India frees Kashmiri separatist in peace move

India freed one of Kashmir's top separatist leaders yesterday, eight months after he was jailed under hotly disputed anti-terrorism laws.

The release of Yasin Malik, pin-up for thousands of young anti-India Kashmiris, was seen as an attempt by Jammu and Kashmir's new state government to end the stalemate in the troubled Himalayan region.

It coincided with another bout of killing: at least seven Indian policemen died when a landmine blew up beneath their truck in the Doda district south-east of Srinagar.

This was the most serious attack on security services in the India-administered state since a new coalition government took power earlier this month under the chief ministership of Mufti Mohammad Saayed, a former Indian home minister.

The Pakistan-based Hezbul Mujahedeen, the largest guerrilla group operating in India-controlled Kashmir, reportedly claimed responsibility for the bombing, which also injured five people. A senior activist with the pro-Delhi National Conference party – which was ousted in last month's election – was later shot dead in Srinagar.

Mr Malik, 36, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), is among the seven most senior members of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, the main Kashmiri separatist alliance. The JKLF declared a unilateral ceasefire eight years ago but still fights politically for independence.

He denied allegations that he was laundering $100,000 to fund militant attacks and his supporters are convinced he was arrested for political reasons.

There was speculation yesterday that Mr Malik was one of a number of political prisoners in Kashmir to be released as part of an attempt by the state government to encourage peace negotiations.