India has opened a free telephone link for earthquake victims to contact relatives across divided Kashmir, while in talks with Pakistan on opening the border. The news came as severe aftershocks shook Kashmir Wednesday, causing fresh landslides and sending waves of fear among the three million people left homeless by the Oct. 8 earthquake. India’s Foreign Ministry said four telephone centers would remain open in Jammu and Kashmir for a fortnight from Wednesday so people could call relatives in Muzaffarabad, ExpressIndia reported. Normally people must book calls in advance for security reasons. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf suggested late Tuesday that Kashmiris be allowed to cross the border to offer relief to relatives and help with reconstruction efforts. India said it welcomed Musharraf’s proposal, but was waiting for practical details as to how it could be implemented. India earlier offered military helicopters to aid the relief work in Pakistan, but withdrew the offer after Pakistan asked for the helicopters without their Indian pilots. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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