Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=7/12/01

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

NUMBER=5-49782

TITLE=INDIA/PAK - LOC

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

BYLINE=JON TKACH

VOICED AT=

CONTENT=

///// SUITABLE FOR WEEKEND USE. DUE TO COME FRIDAY FROM ISLAMBAD FOR USE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY "INDIA-PAK MUJAHIDEEN" BACKGROUNDER. ///

INTRO: Thousands of people live along the Line of Control that divides Kashmir - the mountainous region that is expected to be the focus of the upcoming summit between India and Pakistan. Troops from those two countries have eyed each other suspiciously across the line for half a century, and periodic clashes have caught civilian residents in the line of fire. But as V-O-A's Jon Tkach (KOTCH) reports from Pakistan's side of the cease-fire line, eight-months of relative calm have given many residents a rare taste of peace.

TEXT: A Muslim-led revolt continues to claim lives in Indian-controlled Kashmir. But along the Line of Control, Indian and Pakistani troops have respected a cease-fire since late last year.

And from a lookout just 70-meters from Indian troops, Pakistani Colonel Javed Iqbal says he can see peace taking a tentative hold.

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See the line of Control. The fields that you can see on the left side are freshly cultivated. So these are the effects of the cease-fire.

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Bright green fields of corn and rice cover much of the ridge right up to the line that separates the troops. Colonel Iqbal says many of these fields had been barren for 11-years because farmers had been too afraid to plant them.

Eyeing his most recent installation, Colonel Iqbal says there are many other signs of peace here.

/// FIRST IQBAL ACT ///

So they are trained. They are military fishes.

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He had a fishpond - ringed by colorful flowers - installed at the base several months ago. He says it is a direct benefit of eight months of rare calm along one of the world's most closely watched hot-spots.

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So you sit over here in the cool breeze, it is nice seeing them.

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He says it is a good diversion for his soldiers, many of who can remember the fear of trading fire across the Line of Control. The colonel says he could have never imagined that life would return to normal here so quickly.

Just outside the base, women and children are again walking openly on the road, often in sight of the Indian posts.

/// NAT SND: VILLAGE NOISE UP TO FULL, THEN FADE TO: ///

The nearby village of Chakothi, too, is once again lively. But its buildings, and residents, still show the scars of Indian shelling.

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Shopkeeper Barkhat Ali notes the huge chunks blasted out of the roof of his shop. He says not too long ago people were starving because they were afraid to leave their homes. He says all they want is peace so that they can get on with their lives.

/// NAT SND: CHILDREN PLAYING UP TO FULL, THEN FADE: ///

Further down the road towards Muzzafarabad, Pakistan-controlled Kashmir's modest capital, children can be found playing in the Jhelum River. They have lived in a dingy camp here for most of their lives - victims of the long stalemate over control of Kashmir.

They are among thousands of residents here still too afraid to return to their villages along more remote parts of the Line of Control.

Abdul Rahim was forced to flee his village five-years ago.

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He says he can not go back because his village sits wedged between Pakistani and Indian posts along the border. Pointing to his wooden leg, he says the area is still heavily mined and much too dangerous to return to.

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He says life is very uncomfortable in the camp that here is not enough food and conditions are bad. He says he prays the leaders will reach a solution to the dispute over Kashmir so he can finally feel secure enough to go home.

Many other Kashmiris here say they too are hopeful Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf's trip to India will bring peace. But they say they also remember the many failed attempts to settle the Kashmir dispute of the past.

Both countries have held fast to their claims over the whole of Kashmir since 1947, and two of their three wars were waged over the rugged Himalayan region. During preparations for the summit, neither side has hinted it is willing to give in.

Echoing that bitter stalemate, many Kashmiris like Chakothi resident Mohammed Sharif - also take a hard line with India.

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He says opening borders between the two sides and taking small steps to ease the tension will help make life a little easier for the people of Kashmir. But, he says true peace can only come with what he calls the independence of Kashmir from India. (SIGNED)

NEB/JON/RAE