Jammu, August 23 : The second round of talks between Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS), the group that is spearheading the land transfer agitation in Jammu in Jammu and Kashmir for the past two months and a panel of the state government ends on a positive note on Saturday.

The four member panel appointed by Governor N. N. Vohra held parleys with the four member committee appointed by the SASS.

The representatives expressed hope for an early solution to the issue after the meeting.

Srinagar, Kashmir - At least 12 Islamic militants and three government troops were killed in combat near India's de facto border with Pakistan in disputed Kashmir, officials said Saturday.

The clash started on Thursday night when soldiers intercepted a group of armed rebels who had crossed the Line of Control into northern Kupwara district in India-administered Kashmir.

"Twelve militants, a colonel and two soldiers of the Indian army were killed in the gunbattle which went on for more than 36 hours," Lieutenant Colonel AK Mathur said.

Srinagar, India  - Srinagar, the capital of India's Jammu and Kashmir state, prepared Friday for yet another rally called by Muslim separatist leaders after three days of relative calm.

Thousands of people were expected to attend the prayer meeting and rally called by the Coordination Committee - a forum of the separatist Hurriyat Conference, Kashmiri fruit growers' associations and some professional bodies - held at Idgah, a historic prayer ground in Srinagar.

Srinagar, Aug 21 : The on-going agitation over the Amarnath land row has badly hit educational activities in the Kashmir Valley.

College students in Srinagar complained that their studies have been badly hurt owing to the ongoing agitation.

Students said that they were the worst hit as the frequent protests, shutdown calls and curfew ahead of their annual examinations in the months of November-December have taken a toll on their studies.