The Hizbul Mujahideen, a militant outfit fighting Indian rule in Kashmir, is set to reunite with a splinter group that broke away in 2002. "Reconciliation is underway and is expected to end on a positive note," sources told Daily Times. According to the sources, the reconciliation is the product of the efforts of the Azad Kashmir chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami.On the instructions of Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Sardar Ejaz Afzal, head of the JI in Azad Kashmir, initiated efforts to resolve differences within the ranks of Hizbul Mujahideen, which is headed by Syed Salahuddin. Sources said Afzal's efforts over the last two to three months would likely succeed at the end of this month. Afzal confirmed the report and said JI wanted the "mujahideen" to remain united for the sake of the Kashmiri freedom struggle. "Unity is very important for the Kashmiri movement," he said.
Sources said the Hizbul Mujahideen split in July 2002 when renowned commander Abdul Majid Dar announced a unilateral ceasefire. After Dar was killed in March 2003, the top commanders of his group and the majority of its fighters joined Hizb-e-Islami under Masood Sarfaraz, though some returned to their parent organisation.