A Muslim separatist group in Indian Kashmir Tuesday accused the United States of conspiring with India against Muslims in the troubled state.
"America in connivance with India has planned a deep conspiracy against the Muslims of Kashmir," said a press release faxed to AFP from the Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen.
"It is under this conspiracy that the US has banned two leading Jihadi groups active in Kashmir," it said.
The US has put Muslim militant groups Harakat ul-Mujahidin and Jaish-e-Mohammad on its list of collectives whose assets have been ordered frozen as part of the US-led war on terrorism.
It has been reported that another hardline militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, will soon be added to the list.
Jamiat was once the most feared militant group in Kashmir, before an Indian security crack down. It has re-activated itself over the past three years, and has carried out a number of attacks on security forces this year.
"The American action is not justified as none of the three groups is directly or indirectly involved in terrorism," the statement said.
"No Jihadi group advocates terrorism as it is against the tenants of Islam and the teachings of holy Prophet," the release said, adding that US had taken such action "only to please India".
"We consider it as part of a deep conspiracy against Kashmiri Muslims."
The group called upon Muslims in Kashmir to observe a one-day strike on Friday to protest against the "growing India-America alliance."
Kashmir's leading female separatist, Aasiya Andrabi, also criticised the US for "banning" Kashmiri militant groups.
"This indicates the venom the US is harbouring against Muslims in general," said Andrabi.
"Everyone knows that ours is a genuine freedom struggle and not a terrorist movement," she said.
She urged Kashmiri Muslims to rally behind the "banned" groups.
Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah has welcomed the US putting the groups in its list, but said it would not help to end militancy in Kashmir.
Abdullah has urged New Delhi to bomb camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir where it is suspected Kashmiri militants are trained.
India accuses Pakistan of arming and funding Kashmiri militants -- a charge Islamabad denies -- SRINAGAR, India, (AFP)
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