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Pakistan and India on Wednesday exchanged almost identical relief aid for earthquake survivors in a symbolic gesture after opening a second crossing point on the Line of Control.
Army commanders and government officials from the two sides met at the LoC and shook hands before declaring the crossing point open.
Pakistani porters dressed in green and Indian porters dressed in blue then began passing relief materials from hand to hand in both directions over the crossing, which links Kaman Post on occupied Kashmir side with Chakhoti in Azad Kashmir.
"Relief has been exchanged for Kashmiri villagers affected by the quake on both sides of the border," said Shafiq Ahmed, the Pakistani government official in charge of his side's relief camp.
"(On Monday) we took relief, now we exchanged it. It is a good beginning. We hope that this will go on. In the coming days more relief materials will be exchanged. Today's relief mainly consisted of food items, tents and blankets."
When the first of five designated relief points was opened on Monday, linking Titrinote in Azad Kashmir and Chakan da Bagh in occupied Kashmir, the relief supplies were solely for survivors in the AJK.
"It's a symbolic gesture," said Indian government official Bashir Runiyal, of Wednesday's exchange of supplies. "The main idea is to alleviate the sufferings of the quake victims. It will be an ongoing process."
So far no civilians have been allowed across the LoC as the two countries have agreed that a lengthy verification process is needed for those wanting to cross over.
This had led to frustration among survivors of the October 8 earthquake.
At Monday's historic opening Pakistani police fired tear gas as Kashmiris began surging towards occupied Kashmir, demanding to see their families on the other side.
Officials on both sides kept villagers further away from the LoC.
Although the AJK bore the brunt of the 7.6-magnitude quake, more than 1,300 people died and thousands were left homeless in occupied Kashmir.
Government officials said Kashmir quake survivors in occupied Kashmir have started applying for permission to cross the LoC and meet relatives.
"There are quite a few applications which have come to us. It is being processed," said Divisional Commissioner Naresh Kumar Verma. "The procedure (to complete the formalities) may take a few days."
On the occupied Kashmir side a field hospital comprising around 10 tents has been created. An Indian flag and a Red Cross flag fluttered from poles. Red Cross official Sheikh Hamid said his team has contributed medicines and kitchen sets as part of the government relief.
Nazir Ahmed Qanoongo, head of the government medical team at the hospital, said no patients have been treated so far.
"We have set up a team consisting of five male and two female doctors and seven paramedics. We are waiting for patients and hopefully they will come," Qanoongo told AFP. "The team is equipped with X-ray, laboratory, orthopaedic and surgeons."
The Kaman Post crossing, 115km north-west of occupied Srinagar, was used when the nuclear-armed neighbours re-launched a bus service across the LoC in April, but the so-called "peace bridge" was destroyed in the earthquake.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005

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