Srinagar, Aug 20 (IANS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on Thursday urged India and Pakistan to work out a joint strategy to combat terrorism in the region.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, Sayeed visited the northern border town of Uri and walked up to the 'Aman Setu' (Peace Bridge) connecting the Indian and Pakistan administered Kashmir.

The gesture comes at a time when Indian and Pakistani troops have been locked in gun battles along the Line of Control (LoC) which divides Jammu and Kashmir between the two countries.

The firing and shelling have left seven people dead in the last 10 days.

"This (peace) is the reality, and not what is happening on the LoC in Poonch. Peace has a much larger constituency in India and Pakistan than those who want to disturb it," he told reporters there.

"Hostilities at the borders must immediately end and India and Pakistan must work out a joint mechanism to combat terrorism in the region," he added.

The chief minister supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to build closer ties among SAARC countries.

Members of divided families on the two sides of the LoC use the Aman Setu bridge to cross over for re-union with relatives.