DATE=9/5/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=KASHMIR VIOLENCE S & L
NUMBER=2-253462
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indian Army and paramilitary forces have
stormed a government hostel in Kashmir to rescue five
of six security personnel taken hostage by Islamic
militant guerrillas. V-O-A's Jim Teeple reports Indian
authorities say one hostage was killed by the
militants during the rescue attempt, and all
kidnappers are also dead.
TEXT: Authorities say the hostage-taking was timed to
coincide with national elections on Sunday. The
Pakistan-based Laksher-I-Toiba militant group has
claimed responsibility for the kidnapping which
occurred in Handwara, 85-kilometers north of Srinigar,
the summer capital of India's Jammu and Kashmir state.
Authorities say the 16-hour hostage drama began after
the militants managed to get through tight security
surrounding the hostel, which houses personnel
assigned to provide protection for the elections.
//OPT//India's Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has
accused Pakistan of being behind the attack. //END
OPT// In a separate incident nine Indian army soldiers
were killed Friday by a Pakistan artillery attack on a
border post in northern Kashmir near the Siachen
glacier.
//REST OPT//
Voting is taking place in Kashmir and elsewhere in
India on Sunday for a new parliament. Balloting will
be staggered for five weeks to give security forces
time to move across India's vast expanse.
Separatists in Kashmir have called for a boycott of
the polls. Earlier this year an 11-week conflict in
the Kargil region of Kashmir nearly brought India and
Pakistan to the brink of war. (Signed)
NEB/JLT/JO
04-Sep-1999 15:21 PM EDT (04-Sep-1999 1921 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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