Poonch (J-K), May 7 : The Poonch-Rawalakot bus service has brought joy to the people on either side of Kashmir.

A total of 74 passengers from both sides of Kashmir crossed the Line of Control (LOC) at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch District on Wednesday. Of these, 36 were Indian citizens who returned after visting their relatives in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), while 38 PoK residents bid adieu after meeting their kith and kin living in Poonch.

The passengers said the opening of this second bus route between Poonch in Kashmir and Rawalakot in PoK would benefit various divided families.

Srinagar, India  -  A senior militant leader was shot dead by security forces in India-administered Kashmir, police said Wednesday.

Sajad Afghani was the "chief operations commander" of the Pakistan-based Islamic militant outfit Harkat-ul Mujahideen, a police official said.

Afghani was killed during a raid by security forces on an abandoned hospital building in Sopore town, about 45 kilometres north of Jammu and Kashmir state capital Srinagar late on Tuesday, a local police official said.

He said a policeman had been injured during the raid.

Srinagar, Kashmir - At least three top militants, all senior commanders of Muslim militant outfits, were killed in separate gun-battles in India-administered Kashmir, police said Tuesday.

Following a tip-off about the presence of militants from Lashkar-e-Toiba in a village in Kishtwar district 170 kilometres east of winter capital Jammu, the local police laid a cordon in the area early on Tuesday.

"During the search operation, the militants fired on the police starting the gun-battle. Abu Hamza, the self-styled zonal commander of the LeT was killed in the encounter. Two other militants managed to escape," a police official said requesting anonymity.

A police constable was also killed in the gun-fight, police said.

Srinagar, Apr 29 : Football players in Jammu and Kashmir are busy preparing for the Santosh Trophy tournament to be held in the state next month after a long wait of nearly 30 years.

As many as 35 teams from across the country are expected to showcase their soccer skills in the 62nd edition of the tournament.

"The tournament was last held here in 1985. We will get to see major players like Baichung Bhutia and Mehrajuddin. We will get considerable exposure," said Zubair Ahmad, a soccer player.

Preparations are on in full swing for the big event. The sports authorities are getting the grounds ready and players are practicing to give their best performance in matches.

Akhnoor (J-K), Apr 26 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has favoured more road links with the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to build confidence.

Addressing a public meeting after dedicating the longest bridge over the Chenab River here on Friday, Dr. Singh said New Delhi is in favour of weekly bus service between Srinagar and Muzafarabad and Poonch and Rawalakote.

He also said New Delhi has taken up with Islamabad the opening up of Kargil Skardu and Jammu Sialkot roads also.

Reasi, Apr 25 : Two Hizbul Mujahiden (HM) militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi District on Friday.