India and Pakistan on Thursday will hold the first round of talks in Islamabad on starting a bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

At the two-day talks officials from both sides will discuss technical details and modalities, including customs, setting up of immigration points and rebuilding of roads and bridges linking the route.

Joint Secretary in the Surface Transport Department Alok Rawat is leading the Indian delegation.

The two sides are also considering another bus link between Munabao and Khokrapar linking Rajasthan and the Sindh province.

The two bus links were part of the proposals made by India on October 22 last year. These included revival of sporting links and restoring the strength of respective diplomatic missions in Islamabad and New Delhi, slashed in the wake of December 13, 2001 terror strike on Parliament.