The United States on Wednesday condemned as a "wanton act of terror on a powerful symbol of rapprochment" the militant attack on the building housing passengers for the inaugural Srinagar- Muzaffarabad bus service.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said, "Ordinary Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control strongly support this bus line that will restore linkages between them for the first time since 1947. We must not allow attempts to frustrate their hopes to succeed," Boucher said.

"We applaud the leaders of India and Pakistan for their statesmanship and efforts to reduce tensions. They will continue to have our strong support as they resolve their differences peacefully through dialogue," he added.