Third Kashmir crossing opened - but not for people

LINE OF CONTROL, India/Pakistan, Sunday (Reuters) - India and Pakistan opened a third crossing point on their de facto border dividing the earthquake hit region of Kashmir but as with earlier openings this week both sides exchanged relief supplies without allowing Kashmiris across.

India and Pakistan have agreed to open five crossing points, as a humanitarian response to the Oct. 8 earthquake that killed over 75,000 people, mostly in Pakistani Kashmir.

But the governments have been criticised for their hesitance in opening the border to help deliver aid to communities cut off by landslides in the mountains and valleys of the remote region, and to allow villagers to visit kinfolk on the other side.

At Saturday's opening of a footbridge across the Neelum river between Chiliana in Pakistan and Tithwal in India, bags of relief goods containing tents, blankets, tools and warm clothing were given first by one side and then by the other.

The United Nations wants to see the ceasefire line opened to allow for movement of trucks it says could save thousands of lives in Pakistani Kashmir, but neither side has agreed to this.

Meantime, frustrated villagers peered across during Saturday's opening ceremony, looking for relatives on the other side of the valley flanked by forested hillside and snowy peaks.

"Today there will be no civilian movement, but later, after proper verification people from both sides can cross," Indian army Brigadier S. S. Jog said.

Pakistan says the delay to movement of people across the border is because India is not ready.