NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday announced that the third crossing point across the Line of Control (LoC) at Tithwal (Tangdhar) would open on November 12 as a foot-bridge across the Kishanganga River, is being constructed by the Pakistan army. This point was to have been opened on Thursday according to the previous schedule.

The other two crossing points — Balnoi (Mendhar) and Silikot (Uri) — will open on November 14 and 16. The Kaman Post (Uri) crossing point on the LoC, which had been closed since the October 8 earthquake, reopened on Wednesday. Another post Chakan-da-Bagh (Poonch) is also operational.

It may be recalled that India and Pakistan had agreed to open five points across the LoC on October 29 to bring relief to the earthquake victims.

These crossing points are intended to be both for people and goods.

According to the agreement, five points in all were to be opened. However, the initial Indian proposal, which suggested that people would temporarily be allowed to cross the LoC with basic screening, did not meet with Pakistan's approval.

The documentation and procedures applied to the now-suspended Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service will be applied to the other crossing points as well.

People will have to obtain formal permits before they can cross the LoC.

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