The first call was placed by Abdul Gani, 65, from the police control room in occupied Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, police and witnesses said. "I was very happy to know that my relatives are alright," Gani told reporters after the call. He also thanked the Indian prime minister for allowing the service.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh intervened personally to restore phone links after repeated demands from the residents of Indian occupied Kashmir where divided families were frantic for news of relatives after the 7.6-magnitude quake hit October 8.
The state-run Department of Telecommunications has set up four telephone centres - two in the worst hit districts of Uri and Tangdar, officials said. Centres were also opened in occupied Srinagar and in occupied Jammu. However, at Uri the phones failed to work.
"Dozens of people waited for hours but we were told the lines are not through," Irshad Ahmed from Garkote village in Uri said.
A top federal Home Ministry official V.K. Duggal told reporters in occupied Srinagar the service would be permitted for 15 days.
"It is absolutely free. People who have relatives across should avail it," Duggal said, who did not say whether the service would continue after the fortnight.
"Forget about how long it runs. Use it as long as it is there." Politicians, residents and officials hailed the government's decision.
"We welcome this humanitarian gesture," said Mehbooba Mufti, the head of Indian occupied Kashmir's ruling People's Democratic Party in occupied Srinagar.
"This service will bring immense relief to the thousands of people who have their relatives across the Line of Control (LoC) and are desperate to know about their welfare," she said.
"The opening of these free centres will bring huge relief to the people like me," said 35-year-old Altaf Ahmed of Uri town. "I want to know about Tajamul Hussain, my cousin and his family. We are very anxious," he said.
Indian authorities said the facility would be available for 15 days initially.
On Singh's instructions the federal telecom department at the weekend also allowed people to make phone calls to the AJK through a prior booking system called trunk calls.
"If you want to call any part of Pakistan you can book your call," Duggal said.