Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 10

The weekly Poonch-Rawlakote cross Line of Control (LoC) bus service was today suspended, following firing and shelling from the Pakistan army in the Chakan Da Bagh area in Poonch district.“Due to shelling from Pakistan side, the bus service was suspended today for security reasons,” said Poonch SSP Rajiv Pandey.Every Monday, the bus carries passengers from this side to POK. Trade is carried out through this route from Tuesday to Friday.The suspension has cast a shadow on trade as well as the service may not resume tomorrow too.“We are prepared to go ahead with the trade. A day before we have to receive goods trucks at the trade centre so that their checking is done before allowing them to move to the other side, but today we decided not to put their lives at risk. If everything remains fine, we will be able to go for trade in the morning and checking will also be done at that moment,” claimed Tanvir Ahmed, Trade Felicitation Officer (TFO), Poonch.In the past two days, Pakistan targeted the trade centre which forced the authorities to stop the bus service.The cross-LoC trade has come under the scrutiny of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing its link with the Hawala money trail.

Army gives relief for damaging house

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 10

The Army today paid compensation to a resident of Hiranagar whose house was damaged due to field firing in ranges.Giving details, the Defence PRO, Jammu, said the station commander of Basholi and Janglot Garrison handed over a cheque for Rs 17,600 to Ratno Devi, resident of Kadater village (Parangoli), of Hiranagar tehsil, as compensation for damaging the house.The sarpanch of the village and other eminent persons were also present. The locals were thankful to the Army for the gesture.Keeping in view the plight of the distressed family, Rising Star Corps resolved the case of compensation, the PRO added.