India, Pakistan agree to release detained trucks after month-long standoff

Cross border drivers stranded in Kashmir expressed their happiness as India and Pakistan ended their three-week standoff, agreeing to release the detained trucks in their respective territories.

According to the agreement, 27 trucks would be released from PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir), while India would also free the 48 trucks detained at Salamabad check post in north Kashmir. "The people here have given us happy news that we are returning to our homes. So we are happy from the heart. We are not even able to talk properly because we are overjoyed," a PoK driver, Rafiq Ahmad said. 

From January 18 onwards, cross-border trade was suspended a day after Jammu and Kashmir police seized a truck coming from PoK, alleging that it was carrying 114 packets of brown sugar worth Rs 100 crore in the international market. The External Affairs Ministry had summoned the Pakistan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi to resolve the suspension of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot-Poonch bus services by Pakistan.