NEW DELHI, Dec 3 — The Hurriyat Conference has described the ceasefire offer by Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir as a step towards ushering peace.

‘‘We welcome the announcement by the Pakistan Government to exercise maximum restraint at the LoC,’’ a Hurriyat Conference spokesman said, hoping that New Delhi would also reciprocate the offer.

Maintaining that the Hurriyat Conference had endorsed suspension of combat operations against militants announced by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, the spokesman said more bold steps were needed to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Hurriyat Conference Chairman Abdul Ghani Bhatt is in Delhi these days amid speculation that unofficial talks could start with the Centre on the vexed Kashmir issue.

While JKLF Chairman Yaseen Malik is already camping here and participating in seminars and talks on the issue, senior Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq also flew to the Capital this evening, a senior Hurriyat leader, who is in Pakistan these days, is also expected to arrive in Delhi in a day or two. His input about talks in Pakistan including that with General Pervez Mushrraf would play a vital part in the Hurriyat deciding about the course it should adopt.

Mr Bhatt had earlier suggested that the Hurriyat could start separate but simultaneous talks with Indian and Pakistani officials. While Pakistan had given its support to the idea, India had not responded to it.