Скачать или смотреть INDIA: ATTACK ON INDIAN SECURITY FORCES CAMP

(31 Jul 2000) English/Nat

Guerrillas have attacked an Indian security force's camp in Kashmir, killing several soldiers in the first flare-up since a major guerrilla group and the military declared a ceasefire in the region.

The Hezb-ul Mujahedeen, which announced a three-month truce on Friday, is one of several groups wanting to carve out an independent state of Kashmir.

Other groups are demanding Kashmir's merger with Pakistan.

In a telephone call to The Associated Press, a spokesman for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba claimed responsibility for the attack on Sunday night.

Despite the latest ceasefire in Kashmir, security is still tight.

The region's largest militant group, Hezb-ul Mujahedeen, declared a three-month ceasefire on Friday.

But fears that other groups would continue the violence proved founded on Sunday night when an Indian army barracks was attacked.

A police officer said at least three soldiers were killed and five others were wounded.

The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in protest against the ceasefire.

The temporary truce was called to give separatist groups and the Indian government a chance to move towards proposed peace talks over the disputed territory.

The ceasefire was welcomed by Indian military leaders.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The ceasefire offer given by Abdul Majid Dar, operations commander/operations chief of Hezb-ul Mujahideen, has reflected the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir who are tired of militancy and want to live a peaceful and normal life."
SUPER CAPTION: Major General J.R. Mukherjee, Indian Army

But he recognised there were still dangers.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Anticipating increased efforts by Pakistan to infiltrate maximum number of terrorists into Kashmir, (we) had passed orders to our troops to be extra vigilant along the line of control so as to stop infiltration and thwart Pakistan's designs."
SUPER CAPTION: Major General J.R. Mukherjee, Indian Army

He made it clear that separatist groups, or "tanzeems", outside the Hezb-ul Mujahideen would still be pursued.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In keeping with the directives given by the central government, I have instructed the field commanders of all security forces in Kashmir to suspend all operations against Hezb-ul Mujahedeen. However I have also given categorical instructions that all operations against all
"Tanzeems" (groups), other than Hezb-ul Mujahedeen, will continue."
SUPER CAPTION: Major General J.R. Mukherjee, Indian Army

Farooq Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu-Kashmir, insisted on Sunday that peace talks on the future of the state would be "totally unconditional".

But he said he was confident that Kashmir would remain within India.

Abdul Ghani Bhat is chairman of the All Party Hurriyat Conference, the umbrella group representing political and separatist organisations in Kashmir.

He has criticised the ceasefire and says the announcement by the Hezb-ul Mujahedeen and the positive Indian reaction were encouraged by the West and China.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We have made it absolutely clear - there is no doubt about it. We said that the Hezb-ul Mujahedeen took a hasty step. They should have taken into account the intricacies involved in the situation as well as more importantly, the designs on the part of the Indians. If you don't do this, we will perhaps be betraying the ignorance of the whole situation."
SUPER CAPTION: Abdul Ghani Bhat, Chairman All Party Hurriyat Conference





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