TETRINOTE (AJK), Nov 7: The Azad Kashmir police fired into the air and lobbed tear-gas shells to disperse a mob trying to cross the Line of Control near this village in the southern Poonch district as the unmarked dividing line was opened for earthquake relief on Monday.

The LoC was not opened for civilians who on both sides have been awaiting permission to move across and help their quake-stricken relatives.

Pakistan and India agreed to the unprecedented opening of the LoC, identifying five crossing points, Nauseri-Tithwal, Chakothi-Uri, Hajipir-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapani-Mendhar.

However, on Monday only one crossing - Rawalakot-Poonch – was opened and officials said two other points would be ready for opening in a week.

A Pakistan army officer offered a white flag to his Indian counterpart across a white line painted at the crossing near the Poonch River and then the two officers shook hands, declaring the LoC open for aid exchange.

A signboard on the Indian side read: “We have not opened the LoC, we have opened hearts.”

The ceremony was watched by hundreds of desperate Kashmiris from a place some 300 yards away. They shouted slogans calling for permission to move across the LoC and for independence.

Two residents of nearby Akramabad village, identified as Majeed and Yaseen, ran towards the LoC holding their young sons, in an apparent bid to cross over but police stopped them, and removed them from the place.

But dozens others also attempted to storm the LoC, forcing police to use tear-gas shells and fire into the air to disperse them.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Poonch (AJK) Sardar Farooq Tabassam and Deputy Commissioner of occupied Poonch Mohammad Ramzan exchanged lists of relief goods as Divisional Commissioner of occupied Jammu Braj Raj Sharma looked on.

Mr Sharma described the moment as historic.

“They say that adversity unites people. This is what is happening today,” he said.

Trucks carrying relief goods came to the line and porters from the held territory handed sacks of tents to their counterparts on the AJK side, who loaded them onto their truck. According to Indian officials, they had brought 25 truckloads of relief goods, including tents, tarpaulins, food and medicine.

One truck from Pakistan was unloaded by Indian workers.

Officials said that civilians “may be allowed to cross the LoC by Nov 14” and priority would be given to members of divided families.

Later, other people will be allowed to cross, they said, adding that visitors would initially be given permission for seven days but that could be extended.

In April, India and Pakistan allowed the first official opening of the LoC by starting a fortnightly bus service to provide an opportunity to divided Kashmiri families to meet each other. The service was suspended after the earthquake, only two days after its 14th trip.

Jawed Naqvi adds from New Delhi: India, committed to open two more crossing points on the LoC this week and another two not too much later, insisted on Monday that travellers would be allowed in and out on the basis of detailed procedures that are assigned to the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus passengers.

Stating this, a foreign ministry spokesman also expressed sympathy with the rush of anxious people on both sides of the LoC who were prevented from crossing over at the checkpoint in the Poonch sector opened on Monday.

“We have seen reports of large numbers of people trying to reach the Indian relief camp at Poonch, after the crossing point along the LoC was opened this morning at Chakan da Bagh,” the spokesman said.

“The Pakistan authorities reportedly had to use force to prevent them from crossing the LoC. We understand the sentiments of the people who had gathered at the LoC and their desire to meet their relatives and avail of or offer relief to one another. The government of India has already declared its willingness to facilitate meetings of divided families at the 5 designated points.”

The spokesman, however, stressed that the October 29 agreement between India and Pakistan on earthquake relief mechanisms allowed for “five crossing points to be operationalized along the LoC and using the same procedures as are applicable for the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service.”

Kashmiri citizens say the existing travel procedure is tedious and faulty, not conducive to easing the trauma of divided families who are trying to seek out their families and friends after last month’s devastating earthquake.

On Saturday the Indian spokesman had explained that after the crossing point at Chakan da Bagh in Poonch was opened on Monday, both countries would operationalize the Kaman checkpoint in Uri on Nov 9 and Tithwal in Tangdhar on Nov 10.

“People can start using these points to cross the LoC as soon as their names are approved by both sides,” an Indian spokesman said on Saturday.

“As agreed, due to the non-availability of or damage to infrastructure at the above crossing points, crossing would be permitted on foot,” he said.