Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9/11/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-293918

TITLE=KASHMIR / KILLING (SHORT)

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Indian Kashmir, suspected militants have gunned down a state minister, as he

campaigned for state elections that begin next week. Seven other people -- including

soldiers and policemen -- were killed in a separate incident. As Anjana Pasricha reports,

there has been an upsurge of violence in the insurgency-wracked region, in

the run-up to elections.

TEXT: Kashmir State Law Minister Mushtaq Ahmed Lone was addressing a

political rally in a small village in Kupwara District, north of Srinagar. An unidentified gunmen opened fire -- killing the minister and four other people.

Mr. Lone was a senior member of the ruling pro-India National Conference Party. He

was campaigning for re-election.

Muslim guerrilla groups fighting for Kashmir's independence from India have

threatened to kill those participating in the polls. An independent candidate was shot

dead, last week. Several political activists have also been killed or wounded since

campaigning began.

Hours after Mr. Lone was gunned down, suspected rebels opened fire at a bus stop (loading zone) in Poonch District, northwest of Kashmir's winter capital, Jammu. Most of the victims were soldiers and policemen.

India hopes the state elections will boost the legitimacy of its rule in the violence-torn

region. Islamic guerrilla groups have vowed to disrupt the polls. (signed)

NEB / AP / WD