Kashmir militants target minister

Militants are fighting to end Indian rule in Kashmir

An Indian minister has narrowly escaped an attack by separatist militants in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Omar Abdullah, minister of state for industry and commerce and the son of Kashmir's chief minister, Farooq Abdullah, was visiting a school in the capital, Srinagar, when militants fired three grenades.

The grenades landed inside the school grounds, but did not injure Mr Abdullah who had just left the premises.

However, two students were wounded in the attack.

The Hizbul Mujahideen militant group said it was responsible.

Srinagar meeting

The attack came as the Indian Government's chief negotiator on Kashmir, KC Pant, met a prominent separatist leader, Shabir Shah.

Separatist leader Shabir Shah: Met Indian official

The talks - held under tight security at Shabir Shah's residence in Srinagar - lasted over an hour.

Shabir Shah is the only separatist leader in Kashmir prepared to meet Mr Pant.

Most militant groups as well as the territory's separatist politicians have rejected talks.

Mr Pant spoke of a "good beginning" and said he had taken note of concerns expressed by Shabir Shah about alleged human rights abuses by Indian forces in Kashmir.

Shabir Shah said he had told the negotiator of his disappointment about remarks by Indian Foreign Minster Jaswant Singh that the state of Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India.

Pakistan talks

Jaswant Singh's statement comes amid preparation for high-level talks on Kashmir between India and Pakistan, who divide control of the disputed territory.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir

Pakistan leader General Pervez Musharraf is expected to travel to Delhi in late June or early July in what will be the first top-level talks between the two countries for two years.

He told the BBC on Monday that he was cautiously optimistic about the planned summit.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir, and came close to a third in the summer of 1999.