TEETWAL: Last month’s earthquake killed tens of thousands in Kashmir but, for divided families in the disputed region, it also opened up new routes to reunite with long-lost relatives across the Line of Control.

Two dozen men and women from occupied Kashmir created history on Saturday when they became the first in nearly 60 years to be allowed to cross over a new bridge on foot to the Pakistani side of Kashmir to learn the fate of relatives and mourn the dead.

Despite the tragedy, the travellers and their relatives said they were delighted about the unprecedented opportunity.

“The earthquake was the wrath of God. But for many of us, it is a blessing in disguise,” Nadir Shah, a retired government employee, said in Teetwal, the last village on the Indian side of the Line of Control.

“For decades, it was just impossible to cross over this stream and meet your brother across,” he said, pointing at a narrow bridge of steel wire and wood built over the shimmering Kishanganga river and opened to people on Saturday.

“Finally Kashmiris are walking across, but unfortunately at a very high cost,” said Shah, a Teetwal resident who plans to travel to Azad Kashmir next week to meet relatives.

“It is only the earthquake which facilitated the opening of this route,” said 45-year-old Asmat Begum, one of the 24 Kashmiris who crossed over on Saturday.

“Though it brought death and destruction, it has done something amazing to this region,” she said.

“People died on both sides but those who are alive are coming closer,” said Shakeela, a student.

“These two countries were firing and shelling each other for years. Today, if they are building bridges, it is only because of the earthquake,” she said.

“Relief is passing through the same routes which, in the past, were used for carrying guns and grenades,” occupied Kashmir’s chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said. “What can be a bigger confidence building measure?”—Reuters