Tuesday, February 22 2005 09:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Muzaffarabad (PoK): Soldiers could clear mines from the bus route linking the two parts of Kashmir within a week after approval from Islamabad, a military commander claimed yesterday (Feb 21, 2005).

"The day we are given the go ahead signal, we will start the lifting of mines from the very next morning," Brigadier Naushad Ahmed told reporters at Chakothi sector, some 61 kms south of Muzaffarabad.

Chakothi is the last Pakistani military post on the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC).

"The process (of mines removal) is only subject to the clearance by the higher authorities," Ahmed said.

Mine removal could be completed within a week, he said, which would allow the operation of equipment for bridge building and road widening.

"There are some modalities which are to be finalised. As soon as it is done, the issue of mine lifting will be decided at the level of Director Generals military operations," Brigadier Ahmed said.

Murtaza, chief secretary of Pakistani Kashmir, told reporters he was sure that his highway department team would be able to make the road and a bus terminal operational by April.

"We will utilise our full resources and manpower so that the movement of the people between the two parts is made smoothest," he said.

India and Pakistan had last week decided to start a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad on April 7.