- Government sources have said that 10 Pakistan-based terrorists have been found misusing cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- Recently, the Indian government had suspended the Cross-LoC trade with Pakistan citing a) illegal trade of U.S.-origin California almonds, b) funnelling of counterfeit currency, and c) funding and promotion of terror groups and anti-India operations though the trade.
- The Line of Control (LoC) is 740km long India-Pakistan border which runs from parts of Jammu to parts of Leh.
- India and Pakistan agreed to initiate trade across LoC in 2008 as a confidence building measures
- The trade took place through two Trade Facilitation Centres located at Uri’s Salamabad in Baramulla, and Chakkan-da-Bagh in Poonch.
- The trade facilitated exchange of goods of common use between local populations across the LoC in Jammu & Kashmir.
- The trade took place four days a week. It was based on barter system and zero duty basis.
- Government’s decision to suspend the trade has faced widespread criticism from traders and politicians in Kashmir.
