India-Pakistan bus service suspended for third straight week after ceasefire violation along LoC

Jammu: The cross-LoC bus services on the Poonch-Rawalakot road between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) remained suspended for the third consecutive week in wake of the border tension due to ceasefire violations.

Cross-LoC traders on Monday held protest in Poonch town demanding resumption of business and travel between the two sides.

The bus service remained suspended for the third week, custodian LoC trade-Poonch, Mohammad Tanveer said.

The service was suspended on 10 July due to heavy firing and shelling from the Pakistani side.

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed worst border skirmishes between India and Pakistan along the LoC as nine soldiers were among 11 people killed, 16 injured besides damage to 35 structures in July.

The Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point was started in 2006 to facilitate easier trade and travel between the divided families of Jammu and Kashmir and PoK.

Cross-LoC trade and travel are considered as major confidence building exercises between India and Pakistan.