Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference on October 17 welcomed withdrawal of troops from borders by India and Pakistan but said until Kashmir issue was resolved no wonders could take place in relations between the two countries.

"The withdrawal of troops can ease tension on borders to an extent but unless the root cause of tension which is Kashmir problem is not addressed, we cannot expect any wonders to happen, "Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat said.

He said "if the withdrawal is followed by a purposeful and substantive dialogue among concerned parties, we can achieve a breakthrough and move forward towards a safer and better world".

Meanwhile, residents along the border with Pakistan heaved a sigh of relief following the decision to pull back the troops to peace time locations.

Information from three border districts of Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Amritsar in Punjab said people residing along the border greeted the announcement of troops withdrawal because a number of restrictions, including proving identity, had been imposed in border areas following the military mobilisation.

Bunkers were set up and land mines were laid on arable land following troops deployment in the aftermath of December 13 terrorist attack on Parliament.

The de-escalation would enable villagers to resume their normal agriculture activities while the unemployed labourers hope to get work once again.

PTI