Parents urged to send their children to war over Kashmir

The president of Pakistani Kashmir is urging every family to sign up one child to fight Indian troops.

Mohammed Ibrahim Khan issued the appeal at a rally in Muzaffarabad, the capital.

He called a 12-year Islamic insurgency in Indian-ruled Kashmir a jihad - holy war.

"If you have seven children give one, if two then give one and even if you have only one child give him to jihad," Mr Khan said.

Both India and Pakistan lay claim to a united Kashmir, which was divided between the two uneasy neighbours after the end of British rule over South Asia in 1947.

Since then the two have gone to war twice over Kashmir. They fought a third war in 1971 over Bangladesh or what was then East Pakistan.

Since 1989, Muslim militants have been waging a violent secessionist uprising in Indian Kashmir.

India accuses Pakistan of fomenting violence on its territory and of arming and training militants.

Pakistan says its help is limited to moral and political support.

The militants are demanding either outright independence or union with Islamic Pakistan.

Kashmir is predominantly Hindu India's only majority Muslim state.