Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: July 14, 2001
Notwithstanding the official denial
here, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had an unpublicised meeting with
militant groups last week during which they reposed their confidence in
his decision to hold talks with Indian leaders and agreed to join a ceasefire
if the summit achieves a "positive breakthrough."
The assurance by representatives
of the jehadi outfits fighting in Kashmir was handed over to Mr Musharraf
at a meeting between him and representatives of the United Jehadi Council
(UJC) last week, The Nation newspaper report said here on Friday.
UJC, a conglomerate of 14 Pakistan-based
jehadi groups, is led by Hizb-ul Mujahideen leader Sayed Salauddin. Besides
Hizb, it includes Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and 12 other minor militant groups
committed to Deoband school of Islamic theology. Lashkar-e-Toiba, which
is also active in Kashmir and has opposed the Indo-Pak summit is not part
of the UJC and decided to step up attacks during Mr Musharraf's three-day
India visit.
Quoting sources, the report said
it would be considered as a major breakthrough, if India accepts Kashmir
as a disputed territory.
"Mr Musharraf was also assured that
jehadi organisations would accept ceasefire in the valley if India accepted
Kashmir as a disputed territory and agreed to respect the wishes of Kashmiri
people," the Nation daily said, adding, they urged him to press for the
inclusion of the Hurriyat Conference in a tripartite dialogue.
According to the report, Hizb spokesman
Saleem Hashmi declined to confirm the meeting. Hashmi told the paper that
jihadi groups believed India was forced to hold talks with Pakistan due
to "years of armed struggle" by mujahideen groups.
The meeting and its details were
not made public by either side. The meeting also assumes significance as
Lashkar, which is considered to be "extreme" among the militant groups,
had criticised Mr Musharraf for not consulting the militant groups and
the families of militants who were killed in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Ilyas Kashmiri, the "chief
commander" of the Harkat-al-Jehad-e-Islami, has said "all Indian cities,
including New Delhi are on mujahideen's target and mujahideen will soon
target New Delhi." (PTI)