Islamabad: Returning from his "successful" trip to India, Pakistan's hard-line Opposition leader Maulana Fazal-ur Rehman in a significant statement asked the militant groups to "cease their operations" in Jammu and Kashmir and help in finding a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue.

"The ultimate end of every militant struggle is negotiations and now the Kashmiri mujahideen movements should reach that conclusion. We are striving for a peaceful solution to the issue for them," Rehman, the chief of Jamait-e-ul Islam (JuI), said at a press conference in Lahore after his return from the nine-day visit on July 24.

Commenting on July 22 terrorist attack on an Army camp near Jammu, he said, "The JuI condemned the attack and the mujahideen should cease their operations."

When a reporter asked whether it meant, "Kashmiris should leave jihad", he shot back, "Why do you want the mujahideen not to leave their guns? Do their lives have no value? Can guns get them their right?"

Rehman said his visit was a "success beyond expectations".

During the visit he had held talks with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee besides meeting with top RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) leaders.

"The visit paved the way for creating a favourable situation for bringing the two governments and political elements to negotiation table for resolving all outstanding issues including Kashmir," he said.

Rehman said, during his meeting with Vajpayee, the Prime Minister admitted that "Pakistan was a reality and said he was making his last efforts to bring peace in the region."

The JuI delegation would call on Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on July 26 to present a report on the visit, he said.

Rehman said the report would also be presented in the Parliament.

Asked whether the JuI delegation visited India following a deal with the government, Rehman said, "We have an understanding with the government and it cannot be called a deal."

Earlier, speaking at the Wagah border, he said, "jihad and dialogue for peace did not clash with each other and a dialogue could be held even during fighting."

Asked if he condemned "jihad" in India, Rehman snapped back, "You can condemn jihad. I can't even think of doing that."

PTI