November 30, 2003	Sunday	Shawwal 5, 1424

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SRINAGAR, Nov 29: A militant group on Saturday slammed this week’s ceasefire between India and Pakistan on the de facto border in disputed Kashmir, saying it is only benefiting New Delhi.

“Pakistani Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali initiated a step that has benefited India by all accounts,” the deputy chief of Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, Malik Tahir Nawaz, said in a statement issued here.

The rival armies silenced their guns at midnight Tuesday after Mr Jamali declared a ceasefire which was reciprocated by New Delhi.

Malik Nawaz said India was using the ceasefire to fence the 760km Line of Control that splits Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Indian army officials say more than 170km of the 760km LoC have been fenced and claim the exercise will be completed by May next year.

By fencing the LoC India will strengthen its position in Kashmir, said Malik Nawaz, whose group wants to merge occupied Kashmir with Pakistan.

“Mujahideen reject the truce. We have vowed to intensify our movement against Indian-rule in Kashmir,” the statement said.—AFP