Geelani condemns India-UK military exercise in Ladakh

Srinagar, Sept. 27 : The Chairman of the hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has condemned the high-altitude military exercise by India and Britain in Ladakh.

Geelani said Ladakh is part of disputed Kashmir and the joint military exercise is in contravention of agreements.

"The whole territory of Kashmir is disputed, be it Ladakh or Siachen. Until people of Jammu and Kashmir can decide their future through plebiscite, all such exercises anywhere in this disputed territory are illegitimate and against agreements wherein lies the only solution to our fundamental problem," he said.

Geelani also reiterated that his group would continue to boycott polls.

"There is only one solution which we will appeal to the people, that people of Kashmir should adopt the policy of boycotting every election. It is very important and necessary as it is a democratic reply," he added.

Indian and British troops are going ahead with their war games despite protests from Pakistan and separatist groups.

Elite forces from the two countries began training this month for mountain warfare in a three-week drill called "Himalayan Warrior" in the icy heights of Ladakh, upsetting Kashmiri leaders as well as Islamabad which also claims the region.

The troops, which included nearly 120 men from Britain and nearly 140 from India, were training at an altitude of between 16,000 feet and 19,000 feet and were also sharing their experiences of battling "terrorism" in Kashmir and Afghanistan.

Similar war games involving Indian and U.S. troops were held last year in Ladakh.

Indian defence forces have regularly been holding joint exercises with militaries from around the world since the early 1990s in what they say is an effort to learn new skills and allow them to operate jointly with other troops. (With inputs from ANI)

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