Violence Escalates in Kashmir - 2002-10-20

The scope of violence in Kashmir has escalated, resulting in at least seven deaths and eighteen injuries. India reports that four suspected Islamic militants were shot dead on Saturday while attempting to cross the controlled border separating Indian-administered Kashmir from Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In another incident, a bomb exploded on a road as an Indian police officer passed by, killing the officer and injuring fifteen others, including six Indian border police. This incident occurred in northern Kashmir. Pakistan claims that two individuals were killed during artillery fire across the border. On October 22, Indian police reported that during an exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani forces along the controlled line separating the disputed Kashmir region, one man was killed and three Indian soldiers were injured. The deceased was identified as a porter working for Indian soldiers. The violence on Tuesday occurred a day after clashes between government forces and suspected Islamic militants in Indian-administered Kashmir resulted in ten fatalities. Indian officials state that four security personnel and four militants were among the dead. For months, approximately one million troops from Pakistan and India have been stationed along the borders of these rival countries, both of which possess nuclear capabilities.