LoC drug haul: trucks from both sides stopped

A day after 114 packets of brown sugar were recovered from a Pakistani truck carrying almonds, more drama unfolded at the Line of Control (LoC) on Saturday, with trucks from both sides waiting at the border as both countries refused to accept consignments.

A day after 114 packets of brown sugar were recovered from a Pakistani truck carrying almonds, more drama unfolded at the Line of Control (LoC) on Saturday, with trucks from both sides waiting at the border as both countries refused to accept consignments.

On Friday, Jammu and Kashmir police had detained a truck driver and seized his vehicle after recovering nearly 100kg contraband, valued at `100 in the international market. While the local police claimed that it was brown sugar, a police spokesman in Srinagar said laboratory results of the contents were awaited.

According to some reports, the Bandipora-based trader who was importing the almonds, and some of his associates have been arrested.

"As the news of the driver's arrest spread, the Pakistan Army did not any allow any traffic to ply across the LoC," a source said.

"Right now, 49 trucks from Pakistan are waiting at Salamabad and 25 from this side have been stopped at Chakothi," a trader said.

A meeting held at 3pm with Pakistan authorities failed to yield a solution, with Pakistan remaining adamant on its stand that the arrested driver be released.

Meanwhile, Baramulla deputy inspector general JP Singh said the substance seized appeared to be brown sugar, but the authorities wanted forensic confirmation.

"Every consignment is properly checked before it crosses the border on either side. How the drugs could come to the Indian side is a big question," said a police source.