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ISLAMABAD, Jan 10 (AFP) - A pro-independence Kashmiri leader wanted by India for alleged terrorism Thursday offered to give himself up if an international court issued a verdict against him.

Amanullah Khan, chairman of the Jammu Kashmi Liberation Front (JKLF), said the Indian government had declared him a "terrorist" and persuaded Interpol to issue a warrant of arrest against him.

"It was not for the first time that India has done so against me," Khan told a news conference following reports that his name was on the list of 20 men New Delhi wanted extradited from Pakistan.

"India has been calling me terrorist but its real purpose is to prevent me from advocating my ideology of an independent Kashmir."

He called on India to approach the International Court of Justice where he said he would challenge the allegations of terrorism and India's stand on Kashmir.

"If the World Court gave the verdict that I am a terrorist or my demand for a independent Kashmir is not justified, I would hand myself over to Indians."

He said the Indian government had him arrested in Britain in 1985 on "concocted" allegations. After remaining in detention for 15 months, a British court acquitted him of all charges, he added.

On "false" Indian charges, Interpol issued his arrest warrant again in 1990 and India also had his US visa cancelled, he said.

In 1993 he was arrested by Interpol in Brussels while he was participating in a conference on Kashmir convened by the European parliament.

India demanded his extradition but a Belgian court rejected India's demand and sent Khan back to Pakistan, he said.

Khan's Kashmir-based JKLF is demanding a united and independent Kashmir, which is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both.

Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after the December 13 attack on the Indian parliament which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

Both have massed troops along their common border triggering fears of a war between the nuclear-armed South Asian rivals.

India last month handed over a list of 20 "criminals" to Pakistan and demanded their arrest and extradition.

Pakistan has said it would act if India offered credible evidence against the accused. 

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