United Progressive Alliance chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi [Images] will flag off the second bus service between India and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Tuesday.

The service, which will connect Poonch on the India side and Rawlakot in PoK, will see 45 Indian passengers and 65 Pakistanis cross over to either side to meet their relatives after more than five decades.

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's [Images] decision to stay away from the inauguration is seen as a strong message to the Pakistan government regarding the increase in terrorist activity in the region in the recent weeks.

Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni will accompany Sonia, who will fly into Poonch. Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad will receive her in the airport.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee will also be present during the ceremony.