Kashmir rebel groups reject call for truce
SRINAGAR â Two Muslim militant groups in Indian Kashmir have rejected a call by the regionâs top woman politician for a truce, saying their âjihadâ would continue until the Indians kill them the region was wrested from India.
The Himalayan regionâs top woman politician appealed to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday to help bring peace to the revolt-hit region by persuading Islamic militants to declare a ceasefire. âEncourage them to announce a ceasefire,â Mehbooba Mufti urged Musharraf. âPeople in Kashmir want peace, not violence.â
But the regionâs most powerful group, Hizbul Mujahideen, said it would not agree to any ceasefire in the 16-year-old insurgency against New Delhiâs rule. âThe jihad will continue until Kashmir is liberated from India,â Hizbulâs spokesman and Kashmir-based field commander Junaid-ul-Islam was quoted by a local news agency as saying late on Friday.
"A truce would be un-Islamic!" |
Posted by: Steve White 2005-08-14 |