DATE=2/26/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN/INDIA/KASHMIR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259598
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Militant Islamic groups are vowing to avenge
the killings of 14 people in the region of Kashmir
controlled by Pakistan. Pakistani authorities have
accused Indian soldiers of crossing over the disputed
Kashmir frontier Thursday and killing civilians,
including women and children. India has denied the
allegation. Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.
TEXT: Several Kashmiri militant groups based in
Pakistan have strongly condemned the attack, which the
government blames on Indian troops. In statements
released Saturday, these groups vowed to avenge the
killings by inflicting heavy blows on the Indian army.
Pakistan says about a dozen Indian soldiers crossed
into the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir late Thursday and
killed 14 civilians. The killings occurred in a small
village about 150 meters from the military "Line of
Control" that divides Indian and Pakistani Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with
the Indian government, condemning the killings as a
barbaric act of state terrorism and a blatant
violation of the Line of Control.
The killings were the most serious incident in Kashmir
since the Pakistani and Indian armies clashed for 10-
weeks in the region last year. The two rivals have
fought two of their three wars over Kashmir since
gaining independence from Britain in 1947.
The Kashmir dispute is also expected to be on the
agenda of U-S President Bill Clinton's visit to India
next month. No stop in Pakistan has been announced,
but U-S officials have left open the possibility that
Mr. Clinton might visit Islamabad. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/JP
26-Feb-2000 09:49 AM EDT (26-Feb-2000 1449 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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