Talks between Centre, Hizbul begin

August 3: Talks between Government and leaders of Hizbul Mujahideen to work out modalities of the ceasefire announced by the militant outf...

August 3: Talks between Government and leaders of Hizbul Mujahideen to work out modalities of the ceasefire announced by the militant outfit commenced here this afternoon.

Union Home Secretary Kamal Pande and the four commanders of the outfit and its nominated mediator Fazal Haq Qureshi began talks at 1400 hrs at the Nehru Guest House at Cheshmashahi near here.

Qureshi told waiting mediapersons that they had come for talks to work out modalities of the ceasefire.

The four commanders, two of them covering their face, objected to the presence of mediapersons. However, they said they had come for talks to work out the modalities of the ceasefire.

Asked if they would discuss the Kashmir issue also, they replied in the negative. "It is not in our jurisdiction to negotiate the core issue of Kashmir on behalf of HM."

Besides Qureshi, those attending the meeting on behalf of HM are Deputy Chief Commander’ and Chief spokesman of the outfit for Kashmir valley Masood, commanders’ Riyaz Rasool and Farooq and Musidiq Qadir, an activist of the Peoples Political Front and an associate of Qureshi.

Pandey, who is accompanied by Special Secretary in the Home Ministry M B Kaushal, and a number of senior Army officers are attending the meeting.