India detains Kashmiri leader

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir

A Kashmiri separatist leader has been placed under house arrest in Indian-administered Kashmir a day before India and Pakistan hold a landmark summit.

Shabir Shah: Arrested for leading procession

Shabir Shah was due to lead a procession to commemorate what is known as Martyrs Day - the shooting of 21 unarmed Kashmiris protesting against the rule of the state's former Hindu ruler in 1932.

Mr Shah, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Party, told the BBC that a large number of security personnel had sealed off his house in Srinagar.

The situation in Kashmir is expected to be high on the agenda when Pakistan military ruler, President Pervez Musharraf, arrives for talks in Delhi on Saturday.

Strike

Our correspondent in the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, Srinagar, says a strike is also underway to mark Martyrs Day.

A strike is underway in the capital, Srinagar

The strike has been called by the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, a leading separatist alliance.

Shops and businesses are closed and transport has stayed off the roads.

Both India and Pakistan have repeated their stances on Kashmir in advance of the summit.

Row

India says the territory must remain an integral part of the country, and insists it is not the core issue in the talks.

Pakistan says it is the central issue, and rejects any suggestion that it might accept Indian sovereignty.

The issue has led to a row over a meeting between Kashmiri separatist leaders and the Pakistani leader during his visit.

India is angry over an invitation extended to the separatists to meet General Musharraf at a reception hosted by the Pakistani mission in Delhi.

Members of the ruling coalition that governs India have said they will boycott the reception, which is to be held on Saturday.

The Indian Government has ruled out any place in the summit talks for the separatists.

But the separatists believe that any discussion on Kashmir would be meaningless without their participation.