The Hizbul Mujahideen, the single largest indigenous militant group operating in Jammu and Kashmir [Images], has laid down conditions for announcing a ceasefire in the strife-torn state, and expressed its readiness to help in the ongoing peace process.

In an interview with a local news agency, Kashmir News Service, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin said ceasefire should not be a condition for holding a dialogue. "If India is serious about finding an amicable and lasting solution to the Kashmir issue, then it should refrain from laying any such condition," he added.

Salahuddin said an armed struggle and a dialogue process could go together and such experiments have been tried successfully in Afghanistan and Vietnam.

However, he said if the world community insisted on truce, then India should take some steps, which would help in confidence building. "India should bring troops in Jammu and Kashmir to the 1989 position, release detainees, stop all military operations and acknowledge there are three parties to the dispute...Then there is no problem in ceasefire," the Hizb chief said.

Salahuddin also heads the United Jehad Council, the Muzaffarabad-based umbrella organisation of several militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

It was on July 25, 2000, that the Hizbul Mujahideen had declared a unilateral ceasefire for three months, but called off the truce on August 8, 2000, following India's refusal to include Pakistan in any trilateral talks over the Kashmir issue as proposed by the outfit.

He said the Hizb would continue with its armed struggle and not refrain from its political and diplomatic role as well so that no one could go for a "sell-out or de-track the movement".

However, Salahuddin said the Hizb would be more than happy to help in the ongoing peace process. "We understand when a bullet is fired either by an Indian soldier or by a militant, it is the Kashmiri who suffers. It is his house, school, building which is razed. We understand agony and suffering of Kashmiris, but this does not mean that we will give up our right and leave the struggle," he added.

Salahuddin said if the dialogue process helped in finding any solution to the Kashmir issue, the Hizb would be at the forefront in supporting it. He said Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf [Images] had risked his credibility by floating ideas of self-governance, demilitarisation and joint management.

"But, India's approach towards these proposals has been non-serious and negative. In such a situation, what is the use of dialogue and ceasefire," he added.

Asked if the Hizb would take a cue from the Palestinian group, Hamas, and participate in the election process, he said there was a vast difference between Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir.

"Hamas operated in a free country and participated in elections in accordance with its own constitution. We too are ready to take part in elections, but these should be held under the United Nations or an impartial judicial commission and not the Indian constitution.

Then, the world will see with whom the people of Jammu and Kashmir are and who are their leaders," Salahuddin said.

Salahuddin also said that al-Qaeda has no role in Jammu and Kashmir. "It is a sheer propaganda that al-Qaeda is in Jammu and Kashmir. This is being carried out to get support from the US and the UK," he said.

He denied that any foreign militant was operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Since 1947, thousands of people migrated from Jammu and Kashmir to different parts of Pakistan, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the Northern Areas, he added.

"There are more than five million Kashmiris and it is they who are participating in the armed struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. They are not foreigners. Most of them have properties in the state," the Hizb chief said.

He supported the Peoples Democratic Party's self-rule proposal, saying this could be implemented only after India and Pakistan withdraws troops from the areas of the state under their respective control.

"We will encourage any move leading to withdrawal of troops from both the parts of Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

Once there would be complete withdrawal of troops, he said the people will take over the governance. "Self-rule is not a solution, but a part of the resolution process." He said self-rule could not be envisaged as a solution amid presence of more than seven lakh Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, Salahuddin said right to self-determination was a complete solution to the Kashmir issue.

He denied that the Hizbul Mujahideen had any differences with the Pakistan government. "India was considering Pakistan's flexibility as a weakness and this was giving an impression that the movement, which is gaining ground, was losing its grip," he added.

On the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homes in the valley, he said, "If they want, they can return and even take part in the freedom movement. This movement does not belong to the Kashmiri Muslims only, but all," the Hizb chief said.

He termed as "hilarious" India's move to put him on extradition list and the demand to Pakistan that he should be handed over to it. "I am in Kashmir...This is my land and I have every right to be here in my land," Salahuddin added.

He also said that it was the desire of the militant leadership that all separatists should unite in the struggle so that "freedom" could be achieved.

"If they (Hurriyat and other separatist groups) come together at one point, we will walk behind them. I believe it will take us near our goal," the Hizb chief said.

Asked if he has come closer to moderate Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, he said, "We are not away from anyone...We don't have animosity with anyone, but deep affection for anybody who plays his role in the freedom movement," Salahuddin added.