The Aman Setu or Peace Bridge at the Line of Control was thrown open for the second time on February 20, by Jammu and Kashmir [Images] Chief Minister Ghulam [Images] Nabi Azad and Lieutenant General SS Dhillon, who heads the army in the state.

The Aman Setu links Kashmir with PoK and was constructed last year to facilitate the launch of the historic bus service between Srinagar [Images] and Muzaffarnagar.

The road to peace

However, the bridge was completely destroyed in the 7.6 Richter earthquake that struck Kashmir on October 8, 2005. The 210-feet bridge, located 120 km north of Srinagar, was reconstructed recently.

The reopening was an occasion of festivity and an opportunity for some pomp, army style.

Left: Bagpipers walk across the bridge during the reopening ceremony
Middle: A Kashmiri school girl waves a flag on the occasion
Right: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Lieutenant General S S Dhillon at the ceremony

Photo: Sajjad Hussain/Getty Images