Interestingly Pakistani police have also arrested Hizb-ul-Mujahideen operatives in South Waziristan on charges of conspiring with Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda. While Pakistan has consistently denied the Hizb’s participation in al Qaeda, this is the first public admission of such as alliance. The Hizb’s leader blasted Musharraf on his “apologetic and timid approach” to the Kashmir issue. With dwindling support from the Pakistani establishment, the Hizb has said that it will participate in a political solution to the Kashmir issue without giving up its armed struggle. Arguing that “war and dialogue” can happen simultaneously as in Afghanistan and Vietnam, Hizb and United Jihad Council Chairman Syed Salahuddin said that all militant groups can announce ceasefire if they are convinced that India is serious about resolving the Kashmir issue.  Coincidentally, the Hurriyat leader Umar Farooq asked the Indian armed forces to declare a ceasefire.