The work on the road crossing the de facto border between the two countries in the Himalayan state of Kashmir follows decades of sniper and artillery fire across a dividing line strewn with landmines until a few weeks ago.

"I had never visualised Indians and Pakistanis working together. Now it is a treat to see them working on this road," said Mohammed Sidiq, a labourer from neighbouring Odussa village.

The situation contrasts with the only other border crossing between the two countries, at Wagah in the Punjab state. There, soldiers from the two countries face off in an evening closing ceremony that ends with the gates slammed shut for the night. It is also a change from a border standoff in the summer of 2002, when the two countries almost went to war.

Instead, the soldiers are coordinating efforts to rebuild the bridge and road linking this key Indian army post to Pakistan-controlled Kashmir for a bus service set to start April 7.

"The army commanders from two sides share jokes, have tea and snacks during meetings," an Indian army officer said.

Only 15 months ago, the garrisons on either side of the road used to wake each other up with machine gun bursts and artillery fire. Suspicious movement on either side ignited gunbattles.