NEW DELHI, Jan 4: The JKLF leader Yasin Malik called on India and Pakistan on Friday to show “courage, vision and restraint” to avoid a war and resolve the Kashmir issue, which he described as the main obstacle to peace in South Asia.

Malik, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), also denounced the “war euphoria” which has seen the nuclear-capable rivals massing troops on their borders.

“We hope Vajpayee and Musharraf will show courage, vision and restraint so that there is no war,” Malik said.

“Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris must get engaged in a genuine dialogue to solve the Kashmir issue which is the only stumbling block for peace in South Asia.”

Malik welcomed the measures taken by Pakistan so far against extremist groups, but stressed that cracking down on Pakistan-based militants would not affect the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination.

“Whatever Pakistan does, the Kashmiri movement is and will remain an indigenous movement. It will not affect it in any way.”—AFP