Islamists Slam “Anti-Jihad" Elements In Kashmir Separatist Front
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan-controlled Kashmir (AFP) - An Islamist group Monday accused some leaders of Kashmir's main separatist alliance of trying to weaken the ongoing jihad, or holy war, against Indian rule.
"Some leaders of All Party Hurriyat [Freedom] Conference [APHC] are out to change the chemistry of the ongoing sacred struggle," the pro-Pakistan Jamiatul Mujahideen said in a statement.
The statement, signed by spokesman Jamil Ahmad, did not identify the leaders but said the group had "solid evidence" that they were "directly or indirectly trying to weaken the armed struggle in Kashmir."
The APHC, an umbrella organization of some two-dozen Kashmiri parties, is recognized by Islamabad as the sole representative of the people of Kashmir, the divided Himalayan state rocked by an anti-Indian Kashmiri revolt.
Pakistan is awaiting an APHC delegation from Indian-administered Kashmir to visit Islamabad this month for talks following recent peace moves by the two countries.
The Jamiatul Mujahideen delivered a stern warning to "anti-jihad elements" in the APHC.
"They must bear in mind that the people who are shedding blood in the battlefield will not let this happen. Their attempts will be foiled."
"By the blessing of Allah, the Almighty, the hands holding the guns will continue targeting Indian soldiers unless New Delhi pulls its troops out of Kashmir and the state is merged into Pakistan," the group said.
The 11-year campaign in Kashmir has claimed more than 34,000 lives in the Indian zone of Kashmir, of which Pakistan holds the northern third.
Pakistan and India have fought two wars and a border conflict over the disputed territory since 1947.
