Srinagar, June 1
All is set for the “Karvaan-e-Aman” that would be carrying over a dozen separatist leaders on their first ever visit to PoK and Pakistan when the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus rolls from here tomorrow morning. Those who got the travel permits include moderate APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, JKLF chairman Mohammad Yaseen Malik and Shabir Ahmad Shah of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), while the hardline Hurriyat chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has opted out.
Meanwhile, a massive security blanket was thrown in the entire Kashmir valley following intelligence reports that militants are planning to strike in a big way.
The security along the entire route from Srinagar to the Kaman post has been upgraded keeping in view a high degree of threat perception.
Sharpshooters have taken positions at various points along the Jhelum valley road.
Official sources said intelligence reports had been received that militants are planning to strike in the valley and disrupt the fifth ‘Karvaan-e-Aman (Caravan of Peace)’’.
‘’We have intercepted messages directing militants to cause large-scale disturbances on or before June 2,’’ the sources said.
However, they said all necessary measures have been taken to foil any such attempt by the militants.
The sources said in view of the threat perception the Hurriyat and other separatist leaders have been asked to travel in their own vehicles to a particular point from where they will board the trans-Kashmir bus.
Those undertaking the journey tomorrow include an 11-member delegation of the APHC, apart from the JKLF Chairman, Mohammad Yaseen Malik, and DFP president, Shabir Ahmad Shah. There are two former APHC chairmen, Abdul Ghani Bhat and Moulvi Abbas Ansari, and Bilal Lone, all executive members, in addition to Mr Fazal-ul-Haq Qureshi. Others who joined the delegation include second rung leaders, Mannan Bukhari, Mohammad amin Qureshi, Syed Saleem geelani and Mohammad Yusuf Naqash. Two party colleagues of the Mirwaiz, Mr Yaqoob Vakil and Mr G M Bhat are also included in the delegation.
Islamabad: Ignoring India’s reservations, Hurriyat leaders will travel to Islamabad from PoK on June 4 for talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and other leaders.
The Hurriyat leaders, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, would arrive in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus
tomorrow.
