DATE=1/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA/KASHMIR (L-ONLY)CQ
NUMBER=2-257863
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
Intro: In Indian Kashmir, suspected Muslim guerrillas
have killed four paramilitary soldiers, and injured
three others. From New Delhi, Anjana Pasricha has a
report.
Text: Police say heavily-armed men stormed the
weather office in the Kashmiri capital Srinagar before
dawn Friday, and opened fire with automatic weapons
under cover of darkness. Two paramilitary guards
outside the complex were gunned down. Two others were
killed when troops from a nearby camp rushed to help
the soldiers.
This is the second attack in Kashmir being blamed on
Muslim separatists since the hijacking of an Indian
Airlines aircraft last month. Earlier this week 17
people were killed in a landmine explosion in a busy
market in Srinagar. No one has claimed responsibility
for the attacks.
Security officials in Kashmir have been warning that
the state is likely to witness an upsurge in violence
following the release of three Kashmiri militants in
exchange for hostages aboard the hijacked aircraft.
Muslim militants have been waging a decade-long
separatist campaign in Kashmir.
Concerns of stepped-up violence are not related to
Kashmir alone. Security is also being stepped up in
the Indian capital, New Delhi, which police say could
also be a target for separatist guerrillas ahead of
the nation's Republic Day celebrations later this
month.
Delhi's police chief, Ajay Sharma says security is
being strengthened at vulnerable spots such as rail
and bus stations. His comments followed a bomb blast
in a train at a crowded rail station in Delhi on
Thursday. More than 20 people were injured in the
blast.
India accuses Pakistan of supporting the Kashmiri
Muslim separatists. Pakistan denies the accusation,
saying it only gives the militants moral and
diplomatic support. Both countries have also stepped
up a war of words regarding the hijacking of the
Indian aircraft. The Indian government has accused
Pakistan of involvement in the hijacking. Pakistan has
called the Indian accusations a propaganda campaign.
(signed)
NEB/AP/PLM
07-Jan-2000 06:13 AM EDT (07-Jan-2000 1113 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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