The 19 Indian passengers from Srinagar [Images] crossed the peace bridge at the Kamman post to enter into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for a historic reunion with families and relations across the divide.

Earlier the passengers lunched at Salamabad. People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, who is also accompanying the passengers, returned to Srinagar from there.

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Mohammad Abdullah and his wife Fatimabi said they are going to meet their daughter after 16 yrs.

"My daughter has four children and I have not seen any of them," Fatima said.

She said her daughter was married in Srinagar. "The bridegroom had come with eight of his family members on visa, married her and took her to PoK," she added.

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Asked about the militant threat to disrupt the bus service, Fatima said: "Everything is in the hands of Allah!"

Earlier a powerful blast rocked Pattan, about 27 km from Srinagar, minutes after the buses passed the town in Baramulla district.

An improvised explosive device exploded inside a closed shop at Pattan Bazar, along the road, around 1225 IST, barely 10 minutes after the bus left the North Kashmir town, sources said.

No one was hurt in the explosion.

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Several firing shots were also heard after the blast, they said. It is believed that security personnel dotting the highway had resorted to the firing to foil any plans by militants to target the vehicle.

With PTI inputs