Islamabad calls for opening two more LoC crossings

DHAKA—Pakistan on Friday asked India for early opening of the two more crossing points of Amr Sadho and Tangdhar on LoC aimed to facilitate Kashmiris in their relief operations, Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan stated this during his meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran here on Friday.
Riaz Muhammad Khan told his Indian counterpart if New Delhi opened these two crossing points than it would further facilitate both sides of Kashmiris to help each other in the wake of tragic earthquake.
Shyam Saran said that presently it was not possible for his country to open these points. “It will take some time”, he added. He made it clear that India would not open these two point in haste. However, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan put pressure on his Indian counter part that India should open these two points as soon as possible.
The third point set up at Teetwal along the LoC is ready for operation tomorrow but only quake relief material will be exchanged between India and Pakistan, Army sources were quoted as saying by PTI.
The Pakistani side has finished construction of the foot bridge on Kishenganga river which connects the two sides of Kashmir, making the flow of relief material possible, they said.
The opening of this point, originally slated for November 10, was delayed as construction of the bridge on the other side could not be completed on time.
However, civilians will not be allowed to cross the LoC on either side as no agreement has been reached regarding the meeting of people, the sources said.
The first point Chakan da Bagh in Poonch was opened on November 7 followed by Kaman Post in Uri on november 9. Even on those occasions, only relief material was exchanged, as officials had said that people would be allowed to cross over only after they had obtained necessary clearances.
The two countries had decided to open five relief points along the LoC to enable exchange of relief material and facilitate movement of quake-affected divided families in AJK and Jammu and Kashmir.
The points were Nauseri-Teetwal, Chakoti-Uri, Hajipir-Uri, Rawalakote-Poonch and Tattapani-Mendhar .Measures are afoot to open the two other points — Hajipir-Uri and Tattapani-Mendhar — as early as possible, sources said.
Besides restoring road links in the quake affected areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP, the Army Engineers have successfully accomplished the herculean task of completing road links at the five crossing points on the Line of Control earmarked for opening as agreed between the governments of Pakistan and India.
The opening of crossing points involved enormous engineers tasks which included mine clearance, track construction and preparation of approaches as well as exit and launching of bridges on water obstacles.
Pakistan Army Engineers prepared a one and a half kilometre long track at Titrinot-Poonch crossing, completed a bridge at Chiliana, completed a track and set up an improvised foot bridge at Chakoti, constructed a one kilometre long track and lifted mines at Haji-Pir-Khoja Bandi-Uri crossing and constructed a half kilometre track at Sehra-Lechial crossing.
LoC crossing at Madarpur-Titrinot-Poonch and Chakoti-Uri have already been completed while the third crossing point at Tithwal will be opened on Saturday, November 12.
Opening of Jhelum Valley road up to Chakoti is a significant achievement of Army Engineers.
The engineers troops employed for opening of this important road link have put their heart and soul to achieve this target.
As Kaghan Valley road has already been opened for light traffic, now all out efforts are being made to restore road links in Neelum Valley.
A worthwhile progress in this regard along LoC including launching of foot suspension bridge at Chaliana has also been completed.
Presently 14 Engineers Battalions have been employed for reopening of roads in earthquake affected areas of Azad Kashmir, removal of bodies and rubble from city and help civil administration and locals in reconstruction of office buildings and their houses respectively. All roads in affected areas have been opened except some Neelum Valley roads.—APP