Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=07/21/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=INDIA / KASHMIR (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-278497

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: At least 12 people have been killed and 15 injured in an attack by suspected Islamic militants on Hindu pilgrims in Indian Kashmir. Anjana Pasricha in New Delhi reports that among the dead are five pilgrims, two policemen, and several civilians.

TEXT: Authorities say two bombs exploded early Saturday near a police camp along a heavily guarded pilgrim route at Sheshnag, from where thousands of Hindu pilgrims are trekking to a religious shrine in southern Kashmir. The area is about 125 kilometers south of the Kashmiri capital, Srinagar.

The explosions sparked a two-hour gun battle between security forces and the suspected bombers. Several civilians and police officers were killed in the heavy exchange of fire.

Police say a Muslim militant disguised as a Hindu saint was also killed.

Authorities have suspended the pilgrimage for one day to reinforce security along the pilgrim route. A massive operation has also been launched to search for Muslim militants.

More than 15-thousand Indian soldiers are already patrolling the area where the Hindu pilgrimage started early this month.

The annual pilgrimage sees nearly 100-thousand pilgrims travel to an icy cave more than four-thousand meters high in the Himalayan mountains.

The pilgrimage also has been targeted by Muslim militants in the past. Last year, about

100 people including 22 pilgrims were killed in a single day in attacks across Jammu and Kashmir

state.

The attack is the latest in a series of violent clashes that have seen almost 200 people killed in the

first half of July.

Muslim militant groups fighting for Kashmir's independence from India had vowed to step up

attacks after Indian and Pakistani leaders met for peace talks earlier this week.

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The talks ended in a stalemate with Pakistan saying there can be no peace without a solution to the Kashmir dispute. India's Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh replied by restating India's claim to the

region that is divided between the two countries. (Signed)

NEB/AP/JWH