Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=8/20/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-293216

TITLE=INDIA/KASHMIR (L-O)

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Indian Kashmir, authorities say nine Islamic militants have been killed in clashes with army troops. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi on the latest violence in the insurgency-wracked region.

TEXT: An Indian defense spokesman says the Muslim militants were shot dead late Monday in separate gun battles in the border district of Kupwara, north of the summer capital Srinagar.

He said soldiers intercepted the guerrillas when they were trying to enter Indian territory along the line of control that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Army officials say it is the second time in the past three-days that troops have prevented Muslim guerrillas from trying to cross into Indian Kashmir. They say it is evidence that cross-border insurgency backed by Pakistan is continuing.

In other clashes in the troubled region, an army officer and a policeman were killed.

In an interview to be telecast on state television, (later Tuesday: 12.30 p.m. Washington time) Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes has said there has been a drop in infiltration of Muslim rebels from Pakistani territory in recent months.

But Mr. Fernandes has accused Islamabad of stepping up efforts to push in militants ahead of state elections in September in Indian Kashmir. He also said the government has reports militants intend to step up violence to disrupt the polls.

In an interview Monday with the French news agency, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said he has lived up to his pledge of halting infiltration of Muslim militants. But he said it maybe possible that individuals or small groups may still be crossing into Indian-controlled territory.

Since December last year, both countries have been locked in a tense military standoff that has its roots in India's accusations that Pakistan continues to allow Muslim militants to infiltrate Indian territory. Pakistan denies the charge. (SIGNED)

NEB/AP/RAE