Kashmir ceasefire called off

Security is tight in the province

One of the main separatist groups fighting Indian rule in Kashmir, the Hizbul Mujahideen, has called off its ceasefire.

The group's leader, Sayed Salahuddin, said the move was in response to the Indian Government's refusal to include Pakistan in three-way peace talks.

As the deadline has expired we direct all the commanders... in the field to break the ceasefire

Hizbul chief Sayed Salahuddin

India has expressed its "deep regret" over the announcement and has accused Pakistan of putting pressure on the Hizbul Mujahideen to end the ceasefire.

"Pakistan's object has been to derail the peace process by seeking to involve itself as a party in discussions between India and the Hizbul Mujahideen," the government said in a statement.

In its response, Pakistan has said that "negative and transparently insincere responses" by India had destroyed the prospects of peace.

Announcing the end of the ceasefire in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, Sayed Salahuddin blamed the "intrasigence of the Indian leadership" for "derailing the peace process".

Sayed Salahuddin (right): "Ceasefire is over"

"The Indian leadership has failed to respond to our ice-breaking move which could have become productive and meaningful," he said.

The Hizbul Mujahideen had given Delhi until 1700 (1230 GMT) to agree to the inclusion of India's rival Pakistan in peace talks - or face a return to armed conflict.

However, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee told parliament on Monday that Pakistan's involvement would be ruled out unless Islamabad created what he called a "conducive" atmosphere.

Talks framework

The Hizbul Mujahideen ceasefire, and the start of talks with the government, had for the first time in a decade raised hopes of a breakthrough in the separatist fight in Indian-administered Kashmir, which has claimed more than 25,000 lives.

An unprecedented round of talks were held between the government and Hizbul Mujahideen last week, following its ceasefire announcement a fortnight ago.

Kashmir ceasefire

24 July
Hizbul Mujahideen announces ceasefire

26 July
Other militant groups oppose ceasefire

29 July
India suspends offensive against militants

1 Aug
Over 90 people killed in by suspected militants

3 Aug
India and Hizbul representatives hold talks

8 Aug
Ceasefire called off

Since the initial talks, however, Hizbul has accused the Indian military of violating the ceasefire, while the Indian Government has provoked fresh argument about the framework for negotiations.

On Monday, the Indian prime minister told parliament that any deal would have to be bound by the Indian constitution - in effect keeping Kashmir within India.

However Mr Vajpayee added that the government would not stop talking if some of the issues raised went beyond the constitution.

But Hizbul Mujahideen - which has always rejected the Indian constitution as a basis for peace - said Mr Vajpayee's remarks had made the peace efforts "null and void".

Since the ceasefire announcement, a wave of violence has swept through Indian-administered Kashmir, claiming the lives of at least 90 people.

India has blamed a Pakistan-backed militant group, Lashkar-e Toiba, for the killings - a claim the group denies.

Many of the dead were Hindu pilgrims or labourers who were massacred in at least five villages across the province.