NEW DELHI – The Indian Government has decided to suspend all cross-LoCtrade with Pakistan from Thursday.

India blames the routes were being used by elements in Pakistan to pushweapons, narcotics and counterfeit currency into India.

“Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued orders to suspend the LoC tradein Jammu-Kashmir with effect from April 19.

This action has been taken as the Government of India has been receivingreports that the cross LoC trade routes are being misused by the Pakistanbased elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics, and fakecurrency, etc,” said an official statement.

It may be recalled that the LoC trade is meant to facilitate exchange ofgoods of common use between local populations across the LoC in Jammu &Kashmir.

The trade is allowed through two Trade Facilitation Centres located atSalamabad, Uri, District Baramulla and Chakkan-da-Bagh, District Poonch.

The trade takes place four days a week. The Trade is based on Barter systemand zero duty basis.