Suspended on both routes, Cross-LoC trade, travel faces uncertain future

JAMMU: Facing a probe by the National Investigating Agency, other local investigations in drug smuggling and frequent disruptions due to security situation, the Cross-Line of Control trade, as also the travel, appears headed for an uncertain future.
The trade and travel is currently under suspension for third consecutive week on Poonch-Rawalakote route while on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route, where it was going on smoothly over these weeks, the trade has been suspended following recovery of a drug consignment last week.
"The cross-LoC trade between traders of J&K and PoK remained suspended for the third consecutive week today," Custodian of LoC Trade Poonch, Mohammad Tanveer said.
The trade suspension began on July 11 after heavy firing and shelling from the Pakistani side caused damage to the Trade Facilitation Centre and police barracks.
In the ongoing month, India and Pakistan have engaged in repeated skirmishes along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in which 11 people, nine of them soldiers, have already been killed, and 16 people injured.
Meanwhile, authorities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) today suspended cross-LoC trade along the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route.
"We have received a letter from authorities on the other side (of the LoC) saying the trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route will remain suspended for this week," a senior official said here.
He said no reasons were given for suspending the trade, which takes place from Tuesday to Friday every week between the traders of Jammu and Kashmir and PoK.
The decision to suspend the trade comes four days after Mohammad Yoususf Shah, a driver from Chakoti in PoK, was arrested following recovery of 66.5 kiligrams of heroin and brown sugar, worth over Rs 300 crore, from his vehicle.