New Delhi, April 18 -- India on Thursday announced suspension of trade across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir from Friday, saying it is being misused by Pakistan-based elements to send weapons and illegal currency to fuel terrorism and separatism in this country.

The government said the decision, taken more than a month after withdrawing the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status granted to Pakistan, will be revisited after stricter regulatory mechanisms are put in place to ensure that "only bonafide trade" takes place, benefitting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The government of India has received reports that cross-LoC trade routes in Jammu and Kashmir are being misused by Pakistan-based elements. This misuse involves illeg...