The relations between India and Pakistan remain heated. Very recently, at least 19 people died in clashes between Islamic militants and Indian soldiers in the Kashmir region. The bloody confrontations have been lasting for nearly a week.
The clashes began when the Indian army surrounded a group of heavily armed militants in the Shamsbari forest near the demarcation line that divides Kashmir between the two countries. The number of casualties is the highest figure in a single clash between the two sides in a year. “The exchange of fire continued,” explained the spokesman for the Indian Army, J. S. Brar. “Eleven terrorists and eight soldiers, including an officer, so far have died,” he reported.
The Kashmir border region has seen previous wars between India and Pakistan, namely in 1947 and 1965. In 1989, a separatist movement emerged to fight Indian domination in the region. This rebellion has already cost thousands of lives.
In addition, the only terrorist captured alive in the terror attacks in Bombay last November confirmed his Pakistani nationality in his first statement to a tribunal. Mohammed Ajmal Kasab confirmed that he comes from Faridkot in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Kasab, the only terrorist captured alive, was indicted last February for an act of war against India, as well as murder, among other charges. If convicted, he could face the death penalty. India has accused 38 people for the attacks in November, most of them Pakistanis.
Via AsiaNews
