Contrary to his assertion that he would not meet the visiting Kashmiri separatist leaders, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Sayed Salahuddin held talks with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Yaseen Malik in Islamabad on Sunday.

The Hizbul Mujahideen chief said he could not back their peace moves or any future Kashmir solution unless hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was taken on board, local media reported.

Also see: Hurriyat leaders send confusing signals

Salahuddin, who also heads the United Jehad Council, a conglomerate of militant groups active in Jammu and Kashmir, advised the Mirwaiz to disassociate himself from other moderate leaders like Abdul Ghani Bhat, Moulvi Abbas Ansari and Bilal Lone.

The moderate Hurriyat leader sought Salahuddin's help in persuading Geelani to bring about unity among all separatist leaders.

Besides the issues relating to forging unity among Kashmiri leaders, the Indo-Pak peace process and efforts to involve Kashmir leaders in the process figured in the talks. It was not clear whether Salahuddin met the Mirwaiz and Malik separately or together.

The two leaders may again call on Salahuddin after their meeting with President Pervez Musharraf.