Tuesday, June 7 2005 15:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Contrary to his earlier assertion that he would not meet the visiting Kashmiri separatist leaders, militant leader Sayed Salahuddin held talks with Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF (Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front) leader Yasin Malik in Islamabad on Sunday (Jun 5, 2005).

During his interaction with the two leaders, the Hizbul Mujahideen Chief said he could not back their peace moves or any future solution unless hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was taken on board, local media reported today (Jun 7, 2005).

Salahuddin, who also heads the United Jehad Council, a conglomerate of militant groups active in Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly advised Farooq to disassociate himself from other moderate leaders like Abdul Ghani Bhat, Abbas Ansari and Bilal Lone, whom Hizbul "detested."

On his part, the moderate Hurriyat leader sought Salahuddin's help in persuading Geelani to bring about unity among all separatist leaders.

Besides the issues relating to forging unity among Kashmiri leaders, the Indo-Pak peace process and efforts to involve Kashmir leaders in the process figured in the talks.

It was not clear whether Salahuddin met Farooq and Malik separately or together.

Farooq and Malik were again expected to meet Salahuddin after their meeting with President Pervez Musharraf.