Wagah: The Lahore-bound Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus crossed the Indian border to become first such vehicle to do so in over 18 months.

The 34-seater golden-coloured bus crossed into Pakistan at around 18.00 hours and was short of its destination by about an hour's journey.

Beginning its journey at around 06.10 hours from Delhi's Ambedkar bus terminal, the bus had halts at three places -Pipli, Sirhind and Kartarpur-before reaching Wagah where checking of the passengers' travel documents was undertaken.

The journey marks restoration of road link between the two neighbours after 18 months and 10 days. The service launched on March 16, 1999 was snapped on December 31,2001, 18 days after Pakistan- backed terrorists attacked Indian Parliament.

The passengers on the maiden trip include 19 media persons.

PTI