The attack on the Samjhauta Express has cast a cloud over the talks Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Ahmed is scheduled to have with Kashmiri separatist leaders on February 22.

All major separatist leaders, including Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, JKLF chief Yasin Malik, Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Shabir Shah, are in New Delhi for talks with Kasuri. Though they are meeting the Pakistani Foreign Minister separately, all of them, except Geelani, are seeking participation of the Kashmiri leadership in the ongoing peace process. Geelani, on the other hand, will reiterate his rejection of the dialogue process.

However, the attack on the train that is seen as the symbol of the peace process seems to have upset the separatist plans. “I hope that the blasts do not disrupt the peace process, “ the Mirwaiz told The Indian Express. “Nevertheless, the Hurriyat will go with a positive frame of mind and share its opinion on Kashmir with Kasuri sahib.” The Mirwaiz will be leading a four-member delegation, comprising Bilal Gani Lone, former Hurriyat chairman Moulana Abbas Ansari and Agha Syed Hassan. They are also counting on the fact that they will be the last to meet Kasuri on February 23.