KAMAN POST (Occupied Kashmir), March 16: Villagers watched in amazement as Pakistani and Indian military officials shared jokes, tea and snacks while they worked to open a road in Kashmir ahead of next month’s inauguration of the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service. The work on the road crossing the Line of Control (LoC) follows decades of sniper and artillery fire across a dividing line strewn with landmines until a few weeks ago. “I had never visualized Indians and Pakistanis working together. Now it is a treat to see them working on this road,” said Mohammed Sidiq, a labourer from Odussa village.
The situation contrasts with the only other border crossing between the two countries, at Wagah in Punjab. There, soldiers from the two countries face off in an evening closing ceremony that ends with the gates slammed shut for the night.
It is also a change from a border standoff in the summer of 2002, when the two countries almost went to war.
Instead, the soldiers are coordinating efforts to rebuild the bridge and road linking this key Indian army post to Azad Kashmir for the bus service, set to start on April 7.
“The army commanders from two sides share jokes, have tea and snacks during meetings,” an Indian army official said.
Only 15 months ago, the garrisons on either side of the road used to wake each other up with machinegun bursts and artillery fire. Suspicious movement on either side ignited gunbattles.
But things in this area are changing fast. “There is complete coordination between the two sides in making the bus service a success,” said senior Indian army official V. Dwivedi, who is supervising renovation of a 60-metre span of road from Srinagar to Kaman Bridge.
The change of mood is visible with local commanders from both armies routinely travelling across a makeshift bridge of planks to discuss the progress of the work, which began on Feb 23 _ a week after the two countries agreed to restart the bus service.
Kashmiris travelling on the fortnightly service will get locally-stamped permits to travel into the other side of the region.
“We villagers in border areas view the road opening as a big leap forward towards permanent peace,” says Abdul Aziz, a resident of the town of Uri.
Soldiers and labourers loudly sing Indian film songs as they mix cement with water and sand. Weapons are carried only when a top commander visits the area.
“Look at that. How relaxed they are,” says Dharmendra, an Indian soldier, pointing at a group of Pakistani troops basking atop a bunker.
He prays for peace to stay. “Both, we and them, are enjoying life now. Earlier there used to be fear of incoming shells or bullets,” he said.
Neither do they have to worry about landmines anymore. “The entire area has been demined. It is now safe,” said Lt Gen Hari Prasad, who heads the Indian army’s northern command. —AFP