Kashmiris get ready to cross border

"The Line of Control (LoC) will be thrown open for civilians to cross on Saturday," foreign ministry official L. Sree Ramulu told AFP yesterday.

Indian Kashmiris were delighted by the announcement that they could visit relatives in Pakistani Kashmir, hardest hit by the massive October 8 quake, but said it had been too long in coming and it was too hard to get permission.

"I want to go and help my relatives rebuild their homes and lives," said Jamal-u-Din who lives in Uroosa village near the ceasefire line dividing the mountainous region between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan.

"I hope my presence will make them feel better," he said.

On Saturday Indian Kashmiris will be allowed to use the Tithwal-Nauseri crossing, 180 kilometers (111 miles) northwest of the summer capital Srinagar, said Ramulu.

"It's very good news for us," said Abdul Aziz, 43, from the border town of Uri. "I'm eager to cross over and help my relatives rebuild their homes."

Ramulu could not immediately say, however, how many civilians would be allowed Saturday to traverse the heavily militarised ceasefire line from Indian Kashmir, where a deadly revolt is raging against New Delhi's rule.