Military

DATE=11/05/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT (L-ONLY)

TITLE=INDIA/KASHMIR

NUMBER=2-268846

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

INTRO: Authorities in Indian Kashmir say more than forty people have been killed in a surge of violence following the killing of a

prominent pro-India, Shiite Muslim politician. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi on the latest violence in Kashmir where a decade-long Muslim insurgency has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

TEXT: Indian officials Sunday briefly lifted a round-the-clock curfew in the violence-wracked Kashmir valley - but re-imposed it in response to tensions that flared with the killing of well-known Shiite leader, Aga Syed Mahdi.

Mr. Mahdi had been a member of the Opposition Congress party. His killing in a landmine attack Friday provoked widespread protests, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in parts of Kashmir on Saturday.

On Sunday, crowds of mourners continued pouring into the central Kashmir town of Budgam, Mr. Mahdi's home town. They staged angry protests. Mr. Mehdi was the first Shiite leader to be killed since the Muslim insurgency flared in 1989. A militant Shiite group (Lakshar Karbala) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

After dozens of people were killed in the last two days, riot police and paramilitary troops were deployed to prevent more violence. Officials say among those killed are 25 militants and eight Indian army soldiers. Two girls were also killed in the crossfire between militants and security forces in Wathoora village, about 15 kilometers west of Srinagar.

The new round of violence in Kashmir included hand grenade attacks, gunbattles between militants and security forces as well as a bomb attack on a police training center.

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An Indian military spokesman says three soldiers and two insurgents were killed Sunday when militants attempted to storm an army post in North Kashmir. In another incident, the army reported killing several militants attempting to cross from Pakistan into Indian Kashmir. The reports could not be independently confirmed.

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Nearly a dozen separatist groups are fighting Indian security forces in Kashmir. India says the insurgents are trained and armed by Pakistan - a charge Pakistan denies. An estimated 30,000 people have died in separatist violence in the troubled state which is claimed by both India and Pakistan. (signed)

NEB/AP/PFH