'Conspiracy in Indo-UK joint exercise in Ladakh'

Srinagar, Sep 23: The breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC), headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has expressed serious concern over the joint military exercise by Indian Army and British troops in Ladakh region.

The advisory council of the amalgam, which held a meeting at its Rajbag headquarter here under the chairmanship of Mr Geelani, said the joint army exercises in the sensitive area of Jammu and Kashmir have given rise to several questions.

A HC spokesman said alleged that India was active on various fronts to justify and strengthen its ''occupation in Kashmir''.

The Hurriyat leaders at the meeting said that the British rulers in 1947 were responsible for Kashmir issue and now holding joint exercises with India has again raised a question on its credibility.

The spokesman alleged that India was taking all help from Israel to weaken the ongoing ''freedom movement'' of Kashmiris.

A four-week joint training in high altitude warfare of Britain and Indian troops started in Ladakh Himalayas since last week.

However, a defence ministry spokesman said the joint training has nothing to do with Kashmir insurgency as it is a part of the training co-operation between the armed forces of Britain and India.

He said a company of UK Marines, comprising about 125 personnel alongwith one company of Indian Army paratroopers were participating in the training during which they are scheduled to be jointly trained in high altitude warfare.

UNI