DATE=7/25/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA - KASHMIR
NUMBER=2-252118
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Indian Government has ordered an
investigation into how Islamic fighters moved
undetected into Indian Kashmir and captured high
mountain peaks earlier this year. From New Delhi,
Anjana Pasricha reports, as the inquiry gets underway,
India and Pakistan are still wrangling over a few
mountain ridges along the frontier that divides the
Himalayan territory between the two nations.
TEXT: A four-member inquiry committee headed by
independent defense analyst K. Subramanyam will
investigate how hundreds of Pakistani - backed
fighters were able to capture strategic mountain peaks
along a 140-kilometer stretch in Indian Kashmir. The
committee will recommend measures to safeguard
national security.
The Indian Army has also ordered a separate
invesetigation into events leading to the intrusion.
The government's investigation has been ordered as the
Hindu Nationalist Coalition comes under fire from
opposition parties for its failure to detect the
incursion.
The government denies charges of a serious
intelligence lapse, and says Islamic guerrillas
slipped in before summer when the icy peaks are
usually unmanned.
But the opposition Congress Party has accused the
government of letting its guard down after launching a
high-profile peace initiative with Pakistan early this
year, and forcing the country into an expensive
military offensive. Congress Party spokesman Kapil
Sibal says the government must answer basic questions.
/// SIBAL ACTUALITY ///
At the moment we are wanting to know from this
government when the intruders came in, and when this
government came to know of that. The government
refuses to answer these two basic questions. Why is
it that the government did not take pre-emptive steps
in ensuring the intruders did not occupy our
territories.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Analysts say the opposition is turning the heat on the
government because it fears the Hindu Nationalist
Coalition may benefit from its handling of the Kashmir
conflict in general elections beginning in September.
The nation united behind the government during the
Kashmir crisis. Prime Minister Atal Vajpayee won
widespread praise for resolving the conflict.
Meanwhile, more than a week after India declared the
fighting in Kashmir was over, Indian soldiers are
still using artillery fire and machine guns to wear
down the last pockets of resistance.
Defense officials say about 100 Islamic fighters are
holding onto three mountain ridges close to the
Kashmir border. They say army operations to evict
these infiltrators are being hampered by heavy rain.
Most of the fighters retreated from the mountain peaks
last week after Pakistan asked them to withdraw.
(Signed)
Neb / ap / plm
25-Jul-1999 06:55 AM LOC (25-Jul-1999 1055 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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