JKLF postpones 'Journey of Freedom'

The pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front has postponed its ambitious Safar-e-Azadi (Journey of Freedom) scheduled to begin on Sunday from south Kashmir.

JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was arrested on Saturday in Kokernag area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district by the Jammu and Kashmir police and later released in Srinagar.

"We have for the time being postponed our Safar-e-Azadi, which was scheduled to begin from Daksum on Sunday, after Malik's arrest. We will decide our next course of action soon," a senior JKLF leader said in Srinagar.

Malik was on Saturday on his way to the south Kashmir Daksum village, 85 km from Srinagar, where he was scheduled to start the JKLF Valley-wide Safar-e-Azadi on Sunday.

"The police also ransacked our camp there. They have seized the vehicle in which we were to undertake the Valley-wide road journey," the JKLF leader said.

Last month the JKLF had announced a three-month long Safar-e-Azadi to cover the entire Valley to press for the inclusion of Kashmiris in the ongoing peace process between the two south Asian nuclear neighbours, India and Pakistan.