Kashmiris still await passport response

The Islamist separatist alliance in Indian-administered Kashmir, the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, says it is still waiting to hear from Delhi about its block application for passports for a delegation to visit Pakistan.

The authorities in Delhi have declined documents for some of the Hurriyat Conference delegates.

The alliance says it wants a delegation to meet the Kashmiri militant leadership based in Pakistan in an effort to mediate between them and the Indian Government - but only if all seven delegates can go.

The alliance has made repeated applications for the travel documents since last November, when India declared a ceasefire in Kashmir.

In the latest violence in Kashmir, security forces say four pro-Pakistan guerrillas were killed when they attacked a police patrol on Sunday south of Srinagar.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service