Separatists in Indian-administered Kashmir have welcomed plans by the territory's incoming chief minister to resolve the conflict - but have questioned whether he can deliver.

PDP programme

Disband special police task force Investigate deaths in custody Look at cases of those held without charge Offer rehabilitation for victims of violence

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is to head the new administration in Kashmir after the recent assembly elections.

Leading separatist Maulvi Mohammad Ansari said whatever measures he took for peace would be welcome.

Mr Sayeed announced a series of measures aimed at tackling militancy and curbing abuses after talks in Delhi.

His People's Democratic Party (PDP) has joined forces with the Congress Party.

The change of guard after years of rule by the National Conference party has raised hopes among ordinary people of steps to improve life in Kashmir, wracked for over a decade by a violent anti-Indian insurgency.

Peace challenges

Mr Ansari said that if Indian security forces returned to the barracks, ordinary Kashmiris would be relieved - apparently referring to Mr Sayeed's pledge to disband a special police task force.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed: Wants to win hearts and minds

He also said he agreed that dialogue would lead to a resolution of the conflict, and urged the new administration to take steps in this direction.

But he said that he was sceptical about Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's ability to deliver given his past and possible resistance from some quarters.

The commander of a leading militant group described the moves as "cosmetic."

Saiful Islam of the Hizbul Mujahideen group said the people of Kashmir had not been fighting all this time just for the disbandment of the special police task force.

Warm welcome

However, Mr Sayeed received a rousing reception on his return to Srinagar from Delhi on Monday.

Many are hoping for an end to the violence

Thousands of people turned up at the airport in the Kashmiri capital, and accompanied his convoy to his residence.

Mr Sayeed told the crowd that he would fulfil the promises made during his election campaign.

"We have to try to heal the wounds inflicted on the people of the state," he said.

Some people on the streets voiced optimism about the territory's prospects.

"I think this government will be different," said newspaper seller Firdous Ahmed.

However, Pakistan has dismissed the formation of a new government in Kashmir.

Pakistani spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan repeated Pakistan's view that the elections held in September and October were a sham.

India and Pakistan both claim the territory, which has been at the centre of two out of three wars between them since 1948.