Kashmir grenade attack wounds 35

Separatists' supporters protested against the Indian army on Monday

At least 35 people have been injured in a grenade attack in Srinagar in Indian administered Kashmir, police say.

The grenade was hurled at the heavily-guarded main telegraph office in the summer capital as people were queuing to pay their bills.

In other violence, three Indian soldiers have died in clashes with militants in southern Doda district.

At least 35,000 people have died in 14 years of insurgency in Kashmir, scene of two wars between India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, India has called Pakistan's response to a raft of proposals unveiled last week by Delhi "unfortunate".

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry had said they were a tactical move by India to project itself as peacemaker.

Day of violence

Muslim militants from the Kashmir Freedom Force fighting Indian rule in the divided territory said they carried out the attack in Srinagar, which left two people seriously injured.

"I was thrown against the wall by the force of the explosion," shopkeeper Mohammad Ashraf told Reuters news agency.

"I saw people running everywhere, and I saw my leg was bleeding."

In Doda district, two soldiers died and eight were injured when their vehicle ran over a landmine.

A third soldier died in a gun battle which broke out after the blast. No group has yet said it planted the mine.

In Akhnoor district two children and a woman were among five injured in firing between the security forces and militants, the authorities say.

'Top militant' killed

On Monday, Indian forces said they had killed a leading member of the main militant group fighting Indian troops in Kashmir, the Hizbul Mujahideen.

Saifur Rehman Bajwa, an alleged veteran of the insurgency, died in a gun battle in Srinagar the previous day.

The Hizbul Mujahideen has confirmed the death.

Violence has risen sharply recently in the Himalayan state in recent months, despite hesitant peace overtures between India and Pakistan.

A surprise offer by India last week to hold talks with the separatists is still being weighed up by some of the political factions opposed to rule from Delhi.

Pro-Pakistan hardliners in the separatist movement have already dismissed the offer as mere rhetoric.

India accuses its neighbour and nuclear rival of sponsoring the militants - a charge Pakistan denies.