LoC skirmishes suspend trade, 36 trucks stranded

JUNAID SIDIQ

SRINAGAR: Owing to the exchange of heavy gunfire in Kamalkote sector between India and Pakistan in Uri sector, the authorities on Thursday suspended cross LoC-trade along Srinagar-Muzaffarabad in north Kashmir, even as another Army man was killed in Pakistan’s ceasefire violation in Machil Sector of neighbouring Kupwara district later in the day.

Talking to the News Now, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Uri, Baseer-ul-Haq said following intense shelling along LoC, the LoC trade has been suspended as a “precautionary measure”.

“It is a precautionary measure. In the prevailing situation it was not feasible to either receive or send truck with goods across the line. As soon situation will be normal, the trade is going to resume,” Haq said.

On threat to residential area due to exchange of fire, Haq said the residential area was 2 km from the site of shelling.

“However, we are ready to evacuate the locals if the situation demands so. Right now we have suspended cross-LoC trade," he said.

Meanwhile, locals said a tin shed and house of Hakim Ali Mir of Bathard Kundi Barjala in Kamalkote, Uri received minor damages due to the shelling.

Authorities said the affected family was shifted to a safe house in the area.

On Wednesday two Army men identified as Sepoy Dupo Veshunath and Naik M Walim were wounded in Kamalkote area of Uri.

The cross-LoC trade and travel are considered as major confidence building exercises between New Delhi and Islamabad.

General Secretary of the Salamabad-Uri trade union, Hilal Turkie said due to the suspension 36 trucks of goods have got stranded.

“Today, 16 trucks were supposed to travel from Uri to Muzaffarabad and we were supposed to receive 20 trucks from their side. But now all the trucks are at stand still,” Turkie said.