SRINAGAR — Indian authorities detained and later released two key Kashmiri separatist leaders Thursday ahead of talks between Indian and Pakistani security advisers, while a third remained under house arrest. The detentions came days before the leaders were expected to travel to New Delhi at the invitation of Pakistan's ambassador to meet with Sartaj Aziz, national security adviser to Pakistan's prime minister. Aziz is set to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday to talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval that are expected to focus on terrorism. On Thursday, police put separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest and whisked Mohammed Yasin Malik to a police station in Indian Kashmir's main city of Srinagar. Both were released after about two hours. However, police did not remove barricades from outside the home of separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani. Farooq expressed surprise over the detentions and quick release and said the Indian government was “confused” ahead of the talks. He said the aim of their visit to New Delhi was “supporting the India and Pakistan dialogue.” — AP
