Archives

SRINAGAR, India, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The new government in Indian Kashmir welcomed a four-day unilateral ceasefire called by by a hardcore Pakistan-based rebel group beginning Thursday to mark the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr.

The banned Lashkar-e-Taiba group, which has carried out a series of suicide attacks in the troubled Himalayan region since 1998, has called for a ceasefire in Kashmir for the first time.

"This is a welcome and positive step as it will help save many lives. It would have been welcomed more heartily if it had been for the entire month of Ramadan," Mangat Ram Sharma, deputy chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, said in a statement.

The festival of Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and is subject to the appearance of the new moon, expected on Thursday evening.

Although Lashkar is not the biggest group, India calls it the most active and blamed it for an attack on its parliament last December, which sharply raised tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

"Pro-India leaders, activists, surrendered militants and all those involved in anti-movement activities who are otherwise on its hit list can celebrate Eid in peace," Greater Kashmir, a local newspaper, quoted Lashkar spokesman Abu Hazfia as saying.

"Lashkar will restrain from targeting them during the four days of truce," he said.

Indian security officials say there are around 400 Lashkar militants, mostly Pakistanis, fighting Indian rule in the Kashmir valley alone. They say it is directly supported by Pakistan's intelligence agency.

A dozen other militant groups are also fighting Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir, which comprises the regions of Jammu, Kashmir valley and Ladakh.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training Kashmiri militants. Pakistan denies this, saying it merely gives moral support to the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination.

There was no immediate reaction from Indian security forces, who blame Lashkar for a recent upsurge in attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including several suicide attacks on military targets.

Officials say more than 35,000 people have been killed since a separatist rebellion broke out in the Himalayan region at the end of 1989. Separatists put the toll closer to 80,000. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager