The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front has criticised Pakistan for the 'Talibanisation' of Kashmir.

"Before the mushroom growth of the Kashmiri groups in early 1900s, the JKLF was the main group in the field, and to some extent had powerful voice in the matters. But when interest of those who supported the JKLF changed, it changed the balance of power in Kashmir," wrote London-based JKLF leader Shabir Choudhry in the US-based Pakistani web weekly South Asia Tribune.

"Those who deprived the JKLF of support at this crucial stage and gradually Talibanised the Kashmiri movement thought they were doing that in the national interest," Choudhry, who is the general secretary of JKLF-Yaseen's European unit, said.

He said, "They [Islamabad] were cautioned that this new approach was wrong and that it was a slow death to the movement, but they did not listen and continued with the policy.

"Now we all know that the change of policy was wrong, and that it resulted in a serious setback for the movement and caused innumerable problems to Pakistan."

He said India got sympathy mainly because the Kashmiri struggle for independence was transformed into a jihad and jihadis from all over the world were encouraged to rush to Kashmir.

Commenting on the role of the United States, Choudhry said, "Of course, America has keen interest in Kashmir because of its strategic importance."

He said America had close friendly relations with both India and Pakistan. "But if they have to dump one of them, we know which one would be dumped.

"America has political, economic and strategic alliance interests in South Asia and has close military and strategic alliance with India. Of course, Pakistan also has importance mainly because of geographical location... but the authorities in Islamabad know that they don't have the same importance as India.

"... Pakistan's present importance is because of the ongoing war on terrorism and soon Islamabad will find its importance declining," the JKLF leader said. "Pakistan also know that they have not been able to play their Kashmir card effectively."