Kashmiri militants rally in Pakistani Kashmir
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) - Hundreds of Kashmiri militants and refugees from Indian-ruled Kashmir rallied in Pakistani side of the disputed region on Thursday, vowing for jihad or Muslim holy war to free their homeland from India.
"Our path, our aim is Jihad," shouted protesters led by Syed Salahuddin, head of the main Kashmiri guerrilla group, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen as they marched through the streets of Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
Gun-toting guards escorted Salahuddin as he made victory signs and chanted slogans along with protesters, while being driven through the city in an open-topped jeep.
"Let it be clear to the whole world that unless every single inch of Kashmir is liberated from the Indian yoke, our struggle will continue with full force," he said in a speech that also urged Pakistan to sever ties with India.
"Until India ends the economic blockade of Kashmir valley, lifts the curfew, halts atrocities and acknowledges the disputed status of the region, Pakistan should stop all relations with India.
A nine-day-long curfew that had been imposed to quell massive anti-India rallies was lifted on Tuesday, as the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan began.
At least 35 protesters in Indian held Kashmir were killed by security forces during some of the largest demonstrations since a revolt against Indian rule broke out in 1989.
Salahuddin described the peace process launched by the nuclear-armed India and Pakistan more than four years ago as a "meaningless exercise".
Leaders from several other militant groups, including the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, also addressed the rally.
"There are 4,500 martyrs from our organization alone in Kashmir. How can we sell out the sacred blood of these martyrs? Jihad will continue till its logical end," Abu Saad Shabbir, a Lashkar leader, told the crowd.
Relations between the nuclear-armed Pakistan and India improved after they launched the peace process.
However, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last month said the process was under threat and urged Pakistan to clamp down on militants after a suicide attack outside Indian embassy in Kabul in July that killed 58 people, soared their relations.
India has blamed Pakistan's main spy agency for the attack. Pakistan has denied involvement.
Until a few weeks ago, the two armies had largely stuck to a ceasefire agreed in late 2003, but lately there have been several exchanges of fire across the Line of Control, as the de facto border dividing Kashmir.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir, since they gained independence from British rule in 1947.
India accused Pakistan of fuelling nearly 20-year old Muslim insurgency in its only Muslim-majority state. Pakistan denies charge and says it only gives political, diplomatic and moral support to what it calls Kashmiri freedom struggle.
(Editing by Zeeshan Haider)
