Rebels call for protest against Rushdie knighthood

An Islamic rebel group in Indian-controlled Kashmir has today condemned the award of a knighthood to author Salman Rushdie and called for a protest strike in the region.

"People in Kashmir will rise in one voice and condemn this shameful decision by observing a complete shutdown," Jameil Ahmad, a spokesman Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen rebel group said in a statement faxed to The Associated Press news agency.