Kashmiri leaders visit Islamabad despite Indian objection

A delegation of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, the main political separatist alliance, crossed into Pakistani Kashmir on Thursday for an historic visit that was another sign of slowly improving relations between South Asia's nuclear rivals.

But the Indian government objected to their plans to travel outside Pakistani Kashmir, saying it had an understanding with Islamabad that those using a new bus service the group used for their trip should restrict their travel to Kashmir.

Pakistan argues that the separatist leaders are not ordinary bus passengers and enjoy "special status".

There was no immediate Indian reaction to the arrival of the delegation in Islamabad.