Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=09/29/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KASHMIR MILITANTS - S

NUMBER=2-308004

BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: India's Army says it has killed 15 suspected Islamic militants trying to infiltrate the Indian side of the disputed Kashmir region. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, this is part of an upsurge in violence following months of peace initiatives between India and Pakistan.

TEXT: The Army says it killed the suspected Muslim rebels in a gun battle overnight (Sunday-Monday) in the Gurez area as they tried to cross the Line of Control dividing Kashmir between Pakistan and India.

There is no independent confirmation of the latest clash. India accuses Pakistan of aiding the Muslim militants - which Islamabad denies.

Spiraling violence this month has pushed the death toll to 300 in Kashmir - the only Muslim majority state in Hindu-dominated India.

The spurt in violence is a setback to renewed peace efforts that began in April.

Peace efforts appeared shaky last week in New York - when the leaders of India and Pakistan traded sharp exchanges over Kashmir at the U-N General Assembly.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee:

/// VAJPAYEE IN HINDI FADE UNDER ///

Mr. Vajpayee says the peace moves have taken a blow, and efforts would have to be made to give momentum to the peace process once more. (signed)

NEB/HK/AP/JO