Pakistan on Wednesday condemned the attack on tourist reception in Srinagar in the India-held Kashmir and expressed confidence that the bus service across the Line of Control would operate on schedule, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.

"We condemn this attack on innocent Kashmiris," Foreign Office spokesman Jalil Abbas Jillani told the state-owned agency.

He said the bus service was a humanitarian gesture meant to alleviate the sufferings of those who are longing to see their beloved ones across the LoC.

"We offer our grave sorrow and sympathies with those Kashmiris who were injured in this attack," the spokesman said referring to the attack in Srinagar.

He said Pakistan contacted the Indian government after the incident and "we have been told by India that bus from Srinagar will operate as scheduled."

"We appreciate this decision of the Indian government as it would provide an opportunity to members of the divided families to undertake the journey," Jalil Abbas said.

He said the India-held Kashmiri government had made elaborate arrangements for the security and comfort of the passengers.

Two gunmen Wednesday attacked the tourism building of Srinagar, where the will-be passengers were waiting here for the first liner initiated tomorrow, killing three persons and the two gunmen was shot dead on the spot.

The spokesman said the bus from Muzaffarabad will be on way to Srinagar at 10:00 AMon Thursday morning.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2005)