Tension fails to dampen cross-LoC travel spirit

Sixty-five-year-old Munshi Khan of Gujranwala could not hide his emotions when he boarded the cross-LoC Karvan-e-Aman bus here. Waving his hands, Khan’s had tears in his eyes as the peace bus left Srinagar for Muzaffarabad (the capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir).

For decades Khan wanted to reunite with his separated relatives in Jammu and Kashmir. But turmoil coupled with tough visa norms and expensive travel was preventing him to visit Kashmir. Enter the peace bus and Khan’s dream became reality.

“I have no words to express gratitude towards India and Pakistan which started the peace bus that made this journey possible. It is a dream come true for me as a person because I had been yearning for this reunion for decades,” said Khan.

Welcome to Kashmir Valley which has stood unscathed amidst tension on the line of control (LoC) in Poonch.  While both cross-LoC trade and travel remained suspended on the Poonch-Rawalakote route, the situation on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was normal with both trade as well as travel remaining unaffected.

“Around 11 passengers crossed into other side of LoC at Kaman post. They included eight new passengers from Kashmir and three Pakistani passengers who returned to their homes after meeting their relations here,” said a senior officer.

Considered as mother of the confidence building measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan, the peace bus has been able to reunite the divided families living on both sides of the LoC.