DATE=7/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-251736
TITLE=INDIA / KASHMIR (L)
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: INDIAN COMMANDOES HAVE RESCUED CIVILIAN HOSTAGES TAKEN BY
MUSLIM SEPARATIST MILITANTS AT A PARAMILITARY CAMP IN KASHMIR.
MEANWHILE INDIA IS CONDUCTING RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS TO VERIFY
THE WITHDRAWAL OF ISLAMIC FIGHTERS FROM INDIAN KASHMIR. ANJANA
PASRICHA REPORTS FROM NEW DELHI.
TEXT: A COMMANDO FORCE STORMED A HIGH-SECURITY PARAMILITARY CAMP
EARLY WEDNESDAY AT BANDIPORE NORTH OF THE KASHMIRI CAPITAL,
SRINAGAR, AND RESCUED 12 HOSTAGES FROM FOUR FAMILIES.
THREE MILITANTS WHO HAD TAKEN THE HOSTAGES WERE KILLED IN THE
ASSAULT. THE MILITANTS HAD OVERRUN THE CAMP ON TUESDAY AFTER
KILLING A TOP POLICE OFFICER AND SOLDIERS GUARDING HIM.
NEW DELHI SAYS THIS IS THE WORST INCIDENT OF TERRORIST VIOLENCE
IN KASHMIR IN THE LAST THREE YEARS. IT FEARS THERE MAY BE AN
UPSURGE IN TERRORIST ACTIVITY AS ISLAMIC FIGHTERS WITHDRAW FROM
THE MOUNTAINS OF KASHMIR.
MEANWHILE DEFENSE SPOKESMAN COLONEL BIRKRAM SINGH SAYS INDIAN
FORCES ARE MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY TO TAKE OVER POSITIONS BEING
VACATED BY ISLAMIC FIGHTERS.
///INSERT SINGH///
THE MOVE IS BEING DELIBERATELY UNDERTAKEN IN A VERY,
VERY SLOW, SYSTEMATIC FASHION AND THIS IS PRIMARILY TO
OBVIATE ANY CASUALTIES ON ACCOUNT OF THE MINES OR BOOBY
TRAPS THE ENEMY MAY HAVE LAID WHILE FALLING BACK FROM
THE POSITIONS OCCUPIED BY HIM .
///END SINGH///
A STRATEGIC INDIAN MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY THAT HAD BEEN TARGETED BY THE
FIGHTERS IS NOW COMING UNDER HEAVY ARTILLERY SHELLING . INDIAN
OFFICIALS SAY THE FIRE IS A TACTIC TO COVER THE RETREATING
GUERRILLAS. THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE FIGHTERS BEGAN SUNDAY, AND
INDIA SAYS MUST BE COMPLETED BY FRIDAY MORNING.
ATTENTION IS NOW FOCUSING ON HOW TO DEFEND THE KASHMIR PEAKS IN
THE FUTURE. THE INDIAN ARMY IS CONSIDERING ESTABLISHING SOME
PERMANENT MILITARY POSTS ON THE MOUNTAINS, WHICH UNTIL NOW WERE
UNMANNED IN THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. OFFICIALS SAY AN YEAR-ROUND
PRESENCE OF TROOPS MAY BE NECESSARY TO PREVENT FUTURE
INFILTRATION.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO BEGUN TO ASSESS THE HEAVY COST OF THE
TWO-MONTH CONFLICT. NEWSPAPER REPORTS SAY THE GOVERNMENT MAY LEVY
A TAX ON CORPORATE AND PERSONAL INCOMES TO COVER THE COST OF THE
MILITARY OFFENSIVE.
BUT STOCKMARKETS HAVE BEEN UPBEAT SINCE THE KASHMIR CRISIS
APPEARED TO RECEDE. INDIAN STOCK MARKETS HAVE GAINED MORE THAN
FIVE PERCENT THIS WEEK AFTER THE FIGHTERS BEGAN TO WITHDRAW FROM
THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AP/PLM
14-Jul-99 6:17 AM EDT (1017 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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