DATE=5/16/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249438
TITLE=PAK / KASHMIR FIGHTING UPDATE (L)
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: INDIA SAYS ITS TROOPS HAVE NOW PUSHED BACKED MOST OF THE
PAKISTANI INFILTRATORS WHO SEIZED BORDER POSTS ALONG THE DISPUTED
KASHMIR REGION LAST WEEK. THIS AFTER ARTILLERY EXCHANGES WERE
REPORTED TO BE ESCALATING BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN. FROM
ISLAMABAD, CORRESPONDENT SCOTT ANGER REPORTS.
TEXT: ARTILLERY AND MORTAR FIRE FROM INDIAN ARMY UNITS HAS
REPORTEDLY DRIVEN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FROM THEIR VILLAGES EAST OF
MUZAFFARABAD IN KASHMIR.
ROSHAN MUGHAL, A JOURNALIST IN THE AREA, SAYS THE SHELLING
STARTED LATE SATURDAY NIGHT AND HAS CONTINUED IN THE KOTLI BORDER
REGION.
///MUGHAL ACT///
THERE, INDIAN TROOPS ARE FIRING UPON THE CIVILIAN
VILLAGES AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SAFER PLACES TO ESCAPE
THE INDIAN SHELLING.
///END ACT///
BUT INDIAN OFFICIALS HAVE REFUSED TO CONFIRM THEY ARE ENGAGED IN
ACTIVE COMBAT WITH PAKISTAN. AND PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER
SARTAJ AZIZ SAYS SKIRMISHES OCCURRED IN THE KARGIL AREA BUT
DECLINED TO GIVE ANY DETAILS. PAKISTAN DOES SAY IT IS CONCERNED
ABOUT THE INCREASE IN FIRING INCIDENTS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.
INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE FOUGHT TWO WARS OVER THE HIMALAYAN REGION
SINCE THE COUNTRIES DIVIDED IN 1947. INDIA NOW CONTROLS
TWO-THIRDS OF KASHMIR AND PAKISTAN THE REST.
/// REST OPT ///
NEW DELHI ACCUSES ISLAMABAD OF FUNDING AN ARMED MUSLIM INSURGENCY
IN KASHMIR -- THE ONLY MUSLIM MAJORITY STATE OF HINDU-DOMINATED
INDIA. PAKISTAN DENIES THE CHARGE AND SAYS IT ONLY PROVIDES
MORAL AND POLITICAL SUPPORT TO THE ONGOING STRUGGLE BY
SEPARATISTS GROUPS WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR INDEPENDENCE -- OR FOR
MERGER WITH PAKISTAN. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/JO
16-May-99 12:34 PM EDT (1634 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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