MUZAFFARABAD, June 23: A leading Muslim Mujahideen group battling Indian rule in Kashmir on Sunday said the region’s main separatist alliance would give a “wrong message” if it crossed the de facto border for talks on the Pakistani side.

Hizbul Mujahideen said the proposed visit of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to Azad Jammu and Kashmir could imply a split because a series of high-profile APHC leaders had been arrested by India recently.

“India is eliminating the sincere leaders in Kashmir through its agents and is imprisoning others. Initiation of the negotiation process by some Hurriyat leaders in such a set of circumstances would leave a question mark on the honour and dignity of the conglomerate,” said a statement from Syed Salahuddin, leader of the largest anti-India guerrilla group.

APHC hardliner Syed Ali Gilani was arrested on June 9 under an anti-terrorism law, and another two executive members of the Hurriyat, Yasin Malik and Sheikh Abdul Aziz, have also been imprisoned this year.

APHC moderate Abdul Ghani Lone was shot dead last month.

The APHC announced this week it wanted to visit the Pakistani side to persuade separatists there to call a truce with India, a suggestion which Hizbul Mujahideen had rejected.

Salahuddin called on the APHC to demand an immediate release of its leaders by India and then set up its delegation.—AFP