Islamabad: Acting on its decision to impose restrictions on the militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, Pakistan on May 21 registered cases against leaders of the group for carrying weapons.

Cases have been registered against Hizbul leaders by Rawalpindi police for displaying weapons in public, Pakistan private TV channel 'Geo' reported.

Hizb sources said cases have been registered against two of the body guards of Hizbul leader Sayed Salahuddin, who were photographed with their weapons two days ago at a function organised to commemorate "martyrs".

Speaking at the function, Salahuddin vowed to carry on with the 'jihad' to "liberate" Kashmir.

Both Salahuddin and Hizbul spokesman Salem Hashmi could not be reached over the phone.

The decision to register cases followed conflicting statements by Pakistan's Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat on May 21 that Pakistan government imposed restrictions against Hizbul both in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to prevent it from carrying any illegal activities.

He clarified that by illegal activities, he meant that the group would not be allowed to carry weapons, organise rallies and open offices in Pakistan. He said the group was not banned because it was an indigenous group from Jammu and Kashmir.

The registration of cases was seen as an unprecedented move against Hizbul following assertions by Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, hoping that Pakistan would stick to its stand to crackdown on the outfit.

PTI