Indian Kashmir violence flares ahead of Obama trip

[PakSher]

By SHEIKH MUSHTAQ | REUTERS

Published: Nov 2, 2010 21:55 Updated: Nov 2, 2010 23:12

SRINAGAR: Indian troops shot dead six separatist militants in firefights across Kashmir, police said on Tuesday, raising concerns militants may have stepped up violence ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit to India this week.

Kashmiri militants have staged attacks across India in the past and officials voiced fears they could use violence during Obama’s visit to draw global attention to the region, where separatists have fought a two-decade-old revolt against India.

International focus on disputed Kashmir, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but divided between them, has waned in recent years, with attention diverted by the war against militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Police said six Kashmiri militants had been killed since Monday in separate clashes, pointing also to efforts by militants to regroup amid popular street protests against New Delhi’s rule that have killed at least 110 people since June.

“Police were exclusively involved in dealing with law and order (protests) during past four months, and this gave militants a chance to regroup,” said Syed Ashaq Hussain Bukhari, a senior police official.

“For this reason the number of encounters across the Valley has increased in past few weeks.”

The protests since June have been the biggest since an armed revolt broke out in 1989 in Kashmir, a Muslim-majority region over which India and Pakistan have fought two wars.

The recent wave of street demonstrations waned after New Delhi relaxed security in Srinagar, Kashmir’s summer capital, freed some 50 protesters and announced compensation for families of the dead. It has also started a process of talks with Kashmiri leaders.

But a separatist strike and a security lock down have dragged on for more than four months. Most of those killed in the protests were hit by police bullets.

Indian Kashmir violence flares ahead of Obama trip - Arab News

 

[MYSTIC]

I don't think it is going to have any effect on Obama administration. They are most likely going to avoid any discussions on Kashmir.

 

[karan.1970]

I don't think it is going to have any effect on Obama administration. They are most likely going to avoid any discussions on Kashmir.

On the contrary, more the number of encounters with armed insurgents being pumped in by Pakistan, more credibility to India's claim of the whole Kashmir tamasha being nothing more than an underhanded land grab attempt by Pakistan.

Keep 'em coming..

 

[somebozo]

Yep, because kashmir has no oil or copper / gold / etc so its not significant for Obama..I have an indian kashmiri at work but nobody can tell from him nationality from his outlook. He has taken as a pakistani at first sight by anyone. Which strengthen the theory that Kashmiris are more closely assosciated with pakistan by culture than India.

Kashmiri Muslim villagers attend the funeral of suspected militants in Heffhirmal. Thousands of Kashmiri villagers took part in the funeral procession in Indian Kashmir in the last 24 hours. (EPA)

These days anyone killed can be labelled millitant..by this theory every peaceful Kashmiri is a millitant who wants to throw away Indian occupation. Not much different from Israel tactics used in palestine. After all the two are close partners in crime and major threat to Islamic world.

 

[KS]

I have an indian kashmiri at work but nobody can tell from him nationality from his outlook. He has taken as a pakistani at first sight by anyone. Which strengthen the theory that Kashmiris are more closely assosciated with pakistan by culture than India.

One of the dumbest comments I have seen.

And yes Obama is a African Masai.Get a life dude.

 

[karan.1970]

One of the dumbest comments I have seen.

And yes Obama is a African Masai.Get a life dude.

well said..

 

[MYSTIC]

Yep, because kashmir has no oil or copper / gold / etc so its not significant for Obama..I have an indian kashmiri at work but nobody can tell from him nationality from his outlook. He has taken as a pakistani at first sight by anyone. Which strengthen the theory that Kashmiris are more closely assosciated with pakistan by culture than India.

Kashmiri Muslim villagers attend the funeral of suspected militants in Heffhirmal. Thousands of Kashmiri villagers took part in the funeral procession in Indian Kashmir in the last 24 hours. (EPA)

These days anyone killed can be labelled millitant..by this theory every peaceful Kashmiri is a millitant who wants to throw away Indian occupation. Not much different from Israel tactics used in palestine. After all the two are close partners in crime and major threat to Islamic world.

India alone is not to be blamed for that. Pakistan is equally responsible for the sufferings of ordinary Kashmiris. You are the ones who armed them, so why do you cry foul now. The army would not have been in Kashmir if it weren't for your militant funding government.