A POLITICAL breakthrough on the future of the troubled region of Jammu Kashmir was welcomed by the father of student hostage Paul Wells today.

In a shock move aimed at ending a seven years of violence, Indian prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral has offered to hold unconditional talks with Muslim separatists in the region where 20,000 people have died since 1989.

Paul, 26, of Bracken Close, Feniscowles, Blackburn, was captured by Kashmiri separatist militants calling themselves Al Faran with several other Westerners in July 1995 while trekking in the Himalayan region.

His father Bob Wells said the talks were a "common sense" way of ending the problems which have led to misery for thousands of people. He added: "This is a very positive move for us and the people of Jammu Kashmir.

"We have said all along that this is the only way that this is going to be solved, with cooperation between India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu Kashmir."

Mr Wells, who plans to return to the Indian province in November, called for cooperation between the groups on the second anniversary of his son's captivity.

Speaking on Saturday, the Indian prime minister offered to hold unconditional talks with guerilla groups like Al-Faran fighting for independence or a merger with Pakistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied assisting Kashmiri militant groups despite claims that they have supported much of the guerilla activity.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.