So far, Shah has been the only Kashmiri separatist political leader who has shown interest in New Delhi's offer for unconditional talks. Muslim militant outfits have rejected Pant's talks offer and warned that any group entering into a dialogue with New Delhi would be branded traitors and dealt with severely. Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since 1947 and is claimed by both. Part of the population favours total independence. A separatist rebellion on the Indian side has claimed more than 34,000 lives since 1989, according to Indian figures.
Separatist leaders say the death toll is twice as high.
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