A top Kashmiri leader Wednesday called upon Islamic countries to slap economic sanctions against India over its "brutal suppression" of the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination.
"We have asked for economic sanctions. It will put tremendous pressure on India," said Sultan Mahmud Chaudhry, prime minister of the Pakistan-administered zone of the disputed Himalayan territory.
Speaking on his return from a summit of the 55-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Qatar, Chaudhry said, "many Islamic countries have supported the call individually."
The "freedom struggle" in the Indian-controlled part of the divided state would gain momentum if the OIC came out with a collective decision on the demand, he added.
The OIC support for the Kashmiri cause was "highly encouraging" and the Jeddah-based forum might send a fact-finding mission to Indian-controlled Kashmnir.
Chaudhry claimed Israeli intelligence agents were "collaborating" with their counterparts in India in the "brutal suppression of the freedom struggle" in Kashmir.
"India is trying to subjugate Kashmiris as Israel is suppressing the Palestinian Intifada (uprising). They are the two eyes on the same filthy face," he said.
The three-day Doha summit, which ended Tuesday, was also attended by leaders of the All Party Huriyat Conference (APHC) which has waged an 11-year armed insurgency against Indian rule in Kashmir.
The campaign has left more than 34,000 people dead on the Indian side of the Muslim majority state.
Kashmir, claimed by India and Pakistan and divided between them, has caused two wars between the rival neighbors since their independence from Britain in 1947.
Islamabad denies New Delhi's allegations of training and arming the militants, saying that it extends only political and diplomatic support.
Chaudhry said cooperation and interaction between leaders of Kashmiri groups on both sides of the divided state would increase following their meeting in Doha.
He said he would soon meet leaders of the Sikh community, which is also "suffering" in India.
"We want to give this movement a new dimension by seeking the support of the minorities," he said.
He reiterated the separatist movement was "indigenous" and the Kashmiri leaders did not seek any financial help from the OIC.
"They are doing well and need no outside help," he said -- ISLAMABAD (AFP)
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