Shutdown in Indian Kashmir after separatist leader is shot

Srinagar, Kashmir - The moderate separatist Hurriyat faction in Srinagar, capital of India-administered Kashmir, called a shutdown on Saturday to protest the shooting of a senior separatist leader. Fazal Haq Qureshi, a senior leader in the moderate faction of the region's main separatist Hurriyat alliance, was shot at by gunmen outside his house in Srinagar on Friday evening.

Doctors described the 65-year-old Quereshi's condition as stable but critical after he underwent surgery at the main Sher-e- Kashmir Medical Institute.

A little-known Muslim guerrilla group, Al-Nasreen, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack was seen as an attempt to sabotage moves for launching peace talks between the separatists and Indian government as Qureshi is one of the most vocal supporters of the dialogue.

Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the attack saying it was an "attempt" to derail the peace process.

Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, leader of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, called the shutdown to protest the attack.

Traffic and businesses were affected in Srinagar and parts of the Kashmir valley due to the strike.

Groups of youths took to streets in several areas of Srinagar and pelted stones on passing vehicles to enforce the strike. Additional police was deployed in the city to prevent further violence.

Meanwhile the Indian government and the Hurriyat Conference reaffirmed their commitment to the dialogue process.

Farooq said the alliance will not be deterred by such violence and will pursue the path of dialogue.

"There are certain elements within Kashmir who do not want a permanent solution to the problem. They want to continue the uncertainty so that their vested interests are protected," he said.

He said the Hurriyat believes in dialogue with India and Pakistan to "reach the goal" of resolving the matter.

Nuclear-capable neighbors India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the disputed Kashmir region.

India-administered Kashmir has seen a violent separatist militant movement that peaked in the late 1980s and has claimed over 45,000 lives so far.

India accuses Pakistan of aiding the militants and running camps to train them. Pakistan denies the charge and calls Kashmiri militants freedom fighters.