UNITED NATIONS, April 7: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday applauded the inauguration of a bus service between Muzzafarabad and Srinagar across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, despite several security threats. In a statement, Mr Annan reiterated the hope that “this important step will lead to further progress towards improving conditions for the divided population and the resolution of all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan”.