Guns to fall silent if Kashmir resolved through talks: Geelani

Srinagar, Jan 11 (UNI) A senior Hurriyat leader today claimed United Jehad Council (UJC) chairman and Hizbul Mujahideen supremo Syed Salahuddin had assured him that militants would not be an obstacle in the resolution of the Kashmir issue through dialogue.

Addressing a news conference here, senior Hurriyat leader Saleem Geelani said he held ''positive'' talks with Salahuddin during his recent month-long visit to Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

''Salahuddin told me that if India is sincere in resolving the Kashmir issue, we will never be an obstacle and the guns will fall silent,'' he claimed.

Mr Geelani, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir National Peoples Party, said the role of the Hurriyat in resolving the contentious issue was being appreciated by one and all in Pakistan and PoK.

He had a word of praise for Pakistan, saying Islamabad was doing well to curb militant activities and not allowing use of its territory by militants for subversive activities.

''Pakistan has never allowed militants to use its land for subversive activities against India,'' Mr Geelani said.

Asked about the presence of militant training infrastructure in PoK, the Hurriyat leader said he did not find any such camp existing across the Line of Control (LoC).

UNI