THE father of student hostage Paul Wells has visited the site where his fellow captive was found beheaded in Kashmir.

And today Mr Bob Wells, of Bracken Close, Blackburn, spoke of the intense emotion he has felt during his mission as he left for a surprise trip to Pakistan to try to get information on his son's plight.

Mr Wells and the relations of the three other Westerners being held by separatist militants paid their respects at the location where the dismembered body of Norwegian tourist Hans Christian Ostroe was discovered.

He said: "Everybody felt that they should go. It was very, very emotional.

"It has been quite a horrendous week in Kashmir, very touching and harrowing for all of us."

Mr Wells is accompanied by Paul's girlfriend Catherine Moseley and relatives of Middlesbrough man Keith Mangan, American Donald Hutchings and German Dirk Hasert. The party returned to Delhi at the weekend after visiting various significant sites and people in the Indian province as part of their bid to fight for the hostages' release.

Today they were travelling to Pakistan where they will be staying at the British High Commission.

He said: "It is widely believed that Pakistan sponsors many of the militant groups which operate in Kashmir.

"We are hoping that people there will be honest with us and listen to what we have to say." In Kashmir, Mr Wells visited Pahlgarm, a town three hours drive to the North East of the Kashmiri capital Srinagar.

Speaking from his hotel in Delhi, Mr Wells added: "This has had a devastating effect on the region. It is such a beautiful country which relied very heavily on tourism.

"There used to be 12 plane loads a week arriving, now there are only two.

"This trip has helped me to realise just how serious the problems are. There are shootings, kidnappings and murders every single day.

"The Kashmiri people themselves are genuine and simply want to be allowed to live their lives. They do not want the militants.

"They understand that Paul was simply on holiday and that this has done their cause for a free Kashmir great harm."

Mr Wells has also been able to spend time on board the house boat where Paul, Cath and the Mangans stayed before being captured.

He also met the guide who was with them.

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