Kashmiri rebels ready to resume talks with Delhi

They urged the government to set up the talks, aimed at deciding the future of Kashmir as part of a peace process between India and Pakistan after near-war in 2002.

"We talked to leaders in Pakistan and Azad (Pakistani) Kashmir and we want now talks between Kashmir and New Delhi and, if possible, with Indian opposition parties too," said Moulana Abbas Ansari.

Ansari is a moderate leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, which groups political, religious and community organisations, each variously pushing for independence, merger with Pakistan or a vote to choose between India and Pakistan.

Nine leaders of Hurriyat's moderate faction crossed to Pakistani Kashmir this month on a new bus run reuniting families divided by almost 60 years of war and rebellion, one of the most tangible signs of progress in the peace move.

Despite India's concerns, they also travelled on to Islamabad, where they met President Pervez Musharraf.

A dialogue between the Indian government and Kashmiri moderates broke down in August, 2004, after New Delhi insisted the talks be bound by the constitution, which says Kashmir is an integral part of India.

But when Musharraf made a groundbreaking visit to New Delhi in April, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he wanted to meet Hurriyat leaders.

"The peace process is on and laying conditions for talks has no place," Ansari said. "The entire world lives on hope, and we too hope, the Kashmir dispute can be resolved in near future."

Meanwhile, India's army went on high alert yesterday, to prevent more rebel attacks in revolt-hit Indian Kashmir's main city, a day after a car bomb killed nine Indian soldiers and injured 17 people.

Troops used sniffer dogs to check for landmines, searched vehicles, and checked identity papers in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir where a deadly Islamic revolt against New Delhi's rule has raged since 1989.