Ignoring militant threats, India and Pakistan today bridged a 57-year-old divide by starting a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad to send spirits soaring on either side of the Line of Control. At 2 pm, 30 passengers of a bus from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir took what Prime Minister Manmohan Singh—he flagged off the corresponding service from Srinagar—called a ‘‘small but significant step’’ by crossing the Peace Bridge into Indian territory in the Valley. Nearly three hours later, 19 Indians crossed into PoK through the same bridge to complete a highly emotional day. The PM said that the bus service was the ‘‘first step on a long road ahead on which many hurdles still remained to be crossed.’’ He said India and Pakistan had honoured the ‘‘wishes of their people’’ and if this policy continued, hurdles could be overcome and problems resolved in an atmosphere of friendship in the coming days. Braving a heavy downpour this morning, thousands thronged the Sher-e-Kashmir stadium to watch the first bus with 21 passengers—two of them disembarked later, citing health reasons—leave for Kaman Post, the last point on the Indian side of the LoC. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Governor S.K. Sinha and National Conference president Omar Farooq were among those who joined the PM in hugging the passengers and cheering them before the bus rolled out. Simultaneously, PoK Prime Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan flagged off a green and yellow bus from Muzaffarabad for Srinagar, a distance of 170 km. Passengers of both buses got off at the LoC and walked across the Aman Setu. They then boarded the waiting buses for onward travel. A powerful blast rocked Pattan, 27 km from Srinagar on the bus route, shortly after the Muzaffarabad-bound bus passed the town. None was injured in the blast that took place in a closed shop in Pattan Bazar. Earlier, the Prime Minister in his 15-minute speech in Srinagar, while referring to terrorist violence, said this would not help anybody and could only lead to destruction. ‘‘This caravan of peace has set off after 57 years. Let the beautiful valley and its flowing streams revel in the happiness,’’ said Singh. He praised General Musharraf, saying the bus service couldn’t have been possible had it not been for his support. ‘‘India is prepared to hold Pakistan’s hand on the road to progress and prosperity. Let them join hands with us to fight terror. We are resolute, we can do it. That alone will spell the start of a new friendship, bring peace and help Kashmir progress,’’ he said. The crowd broke into cheers when Singh said that the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road wouldn’t be limited to passenger travel alone. ‘‘This road can become a trade route as it was earlier. Commodities from Kashmir can go to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia,’’ he said. Unlike Singh, who did not mention yesterday’s attack by militants in Srinagar, Congress president Sonia Gandhi hit out at militants, saying such attacks were not going to cow them down. The bus service, she said, was an attempt to reunite people and build friendship. ‘‘Jhelum Valley road is key to Kashmiris. Its closure has hit people hard and its reopening after 57 years will reunite divided families. Both sides realise that only peace can make this region prosperous,’’ she said.
