehry and Titwal crossing, located in Pakistan's Neelam Valley, was scheduled to be opened on November 10, but according to Pakistani officials the Indian side had not completed arrangements.

Neelam Valley is still cut off from other parts of
Pakistan-controlled Kashmir because of landslides.

Officials say that it will take few months to repair the road between Neelam Valley and Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan- controlled Kashmir.

Military officials say that around 6,709 people have so far been confirmed dead due to the earthquake that hit Neelam Valley.

In Patika, the worst-affected town in the Valley, officials say some 2500 people have died. A military camp in the area has also been destroyed by the quake.

The first crossing on the de facto border was opened on Monday while the second was opened on Thursday.

Two other crossings -- Tatapani-Mandhir sector and Hajipir-Ori sector -- will also be opened in accordancew with the agreement.

The opening of the first crossing at Rawalakot's Poonch sector on Monday was marred by a few thousand Kashmiris, who were demanding permission to the people to cross over.

Police fired in the air and lobbed tear gas shells to break up the protest by Kashmiri villagers on the Pakistani side of the divide.

An estimated three million people have been rendered homeless in the earthquake zone and many are still to receive help.

Pakistan says the death toll stands at more than 74,000 in Kashmir and North-West Frontier Province.

2020/235/2321/1414