Tuesday, October 11 2005 19:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: National Conference President Omar Abdullah today (Oct 11, 2005) spoke to External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and sought his immediate intervention for aerial evacuation of bus passengers who were stranded in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

"The sheer extent of destruction on the other side of Kashmir, coupled with the concern of family members and lack of any communication, makes it imperative for an early evacuation as soon as possible," Omar told PTI after speaking to the External Affairs Minister.

He said given the indefinite cancellation of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, the Government was exploring the possibility with Pakistan of exchanging bus passengers by an 'alternative mechanism.'

The National Conference President made a special mention of the Tandon family of Jammu, who had lost one of their family members in PoK, and requested the External Affairs Minister for an early 'aerial evacuation' of them as well as other bus passengers.

The Tandons were reported to be in Bandi village, which had been completely cut off from Muzaffarabad.