Press urges calm as tensions rise (BBC, December 29, 2001)  Indian public opinion may be calling for calm, but will New Delhi cool the situation?

December 27, 2001 - editorial comment:  India and Pakistan are close to conflict, and the US is urgently trying to remedy the crisis behind the scenes.   Questions remain: how connected to Pakistan were the militants who attacked the Indian parliament on December 13?  Being trained in ISI-led camps is one thing, being part of an ISI operation another.  So far evidence has only been offered of the former.  But India feels hurt, hurt not least because it is putting forward exactly the same arguments as Washington did in the aftermath of September 11.  What is good for the US, Indian policymakers appear to be saying, is good enough for us.

But is it?

India is hoping that, in applying maximum pressure on Pakistan, it can end Pakistani support for militancy and restore Indo-US relations.  On the domestic front, electoral manoevring may be playing a part, as the BJP look to their prospects in forthcoming state elections.  But this strategy of rapid escalation could misfire.   First, what happens if India paints itself into a corner, but Pakistan does not (or cannot) budge?  Will war then be the only course of action?  Second, while we are all paying attention to India and Pakistan, let's not forget the wild card.   Kashmiri militant groups - and militant groups involved in Kashmir (the distinction is worth making).  Just one militant attack in India over the next few days could send the present situation escalating yet further.  Bad news - and bad politics.

Without extensive diplomatic contact, and having partially mobilised, India and Pakistan run the risk of misreading each other at this time of great tension.  For sure, India wants to send - and is succeeding in sending - a clear message, not just to Pakistan but to the world.  It has already got Pakistan and the US to take action against the Lashkar and Jaish.  Push further, and Washington will be alienated for some time to come.  This could be, in a peculiar sense, New Delhi's Kargil.  If Delhi blinks, and pulls back shortly, it will earn the gratitude of the US.  If it does not, it could rupture Indo-US relations.  After all, the US doesn't like crises - least of all when they appear, at least in part, to be induced crises.
Limited Conflict Under the Nuclear Umbrella: Indian and Pakistani Lessons from the Kargil Crisis, Ashley J. Tellis, C. Christine Fair, Jamison Jo Medby  (RAND Corporation, 2001)  A very interesting study of Kargil - and available in full as a series of pdf files from the RAND web-site.

Pakistan matches India's sanctions (AP, December 27, 2001)

Kashmir militants dismiss US terrorist label (Reuters, December 27, 2001)

Powell freezes assets of two groups (AP, December 26, 2001).
The Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad are formally declared to be terrorist organisations by US Secretary of State Colin Powell.  Given extreme tensions between India and Pakistan, this could again be a US attempt to defuse Indian anger, and encourage a reduction of tension.  Military mobilisation by both India and Pakistan is worrying, to say the least.

Pakistan freezes militant funds (BBC, December 24, 2001)
This potentially significant move marks the beginning of a shake-up in Pakistan over Kashmiri militant groups.  The Lashkar-e-Toiba (whose web-site appears to be down, on December 26) issued a statement announcing that the organisation would now be run from Kashmir itself.  A new series of commanders have been named, and it appears to be recasting itself in as Kashmiri a form as possible.  Even so, its strong base in the Punjab and continuing connections to Pakistani sources of funds will make a clean break difficult - if impossible.  (On December 25 the Government of Pakistan briefly detained Masood Azhar, the Jaish chief, though he is thought to have been released.)

More groups join US terror blacklist (BBC, December 21, 2001)
President Bush takes action against the Lashkar-e-Toiba, declaring it a terrorist organisation.  Whether due to the Indian parliament attack and the Lashkar's (alleged) role in it, Indian diplomatic pressure, or the need to defuse regional tension, this step marks a significant increase in US pressure on Pakistan.  The message: rein in the militants, particularly non-Kashmiri militants.

India 'has evidence' linking Pakistan with raid (The Guardian, London, December 17, 2001)

Pakistan pressured, India plays the terror card (Chris Snedden, The Age, Melbourne, December 15, 2001).

Another war is crying for world attention (Bronwen Maddox, The Times, December 15, 2001)

NGOs in Kashmir, compiled by Yoginder Sikand, 2001

Road to Kashmir (The Times, December 14, 2001)  A London Times editorial on the fear that Al Qaeda members may re-establish themselves in Kashmir.

Gunbattle erupts at Indian Parliament (BBC, December 13, 2001)
A major terrorist incident becomes the source of renewed verve in Indian foreign policy.

Kashmiri trout farmers set their sights on Paris (Reuters, December 11, 2001).  This made me chuckle.  Seriously, though, Kashmir has firm economic potential in a number of areas (including silk farming, apple growing, floriculture etc.) but under present circumstances little will get off the ground.

Foreign rebels in Kashmir are terrorists: Bhutto (Reuters, November 29, 2001)
A dramatic intervention from Benazir - admittedly while she was on a visit to India - but made to Greater Kashmir, a newspaper viewed as sympathetic to the APHC.   Does it amount to much?  Is Benazir courting the US and India given her failure to gain much ground in Pakistan?  Whatever the explanation, this intervention is significant.

"Deja Vu all over again?", Why dialogue won't solve the Kashmir dispute, Arun Swamy, East-West Center, November 2001.

16 Pak troops killed along LOC (PTI, November 28, 2001)
This is another sign of how Indo-Pak relations have deteriorated recently, leading to renewed clashes along the LOC in Kashmir.

US Pledges to fight terrorism against India (Reuters, November 21, 2001)

Kashmir as a peace bridge, Hassan Abbas (Jang, November 20, 2001)

Anti-US strike grips Kashmir (BBC, November 16, 2001)
There was considerable disaffection in Kashmir over US attacks on Afghanistan.   However, there have always been fervent protests in Srinagar in response to significant events in the wider Muslim world (back to the 1960s).  No great surprises here, although it did leave the APHC slightly disconnected to the mood on the streets, offering extremists like Asiya Andrabi the space to step in.

India offered opportunity to seek peace in Kashmir, Edward Luce (Financial Times, November 8, 2001)

Kashmiri leader calls for cease-fire (BBC, November 13, 2001)  The APHC chairman called for a ceasefire on all sides - a fascinating development (at the time) as it paved the way for potential contacts with India.  Nothing came of it.

60,000 Pak troops moving close to the border (Times of India, November 7, 2001)

Indian police break up Kashmir protest (BBC News, November 6, 2001)

India warns of Kashmir war (The Guardian, November 1, 2001)
The post-Dec 13 crisis did not come from nowhere.

Kashmir and the "War on Terrorism", Cynthia Mahmoud, Kroc Institute, November 2001

Pak has no right to crack down on Kashmiri militants: Lone (Hindustan Times, October 25, 2001)

Analysis: Pakistan's Taliban volunteers (BBC News, October 24, 2001)

Militants claim Kashmir suicide attack (BBC News, October 22, 2001)

Talks with Hurriyat likely after J&K polls (Hindustan Times, October 22, 2001)

Pakistan says it will teach India a lesson if attacked (Reuters, October 22, 2001)

Profile of a militant, Muzamil Jaleel  (Indian Express, October 21, 2001)  This profile of an educated Kashmiri militant gives some insight into the type of people who join up - in this case, a highly-educated young Kashmiri, killed in 1999.

India warns of specific action in disputed Kashmir (AFP, October 21, 2001)

Talks best way to resolve Kashmir issue: US (Dawn, October 19, 2001)

US campaign to extend to Kashmir (Washington Post, October 18, 2001)

Al Qaeda puts Kashmir on the agenda (Times of India, October 16, 2001)
Opportunism.  Bin Laden rarely mentioned Kashmir (or Palestine) prior to September 11, but Kashmir got more attention from him since, as it helped push his line on Pakistan's General Musharraf.

India launches Kashmir attack (BBC News, October 15, 2001)

Letter from Kashmir (MSNBC, October 12, 2001)

India-bound Powell utters K word, no ripples (Indian Express, October 11, 2001)
In elegant diplomatese, Secretary of State Powell managed to say different things to India and Pakistan ... inevitably this was picked up.

Will Pakistan make Kashmir offer?  (letter, Daily Telegraph, October 11, 2001)
This was speculative on my part, and the thrust has been overtaken by the events of December 13 and after.

Kashmiris protest at US strikes (BBC, October 9, 2001)

Indian Kashmir seeks US support after attack (Reuters, October 2, 2001)

Musharraf drops Taliban to gain Kashmir (Times of India, October 2, 2001)

Bombing at Kashmir assembly kills at least 29 (CNN, October 2, 2001)

Militants attack Kashmir assembly (BBC, October 1, 2001)
This major attack was used by India to argue to Washington for a more proactive stance on Kashmiri militant groups.

Rebel group threaten Kashmiri separatist leader (Reuters, September 22, 2001)
APHC-militant tensions creep into the open - a worrying development.

India, Pakistan soothe tensions, John Chalmers (Reuters, September 22, 2001)

India-US ties after September 11, Kanti Bajpai (Yahoo! September 22, 2001)
Kanti Bajpai captures the anxiety felt by the Indian middle-classes and officials as they ponder the wider impact of September 11 on the region.

Kashmir militants say ready to defend Afghanistan (Reuters, September 21, 2001)

Kashmiris burn US flag, vow support for Afghanistan (Reuters, September 21, 2001)

Fedayee activities in Shariah (Abdur Rahman Makki)  This August 2001 article in one of the Markaz-ul-Dawa's sites explains that LeT Fedayee attacks are not suicide attacks.  This is important to note when evaluating Kashmiri militant organisations and their strategic approach to India and the West.

Hurriyat endorses Musharraf's 'war', says Bin Laden irrelevant to Kashmir (Kashmir Times, September 21, 2001)

Attack on America: Lasting Impact on Kashmir (Kashmir Observer, Srinagar,18 September 2001)
These are times of great flux in Kashmir.  The US and Pakistan have now taken action against Harkat-ul-Ansar/Harkat-ul-Mujahadeen due to its links with Al Qaeda.   The Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad have been added to the terrorist finance list.   Militant groups appear to be growing more hostile towards the United States, but Washington is conscious of the need to keep Pakistan stable.  Even so, expect a big shake-up in the months ahead.

The September 11 attacks and their impact on Kashmir   The implications for Kashmir (September 16, 2001)

Indian soldier slays five colleagues, BBC News (September 10, 2001)

Kashmir bus bomb kills seven, BBC News (August 29, 2001)

Thoughts on Kashmir, Subhash Kak, Sulekha (August 27, 2001)

Pakistan's Northern Areas Dilemma, Victoria Schofield, BBC News (August 15, 2001)

Patrols against acid attacks, BBC News (August 12, 2001)

Kashmir: Territory and People - An American Perspective, Steven P. Cohen (Islamabad Policy Research Institute Journal, Summer 2001)

Profile of the APHC, Indian Express

Kashmiri proverbs

Carnage in Kashmir railway attack, BBC News (August 7, 2001)

Shepherds die in Kashmir massacre, BBC News (August 4, 2001)

Explosion wrecks Kashmir pilgramage, BBC News (July 21, 2001)

Musharraf: Kashmir must be solved, BBC News (July 20, 2001)

India and Pakistan exchange fire, BBC News (July 20, 2001)

Kashmir rebel group vows to escalate war, LA Times (July 18, 2001)

Pakistan, India pledge to continue talks, Dawn (July 18, 2001)

Yasin Malik, interviewed on BBC News HardTalk (July 17, 2001) - needs realaudio to listen to the clip.

In Kashmir, war is also business Christian Science Monitor (July 13, 2001)

Briton home after Indian prison ordeal BBC (July 13, 2001)

Themes in Kashmiri Nationalism, Maya Chadda (William Paterson University, USA).  This is a useful excerpt from her 1997 book, Ethnicity, Security and Separatism In India.

M K Teng on Kashmir  A series of pieces written by M K Teng, a former professor in Kashmir who has written extensively on constitutional issues, mainly from a right-wing Hindu perspective.

Can an LoC deal be sold?  Outlook.com (June 13, 2001)

Summit and Kashmir, Farooq Rehmani (July 9, 2001)  Rehmani is chairman of the J&K People's League, lives in Pakistan, and writes from a position supportive of militancy, but critical of the APHC.

It's people, not territory - Abdul Sattar on Kashmir Outlook (June 18, 2001)

The marketable marketeer - Omar Abdullah Outlook (June 18, 2001)

Talking about Kashmir Economist (May 24, 2001)

Analysis: India seeks breakthrough  Mike Wooldridge, BBC News Online (May 24, 2001)

Analysis: New Peace Hopes  BBC News Online (May 23, 2001)

India ends Kashmir cease-fire, invites Pakistan John Chalmers, Reuters (May 23, 2001)

Hopes of Peace Reach an Impasse Economist (May 21, 2001)

Handgrenade attack on Shabir Shah   AFP (May 10, 2001)

Hurriyat rejects India's offer   PTI (April 26, 2001)

Christina Rocca: Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia.  This useful background paper was written by B.Raman of SAAG.

ITN News video on renewed Kashmir tension (May 2001)

Grenade attack disrupts key Hurriyat meeting Jang (April 24, 2001)

11 years of Lashkar-e-Toiba (Markaz web-site, April 2001)  The LeT's own version of its history.

Enter the Kashmir peacemaker, Economist (April 12, 2001)

Dialogue with the Hizb Praveen Swami, Faultlines

The forgotten identities of Ladakh (Navnita Behera, Faultlines)
Behera has just published a very interesting study of Kashmir, published by Manohar (Delhi) in 2000.  More information will appear shortly on this.

Kashmir on the Brink, Washington Post (February 24, 2001)

India extends Kashmir truce, militants defiant, Reuters (February 24, 2001)

Vajpayee government extends truce by three months John Chalmers (Reuters, February 22, 2001)

British Home Office statement banning three Kashmiri militant groups (February 2001)

Pakistan changes Kashmir tack (BBC News Online, Feb 16, 2001)

Kashmir: dangers and prospects Kurshid Ahmad, Dawn, Feb 15, 2001)

Play tough   (Time Magazine, February 5, 2001)

USAID activities in J&K

Kashmir Study Group (Official site of the Kashmir Study Group, USA)

2000 Archive - click here

1999 Archive - click here