Srinagar: Normal life in the Kashmir valley came to a standstill Wednesday with a strike call given by the hardline faction of the separatist Hurriyat conference.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a shutdown to protest the Pakistan visit of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

Shops, business establishments, government offices and banks in this summer capital were closed and public transport was mostly off the roads. Only a few private vehicles could be seen plying on the streets.

Reports from other towns in Kashmir said the strike was near total. Inter-district transport was also affected.

The moderate Hurriyat group leaves for Islamabad Wednesday for talks with the Pakistan leadership. It had opposed Wednesday's strike call saying, "The politics of shutdowns and hartals were over in Kashmir."