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DATE=1/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA / KASHMIR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258319
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Indian and Pakistani troops fought a gun 
battle Saturday along the disputed Kashmir border.  
Indian authorities say at least six Pakistani and two 
Indian soldiers were killed in the exchange of fire.  
From New Delhi, Anjana Pasricha has a report.  
TEXT:  The heavy exchange of gunfire between Indian 
and Pakistani troops took place early Saturday near 
Pallanwala, about 30 kilometers northwest of Jammu, 
the winter capital of Indian Kashmir. 
Defense authorities in Jammu say Pakistani troops 
attacked an Indian border post, killing an Indian army 
officer and a soldier. Indian troops retaliated, 
killing or wounding several Pakistani soldiers.  The 
authorities say Indian troops also destroyed a 
Pakistani army bunker. 
India and Pakistan sporadically exchanged fire at the 
so-called line of control that divides Kashmir between 
the two countries.
Tensions on the Kashmir border have increased since 
Indian troops fought a 10-week battle last year to 
evict Pakistan-backed Muslim guerrillas who had 
captured high mountain peaks in Kashmir. 
Since the summer battle in the Himalayas, violence in 
the Kashmir region has escalated, with Muslim 
guerrillas also stepping-up attacks on Indian army 
posts.
The Indian government and defense analysts in New 
Delhi are blaming Pakistan for the increased violence.  
Defense analyst C. Raja Mohan says Islamabad wants to 
focus international attention on the Kashmir issue.
            /// RAJA MOHAN ACT ///
      It's fairly clear that in the last few months 
      the Pakistanis have decided to step up the level 
      of violence and step up the level of attacks 
      against Indian forces inside the Kashmiri 
      valley.
            /// END ACT ///
On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee 
accused Pakistan of backing separatist rebels, not 
only in Kashmir but also in the northeast of the 
country, where India is also grappling with several 
separatist movements.  Mr Vajpayee said Pakistan was 
trying to "destabilize India." 
Islamabad denies the Indian charges, and says it only 
gives moral and diplomatic support to the rebels.
India controls two-thirds of Kashmir, Pakistan the 
rest.  Both countries claim the entire region.   
(Signed)
NEB/AP/WTW
22-Jan-2000 06:00 AM EDT (22-Jan-2000 1100 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.