SRINAGAR, Nov 1: As New Delhi and Islamabad talk peace, violence has abated in held Kashmir this year, with fewer militants crossing over into the revolt-torn region..

Indian security forces gave themselves the credit for the fall in attacks and 'cross-border infiltration' and alleged that Pakistani authorities were still trying to push guerillas across the Line of Control (LoC) dividing the disputed region.

"The number of militancy-related incidents came down to 1,500 (so far) in 2004 from 2,100 in the first 10 months of 2003," K. Srinivasan, a senior Border Security Force (BSF) officer, said on Monday.

Hours after his comments, suspected guerillas hurled a grenade into a crowded market in the region, wounding at least 21 pedestrians, police said.

They said the grenade was aimed at a police patrol in town of Shopian, 55km south of Srinagar, but it missed itstarget and exploded amid pedestrians.

"When we reached the spot people were crying for help. At least eight are in critical condition," a police officer said.

Srinivasan said Indian intelligence estimates show 370 militants crossed into held Kashmir allegedly from the Pakistani side crossing the LoC, down from about 1,200 in the first 10 months of 2003. This was an indication Pakistan had not completely halted cross-border incursions by guerillas, Srinivasan told Reuters.

The BSF claimed in a statement the decline in violence and infiltration was largely due to Indian efforts.-Reuters