Pakistan and Jamt-ud-Dwa help Kashmiris in Jihad : 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed

During a TV interview, Hafiz said, "If India is not ready to give their rights and if they fire then jihad is the only way. Pakistan has always taken a stand that it is the right of a Kashmiri to get azadi. So, we say whenever our army takes a stand on helping the Kashmiris then we stand by the forces."

"We help Kashmiris with Pakistan, Pakistan government and Pakistan army and that we call it jihad."

"We support the demand of Kashmiri. Is it justified to arrest Masarat Alam the way he was yesterday? He had hoisted a Pakistan flag in Kashmir not in Delhi. Kashmir is disputed area so nothing is wrong," he said.

Separatist leader Alam was arrested on Friday for  raising of pro-Pakistan slogans and hoisting flags at a rally at Tral in the valley on Wednesday.

Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani was put under house arrest.

Meanwhile, the Nawaz Sharif government issued a statement in support of Masarat. "Pakistan has consistently extended diplomatic, moral and political support to Kashmiris struggle for self-determination. Pakistan deplores the brutal use of force by Indian security forces against peaceful and unarmed Kashmiris."

An FIR was registered against Geelani, Masarat and other separatists leaders for "provocative activities" under various sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and other penal laws.

The arrest came hours ahead of Hurriyat's planned march to Tral area of Pulwama district where two youths had been killed in an army operation.