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Armed Hizb men visit mosque in J&K

For the first time in several years, militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen appeared at the historic Jamia mosque, where thousands of people offered Friday prayers in the afternoon, brandishing weapons.

Before leaving, the militants shouted pro-Pakistan slogans and fired several shots in the air.

The six masked militants, with AK-47 rifles and pistols, entered the mosque from the rear entrance. They later met journalists who were there to cover the main religious function on the eve of the Jumatul Vida (last Friday during Ramzan).

All executive members of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference were at the mosque, where nearly two lakh people had gathered. "We had come to listen to speeches of APHC leaders," said a militant leader who introduced himself as Abdul Basit Srinagar, district commander, Hizbul Mujahideen.

He told journalists that the Hizb favoured the state's merger with Pakistan. "If we get independence, India will not allow us to sit peacefully, so it is better to merge with Pakistan. My outfit favours accession of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan."

He said that the unilateral cease-fire announced by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was "nothing but an attempt to deceive the world community". During the cease-fire, Basit claimed between 60 to 80 militants were killed in custody.

He said the APHC leaders could visit "Pakistan and we have no problems with that if it leads to a solution of the problem".

Sources said the outfit had put two banners of their organisation in the temple.

While leaving, the militants shouted pro-Pak slogans and fired several rounds from their automatics.

The APHC leaders told the Friday gathering that the Kashmir issue should be resolved peacefully soon. They described the extension of the cease-fire and subsequent steps taken by Pakistan as "praiseworthy" and asked people to remain united. The APHC leaders reiterated that the Kashmir problem should either be solved by implementation of the United Nations resolutions or through tripartite talks

Earlier, in a statement, Hizb deputy chief Abdul Majeed Dar said that his outfit had a "role in the resolution of the Kashmir problem, which cannot be ignored''.

Dar described the extension and subsequent withdrawal of troops by Pakistan as "important steps which show that both countries were serious to solve the Kashmir problem".

Dar said that the Hizb was keeping a close watch on the situation and was continuing its activities, yet "we will fulfil our responsibilities in future".

The cease-fire: Complete coverage

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