Pakistan and India have agreed to open from November 7 foot crossings at five points across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir to permit two-way movement of Kashmiris in the wake of the October 8 killer earthquake. The agreement was reached between the two sides after intense negotiations at the senior officials' meeting in Islamabad Saturday night. A one-page joint press statement issued at the end of the marathon talks well past midnight announced that the five crossing points across the LoC that the two sides agreed to open are: Nauseri-Tithwal; Chakoti-Uri; Hajipur-Uri; Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapani-Mendhar. The agreement on these points proposed by Pakistan covers the three meeting points suggested by India in a counter-proposal. "It was agreed that because of non-availability of or damage to infrastructure on these points, crossings across the LoC would be permitted on foot," the statement said, adding that the parameters and procedures as already agreed upon between the two sides being used for the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service would be used for these additional crossings and both will endeavour to expedite the clearance process, preferably within ten days. --more 1137 Local Time 0837 GMT
