Kashmir truce condemned

The council pledged to continue its armed struggle against India

A Pakistan-based alliance of Kashmiri militant groups has suspended a key member for a ceasefire offer to India.

The United Jihad Council has condemned the surprise ceasefire offer by the Hizbul Mujahideen - one of the oldest and most powerful groups fighting Indian rule in Kashmir.

We cannot support a ceasefire that will strengthen India and push Kashmiris closer towards slavery

United Jihad Council

The offer was welcomed by the Indian Government which said it was a sign that Kashmiri militants were rethinking their position.

But the 14-member United Jihad Council accused the Hizbul Mujahideen of selling out to India.

"We will continue our jihad [holy war]. We cannot support a ceasefire that will strengthen India and push Kashmiris closer towards slavery," the council said in a statement.

It has asked the group to reverse its decision.

It has also removed Hizbul commander Syed Salahuddin from his position as chairman of the body.

Welcomed

India reacted cautiously to the Hizbul announcement, saying it could mark a turning point in the decade-long separatist struggle.

"We welcome the recent developments where people have not only laid down their arms, but a large number have thought that they would like to have a dialogue and they would like to find ways of living in peace in Kashmir," Defence Minister George Fernandes said on Wednesday.

Syed Salahuddin: India must respond

The main separatist alliance in Indian administered Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has reacted cautiously to the announcement.

In a statement issued after a meeting of the alliance's leadership, it said the Hizbul Mujahideen had made a hasty decision, which could cause confusion among the Kashmiri people.

It said that it remained committed to a comprehensive political settlement to the Kashmir dispute.

India has released several Hurriyat leaders from prison in what was seen as a move to encourage peace talks.

Sudden offer

On Monday, Hizbul Mujahideen's field commander in Indian-administered Kashmir announced a unilateral ceasefire for three months.

The move was confirmed a day later by the group's commander in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Syed Salahuddin.

Mr Salahuddin said it was tactical move to facilitate a dialogue with the Indian Government.

But he warned that it was contingent on a matching response from India.

India, he said, would have to stop its crackdown on the militants and end human rights violations on Kashmiri civilians.

Our correspondent says many supporters of the armed struggle against India believe the ceasefire decision may considerably weaken the militant movement in Indian-administered Kashmir.