Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service begins
Pakistan Times Kashmir Desk

ISLAMABAD: The much-awaited Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service made a ceremonious start Thursday as buses from both points started for their respective destinations amidst fanfare and jubilation.

The Srinagar bound bus was seen off at Muzaffarabad by Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, while at Srinagar the buses were flagged off by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi.

The Srinagar bound passengers totalled 30 while those travelling towards Muzaffarabad were 21 in number, two of whom got down on the way owning to health reasons.

Passengers from Muzaffarabad crossed into occupied Kashmir at Kaman post on the Line of Control today after 61 kilometers journey lasting two and half hours.

Occupied Kashmir puppet Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Saeed and his Deputy Mangat Ram Sharma welcomed the passengers. A large number of civil and army officials were also present to welcome the guests from AJK as they crossed over to other side of LOC.

Meanwhile, 19 passengers on way to Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir also reached Chakothi, on LOC, from where they boarded buses for Muzaffarabad.

A bomb blast rocked Pattan, 27 kms from Srinagar, minutes after the bus carrying the Muzaffarabad bound passengers passed the town in Baramula district.●