India, Pakistan ‘peace bus’ service via Poonch suspended

14 people had to return to their homes in AJK and will now be sent back next Monday


News Desk July 11, 2017
14 persons had to return to their homes in Pakistani side of Kashmir, who will now be sent back by next Monday. PHOTO: AFP

A cross-border bus service between India and Pakistan was suspended on Monday amid rising tensions between the two neighbouring countries along the border, Hindustan Times reported.

The weekly trans-LoC bus service called the ‘Peace Bus’ between Poonch on the Indian side and Rawalakot on the Pakistan side was suspended on Monday, said Tanvir Ahmed Choudhary, custodian Chakan Da Bagh Trade Facilitation Centre.

Pakistan-India bus, trade resume as tensions ebb

Choudhary said at least 14 people had to return to their homes in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. "Now, they can hopefully be sent back next Monday,” he added. However, he also maintained that no resident of Indian-held Kashmir was affected by the interruption.

“The 14 Pakistanis will have to stay in the state for another one week till peace returns on the LoC. Going by the volatile situation, chances of trans-LoC trade via Chakan Da Bagh are also grim,” the official added.

The bus service from Poonch to Rawalakot began in 2005 to enable members of divided families in the region to meet each other. The cross-border trade between the two parts of divided Kashmir has always been encouraged as a means to improve strained relations between Islamabad and New Delhi. The trade takes place four days a week, from Tuesday to Friday.

This story originally appeared on the Hindustan Times.

COMMENTS (4)

Faisal | 6 years ago | Reply @vaibhav: pls. also request Indian govt to stop flooding Pakistan with cheap, filthy, frivolous Bollywood movies and songs. I agree with you that there should be NO kind of relationship with India. Out with the Indian movies and music NOW!
Faisal | 6 years ago | Reply Its about time! Now Pakistan needs to suspend ALL rail, road, air, sea links with India. We don't need them politically, culturally, trade-wise, etc. And stay out
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