I don't like what is happening. But the highlighted stuff is pure humbug.
--------------------------------------
Pakistan Says It Repulsed Attacks
From Indian Army in Kashmir
Associated Press
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The Pakistani army said Tuesday it repulsed three ground offensives by India on frontier outposts in Kashmir and warned the attacks represented an escalation of their border dispute.
India denied carrying out the attacks, which Pakistan said took place about 170 miles southwest of Tololing peak, where Indian forces were battling Muslim guerrillas. Indian airstrikes continued for a seventh day.
The world's newest nuclear powers have fought three wars in 52 years -- two over Kashmir, which both nations claim.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is encouraged that India and Pakistan's leaders have agreed to meet to discuss Kashmir. Mr. Annan spoke to Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, over the weekend and reminded both to respect the 50-year-old line of control dividing Kashmir, spokesman Fred Eckhard said.
Muslim guerrillas seized strategic mountain positions in the Indian-held part of Kashmir earlier this month. India accuses Pakistan of backing the guerrillas in a bid to change the cease-fire line through the territory. Pakistan denies it.
Also Tuesday, 10 Pakistani students were killed when Indian shells slammed into a high school near the border, about 70 miles southwest of Kargil, Pakistani army officials and residents said.
More than 30 civilians have been killed on the Pakistani side of the border in the last three days, residents and Pakistani army officials said.
"There was no reason for them to target the school," said Pakistani army spokesman Brig. Rashid Quereshi. "We know from experience the Indians like to target schools, mosques and areas around wells."
Mr. Quereshi said India suffered heavy casualties in the three ground offensives, which were spread over 36 hours. "At each site there were eight to 10 dead Indian soldiers," he said.
In New Delhi, the army said Indian forces targeted only military positions. India also denied carrying out the ground attacks, calling the Pakistani claims "something imaginative."
"It's totally incorrect," said Indian army spokesman Col. S. Kant. "We are on our side of the line of control."
At a briefing at Pakistan army headquarters in Rawalpindi, Mr. Quereshi warned that India was rapidly escalating the conflict. "The situation already is very dangerous," he said, adding that Pakistan is certain that India seeks to take Pakistani territory.
While skirmishes are common along the disputed border, Mr. Quereshi said ground offensives aimed at occupying Pakistani territory have not occurred since 1988.
In the northern fighting, India's military casualties mounted to 46 dead, 174 wounded and 12 missing since early last month, when the army engaged hundreds of infiltrators occupying snow-covered peaks. India claims to have killed 400 raiders, but only a few bodies have been recovered and the figure could not be confirmed.
On Monday, Prime Minister Vajpayee said he would receive Pakistan's foreign minister in New Delhi, but pledged his soldiers would continue fighting until the guerrillas are dislodged.
|
