India and Pakistan on Monday opened the fourth crossing point on the Line of Control in
Mendhar sector of Poonch district to facilitate movement of quake-relief material for affected families in both parts of Kashmir.
In a small ceremony, the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch and his counterpart from Kotli in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir shook hands and greeted each other after which 10 truckloads of relief were sent across to PoK as a goodwill gesture.
As in the case of other points across the LoC, porters carried the relief as the crossing is not motorable due to non-availability or damage to infrastructure following the October 8 killer quake.
"Exactly after 58 years, the second Indo-Pak LoC point between Mendhar and Mirpur towns of Jammu and Kashmir and PoK became operational today through Roshi- Kanna posts", a top army official said.
Relief material for the earthquake victims will be sent through these crossing points and people can start using them to cross the LoC as soon once their names are approved by both sides, the officials said.
The Mendhar-Mirpur road is among the five points on LoC that the two countries had decided to open to assist movement of relief material and meeting of divided quake-hit families.
While the first point at Chakan da Bagh was opened on November 7, Kaman post - Uri crossing was opened on November 9 while the Teetwal crossing in Tangdhar area of Kupwara district became operational on November 12.
The Indian army has set up a medical camp at the post, which includes a 10-bedded emergency hospital, a meeting place for dividing families and community food centres.
Set in the forests, this is the last point on Indian side in Mendhar sector. It faces Kanna, a forward post in PoK.
Roshi post is 7 km from Mendhar town.
Over 600 to 700 meters of track was constructed towards the zero line from both the posts for the occasion, the officials said.
More from rediff