Monday, November 7 2005 15:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chakhan-Da-Bag (LoC): Shedding years of animosity, army officers from India and Pakistan today (Nov 7, 2005) shook hands and exchanged pleasantries at this frontier point as the first of the three points on the Line of Control was opened for earthquake relief work.

Brigadier A K Bakshi and his Pakistani counterpart Tahir Naqvi exchanged white flags and hugged each other as hundreds of locals and scores of journalists converged on both sides of the divide for the landmark occasion.

Emotional locals from both sides then took over as they rushed to talk and embrace their near and dear ones separated for half a century. Indian and Pakistani scribes were also seen hugging each other and clicking photographs.

"It's a good feeling," Army officer Santanu Ghose said after shaking hands with Pakistani Colonel Ali Khan across the white ribbon marking the LoC.

India and Pakistan had decided to open three points on the LoC to facilitate relief work in the wake of the October 8 quake which devastated both sides of Kashmir killing thousands of people.

The crossing point at Kaman in Uri will open on November 9 while Tithwal in Tangdhar on November 10.

All the three points were to open today but operationalisation of the other points has been delayed due to non-completion of work, including laying and clearing roads of landslide debris and demining in the area.

Relief material for the earthquake victims will be sent through these crossing points and people would be able to cross the LoC once their names are approved by both sides.