In a strongly worded statement released in PoK Capital Muzaffarabad, Khan, while condemning the attack on Mirwaiz's residence has asked people to stop "bashing" India for every nasty thing that happens in and around the Himalayan region.

"Though I strongly denounce this attack, the attitude of unnecessarily linking whatever bad happens to India has to be given up," local daily Dawn quoted him as saying.

Indirectly blaming the militant groups for the attack, Khan said it seems to be the work of the forces opposed to the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan.

"The cowardly and ghastly act was just an attempt to derail the whole process," he said. "Mirwaiz is an icon of frontline Kashmiri leadership and an attack at his residence should be condemned by the whole nation.

The enemies of the peace process would not be allowed to succeed in their designs and no attempt can cow down the determined leadership," he said.

Khan's remarks were in sharp contrast to the reactions of some of the militant groups and the state-run media in Pakistan. The Mirwaiz was expected to arrive in Islamabad on Thursday to hold talks with President Pervez Musharraf and PoK leaders.