SRINAGAR, March 30: The chief of an alliance of Kashmiri militant groups on Thursday said it would consider a truce if New Delhi recognised the region as ‘disputed’, a report said on Thursday.

New Delhi says Kashmir is an integral part of India and not disputed.

“The Hizbul Mujahideen and the entire militant leadership will consider a proposal for truce only if the Indian government acknowledges the disputed (status of the region) and tripartite nature of the Kashmir issue,” a local news agency quoted chairman of the United Jihad Council Syed Salahuddin as saying.

Mr Salahuddin is also the supreme commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest militant group fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir. It declared a ceasefire and started peace talks with India in mid-2000.

But the talks broke down almost immediately because New Delhi refused to include Pakistan in the dialogue.

“Armed confrontation would automatically recede as the dialogue process moves forward,” Mr Salahuddin said.

Militant groups want Pakistan to be a part of a three-way dialogue besides New Delhi and political separatists. — Reuters