Muzaffarabad (AsiaNews/Agencies) - With garlands around their necks and the strains of Indian bagpipes in their ears, it was almost as if the past 58 years of painful separation had never happened.

The 30 bus passengers from Pakistan's side of divided Kashmir - the first for more than half a century to cross the heavily militarised Line of Control, the de facto border - were welcomed with open arms in the Indian zone, in what just minutes before was alien territory.

Family members kept apart from their loved ones by decades of bloodshed waited anxiously, while Indian officials offered the visitors from Pakistani Kashmir's capital, Muzaffarabad, marigold garlands and bouquets of flowers.

Passenger Zulekha Bibi was overwhelmed. "For the first time since I left home in 1965 after the war, I am returning home to see my five sisters. My father died during my absence. It is very emotional for me."

The passengers were greeted by dancing and singing children and Indian Kashmiri Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh welcomed the passengers via satellite phone.

Kashmir was divided along with the Indian subcontinent by the British in 1947, with New Delhi later gaining control. But Pakistani militants invaded what is now Islamabad's zone, splitting the territory.

Most of the region's militant groups oppose the bus service, which they see as a gimmick rather than a step towards an acceptable peace deal.

The bus service started a day after an attack in Srinagar by suspected Islamic militants on a guest house where passengers were staying. Six people were injured but the passengers escaped unharmed. Both sides vowed not to let militants disrupt the occasion.

There were no serious reports of violence yesterday, but a small explosion went off near Pattan on the Indian side of the route.

• pakistan
• india
• kashmir
• terrorism
• war
• diplomacy