MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 17: The Supreme Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Syed Salahuddin, on Thursday termed the proposed bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad a 'cosmetic step'.

"It is an abortive attempt to rub salt on the wounds of the Kashmiris. The Kashmiris cannot be cheated, nor the international community misled with such cosmetic steps," the Hizb chief said in a statement.

"This step has no significance for the Mujahideen and the people of Kashmir. Nor can it bring any positive change in the situation on the ground in the held territory," he added.

Mr Salahuddin said Kashmir was a troubled area where the 'absolute authority wielding Indian troops are mercilessly violating human rights'. "There is no let-up in killings of innocent people. How can the launching of a mere bus service bring any change in such a grim situation?"

The Hizb chief asked the governments in Islamabad and New Delhi that "they should pay serious attention to resolving the basic issue instead of testing the patience of the Kashmiris". "Both the countries should concede the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris and let them decide their future on their own free will."

However, pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front ruled out any opposition by the Kashmiris to the bus service if launched without the condition of visa and passport.

"Kashmiris will have no objection if this service is started without the condition of visa and passport and if it does not cast any negative impact on the freedom struggle or create an impression that the state of Kashmir is a constitutional part of India or Pakistan," JKLF chief Amanullah Khan said in a statement.