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Al-Faran again

denies holding

Western hostages

SRINAGAR: A group which abducted four Western tourists in Indian occupied Kashmir more than nine months ago reiterated on Friday that it was no longer holding the hostages.

Al-Faran, in a statement delivered to newspaper offices here a day after the hostages' relatives issued a fresh appeal for their release, repeated a claim that the four Westerners were in the hands of the Indian authorities.

"The military spokesman of Al-Faran rejects the government of India's claim that the foreign tourists are in our captivity," the statement said, adding that the hostages were "snatched by Indian security forces."

"One of the foreigners was also killed to malign our movement," it said in a reference to the beheading in August of Norwegian tourist Hans-Christian Ostro.

Al-Faran urged international bodies such as Amnesty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Saudi body Hilal-e-Ahmar to "previal upon the Indian government to secure (their) release."

"There is a chance that India may kill the four foreigners," it said. "The Indian government is scheduled to hold elections (in occupied Kashmir) and they want some excuse or stunt."

Al-Faran had claimed previously that the Indian army rescued three hostages after a firefight on December 4 near the southern town of Dabran in which a top rebel leader, Abdul Hamid, was killed.

It said a fourth unidentified hostage has been missing since the Dabran gunbattle. The Indian army denies holding the Westerners and accuses Al-Faran of trying to divert attention from Al-Faran group.

The Al-Faran denial came a day after the appeal from relatives for the release of their loved ones. It was sent through an unnamed Western diplomat based in New Delhi, officials said in this state summer capital.-APP