Poonch-Rawalakot route remains closed

Though there has been calm along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K for the past week, there will be no cross-LoC travel on Poonch-Rawalakot road through Chakkan Da Bagh on Monday.

Confirming this to The Indian Express, Custodian, Cross-LoC Trade at Chakkan Da Bagh, Abdul Hamid said the Pakistani officials want it to be suspended for some more time. "I had contacted them on phone last evening to enquire about Monday's bus service, but they told me that they have not received any fresh instructions from their higher-ups so far,'' he said.

Nearly 105 residents from J&K had gone to Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on valid permit through Chakkan Da Bagh to meet their relatives. Similarly, nearly 107 residents from PoK have come to the state through the route. Of them, nearly 82 PoK residents have completed their period of stay and have to return. The number of such J&K residents now overstaying in PoK, according to officials, is over 50.

They are unable to return to their homes following the suspension of cross-LoC bus service on Poonch-Rawalakot road since Monday last after Pakistan refused to allow travel and trade through Chakkan Da Bagh alleging unprovoked firing by the Indian Army. India, however, has accused Pakistan of frequently resorting to ceasefire violation.

Following refusal by the Pakistani authorities to allow trade and travel through Chakkan Da Bagh, the Poonch district administration had last week extended the stay of the PoK residents having come to the state through this route by a week. Their extended period of stay, which is ending on Monday, is likely to be further extended.

While trade and travel on Poonch-Rawalakot road remains suspended, it continues on Uri-Muzaffarabad road in the Valley.

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