30.05.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Policeman killed, 21 wounded in Kashmir attacks ("Policeman killed, 21 wounded in Kashmir attacks"), Autor: Reuters [ID 15484]

Document(s): Open document

14.04.2006 - Source: BBC News

'Five killed' in Kashmir violence ("'Five killed' in Kashmir violence") [#49419],  [ID 15443]

Document(s): Open document

05.04.2006 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir, Baramulla: Leader of Awami League party formed by ex-militants, Mohammad Yousuf Ganaie, shot dead by suspected militants ("Politician shot dead in Kashmir") [#48550],  [ID 7212]

Document(s): Open document

05.04.2006 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir, Baramulla: Leader of Awami League party formed by ex-militants, Mohammad Yousuf Ganaie, shot dead by suspected militants ("Politician shot dead in Kashmir") [#48550],  [ID 7265]

Document(s): Open document

04.04.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) aims at unification of Jammu and Kashmir and rejects division of Kashmir into several regions for self-governance ("APHC rejects division of Kashmir (Frontier Post)") [#48622],  [ID 7213]

Document(s): Open document

01.04.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Hizbul Mujahideen only would consider a truce if India includes Kashmiris in negotiations; Pakistan withdrew support for Hizbul Mujahideen, they said ("Kashmir militant group derides Indo-Pak peace process (Reuters Foundation)") [#48312],  [ID 7214]

Document(s): Open document

14.02.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Kashmir: Indian army builds new bridge connecting Indian and Pakistani Kashmir after an earlier one was damaged in last year's earthquak ("India connects Kashmiris with new "peace bridge" (Reuters)") [#44159],  [ID 7215]

Document(s): Open document

28.01.2006 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: 7 separatist militants and 2 soldiers killed in gun battle in Indian-administered Poonch district ("'Nine killed' in Kashmir battle") [#42969],  [ID 7264]

Document(s): Open document

15.11.2005 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: Gunbattle between Indian security forces and suspected militants continues in Srinagar; 9 civilians were recsued in battle that left 2 civilians and 2 soldiers dead and 7 others injured ("Gunbattle continues in Srinagar") [#39180],  [ID 7263]

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2005 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: Local politician killed by suspected militants in Srinagar; a number of election candidates and councillors were killed by suspected militants in the past ("Politician gunned down in Kashmir") [#32621],  [ID 7216]

"[...]Police in Indian-administered Kashmir say a local politician has been killed by suspected militants in Srinagar. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Dukhtaran-e-Millat [ID 7217]

"An all-woman outfit, the Dukhtaraan-e-Millat (DeM) can be categorized as a soft-terrorist outfit in the sense that it uses extra-legal means including threats to impose its doctrines but has not taken to arms so far. The outfit, formed in 1987 has claimed that the Kashmir issue is primarily a religious issue and jehad is mandatory. It also supports the accession of the Kashmir valley with Pakistan. The DeM primarily operates in the Kashmir valley and its present strength is reported to be approximately 350.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front [ID 7219]

"There are two distinct outfits, each of which identifies itself by the name Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). Amanullah Khan heads the first while Yasin Malik, who parted ways with Amanullah Khan and formed another JKLF, heads the other. In May 1994, Yasin Malik who was released from jail (after his arrest in August 1990) declared that his faction would renounce violence as a tool to achieve the goal of 'independence'. In March 1996, the last surviving members of the Amanullah faction who were based in J&K under the leadership of Shabbir Siddiqui were killed in two encounters. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Muttahida Jehad Council [ID 7220]

"The Muttahida Jehad Council (MJC), a conglomerate of Pakistan-based terrorist outfits was formed in November 1990 to bring under a single platform all the outfits involved in the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Currently it has 13 members and two outfits have been accorded observer status. The headquarters of the MJC is at Muzaffarabad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). At the time of inception, all the terrorist outfits operating in J&K were required to register with the MJC. The council aims at joining forces and resources to augment the terrorist operations in J&K. The Muttahida Jehad Council also acts as the primary public voice of the terrorist outfits currently active in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.[...]
The following terrorist outfits are currently members of the Muttahida Jehad Council:
1. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen
2. Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
3.Harkat-ul-Ansar
4. Tehrik-e-Jehad
5. Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen
6. Jamait-ul-Mujahideen
7. Al Jehad
8. Al Umar Mujahideen
9. Jammu Kashmir Islamic Front
10. Muslim Janbaz Force
11. Hizbullah
12. Al Fatah
13. Hizb-ul-Momineen
The outfits that have been accorded observer status by the conglomerate are Lashkar-e-Toiba and Al Badr."

Document(s): Open document

15.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Al Umar Mujahideen (AuM) [ID 7221]

"[...]The AuM aims to liberate the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir through an armed struggle and merge it with Pakistan. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Harkat ul-Jihad-i-Islami [ID 7222]

"[...]The HuJI, like other Pakistan-based terrorist outfits functions under the patronage of the Inter Services Intelligence. While in J&K, it strives to ensure the secession of the State from India through terrorist violence, in other parts of India it aims to spread terror and consequently endanger the internal security scenario. The HuJI has formed alliances with the proscribed Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and other Islamist extremists to spread violence in India. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

14.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on All Parties Hurriyat Conference [ID 7218]

"[...]The origins of the Hurriyat are traced to the 1993 phase of the Kashmir insurgency. The initial euphoria of armed struggle against Indian security forces, which surrounded terrorist violence during the late Eighties, and early Nineties had subsided in the face of counter-insurgency operations launched by Indian security forces. The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) with its pro-independence ideology had been marginalised as a terrorist outfit and replaced by a network of extremist Islamic outfits sponsored and controlled by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). [...]"

Document(s): Open document

14.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen [ID 7223]

"[...]The TuM aims to merge the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with Pakistan and also promote a pan-Islamist identity. The protection of Asidih community, a small faction of Sunni Muslims, was a prime motivating factor for the outfit in its early days.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

14.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Lashkar-e-Toiba [ID 7224]

"[...]The Lashkar-e-Toiba was first involved in the Mujahideen resistance against Soviet forces in Afghanistan in the Nineteen Eighties and early Nineties. Subsequently, it began operations in J&K. It was actively promoted by Pakistan’s external intelligence agency, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), since 1996. This support was more so after another outfit, the Harkat-ul-Ansar (HuA) was declared as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the US in 1997. The HuA was an outfit that also traces its origins to the Mujahideen movement against Soviet forces in Afghanistan. Furthermore, it was also primarily composed of Pakistani and Afghan mercenaries, followed a hard-line extremist Islamic ideology and was actively promoted by the ISI, along with other outfits, to ensure that Pakistan would have control over the Kashmir insurgency and promote its objectives. Even while promoting terrorist outfits’ such as the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), which comprise local Kashmiri terrorists, the ISI infiltrates a considerable number of Pakistani and Afghan mercenaries in the state. This is to ensure control over the terrorist violence and promote an Islamic orthodoxy, a goal that the Pakistani state has been following since the Nineteen Seventies. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

13.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen [ID 7225]

"The Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen (JUM) was the first breakaway faction of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) that emerged out of a personality clash between Master Ahsan Dar, the then Chief of the outfit and Hilal Ahmed Mir. Mir, who used the code-name Nasirul Islam opposed the move to transform the Hizb into Jamaat-e-Islami's armed wing. It was formed in 1990 with Sheikh Abdul Basit as its Chief. Its followers are mostly Kashmiris from the Ahle Sunnat (Deoband) school.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

13.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Lashkar-e-Jabbar [ID 7226]

Document(s): Open document

13.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Al Badr [ID 7227]

"[...]The Al Badr was formed in June 1998 with the professed goal of strengthening the ‘Kashmiri freedom struggle’ and to ‘liberate’ the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir and merge it with Pakistan. The outfit advocates that Kashmiris should be given the right of self-determination in accordance with the United Nations resolutions. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

13.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Jaish-e-Mohammad Mujahideen E-Tanzeem [ID 7228]

"[...]The Jaish-e-Mohammed is part of the Islamist terror network with its base in Pakistan and active in the terrorist violence in J&K. The outfit, like other terrorist outfits in J&K, claims to using violence to force a withdrawal of Indian security forces from J&K. The outfit claims that each of its offices in Pakistan would serve as schools of jihad. Delivering speeches at various cities and towns in Pakistan after his release, Masood Azhar threatened that the outfit would eliminate Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee who he termed as 'Abu Jahl’ (Father of Ignorance). In its fight against India, he added that the outfit would not only "liberate" Kashmir, but also would take control of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Amritsar and Delhi.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

12.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Harkat-ul-Mujahideen [ID 7229]

Document(s): Open document

12.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Hizb-ul-Mujahideen [ID 7230]

"Of the terrorist outfits currently operating in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) is the one of the largest, with a cadre base drawn from indigenous and foreign sources. It is one of the most important terrorist outfits in terms of its effectiveness in perpetrating violence across the State at regular intervals. The HM is one of the 32 outfits proscribed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

12.12.2004 - Source:

Background information on Lashkar-e-Omar (The Army of Omar) [ID 7231]

"[...]Their version of Islam is akin to that of the Taliban militia of Afghanistan. The LeO’s ideological underpinning is a mixture of Islamist fundamentalism and totalitarian thinking. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

16.11.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: India to withdraw Kashmir troops ("Kashmir: India to withdraw Kashmir troops") [#26987],  [ID 7232]

Document(s): Open document

10.2004 - Source: UK Home Office

Kashmir and the Kashmiris: Political developments ("Country Report - October 2004") [#28325],  [ID 7233]

"[...]
6.170 According to an Amnesty International Report 1999, under the National Conference State Government, the State police was restructured, strengthened from 38,000 to 50,000 men and prepared for a counter-insurgency role. The Special Operations Group (SOG), earlier known as the Special Task Force, was given more and better communications and transport facilities, training by security agencies and a supplement of some 12,000 Special Police Officers (SPOs) and local people, including many renegades with good local knowledge and links in the population. Police security operations against the militants became proactive, particularly after the BJP Government came to power in 1998. The new Union Government expressed a will to adopt a proactive approach to what were described as “infiltrators and Pakistani and Afghan mercenaries” carrying out the armed struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. “Security forces were called upon to initiate operations against members of armed opposition groups rather than react to attacks initiated by them.” [3f] (p5-6)

6.171 According to a BBC news report dated 4 July 2003, in July 2000, the Indian cabinet rejected a demand for greater autonomy in the State. The proposal would have seen Jammu and Kashmir return to its pre-1953 status, when it had its own constitution, flag, and Prime Minister, and had control over all its affairs with the exception of finance, defence and communications. Home Minister L.K. Advani admitted that a major factor in the decision was concern that other States too would start to demand the same rights. [32p]

6.172 As cited in a BBC news report dated 24 July 2000, the leading Kashmiri militant group, Hizbul Mujahedin announced a unilateral cease-fire and said it was willing to enter into negotiations with the Indian authorities, stating that the cease-fire would last 3 months. [32r] As noted in a BBC news report of 2 August 2000, the announcement sparked a wave of attacks by Muslim separatist militants opposed to the cease-fire. Over a period of 2 days starting 1 August 2000: 34 people died and 46 were injured in an exchange of fire between militants and Indian security forces at Pahalgam (30 of the dead were pilgrims en route to a Hindu cave shrine); 19 Hindu labourers were massacred at a brick kiln in Mir Bazar, and a further 7 others were killed in a separate attack in a nearby village; at least 22 Hindus were shot dead in the Doda region; in Baramulla a former militant and six members of his family were also shot dead. [32t]

6.173 A BBC news report dated 9 August 2000 reported that on 8 August 2000, Hizbul Mujahedin called off the cease-fire after India refused to enter three-way peace talks with the Kashmiri leadership and Pakistan. India and Pakistan blamed each other for the breakdown. [32u] A CNN news article dated14 August 2000 stated that Hizbul Mujahedin immediately recommenced attacks in Kashmir and two days after the end of the ceasefire, set off 2 powerful bombs in Srinagar, killing 14 soldiers and journalists and wounding 25 others. Then on 13 August 2000, a string of landmine explosions and gun battles left 22 dead and 52 wounded. [33d]

6.174 According to a BBC news report dated 22 February 2001, in November 2000 the Indian Government announced a unilateral cease-fire barring Indian forces from offensive operations against Muslim separatists in Kashmir. Extensions of the cease-fire were made a month at a time, before a three month extension to the end of May 2001. Militant groups rejected the cease-fire and extensions as merely a propaganda stunt. [32ab] As reported in the Keesings News Digest for May 2001, the cease-fire was ended on 24 May 2001 after ”It was said to have demoralised the security forces without producing any real lessening of violence. Some 1,200 had died in the conflict since November 2000.” [5g]

6.175 According to Keesings News Digest report of May 2002, on 21 May 2002, two gunmen shot dead moderate Kashmiri separatist leader Abdul Ghani Lone. One of Lone’s bodyguards was also killed in the attack. Lone, a peaceful advocate of Kashmiri independence rather than union with Pakistan, was founder of the People’s Conference Party (PCP), and a founder and former chairman of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC). [5m]

6.176 As reported in a BBC news report dated 11 October 2002, voting in Kashmir State elections concluded in October 2002. The ruling National Conference party, which supports the BJP Government in Delhi, suffered a shock defeat, as it failed to win a majority in the new assembly. The party leader, Omar Abdullah, failed to win a seat. The final results in the 87-seat assembly were: National Conference 28, Congress 20, People's Democratic Party (PDP) 16, Independents 15, and others 8. [32ak] It was reported in a BBC news report dated 17 October 2002 that 50 activists of various political parties were killed in separatist violence during the elections, the bloodiest ever held in the State. The Indian Government said that more than 40% of the voters participated in the polls, in defiance of militants who had called for a boycott. [32al]

6.177 As reported by the BBC on 3 November 2002, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was sworn in as chief minister, to head a coalition of his PDP and the Congress party for three years, before a Congress leader takes over for a second three year period. His programme included the release of militants who have no serious charges against them, as well as a promise of financial help for relatives of separatists killed by Indian forces. [32am]

6.178 Mr Vajpayee made a surprise speech in April 2003, calling for an end to more than 18 months of simmering tensions with Pakistan, prompted by an attack on the Indian parliament, as reported by BBC on 6 January 2004.[32cj]

6.179 According to a BBC news report dated 10 August 2003, a conference of nearly 100 parliamentarians from India and Pakistan took place in August 2003 in Islamabad amid calls for all avenues for peace between the two adversaries to be explored. It was the largest gathering of elected representatives of India and Pakistan since the two countries came to the brink of all-out war in 2002. It was the first time members of some of the hardline religious groups had agreed to sit across the table and listen to each others point of view.[32bs]

6.180 The BBC reported on 29 August 2003 that India and Pakistan had been enjoying a thaw in relations in 2003 but the atmosphere soured following the bomb attack in Bombay and violence in Kashmir. India leaders accused Pakistan of “indirect responsibility” following the Mumbai car bomb attack on 25 August 2003. Pakistan denies the accusations. [32bt]

6.181 According to a BBC news report dated 21 September 2003, Indian authorities accused Pakistan of stepping up its efforts to push armoured infiltrators into the Indian side of the Line of Control dividing Jammu and Kashmir between the two countries. India had ruled out bilateral talks with Pakistan unless the latter stopped abetting separatist violence in Indian administrated Kashmir. [32bu]

6.182 According to the USSD 2003, “There were significantly fewer attacks by militants in Jammu and Kashmir during the year [2003]; however it continued at the level of the late 1990s, according to the Home Ministry.”[2c](p2)

6.183 According to the US Department of State report 2002 (USSD),
“In November [2002] State Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir transferred power to a coalition composed of the People's Democratic Party and the Congress Party. International observers stated that the election took place in a somewhat fair and transparent manner; however, some non governmental organizations (NGOs) alleged that there were some flaws in the election, including that all major separatist groups boycotted the elections and there was a widespread fear of attacks by militants. These two parties defeated the National Conference, a political party that has dominated state-level politics since Indian independence in 1947. Violence remained a pervasive feature of politics in Jammu and Kashmir. The fall elections took place in a climate of sporadic violence and isolated irregularities. Electionrelated violence killed more than 800 persons.” [2d] (p.2)

6.184 According to the USSD 2003,
“Tension along the Line of Control between Pakistan and Indian-held Kashmir was high during the year, and there was shelling in several sectors; however, in November, the country and Pakistan announced a ceasefire. By all accounts, the ceasefire continued at year’s end.”[2c](p2)

6.185 On 5 January 2004, the leaders of Pakistan and India met for the first time in 2 years, promising to restore normal relations, as reported by Guardian Unlimited. [40b] As reported by the Guardian newspaper on 7 January 2004, India and Pakistan announced peace talks over Kashmir, on 6 January 2004. [52]

6.186 According to a BBC news report dated, 2 June 2004, ties between India and Pakistan have thawed after last year’s peace initiatives between Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and former Indian Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Since the resumption of dialogue, a number of confidence building measures have been introduced, including a resumption of rail, air and bus links and a strengthening of diplomatic ties. [32o]

6.187 According to a BBC news report dated, 2 June 2004, India’s new Congress led government confirmed that it would continue talks on the issues of Kashmir and nuclear security. Senior diplomats from India and Pakistan confirmed that the two countries would hold talks in Delhi on 27 and 28 June. [32o]

6.188 BBC News reported on 7 June 2004 that the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers will hold talks on the future of Kashmir on the sidelines of the regional summit due to be held in Islamabad on 21 and 22 July. [32y] In a further report by BBC News on 10 June 2004, the Indian Foreign Minister, Natwar Singh, indicated that he would not rule out redrawing borders with Pakistan in the search for peace. Mr Singh told the BBC he was seeking a “new beginning” after decades of hostility between the two countries. [32z]

6.189 BBC News reported on 28 June 2004 that India and Pakistan ended two days of bilateral talks by announcing a series of measures aimed at consolidating the peace process. Both countries agreed to adopt a system of pre-notification of flight testing of missiles. High Commission staff are to be restored to full their complements with Consulates in Karachi and Mumbai re-opening. Both governments also agreed to immediately release fishermen held prisoner and to also take steps to facilitate the early release of civilian prisoners. [32eb]

6.190 According to analysis by a BBC News correspondent, dated 28 June 2004, the Indo- Pakistani peace conference made good progress, living up to reasonable and realistic expectations. Former Pakistani foreign secretary, Tanvir Ahmed Khan told BBC News Online that, “There is a resolve to come to grips with the Kashmir problem, and sustain it in the months ahead…The idea of representation of Kashmiri people in the (peace) process through indirect consultations now and direct consultations in the future augurs well for both countries.” [32ec]

6.191 According to a BBC news report dated, 21 July 2004, the Indian and Pakistani foreign ministers met over breakfast before the start of the SAARC regional conference in Islamabad on the 21 July. Officials reported that the 75-minute meeting between the two foreign ministers was “frank and friendly” and that formal talks have been scheduled for September. [32ed]

6.192 According to a BBC news report, dated 7 August 2004, the Indian and Pakistani defence secretaries concluded two days of talks on demilitarising the Line of Control on the Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest battlefield. The meeting was the first time in six years that the two countries’ defence secretaries had sat down to discuss reducing tension on the glacier. However, a BBC correspondent in Delhi commented that the meeting was unlikely to bring about any immediate breakthrough in the situation. [32ef] [...]"

Document(s): Open document

10.2004 - Source: UK Home Office

AFSPA ("Country Report - October 2004") [#28325],  [ID 7234]

"[...]
5.29 As stated in the same report, “The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) of 1958 remained in effect in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and parts of Tripura, and a version of this law was in effect in Jammu and Kashmir. Under this Act, the Government has the power to declare any State or Union Territory a ‘disturbed area’, allows security forces to fire on any person if it is considered "necessary for maintenance of law and order;" the authorities can arrest any person "against whom reasonable suspicion exists" with no obligation to inform the detainee of the grounds for arrest; and the authorities are given immunity from prosecution for any acts committed by them in relation to the Act.” [2c](p10-11)

5.30 BBC news reported on 5 August 2004 that thousands of protesters in Manipur campaigned to demand the withdrawal of the Act after a Manipuri woman was found raped and shot by the security forces, however the latter say they need the special powers to fight the separatists. [32dc] Amnesty International made a public statement on 11 August 2004 and called for a review of the Act. "In areas declared as "disturbed" -- such as in the north-east region -- Amnesty International is concerned that the AFSPA:
• facilitates grave human rights violations,
• empowers the security forces to arrest and enter property without warrant,
• gives the security forces powers to use excessive force, including to shoot to kill without members of the security force lives being at imminent risk,
• facilitates impunity because no person can start legal action against any member of the armed forces for anything done under the Act without permission of the Central Government,
• by certain of its provisions violates articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)…"[3j]
[...]"

Document(s): Open document

10.2004 - Source: UK Home Office

Disturbed Areas Act ("Country Report - October 2004") [#28325],  [ID 7235]

"[...]
5.31 As reported in the US State Department report 2003, the Disturbed Areas Act remained in effect in several states in which active secessionist movements exist, namely, in Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, and parts of Tripura. The Disturbed Areas Act gives police extraordinary powers of arrest and detention.[2c](p3)
[...]"

Document(s): Open document

10.2004 - Source: UK Home Office

TADA ("Country Report - October 2004") [#28325],  [ID 7236]

"[...]
5.33 As cited in the US State Department report 2003, although the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) lapsed in 1995, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir continued to keep in detention persons who had been arrested under TADA in the past. “TADA courts used abridged procedures. For example, defense counsel was not permitted to see witnesses for the prosecution, who were kept behind screens while testifying in court. Also, confessions extracted under duress were admissible as evidence.”[2c](p9)
[...]"

Document(s): Open document

10.2004 - Source: UK Home Office

Militant violence ("Country Report - October 2004") [#28325],  [ID 7237]

"[...]6.198 According to Keesings News Digest for May 1999, “A serious escalation of the conflict in Kashmir occurred in late May [1999] in response to the largest infiltration of Islamic militants into Jammu and Kashmir in recent years.” India attacked the guerrilla positions with jet fighters and helicopter gunships on May 26. After frequent skirmishes along the Line of Control earlier in the month, a prolonged battle developed after insurgents, under cover of artillery fire from Pakistan, had launched a rocket attack on 9 May 1999 on an Indian ammunition dump near the town of Kargil in northern Kashmir. Pursuing the attackers, Indian troops discovered that at least 600 well-armed militants had occupied bunkers on a ridge overlooking Kargil. It had been reported that the infiltrators' force had been trained in camps in Azad Kashmir by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI). Pakistan denied that it had any control over the militants, and denied Indian allegations that some of Pakistan's own troops were fighting alongside them. [5d]

6.199 According to a Reuter’s news report of 1999, by 11 July 1999 Pakistan had agreed on a plan, under US pressure, for the infiltrators to withdraw from Jammu and Kashmir. [8e]. As noted in a Reuters news report, July 1999, on 17 July 1999 India announced that it believed that most of the infiltrators had withdrawn from the Indian side of the Line of Control. [8f]"

Document(s): Open document

30.09.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: leader of main separatist alliance killed in Srinagar/ 2 civilians killed and 4 injured when landmine blew up in Baramulla district ("Kashmir separatist is shot dead") [#25955],  [ID 7238]

Document(s): Open document

27.08.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: parliament has rejected a bill withdrawing the permanent resident status of women who marry a non-permanent resident ("Kashmir women's bill voted out") [#25247],  [ID 7239]

Document(s): Open document

20.08.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: authorities have put separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani under house arrest ("Kashmir separatist under arrest") [#24930],  [ID 7240]

Document(s): Open document

07.07.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: Moulvi Abbas Ansari, leader of the main separatist group in Kashmir, resigned as chairman of the All Party Hurriyat Conference ("Moderate Kashmir leader resigns") [#23885],  [ID 7241]

Document(s): Open document

24.05.2004 - Source: US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

Annual report on conditions affecting refugees and asylum seekers in 2003 ("World Refugee Survey 2004") [#22816],  [ID 7242]

"At least 650,000 persons were internally displaced in India. Among the displaced were 250,000-450,000 Kashmiris, an estimated 250,000 members of tribal groups in northeast India, an unknown number of persons, mostly Muslims, in Gujarat State in western India. The government impedes international access to internally displaced persons, and labels them migrants.

About 17,000 Kashmiris from the Indian-controlled area of Kashmir remained in Pakistan. [...]

Displacement in Kashmir region On November 26, Pakistan and India entered into a ceasefire agreement and agreed to talks raising hopes for peace in the Kashmiri region, racked by ethnic, religious and secessionist conflict for decades. Although this reduced violence in the border area when Pakistan and Indian troops stopped shelling each other, violence and fighting continued in India’s northern province of Jammu-Kashmir. Both India and the rebels stated ceasefire between Pakistan and India did not affect their operations inside Jammu-Kashmir. A total of 185 persons died from conflict in Kashmir between the date the ceasefire and the end of the year."

Document(s): Open document

04.05.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir, Jammu: Election Commission has asked police to charge head of the state's ruling People's Democratic Party, after she unveiled a Muslim woman during voting in Srinagar ("Kashmiri politician in veil row") [#21929],  [ID 7243]

Document(s): Open document

29.04.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: one of the Pakistan's leading Islamic militants, Hafiz Saeed, says "holy war" is the only way to end Indian rule ("Musharraf's Kashmir plans slammed") [#21885],  [ID 7244]

Document(s): Open document

28.04.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: 3 people killed and 59 injured in a grenade attack on an election rally in a village in Doda district ("Kashmir grenade blast kills three") [#21796],  [ID 7245]

Document(s): Open document

20.04.2004 - Source: BBC News

Jammu and Kashmir: at least 1 soldier was reported killed and 6 civilians injured when suspected militants attacked two polling stations in India's general election ("Violence mars early India voting") [#21551],  [ID 7246]

Document(s): Open document

08.04.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: at least 4 people killed and more than 20 injured, among them the state Finance Minister and Tourism Minister, in an attack by Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen on an election rally ("Kashmir election rally attacked") [#21180],  [ID 7247]

Document(s): Open document

04.2004 - Source: UK Home Office

Malfunction of the judicial system ("Country Report - April 2004") [#22427],  [ID 7248]

"5.18 As reported in the US Department of State report 2003 [published 2004], “In Jammu and Kashmir, the judicial system barely functioned due to threats by militants against judges, witnesses, and their family members; because of judicial tolerance of the Government's heavy-handed anti-militant actions; and because of the frequent refusal by security forces to obey court orders. Jammu and Kashmir were reluctant to hear cases involving terrorist crimes, and failed to act expeditiously on habeas corpus cases, if they acted at all. There were a few convictions of alleged terrorists in the Jammu High Court during the year (2003); many more accused militants had been in pre-trial detention for years.” [2c](p13)"

Document(s): Open document

29.03.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: a leading separatist group, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has called on people to boycott general elections ("Boycott elections, says Kashmiri group") [#20890],  [ID 7249]

Document(s): Open document

26.03.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: the chairman and deputy of the pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front detained ("Police detain Kashmir activists") [#20848],  [ID 7250]

Document(s): Open document

18.03.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir, Srinagar: a Janata Dal United party activist has been killed by suspected separatist militants ("Politician gunned down in Kashmir") [#20545],  [ID 7251]

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17.03.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: the moderate faction of the main separatist alliance, the All Party Hurriyat Conference, has agreed to hold more peace talks with India ("Kashmir faction agrees more talks") [#20543],  [ID 7252]

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11.03.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: a strike has been called in protest against a controversial bill, under which Kashmiri women who marry non-residents of Kashmir lose their resident status ("Anger at Kashmir residency bill") [#20367],  [ID 7253]

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23.02.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: a man killed by the Al-Mansurin militant group in the district of Budgam, allegedly for running in the elections/4,000 people protest in Tral against the alleged custodial killing of a civilian by Indian troops ("Violence ahead of Kashmir vote") [#19643],  [ID 7254]

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21.01.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: Delegation of the All Party Hurriyat Conference signals readiness for peace ("Kashmir separatists ready for peace") [#18926],  [ID 7255]

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04.12.2003 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani called for a strike to protest at the government decision to stop his supporters from marching in the state's summer capital, Srinagar ("Kashmir separatist rally denied") [#18002],  [ID 7256]

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27.11.2003 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: at least 7 people killed in two separate incidents despite a ceasefire between Indian and Pakistan ("Violence breaks out despite truce") [#17873],  [ID 7257]

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23.11.2003 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: Pakistan's prime minister has announced a ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) ("Pakistan calls Kashmir ceasefire") [#17843],  [ID 7258]

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07.11.2003 - Source: BBC News

Kashmir: a prominent member of the governing People's Democratic Party killed in Anantnag by suspected militants/ in another incident, a politician belonging to the same party, was killed in the southern Kashmiri town of Pampore ("Politician shot dead in Kashmir") [#17486],  [ID 7259]

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18.09.2002 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Jammu and Kashmir: Prominent editor in Srinagar reportedly attacked/ this was one of several violent incidents that occurred in the state as polling for legislative elections began ("India : Prominent editor shot in Kashmir") [#8676],  [ID 7260]

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09.08.2002 - Source: South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre

India has so far rejected calls for international election monitoring of the Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly Elections / around 2000 National Conference workers alone have been killed across J&K in the last 12 years ("Illusion and Reality - The J& K State Assembly Elections (HRF/62/02)") [#8271],  [ID 7261]

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HRF062_L.doc

11.07.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Over 100 people in arbitrary detention in the area under provisional Pakistani control/ hundreds of cases of torture, deaths in custody, extrajudicial executions and "disappearances" reported every year in Jammu and Kashmir ("Indo-Pakistan Summit: Plea to put human rights in Jammu and Kashmir firmly on the agenda") [#2537],  [ID 7262]

Document(s): 00246ind.htm
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