Srinagar, Nov 14 (IANS): Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani Monday accused the security forces of being a threat to his life and disrupting peaceful public gatherings addressed by him.

Addressing a media conference at his uptown Hyderpora residence in summer capital Srinagar, Geelani said: "During our peaceful rally last Friday in Sopore town there was some commotion in which people caught a person and recovered a pistol from his possession. The person belonged to the army."

"His identity card said he was Naik Kamlesh Misra of the army. Police have also registered an FIR in the incident following our written complaint. The army also later confirmed he was part of the army's covert team. Why was he present at our rally with a weapon?"

Geelani said the act was clearly meant to threaten his life and disrupt a peaceful separatist rally.

Geelani claimed he had been attacked 18 times in the past by the security forces, the first time being in 1996 when he alleged a rocket was fired at his house.

He also expressed fear that the security forces would harm his life and later blame separatist gunmen for it.

"We have said time and again that our struggle will continue till the Indian security forces vacate Kashmir. For us, Islam is not a religion to be observed in private. For us, Islam is a complete way of life, laying down clear guidelines for every field of human activity."

"The acts of the army prove that Jammu and Kashmir is a state ruled by the army and the sovereignty of India is upheld in the state through the might of the army's gun," he said.