Mangla Dam Affectees Protest against Pakistan and AJK GOVT.........

Rape Crimes on peak in India.....................

Shakil Afridi hunger strike: US demands safety, release of CIA spy

Washington: United States (US) State Department spokesperson on Thursday demanded Pakistan to release Dr. Shakil Afridi, a CIA spy who helped in locating al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden in Abbotababad, a garrison town of Pakistan.

Responding to questions on reports that Dr Afridi had gone on a hunger strike to protest against prison conditions as he serves a 33 year sentence at the Peshawar jail for aiding the militant organisation Lashkar-e-Islam, Victoria Nuland said that the US wanted safety and release of Dr. Afridi.

 Nuland said that as the Secretary of State stated on previous occasions that the prosecution and conviction of Dr Afridi sends the wrong message, especially in light of the shared interest in taking down a terrorist.

“We have conveyed our stance over Dr. Afridi to Pakistan on several occasions,” she said adding that the matter would also be raised in the next meeting with Pakistani officials.

The spokeswoman further added that Dr Afridi should never have been locked up in the first place.

Metal pieces found in Dadu were parts of Hatf-V Ghauri missile: Pak Army

Rawalpindi: A spokesman of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that the metal parts found in a remote area of Dadu, as reported in media today, were part of the motor body, which separated from the Hatf-V (Ghauri) missile as planned, well within the safety corridor.

In statement issued here on Friday, the spokesman said that the Hatf -V (Ghauri) missile test conducted on Wednesday was a complete success, adding that the missile during its flight remained within the designated flight path and corridor.

“It was ensured that at no point, would human life or property be at risk. There is no cause for alarm or concern, the spokesman concluded,” the statement added.

Veena Malik arrested in India..........

   By Jitender Singh Nov 25th, 2012
Hyderabad: One of Bollywood’s most controversial actresses Veena Malik was seen in Hyderabad jail, cultural city of India, a number of days back, giving a blow to her fans who believed that she has been apprehended.

Though, the fact of the matter is that she was not been held or imprisoned by the Hyderabad police but Veena was busy on shooting her Telugu Movie “Nagna Satyam” directed by Rama Rao.

Pointing out some details about her role in the film notorious Veena said, “It’s a very toughest part of my movie because the feeling which I get while arrested is speechless. In the four wall of imprisonment I lost my happiness and freedom. I am happy to get the experience of it and give my best of it.”

She leads on explaining her experience in the prison saying, “I can understand the torture, the trauma which celebrities suffer through their imprisonment it’s very difficult.”

The reports regarding her presence in jail hit the media which made people believe that she has probably been arrested by the local police over some crime but in reality she was on shoot of her new forthcoming movie.

Top Egyptian judicial body rips Morsy

By Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Reza Sayah, CNN

November 25, 2012 -- Updated 0325 GMT (1125 HKT)

Clashes rocked the coastal city of Alexandria on Friday.

HIDE CAPTION

Egyptians protest over presidential powers

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: 128 police officers have been injured in clashes since Thursday, a spokesman says
• A judges' group calls for a nationwide strike; another group opposes it
• Council calls move an "unprecedented attack" on judicial independence
• President Morsy says his actions are aimed at fostering "political and social stability"

Cairo (CNN) -- Egypt's highest judicial body joined protesters Saturday in lambasting the country's president for issuing a decree disabling the courts and giving him unchecked power.

President Mohamed Morsy on Thursday announced that courts could not overturn any decree or law he has issued since taking office in June and, beyond that, in the six months until a new constitution is finalized, his spokesman said on state-run TV.

He also fired Egypt's prosecutor general, who has been criticized for the insufficient prosecutions of those suspected in demonstrators' deaths in 2011.

The Supreme Judicial Council, the highest judicial body in Egypt, weighed in Saturday, calling the decree an "unprecedented attack on the independence of the judicial branch," state-run media reported.

"The Supreme Judicial Council, which is in charge of all matters related to the judiciary and the judges, expresses its dismay at the issuance of such a decree and is calling on the president of the republic to distance himself from all matters related to the judicial branch and its agencies," state news agency MENA said.

The president's decree sparked demonstrations in Egypt and widespread anger in the country at Morsy, who had been widely praised across the world for spearheading a cease-fire agreement in Gaza after eight days of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

According to state-run EGYNews, which cited the Health Ministry, 261 people have been injured in clashes in Cairo and elsewhere since Morsy made his announcement. Forty-three of those reportedly remain in hospitals. The report did not indicate whether those injured were Morsy supporters or opponents.

Interior Ministry spokesman Alaa Mahmoud said 128 police officers were injured in clashes nationwide.

Dozens of protesters, some throwing rocks, faced off in central Cairo on Saturday morning with police, who fired tear gas canisters at them. The gas drifted through streets near a more thinly populated Tahrir Square, where just a day before thousands of protesters called for the overthrow of the regime.

Egyptian state TV reported clashes outside the judicial building in Cairo between opponents and supporters of the government. Clashes continued into the evening between protesters and security forces, with police firing tear gas and warning shots in the air near the Interior Minsitry.

Ministry spokesman Mahmoud said hundreds of Morsy supporters and members of the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to storm the building, but riot police stopped them.

The protesters congregated at the entrance of the judicial building. That's where the leadership of the Egypt Judges Club, an association of judges from across the country, was meeting with former Prosecutor General Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud.

The judges and Mahmoud vehemently oppose Morsy's actions.

"The people want to execute the prosecutor general," the pro-Morsy protesters chanted outside the building.

The general assembly of the judges' club has called for a nationwide strike in all courts and prosecution offices to protest the president's move, state-run Nile TV reported.

Judges in Alexandria and Damanhour say they are putting all court hearings on hold until further notice.

Yet other judges offered support for Morsy. The Judges for Egypt movement, a nongovernmental organization made up of judges, denounced any call for a strike, according to state TV.

Morsy's supporters plan to assert their clout throughout the week. The Muslim Brotherhood, the movement Morsy once led, will stage nationwide demonstrations starting Sunday to back the president's decrees and plans. It also announced a "Million Man" demonstration Tuesday at Abdeen Square in Cairo in support of Morsy's decisions.

Nearly two years after popular unrest spurred former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's fall, throngs have taken to Egypt's streets in past days to call for revolution again, this time for the ouster of his successor.

Tents dot Cairo's Tahrir Square, just as they did during the 2011 uprising, and clashes between protesters and police were reported Friday in the capital, the port city of Alexandria and elsewhere around the North African nation. Opposition leaders say they are firm in their resolve and, in Cairo's landmark square at least, scores could be seen milling about overnight.

Egypt and Morsy proved 'pivotal' in Gaza cease-fire talks

In a country already without a parliament, Morsy's announcement means he seems to have total executive, legislative and now judicial authority, all as a new constitution is being written.

Clashes and anguish near Tahrir Square

Protests and clashes erupt in Egypt

Air thick with tear gas in Tahrir Square

Egypt's Morsy grants himself more power

"It's unprecedented, it's unimaginable, it's more (power) than Mr. Mubarak ever had," Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel laureate and head of Egypt's Constitution Party, told CNN. "This is the language of a dictator."

ElBaradei, a one-time head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, urged "civil disobedience."

"Endorsing the position of ElBaradei, (former Arab League chief) Amr Moussa and others, I urge all who voted for me to stand with us against the tyranny of the regime," wrote Ahmed Shafik, a former prime minister who received 48% of the vote in this year's presidential run-off, on Twitter.

Despite such opposition, Morsy was defiant and insistent Friday that his actions are in the interests of the Egyptian people.

"I have dedicated myself and my life for democracy and freedom," he told hundreds of supporters outside the presidential palace in Cairo. "The steps I took are meant to achieve political and social stability."

Morsy gives himself new powers, orders retrials in protester deaths

The chair of Egypt's Cabinet, Mohamed Refaa al-Tahtawi, brushed back criticisms that Morsy had made an undemocratic power grab, saying the opposite is true and that Morsy "is not really trying to monopolize power."

"He is trying to have strong pillars for a steady progress toward democracy," al-Tahtawi said. "A dictator would not try to have an elected parliament as soon as possible."

The Cabinet chief added, "I assure you that in the coming days, the opposition will fade away and calm down."

But that sentiment was not shared by everyone.

Tensions were brewing days before the president's moves; protesters have been in Tahrir Square since Monday.

Egypt's Morsy: 'Imperial' president or step forward for revolution?

The anger has been directed at Morsy and the Islamist movement of which he is a member. The Muslim Brotherhood was banned under Mubarak but has since risen exponentially in stature. There has also been growing turmoil about the constitutional panel, pitting conservatives who want Egypt to be governed by Islam's Sharia law against moderates and liberals pushing for it to ensure basic freedoms, including for women.

On Friday in Tahrir Square, thousands had Morsy in mind as they chanted, "Leave, leave," and "The people want to topple the regime," the signature phrase of the Arab Spring uprisings, cried out from Tunisia to Egypt and Syria.

Nearby, in front of Egypt's parliament building, thousands of protesters threw rocks as police used their vehicles and tear gas to keep the crowd contained.

A Cairo doctor said Saturday that a day earlier he treated five patients who had been wounded by shot pellets. But most of the injuries Dr. Mahmoud Said handled at Mounira Hospital were cuts resulting from hurled stones.

The top floor of an eight-story apartment building caught on fire Friday night, a blaze protesters blamed on a police tear gas canister tossed at demonstrators who were on top of the building earlier in the day.

About 215 kilometers (130 miles) north in Alexandria, protesters on Friday stormed the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood's political wing and set it on fire, said Ahmed Sobea, a spokesman for the Freedom and Justice Party.

Protest turns violent in Cairo

Calling for calm and dialogue, the U.S. State Department expressed concern Friday about the developments, saying, "One of the aspirations of the revolution was to ensure that power would not be overly concentrated in the hands of any one person or institution."

Thus far, authorities have arrested 210 protesters, 85 of whom are charged with destroying public property, thuggery and attacking security forces, the Interior Ministry said, according to state TV. Some 44 of those arrested are juveniles who are now back with their families.

"My worry ... is that the while situation will turn ugly, will turn violent if Morsy doesn't rescind (his) decisions (and) engage in dialogue with the rest of the country," ElBaradei said, adding he had met with Morsy a week ago and felt blindsided by his moves.

iReport: Thousands clash in Tahrir Square

Ashura Day (10th Muharram)

The Day of Great Signs of Allah’s Power and Glory

By Allama Muhammad Shahid Raza (M.A)

Head Imam, The Islamic Centre, Leicester 

Ashura day is the 10^th day or Muharram (the first month of the Islamic calendar). Since the beginning of this world, Ashura day has been a very important day. On this day great signs of Allah’s power and glory have appeared in the world. On this day many Prophets were born and they were instituted to the office of prophecy. On this day, Prophets, Saints and Sincere servants of Allah were blessed with miracles and spiritual powers. 

On Ashura Day the following have taken place: 

1. Repentance of Prophet Adam (Allah’s blessing be upon him) was accepted by Allah

2. The ship of Prophet Nuh (Noah) (Allah’s blessing be upon him) came to rest on a mountain called Al-Judi.

3. Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was born on this day.

4. He got the title Khalil-ullah (friend of Allah) on this day.

5. The fire in which Prophet Ibrahim (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was thrown by the king Namrud become cool and means of safety for Prophet Ibrahim, by the order of Allah.

6. Allah delivered Prophet Ayub (Job) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) from distress and he was restored to prosperity.

7. By the Grace of Allah, Prophet Yunas (Jonah) (Allah’s blessings be upon him), after being swallowed by a huge fish (whale) for forty days, was casted out on the shore.

8. Prophet Mussa (Moses) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) got victory over Pharaoh.

9. Prophet Suleman (Solomon) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) was made a king to rule over mankind, Jins, Animals and the air.

10. Prophet Idris (Enoch) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) and Prophet Issa (Jesus) (Allah’s blessings be upon him) were lifted up alive.

11. Imam Hussain (Allah be pleased with him), the grandson of our beloved Prophet, got martyred at Karbala in Iraq.

12. The day of resurrection and judgement will take place on this day (Ashura)

 (Ghunia-Al-Talibeen & Tafseer-e-Sawi)    
Things to do on Ashura Day 
It is Mustahab (desirable) to practice the following on Ashura day: 

1. To give to charity
2. To offer Naf’l (optional) prayers
3. To read Surah Iklas 1000 times
4. To visit rightful Ullamas (Islamic Scholars)
5. To take a bath
6. To be kind to orphans
7. To provide food generously to family members
8. To apply Surmah (Collyrium) to the eyes
9. To cut nails
10. To visit the sick
11. To Invoke blessings (Dua)
12. To commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (Allah be pleased with him)

 (Fazial Al-Shahoor Wal Ayyam) 
Prayers for Ashura Day 

1. Perform 2 rakaats Naf’l prayer, after having a bath. In each rakaat recite Surah Fatiha once, Surah Iklas 10 times. On completion of the prayer recite Ayaat-ul-kursi once and Darood Ibrahim 9 times followed by the Ashura Day dua.

2. Perform 6 rakaats Naf’l prayer.

In each rakaat recite the following once:

1.  
   1. Surah Fatiha
   2. Surah Wa-Shams
   3. Surah Qadr
   4. Surah Zulzilah
   5. Surah Iklas
   6. Surah Falaq
   7. Surah Na’as

On completion of this prayer read surah Al-Kafiroon once in Sajdah and then invoke the blessings of Allah. It has been written in Ghuniya-Al-Talibeen that after performing this prayer whatever good is asked for Allah is granted. 

3. Perform four rekaats Naf’l prayer

In each rekaat recite Surah Fatiha once and Surah Iklas 50 times. Allah will forgive 50 years of sins and a palace will be prepared in paradise. (Rahatul Kulub)   
To Hold Meetings on Ashura Day 
Holding of religious meetings during the first 10 days of Muharram, specially on Ashura day, is lawful (Ja’iz) and it caries a lot of reward.In these meetings, speeches are made about the heroic deeds and virtues of the martyrs of Karbala. These meetings crease a sense of stability, peace and endurance in the hearts and minds of Muslims. On such occasions speeches should also include stories form the lives of Khulfa-e-rashedean (Rightful Caliphs) and other As-haabs (companions). 
Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab 
Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab is a way of sending rewards of good deeds to the souls of our beloved Muslim realtives, friends, scholars, Saints and Prophets who are no longer with us. Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab is lawful (Ja’iz) and strictly in accordance with the tenets of Islam. Some people, due to their ignorance, consider Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab as Haraam and Bida’at, but they are not right.On Ashura day, Muslims make Fatiha and Isal-e-Sawaab for the souls of Imam Hussain (Allah be pleased with him) and other martyrs of Karbala. For this purpose Muslims prepare sweet dishes, cold drinks (sharbat), fruit etc, and distribute these among relatives, friends and the poor. 
Fasting on Ashura Day 
Fasting on Ashura day carries a great reward. It is better to fast both 9^th and 10^th of Muharram. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) has said that this is the most rewarding fast next to Ramadhan. Our beloved Prophet has also said that fasting on Ashura day will compensate for one year’s sin. 
(Tirmidhi Sharif)  
It is said that when Prophet Nuh (Allah’s blessings be upon him) landed safely on mount Judi, after the flood, he along with others, including birds and animals, observed a fast on Ashura day to thank Allah  
(Tafsir-e-Sawi)       
Hazrat Hafsah (Allah be pleased with her) is reported to have said that our beloved Prophet practised the following four things without fail:

1. Fasting on Ashura day

2. Fasting during the first nine days of Zil-Hajj

3. Fasting for 3 days in every month (13^th, 14^th and 15^th of each Islamic month)

4. Two rakaat sunnah prayer of Fajr.

 (Nasai Sharif)  
Hazrat Ibne Umar (Allah be pleased with him) has reported that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that fasting on Ashura day is equivalent to the reward of fasting for one year. 
(Ma Ssbata Bis-Sunnah) 
In  the light of the above references all Muslims should observe fast on Ashura day.  

ICNA thanks Obama for raising Rohingya issue

11 19 12

 

 

—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—

JAMAICA, New York (November 19, 2011) – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) thanked President Obama for raising the issue of human rights violations against the Rohingya population on his trip to Burma today.

The United Nations has called the Rohingya one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. Through systematic oppression the Burmese government has deprived the Rohingya of basic human and civil rights and forced them into lives of poverty. The government has also turned a blind eye to bloodshed and violence in the Arakan state, where thousands of Rohingya have been tortured and killed in recent years.
“We commend President Obama for shedding light on the plight of Burmese Muslims during his trip last weekend. By advocating for the Rohingya, President Obama has taken the much-needed first step towards a better future for the severely persecuted community,” said Dr. Zahid Bukhari, President of ICNA.
“Our work is not yet over,” Dr. Bukhari continued. “We must continue to pressure Burmese officials to end oppression of ethnic and religious minorities across the country. We urge President Obama to follow up on promises made by the Burmese government. The normalization of US-Burma political and economic relations can only come once progress has been made regarding human rights.
ICNA also urges the US State Department to send a delegation to the troubled areas of Burma.
ICNA Council for Social Justice launched an online petition on the White House website calling President Obama to raise this issue during his visit to Burma: http://wh.gov/XxnB
The Islamic Circle of North America is a leading American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through the application of Islamic values. Since 1968, ICNA has worked to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts.
—END—
Press Contact: Naeem Baig
Executive Director
Islamic Circle of North America
E-mail:
Office: (718) 658-1199 Extension: 102
Cell: (917) 202-2118

President, Army Chief and DG ISI exercised their power illegally: SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday issued the detailed verdict in the Asghar Khan case,
The 150-page verdict is written by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
Registrar Supreme Court Dr Faqeer Hussain read out the detailed verdict of the case.
In the detailed verdict, SC has stated that Younis Habib had confessed to distributing Rs40 million. The secret agencies have no right to make an election cell and the ISI and MI are duty bound to safeguard the borders, it added.
Elections of 1990 were rigged, the then President, Army Chief and DG ISI exercised their power illegally.
The verdict further says the elections should be held on time without any fear.
It said the president is the head of state and it does not suit him to support any group. Creating a political cell in the President House is illegal, it added.
It is pertinent to mention that a three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising of Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, had announced a short order, on Air Marshal (retd) Asghar Khan’s petition filed in 1996 accusing the ISI of distributing Rs60 million among the politicians to manipulate the general elections of 1990.
Ruling that the 1990 polls were rigged, the SC on October 19 directed the government to take action against former army chief Gen (retd) Mirza Aslam Beg and former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durrani for violating the Constitution by manipulating the 1990 general elections.
The court ruled that both Durrani and Beg brought a bad name to Pakistan and its armed forces as well as secret agencies in the eyes of the nation. “Notwithstanding that they may have retired from service, the federal government shall take necessary steps under the Constitution and law against them,” said the short order.
The court also ordered the initiation of legal proceedings against the politicians who allegedly received donations to spend on election campaigns in 1990 and directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct a transparent investigation on the criminal side against all of them and if sufficient evidence was collected, they should be sent for a trial according to the law.
The court ordered that any election cell/political cell in the Presidency or ISI or MI or within their formations be abolished immediately and any letter/notification to the extent of creating any such cell/department (by any name whatsoever, would stand cancelled forthwith).
The court ruled that the late Ghulam Ishaq Khan, the then president, Gen (retd) Beg and Lt Gen (retd) Durrani acted in violation of the Constitution by facilitating a group of politicians and political parties, etc, to ensure their success against thecandidates in the general elections of 1990 for which they secured funds from Younas Habib, former chief executive of now defunct Mehran Bank.
The court ordered that Younas Habib should also be dealt with in the same manner and civil proceedings should also be launched, according to law, against the said persons for the recovery of sums received by them with profit.
The court ruled that an amount of Rs80 million was stated to have been deposited in Account No 313, titled ‘Survey and Construction Group Karachi’ and maintained by MI, therefore, be transferred with profit to the Habib Bank Limited (HBL) with further direction that if the liability of the HBL had not been adjusted so far, otherwise the same might be deposited in the treasury account of the Pakistan government.
The court ruled that general elections held in 1990 was subjected to corruption and corrupt practices as in view of the overwhelming material produced by the parties during hearing in the case, “it has been established that an ‘election cell’ had been created in the Presidency, which was functioning to provide financial assistance to the favoured candidates, or a group of political parties to achieve desired result by polluting election process and to deprive the people of Pakistan from being represented by their chosen representatives.”
The short order observed that a president, in parliamentary system of government, being head of the state represented the unity of the republic under Article 41 of the Constitution and as per the oath of his office in all circumstances he would do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

Obama wins re-election, makes history again

By AFP

Published: November 7, 2012

Obama wins re-election to second four-year term. PHOTO: REUTERS

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, creating history again by defying the undertow of a slow economic recovery and high unemployment to beat Republican foe Mitt Romney.
Obama became only the second Democrat to win a second four-year White House term since World War II, when television networks projected he would win the bellwether state of Ohio where he had staged a pitched battle with Romney.
“This happened because of you. Thank you,” Obama tweeted to his 22 million followers on Twitter as a flurry of states, including Iowa, which nurtured his unlikely White House dreams suddenly tipped into his column.
With a clutch of swing states, including Florida and Virginia still to be declared, Obama already had 275 electoral votes, more than the 270 needed for the White House and looked set for a comfortable victory.
There was a sudden explosion of jubilation at Obama’s Chicago victory party as the first African American president, who was elected on a wave of hope and euphoria four years ago, booked another four years in the White House.
Romney’s aides had predicted that a late Romney wave would sweep Obama from office after a single term haunted by a sluggish recovery from the worst economic crisis since the 1930s Great Depression and high unemployment.
But a huge cheer rang out at Obama headquarters when television networks projected Obama would retain Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes, and the party grew wilder as they called Wisconsin and Michigan.
The mood at Romney headquarters in Boston however had grown subdued throughout the evening as partisans stared at their smart phones.
Disappointed Republicans were seen leaving what had been billed as a celebration of Romney’s expected triumph in central Washington.
Defeats in New Hampshire, where Romney has a summer home and Wisconsin, the home of Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan were especially sickening for Republicans.
Early signs were that the election, while a building triumph for Obama would do little to ease the deep polarization afflicting US politics, as Republicans racked up huge margins in safe states, though struggled in battlegrounds.
Exit polls appeared to vindicate the vision of the race offered by Obama’s campaign, when top aides predicted that Obama’s armies of African American, Latinos and young voters would come out in droves.
Polls also showed that though only 39 percent of people believed that the economy was improving, around  half of Americans blamed President George W. Bush for the tenuous situation, and not Obama.
The president, who made history by becoming America’s first black president after a euphoric victory, carved a new precedent on Tuesday by defying the portents of a hurting economy to win a second term.
He awaited his fate in his hometown of Chicago, while Romney, a multi-millionaire former investment manager and Massachusetts governor was laying low in a hotel in Boston awaiting results.
As expected, television networks projected that Republicans would win the House of Representatives.
Democrats clung onto the Senate, and retained a seat in Missouri, where Senator Claire McCaskill fended off a challenge by Representative Todd Akin, whose remarks about rape and abortion sparked national outrage.
Both presidential candidates had earlier marked time while voters dictated their fates.
Romney appeared caught up in the emotion of seeing his name on the ballot for President of the United States and also saw an omen in a huge crowd that showed up at a multi-story parking lot to see his plane land at Pittsburgh airport.
“Intellectually I felt that we’re going to win this and I’ve felt that for some time,” Romney told reporters on his plane.
“But emotionally, just getting off the plane and seeing those people standing there… I not only think we’re going to win intellectually but I feel it as well.”
While Romney penned his victory speech, Obama took part in his election day tradition of playing a game of pick-up basketball with friends, including Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, after visiting a campaign office near his Chicago home.
The president, who like a third of Americans voted before election day, congratulated Romney on “a spirited campaign” despite their frequently hot tempered exchanges.
“I know that his supporters are just as engaged and just as enthusiastic and working just as hard today. We feel confident we’ve got the votes to win, that it’s going to depend ultimately on whether those votes turn out,” he said.
“I think anybody who’s running for office would be lying if they say that there’s not some butterflies before the polls come in because anything can happen,” the president added later in a radio interview.
CBS News, quoting early exit polls, said 39 percent of people approached after they had voted said the economy, the key issue, was improving, while 31 percent said it was worse and 28 saw it as staying the same.
Voters were also choosing a third of the Democratic-led Senate and the entire Republican-run House of Representatives. But, with neither chamber expected to change hands, the current political gridlock will likely continue.
The US presidential election is not directly decided by the popular vote, but requires candidates to pile up a majority – 270 – of 538 electoral votes awarded state-by-state on the basis of population.
A candidate can therefore win the nationwide popular vote and still be deprived of the presidency by falling short in the Electoral College.
The election went ahead in New Jersey with thousands of people without power, and large areas devastated by superstorm Sandy which roared ashore last week killing more than 100 people.
Adora Agim, an immigrant from Nigeria, said the chaos shouldn’t stop voting. “I have lived in a Third World country where your vote does not matter. It’s nice to be somewhere where it matters,” she said, in Hoboken, New Jersey.
The central message of Obama’s campaign has been that he saved America from a second Great Depression after the economy was on the brink of collapse when he took over from Republican president George W Bush in 2009.
He claims credit for ending the war in Iraq, saving the US auto industry, killing Osama bin Laden, offering almost every American health insurance, and passing the most sweeping Wall Street reform in decades.
Romney sought to mine frustration with the slow pace of the economic recovery and argued that the president was out of ideas and has no clue how to create jobs, with unemployment at 7.9 percent and millions out of work.

PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORTING ON KASHMIR DISPUTE.

Kashmir Freedom Movement

PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORTING ON KASHMIR DISPUTE.

Protest During Election In Gandarbal	Protest During Election In Gandarbal
War To Continue	War To Continue
Fort Conquered - Ghanta Ghar Srinagar
Pitch Battle	Pitch Battle - Stone Verses Bullet
Women Folk Running For Cover	Fort Conquered - Ghanta Ghar Srinagar
Shield Against Stones	Pitch Battle - Stone Verses Bullet
Pitch Battle - Stone Verses Bullet	Pitch Battle - Canes Verses Guns
National Integration - Sikh Youth
Check The Brutality Of Indian Forces	Check The Brutality Of Indian Forces
Check The Brutality Of Indian Forces	Check The Brutality Of Indian Forces
Check The Brutality Of Indian Forces	Check The Brutality Of Indian Forces - Dead Body
UNITY At Last	How to Keep Law & Order
All Roads Leads To Eid Gah	All Roads Leads To Eid Gah
CRPF On the Back Foot	CRPF On the Back Foot
	All Roads Leads To Eid Gah
All Roads Leads To Eid Gah	All Roads Leads To Eid Gah
All Roads Leads To Eid Gah	All Roads Leads To Eid Gah
Muzaffarbad March	Lal Chock ( Famous Ghanta Ghar)
Corden as used to be in 90's	People Being Chased at RamBagh
Ali Shah Geelani Being Carried by Supporters	Eid Ghah Ralley
Sheihk Aziz .............	Rally In the DownTown Area
Women Folk Aganist Economic Blockade	Embulance being chased by the CRPF
Check The Signage
	Flood Of People - UN March

Kashmir Conflict

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The disputed areas of the region of Kashmir. India claims the entire erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir based on an instrument of accession signed in 1947. Pakistan claims all areas of the erstwhile state except for those claimed by China. China claims the Shaksam Valley and Aksai Chin.

[show]   Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts

The Kashmir conflict refers to the territorial dispute over Kashmir, the northwesternmost region of South Asia. The parties to the dispute are India,Pakistan, China and the people of Kashmir.

India claims the entire former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and presently administers approximately 43% of the region including most of Jammu, Kashmir Valley, Ladakh and the Siachen Glacier. India's claim is contested by Pakistan which controls approximately 37% of Kashmir, mainly Azad Kashmir and the northern areas of Gilgit and Baltistan. In addition, China controls 20% of Kashmir including Aksai Chin which it occupied following the brief Sino-Indian War of 1962 and the Trans-Karakoram Tract, also known as the Shaksam Valley, that was ceded to it by Pakistan in 1963.

India's official position is that Kashmir is an integral part of India. Pakistan's official position is that Kashmir is a disputed territory whose final status must be determined by the people of Kashmir. China's official position is that Aksai Chin is a part of Tibet, which is a part of China. Certain Kashmiri independence groups believe that Kashmir should be independent of both India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars over Kashmir: in 1947, 1965, and 1999. India and China have clashed once, in 1962 over Aksai Chin as well as the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. India and Pakistan have also been involved in several skirmishes over the Siachen Glacier.

Since after 1987 disputed rigged State elections resulted in some of the 'states legislative assembly' 'formed militant wings' later on after the election forming and creating the catalyst for the insurgency,^[1][2][3]; the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir has been in stife from the confrontation between the Indian Armed Forces, militants and separatists. Furthermore, India alleges these militants are supported by Pakistan. This turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in thousands of deaths.^[4], however the insurgency over the past two decades has died down according to the Indian government.^[5][6] On the other hand, there has been protest movements in Indian Administered Kashmir since 1989. The movement was created for the same reason as the insurgency; the disputed rigged elections in 1987, Kashmir dispute and grievances with the Indian government specifically the Indian Military.^[5][6] However elections held in 2008 were widely regarded as free and fair, had a high voter turnout in spite of calls by militants for a boycott and led to pro India Jammu & Kashmir National Conference forming the government in the state.^[7][8] Many analysts have interpreted the high voter turnout in this election as a sign that the people of Kashmir have endorsed Indian rule in the state.^[9]

A 2001 report 'Pakistan's Role in the Kashmir Insurgency' of US Think tank RAND corporation noted that 'More intrinsically, the nature of the Kashmir conflict has been transformed from what was originally a secular, locally- based struggle (conducted via the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front - JKLF) to one that is now largely carried out by foreign militants and rationalized in pan-Islamic religious terms.' Most of the militant organizations are composed of foreign mercenaries mostly from Punjab (Pakistan)^[10] In 2010 with the support of its intelligence agencies Pakistan has been once again 'boosting' Kashmir militants and recruitment of 'martyrs' in Pakistani state of Punjab has increased.^[11][12]

Contents  [hide] 1 Timeline 1.1 Partition and dispute 1.2 Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 1.3 Sino-Indian War 1.4 1965 and 1971 wars 1.5 Militancy 1.6 Al-Qaeda Involvement 1.7 Conflict in Kargil 2 Reasons behind the dispute 2.1 Indian view 2.2 Pakistani view 2.3 Chinese view 2.4 Cross-border troubles 2.5 Water dispute 3 Human rights abuse 3.1 Indian administered Kashmir 3.2 Pakistan administered Kashmir 4 Map issues 5 Recent developments 5.1 Efforts to end the crisis 5.2 2008 Militant attacks 5.3 2008 Kashmir protests 5.4 2008 Kashmir elections 5.5 Obama on Kashmir Conflict 6 See also 7 Further reading 8 References 9 External links

Timeline

Main article: Timeline of the Kashmir conflict

Partition and dispute

From 1820 until the Partition of India in 1947, Kashmir was governed by the Maharaja of Kashmir who were Hindu, although the majority of the population were Muslim, except in the Jammu region. On partition Pakistan expected Kashmir to be annexed to it.

In 1947, British rule in India ended with the creation of two new nations: the Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan while Britishsuzerainty over the 562 Indian princely states ended. According to the Indian Independence Act 1947, "the suzerainty of His Majesty over theIndian States lapses, and with it, all treaties and agreements in force at the date of the passing of this Act between His Majesty and the rulers of Indian States",^[13] so the states were left to choose whether to join India or Pakistan or to remain independent. Jammu and Kashmirhad a predominantly Muslim population but a Hindu ruler and was the largest of the princely states. Its ruler was Maharaja Hari Singh.

In October 1947, a Muslim revolution in western Kashmir ^[14] and also Pakistani tribals from Dir entered Kashmir intending to liberate it fromDogra rule. Unable to withstand the invasion, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession that was accepted by the Government of Indiaon 27 October 1947.^[15]

Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

There was a Muslim revolution in western Kashmir ^[14] and also the irregular Pakistani tribals made rapid advances into Kashmir (Baramullasector) after the rumours that the Maharaja was going to decide for the union with India. Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir asked theGovernment of India to intervene. However, the Government of India pointed out that India and Pakistan had signed an agreement of non-intervention (maintenance of the status quo) in Jammu and Kashmir; and although tribal fighters from Pakistan had entered Jammu and Kashmir, there was, until then, no iron-clad legal evidence to unequivocally prove that the Government of Pakistan was officially involved. It would have been illegal for India to unilaterally intervene (in an open, official capacity) unless Jammu and Kashmir officially joined the Union of India, at which point it would be possible to send in its forces and occupy the remaining parts.

The Maharaja desperately needed the Indian military's help when the Pathan tribals reached the outskirts of Srinagar. Before their arrival intoSrinagar, India argues that Maharaja Hari Singh completed negotiations for acceding Jammu and Kashmir to India in exchange for receiving military aid. The agreement which ceded Jammu and Kashmir to India was signed by the Maharaja and Lord Mountbatten of Burma.^[8]

The Instrument of Accession of Kashmir to India was accepted by Viceroy Lord Mountbatten of Burma.

The resulting war over Kashmir, the First Kashmir War, lasted until 1948, when India moved the issue to the UN Security Council. The UN previously had passed resolutions setting up for the monitoring of the conflict in Kashmir. The committee it set up was called the United Nations Committee for India and Pakistan. Following the set up of the UNCIP the UN Security Council passed Resolution 47 on 21 April 1948. The resolution imposed that an immediate cease-fire take place and said that Pakistan should withdraw all presence and had no say in Jammu and Kashmir politics. It stated that India should retain a minimum military presence and stated "that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations". The cease fire took place on 31 December 1948.

At that time, the Indian and Pakistani governments agreed to hold the plebiscite but Pakistan did not withdraw its troops from Kashmir thus violating the condition for holding the plebiscite.^[16] Over the next several years, the UN Security Council passed four new resolutions, revising the terms of Resolution 47 to include a synchronous withdrawal of both Indian and Pakistani troops from the region, per the recommendations of General Andrew McNaughton. To this end, UN arbitrators put forward 11 different proposals for the demilitarization of the region - every one of which was accepted by Pakistan, but rejected by the Indian government.^[17] The resolutions were passed byUnited Nations Security Council under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter.^[18] Resolutions passed under Chapter VI of UN charter are considered non binding and have no mandatory enforceability as opposed to the resolutions passed under Chapter VII.^[19]

Sino-Indian War

Main article: Sino-Indian War

In 1962, troops from the People's Republic of China and India clashed in territory claimed by both. China won a swift victory in the war, resulting in the Chinese administration of the region called Aksai Chin, which continues to date. In addition to these lands, another smaller area, the Trans-Karakoram, was demarcated as the Line of Control (LOC) between China and Pakistan, although parts on the Chinese side are claimed by India to be parts of Kashmir. The line that separates India from China in this region is known as the Line of Actual Control.^[20]

1965 and 1971 wars

Main articles: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

In 1965 and 1971, heavy fighting again broke out between India and Pakistan. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 resulted in the defeat of Pakistan and Pakistan Military's surrender in East Pakistan (Bangladesh). The Simla Agreement was signed in 1972 between India and Pakistan. By this treaty, both countries agreed to settle all issues by peaceful means and mutual discussions in the framework of the UN Charter.

Militancy

Main article: Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir

In 1989, a widespread armed insurgency started in Kashmir, Since after 1987 disputed rigged Sate elections resulted in some of the 'states legislative assembly' 'formed militant wings' later on after the election forming and creating the catalyst for the insurgency which continues to this day furthermore 'in part' fueled by Afghan Mujahadeen in 1989 Timeline of the conflict. India contends that this was largely started by the large number of Afghan mujahideen who entered the Kashmir valley following the end of the Soviet-Afghan War, though Pakistan and Kashmiri nationalists argue that Afghan mujahideen did not leave Afghanistan in large numbers until 1992, three years after the insurgency began.^[21] Yasin Malik, a leader of one faction of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front,along with Ashfaq Majid Wani and Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karatay, was one of the Kashmiris to organize militancy in Kashmir. However since 1995, Malik has renounced the use of violence and calls for strictly peaceful methods to resolve the dispute. He developed differences with one of the senior leader Farooq Papa for shunning the demand for independent Kashmir and trying to cut a deal with Indian Prime Minister resulting in spilt in which Bitta Karatay, Salim Nanhaji and other senior comrades joined Farooq Papa.^[22][23] Pakistan claims these insurgents are Jammu and Kashmir citizens, and they are rising up against the Indian Army in an independence movement. It also says the Indian Army is committing serious human rights violations to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. It denies that it is giving armed help to the insurgents.

India claims these insurgents are Islamic terrorist groups from Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Afghanistan, fighting to make Jammu and Kashmir part of Pakistan.^[24] It believes Pakistan is giving armed help to the terrorists, and training them in Pakistan. It also says the terrorists have been killing many citizens in Kashmir, and committing human rights violations, while denying that its own armed forces are responsible for the human rights abuses. On a visit to Pakistan in 2006 current Chief Minister of Kashmir Omar Abdullah remarked that foreign militants, who had nothing to do with Kashmir, were engaged in reckless killings and mayhem in the name of religion.^[25] Indian government has said militancy is now on the decline.^[6]

The Pakistani government calls these insurgents, "Kashmiri freedom fighters", and claims that it gives only moral and diplomatic support to these insurgents, though India^[26] believes they are Pakistan-supported terrorists from Pakistan Administered Kashmir. In October 2008 President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan called the Kashmir separatists Terrorists in an interview with The Wall Street Journal,^[27] these comments by Zardari sparked outrage amongs many Kashmiris, some of whom defied a curfew by the Indian army to burn his effigy.^[28]

The peacful protest movement has been a 'purely indigenous, purely Kashmiri'(Quoted by Washington post from Mirwaiz Farooq a Kashmiri party leader) 'Gandhi style' (stated by Wall Street Journal) peaceful protest movement in Indian Administered Kashmir since 1989. The movement was created for the same reason as the insurgency ;the disputed rigged elections in 1987 ,Kashmir dispute and grievances with the Indian government specifically the Indian Military that has committed human rights violations .This reinforced by the United Nations that has said India has committed Human rights violations .^[5][6][29]

Al-Qaeda Involvement

Main article: Al-Qaeda

In a 'Letter to American People' written by Osama bin Laden in 2002 he stated that one of the reasons he was fighting America is because of her support to India on the Kashmir issue.^[30][31] In 2002 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on a trip to Delhi suggested that Al-Qaeda was active in Kashmir though he did not have any hard evidence.^[32][33] An investigation in 2002 unearthed evidence that Al-Qaeda and its affiliates were prospering in Pakistan-administered Kashmir with tacit approval of Pakistan's National Intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence^[34] In 2002 a special team of Special Air Service and Delta Force was sent into Indian Administered Kashmir to hunt for Osama bin Laden after reports that he was being sheltered by Kashmiri militant group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.^[35] U.S. officials believe that Al-Qaeda was helping organize a campaign of terror in Kashmir in order to provoke conflict between India and Pakistan. Their strategy was to force Pakistan to move its troops to the border with India thereby relieving pressure on Al-Qaeda elements hiding in northwestern Pakistan. U.S. Intelligence analysts say al-Qaeda and Taliban operatives in Pakistan-administered Kashmir are helping terrorists they had trained in Afghanistan to infiltrate Indian administered Kashmir.^[36] The leader of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen a major Kashmiri militant group, Fazlur Rehman Khalil, signed al-Qaeda's 1998 declaration of holy war, which called on Muslims to attack all Americans and their allies.^[37] In 2006 Al-Qaeda claim they have established wing in Kashmir this has worried the Indian government.^[38] However the Indian Army Lt. Gen. H.S. Panag, GOC-in-C Northern Command said to reporters that the army has ruled out the presence of Al Qaeda in Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir furthermore he said that there is nothing that can verify reports from the media of Al Qaeda presence in the state. He however stated that Alqaeda had strong ties with Kashmir militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan.^[39] In January 2010 U.S. Defense secretary Robert Gates while on a visit to Pakistan stated that Al-qaeda was seeking to destabilize the region and planning to provoke a nuclear war between India and Pakistan.^[40]

On September 2009 U.S. Drone strike reportedly killed Ilyas Kashmiri who was the chief of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami a Kashmiri militant group associated with Al Qaeda.^[41][42] Kashmiri was described by Bruce Riedel as a 'prominent' Al-qaeda member.^[43] while others have described him as head of military operations for Al-Qaeda.^[44] It was noted that Waziristan had now become the new battlefield for Kashmiri militants who were now fighting NATO in support of Al-Qaeda.^[45] Kashmiri was also charged by U.S. in a plot against Jyllands-Posten the Danish newspaper which was at the center of Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy.^[46]

Conflict in Kargil

Main article: Kargil War

Location of conflict.

In mid-1999 insurgents and Pakistani soldiers from Pakistani Kashmir infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir. During the winter season, Indian forces regularly move down to lower altitudes as severe climatic conditions makes it almost impossible for them to guard the high peaks near the Line of Control. The insurgents took advantage of this and occupied vacant mountain peaks of the Kargil range overlooking the highway in Indian Kashmir, connecting Srinagar and Leh. By blocking the highway, they wanted to cut off the only link between the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. This resulted in a high-scale conflict between the Indian Army and the Pakistan Army.

At the same time, fears of the Kargil War turning into a nuclear war provoked the then-US PresidentBill Clinton to pressure Pakistan to retreat. Faced with mounting losses of personnel and posts, Pakistan Army withdrew the remaining troops from the area ending the conflict. India reclaimed control of the peaks which they now patrol and monitor all year long.

Reasons behind the dispute

The Kashmir Conflict arises from the Partition of India in 1947 into modern India and Pakistan. Both the countries have made claims to Kashmir, based on historical developments and religious affiliations of the Kashmiri people. The state of Jammu and Kashmir, which lies strategically in the Northwest of the subcontinent, bordering China and the former Soviet Union, was a princely state ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh, under the paramountcy of British India. In geographical and legal terms, the Maharaja could have joined either of the two new Dominions. Although urged by the Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten of Burma, to determine the future of his state before the transfer of power took place, Hari Singh demurred. In October 1947, incursions and counter-incursions by Pakistan and India have taken place leading to a war, as a result of which the state of Jammu and Kashmir remains divided between the two countries.

Administered by	Area	Population	% Muslim	% Hindu	% Buddhist	% Other
India	Kashmir valley	~4 million	95%	4%	–	–
	Jammu	~3 million	30%	66%	–	4%
	Ladakh	~0.25 million	46% (Shia)	–	50%	3%
Pakistan	Northern Areas	~1 million	99%	–	–	–
	Azad Kashmir	~2.6 million	100%	–	–	–
China	Aksai Chin	–	–	–	–	–
Statistics from the BBC In Depth report. There are roughly 1.5 million Refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir in Pakistan administered Kashmir and Pakistan UNHCR About 300,000 Hindus in Indian Administered Kashmir valley are internally displaced due to militancy in Kashmir. - CIA Muslims are majority in Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar and Doda districts in Jammu region. Shia Muslims make for majority in Kargil district in Ladakh region.

Two-thirds of the former princely state (known as the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir), comprising Jammu, the Kashmir Valley, and the sparsely populated Buddhist area of Ladakh are controlled by India; one-third is administered by Pakistan. The latter includes a narrow strip of land called Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas compromising the Gilgit Agency, Baltistan and the former kingdoms of Hunza andNagar. Attempts to resolve the dispute through political discussions were unsuccessful. In September 1965, war broke out again betweenPakistan and India. The United Nations called for a yet another cease-fire, and peace was restored once again following the Tashkent Declaration in 1966, by which both nations returned to their original positions along the demarcated line. After the 1971 war and the creation of independent Bangladesh, under the terms of the 1972 Simla Agreement between Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan, it was agreed that neither country would seek to alter the cease-fire line in Kashmir, which was renamed as the Line of Control, "unilaterally, irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations".

Numerous violations of the Line of Control have occurred, including the infamous incursions by insurgents and Pakistani armed forces at Kargil leading to the Kargil war. There are also sporadic clashes on the Siachen Glacier, where the Line of Control is not demarcated and both countries maintain forces at altitudes rising to 20,000 ft (6,100 m).

Indian view

Indian viewpoint is succinctly summarized by Ministry of External affairs, Government of India^[47][48] —

• India holds that the Instrument of Accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India, signed by the Maharaja Hari Singh (erstwhile ruler of the State) on 26 October 1947, was completely valid in terms of the Government of India Act (1935), Indian Independence Act (1947) and international law and was total and irrevocable.^[48]

• The Constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir had unanimously ratified the Maharaja's Instrument of Accession to India and had adopted a constitution for the state that called for a perpetual merger of the state with the Union of India. India claims that this body was a representative one, and that its views were those of the Kashmiri people at the time.

• United Nations Security Council Resolution 1172 tacitly accepts India's stand regarding all outstanding issues between India and Pakistan and urges the need to resolve the dispute through mutual dialogue and does not call for a plebiscite.^[49]

• United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 cannot be implemented since Pakistan failed to withdraw its forces from Kashmir which was the first step in implementing the resolution.^[50] Now the resolution is obsolete since the geography and demographics of the region have been permanently altered.^[51] The resolution was passed by United Nations Security Council under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter.^[18] Resolutions passed under Chapter VI of UN charter are considered non binding and have no mandatory enforceability as opposed to the resolutions passed under Chapter VII.^[19]

• India does not accept the two-nation theory that forms the basis of Pakistan and argues that Kashmir, despite being a Muslim-majority state, is in many ways an "integral part" of secular India.

• The state of Jammu and Kashmir was provided significant autonomy in the Article 370 of the Constitution of India.^[52]

• All differences between India and Pakistan including Kashmir need to be settled through bilateral negotiations as agreed to by the two countries when they signed the Simla Agreement on 2 July 1972.^[53]

Additional Indian viewpoint regarding the broader debate over the Kashmir conflict include:

• India believes that the insurgency and terrorism in Kashmir is deliberately being fueled by Pakistan to create instability in the region.^[54]The Government of India has repeatedly asked the international community to declare Pakistan as a sponsor of terrorism.^{[55][56][57][58]}

• Pakistan is trying to raise anti-India sentiment among the people of Kashmir by spreading false propaganda against India.^[59] According to the state government of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani radio and television channels deliberately spread "hate and venom" against India to alter Kashmiri opinion.^[60]

• In a diverse country like India, disaffection and discontent are not uncommon. Indian democracy has the necessary resilience to accommodate genuine grievances within the framework of our sovereignty, unity and integrity. Government of India has expressed its willingness to accommodate the legitimate political demands of the people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.^[47]

• India has asked United Nations that it should not be leave unchallenged or unaddressed claims of moral, political and diplomatic support for terrorism, which were clearly in contravention of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 which is a Chapter VII resolution that makes it mandatory for member states to not provide active or passive support to terrorist organizations.^[61][62] Specifically, it has pointed out that the Pakistani government continues to support various terrorist organizations, such as Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, in direct violation of this resolution.^[63]

• India points out at various reports by human rights organizations condemning Pakistan for the lack civic liberties in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.^[59][64] According to India, most regions of Pakistani Kashmir, especially Northern Areas, continue to suffer from lack of political recognition, economic development and basic fundamental rights.^[65]

Pakistani view

Map of Kashmir as drawn by the Government of Pakistan.

Pakistan's claims to the disputed region are based on the rejection of Indian claims to Kashmir, namely the Instrument of Accession. Pakistan insists that the Maharaja was not a popular leader, and was regarded as a tyrant by most Kashmiris, Pakistan also maintains that the Maharaja used brute force to suppress the population.^[66] Pakistan also accuses India of hypocrisy, as it refused to recognize the accession of Junagadh to Pakistan and Hyderabad's independence, on the grounds that those two states had Hindu majorities (in fact, India occupied and forcibly integrated those two territories).^[67] Furthermore, as he had fled Kashmir due to Pakistani invasion, Pakistan asserts that the Maharaja held no authority in determining Kashmir's future. Additionally, Pakistan argues that even if the Maharaja had any authority in determining the plight of Kashmir, he signed the Instrument of Accession under duress, thus invalidating the legitimacy of his actions.

Pakistan also claims that Indian forces were in Kashmir before the Instrument of Accession was signed with India, and that therefore Indian troops were in Kashmir in violation of the Standstill Agreement, which was designed to maintain the status quo in Kashmir (although India was not signatory to the Agreement, signed between Pakistan and the Hindu ruler of Jammu and Kashmir).^[68][69]

From 1990 to 1999 some organizations report that Indian Armed Forces, its paramilitary groups, and counter-insurgent militias have been responsible for the deaths 4,501 of Kashmiri civilians. Also from 1990 to 1999, there are records of 4,242 women between the ages of 7-70 that have been raped.^[70][71] Similar allegations were also made by some human rights organizations.^[72]

In short, Pakistan holds that:

• The popular Kashmiri insurgency demonstrates that the Kashmiri people no longer wish to remain within India. Pakistan suggests that this means that either Kashmir wants to be with Pakistan or independent.^[73]

• According to the two-nation theory which is one of the theories that is cited for the partition that created India and Pakistan, Kashmir should have been with Pakistan, because it has a Muslim majority.
• India has shown disregard to the resolutions of the UN Security Council, and the United Nations Commission in India and Pakistan by failing to hold a plebiscite to determine the future allegiance of the entire state.^[74]
• The Kashmiri people have now been forced by the circumstances to rise against the alleged repression of the Indian army and uphold their right of self-determination through militancy. Pakistan claims to give the Kashmiri insurgents moral, ethical and military support (see 1999 Kargil Conflict).
• Recent protests in Indian administered Kashmir show a large number of people showing increased anger over Indian rule with massive rallies taking place to oppose Indian control of the state.^[75]
• Pakistan also points to the violence that accompanies elections in Indian Kashmir^[76] and the anti Indian sentiments expressed by some people in the state.^[77]
• Pakistan has noted the wide spread use of extrajudicial killings in Indian-administered Kashmir carried out by Indian security forces while claiming they were caught up in encounters with militants. These fake encounters are common place in Indian-administered Kashmir and the perpetrators are spared criminal prosecution. These fake encounters go largely uninvestigated by the authorities.^[78][79]
• Pakistan points towards reports from the United Nations which condemn India for its human rights violations against Kashmiri people.^[29]
• Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari stated in October 2008 that Kashmiri 'freedom fighters' were terrorists. However his remarks met with widespread condemnation across Pakistan and Kashmir, including prominent politicians.^[80]
• The Chenab formula - This was proposed in 1960's, in which Kashmir valley and other Muslim dominated areas north of Chenab river will go to Pakistan, and Jammu and other Hindu dominated region will go to India.^[81]
• Pakistan points towards the numerous Human rights violations which occur within Indian-administered Kashmir and the many reports by Human rights organization strongly condemning Indian troops for widespread rape and murder of innocent civilians accusing these civilians of being killed in encounters ^[82][83][84]

Chinese view

• Chinese never accepted the British negotiated boundary in the north east area of the princely state of Kashmir (Aksai Chin).^[14]
• The Chinese settled their border disputes in the region with Pakistan in 1963.^[85]

Cross-border troubles

See also: Line of Control and Siachen Conflict

The border and the Line of Control separating Indian and Pakistani Kashmir passes through some exceptionally difficult terrain. The world's highest battleground, the Siachen Glacier is a part of this difficult-to-man boundary. Even with 200,000 military personnel,^[86] India maintains that it is infeasible to place enough men to guard all sections of the border throughout the various seasons of the year. Pakistan has indirectly acquiesced its role in failing to prevent "cross border terrorism" when it agreed to curb such activities ^[87] after intense pressure from the Bush administration in mid 2002.

The Government of Pakistan has repeatedly claimed that by constructing a fence along the line of control, India is violating the Shimla Accord. However, India claims the construction of the fence has helped decrease armed infiltration into Indian-administered Kashmir.

In 2002 Pakistani President and Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf promised to check infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir.

Water dispute

Another reason behind the dispute over Kashmir is water. Kashmir is the origin point for many rivers and tributaries of the Indus River basin. They include Jhelum and Chenab which primarily flow into Pakistan while other branches - the Ravi, Beas and the Sutlej irrigate northern India. Pakistan has been apprehensive that in a dire need, India (under whose portion of Kashmir lies the origins and passage of the said rivers) would use its strategic advantage and withhold the flow and thus choke the agrarian economy of Pakistan. The Boundary Award of 1947 meant that the headwaters of Pakistani irrigation systems were in Indian Territory. The Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 resolved most of these disputes over the sharing of water, calling for mutual cooperation in this regard. But this treaty faced issues raised by Pakistan over the construction of dams on the Indian side which limit water to the Pakistani side.

Human rights abuse

Indian administered Kashmir

In Jammu and Kashmir, India, the violent Islamic insurgency has specifically targeted the Hindu Kashmiri Pandit minority, violated theirhuman rights and 400,000 have either been murdered or displaced.^[88] US Congressman Frank Pallone stated "The conflict in Kashmir cannot be separated from the global war against terrorism, over the past fifteen years militant forces, including elements of Al-Qaeda and theTaliban, have used violence against the Kashmiri Pandits in an effort to institute Islamic rule in this region".^[88] However the Indian Army Lt. Gen. H.S. Panag, GOC-in-C Northern Command said to reporters that the army has ruled out the presence of Al Qaeda in Jammu and Kashmir furthermore he said that there is nothing that can verify reports from the media of Al Qaeda presence in the state.^[89] This violence been condemned and labeled as ethnic cleansing in a 2006 resolution passed by the United States Congress.^[90] Also in 2009 Oregon Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to recognize 14 September 2007, as Martyrs Day to acknowledge ethnic cleansing and campaigns of terror inflicted on non-Muslim minorities of Jammu and Kashmir by militants seeking to establish an Islamic state.^[91] On the other hand the CIA reported about 300,000 Hindus in Indian Administered Kashmir valley are internally displaced due to militancy ^[92] and about 100,000-50,000 Kashmiri Muslim refugees because of Islamic militants atrocities and Islamic militants fighting with Indian army.^[93] UNHCR reported that there are roughly 1.5 million Refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir in Pakistan administered Kashmir and Pakistan.^[94]

Claims of human rights abuses have been made against the Indian Armed Forces and the armed militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir.^[95] A 2005 study conducted by Médecins Sans Frontières found that Kashmiri women are among the worst sufferers of sexual violence in the world, with 11.6% of respondents reporting that they had been victims of sexual abuse.^[96] Some surveys have found that in the Kashmir region itself (where the bulk of separatist and Indian military activity is concentrated), popular perception holds that the Indian Armed Forces are more to blame for human rights violations than the separatist groups. According to the MORI survey of 2002, in Kashmir only 2% of respondents believed that the militant groups were guilty of widespread human rights abuses, while 64% believed that Indian troops were guilty of the same. This trend was reversed however in other parts of the state.^[97] Off late Amnesty International has called on India to "unequivocally condemn enforced disappearances" and to ensure that impartial investigation is conducted on reality of mass graves in its controlled Kashmir region. As the Indian state police confirms as many as 331 deaths while in custody and 111 enforced disappearances since 1989.^{[98] [99][100]} .^[101].Amnesty again criticise Indian Military in an incident on 22 April, several armed forces personnel forcibly entered the house of a 32-year-old woman in the village of Wawoosa in the Rangreth district of Jammu and Kashmir. They reportedly molested her 12-year-old daughter and raped her other three daughters, aged 14, 16 and 18.When another woman attempted to prevent soldiers from attacking her two daughters, she was beaten. Soldiers reportedly told her 17-year-old daughter to remove her clothes so that they could check whether she was hiding a gun. They molested her before leaving the house.^[102]

several international agencies and the UN have reported human rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir. In a recent press release the OHCHR spokesmen stated "The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is concerned about the recent violent protests in Indian-administered Kashmir that have reportedly led to civilian casualties as well as restrictions to the right to freedom of assembly and expression.".^[29] A 1996 Human Rights Watch report accuses the Indian military and Indian-government backed paramilitaries of "committ[ing] serious and widespread human rights violations in Kashmir."^[103] One such alleged massacre occurred on 6 January 1993 in the town of Sopore. TIME Magazine described the incident as such: "In retaliation for the killing of one soldier, paramilitary forces rampaged through Sopore's market setting buildings ablaze and shooting bystanders. The Indian government pronounced the event 'unfortunate' and claimed that an ammunition dump had been hit by gunfire, setting off fires that killed most of the victims."^[104] In addition to this, there have been claims of disappearances by the police or the army in Kashmir by several human rights organizations.^[105][106] Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978:^[107][108] Human rights organizations have also asked Indian government to repeal^[109] the Public Safety Act, since "a detainee may be held in administrative detention for a maximum of two years without a court order.".^[99]

A soldier guards the roadside checkpoint outside Srinagar International Airport in January 2009.

Many human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch(HRW) have condemned human rights abuses in Kashmir by Indians such as "extra-judicial executions", "disappearances", and torture;^[100] the "Armed Forces Special Powers Act", which "provides impunity for human rights abuses and fuels cycles of violence. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) grants the military wide powers of arrest, the right to shoot to kill, and to occupy or destroy property in counterinsurgency operations. Indian officials claim that troops need such powers because the army is only deployed when national security is at serious risk from armed combatants. Such circumstances, they say, call for extraordinary measures." Human rights organizations have also asked Indian government to repeal^[109] the Public Safety Act, since "a detainee may be held in administrative detention for a maximum of two years without a court order.".^[99] A 2008 report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees determined that Indian Administered Kashmir, was only 'partly Free' ^[110].

^[98] [99].^{[100][101] [111]}

Pakistan administered Kashmir

Pakistan as an Islamic Republic imposes multiple restrictions on peoples religious freedom in areas of Kashmir under its control.^[112] Shiasand Ismailis are subject to discrimination and have been targets of sectarian violence.^[112] The majority of population of Northern Areas is Shia unlike rest of Pakistan which is majority Sunni.^[113] The constitution of Azad Kashmir specifically prohibits activities that may be prejudicial to the states accession to Pakistan and as such regularly suppresses demonstrations against the government.^[112] A number of Islamist militant groups operate in this area including Al-Qaeda with tacit permission from Pakistan's intelligence.^[112] As in Indian administered Kashmir there have been allegations of Human rights abuse in Pakistan administered Kashmir. The Balawaristan National Fronthas stated its goal of seeking independence from Pakistan. Abdul Hamid Khan Chairman of Balawaristan National Front states that 'The Pakistani administration has also been involved in efforts to alter the demographic profile of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan, reducing the indigenous people to a minority.' The Gilgit-Baltistan area is administered directly by Islamabad. The population here, primarily Shia Muslims, was brought under one federally administered territory administered by Pakistan on 16 November 1947, in the name of Islam.'^[114] Other groups like Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement are demanding full autonomy for the areas of Gilgit and Baltistan. On 8 January 2005 11 people were killed following an armed attack on a Shia leader.^[115] A 2-day conference on Gilgit Baltistan was held on April 8–9, 2008 at the European Parliament in Brussels under the auspices of International Kashmir Alliance. Here several members of the European Parliament(MEPs) expressed concern over the human rights violation in Gilgit Baltistan and urged the government of Pakistan to establish democratic institutions and rule of law in this area of northern Kashmir. Abdul Hamid Khan, Chairman Balawaristan National Front speaking at the same conference said "no democratically elected representative (from Gilgit Baltistan) was included when Karachi Agreement was signed between Pakistan and Muslim Conference leaders in 1949."^[116] According to Shaukat Ali chairman of International Kashmir alliance "On one hand Pakistan claims to be the champion of the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people, but she has denied the same rights under its controlled parts of Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan"^[116] Gilgit Baltistan region has been described a 'simmering cauldron of discontent.^[117]Continued deprivation of human rights has driven people to desperation.^[117] Many people think that they are under the colonial rule of Pakistani government and have boycotted independence day celebrations. Since independence Pakistan government has made no attempts to provide basic human rights in this region and no democratic setup exists.^[117]

A report 'Kashmir: Present Situation and Future Prospects' which was submitted to European Parliament by Emma Nicholson, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne was severely critical of lack of human rights, justice, democracy & Kashmiri representation in Pakistan National Assembly in Pakistan administered Kashmir.^[118] International Crisis Group has stated “Almost six decades after Pakistan’s independence, the constitutional status of the Federally Administered Northern Areas (Gilgit and Baltistan), once part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and now under Pakistani control, remains undetermined, with political autonomy a distant dream. The region’s inhabitants are embittered by Islamabad’s unwillingness to devolve powers in real terms to its elected representatives, and a nationalist movement, which seeks independence, is gaining ground. The rise of sectarian extremism is an alarming consequence of this denial of basic political rights”.^[117] However in 2009 Pakistan government implemented autonomy package for the people from Gilgit-Baltistan. This package was rejected as an eyewash by Balawaristan National Front whose spokesperson stated “It’s meant to detract the international community from the violation of human rights in this region.”^[119] Manzoor Hussain Parwana, chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement stated “The so-called provincial setup aims at concealing the human rights violations and continue the colonial control over the region.”^[119] The 'first step' being an election to elect their own assembly and there have been criticism about this move by Pakistan. Furthermore according to Reuters U.S many of the people from the region would rather join Pakistan as a province than integrated into Kashmir. Many people protested the elections and some people carried banners saying "Pakistan's expansionist designs in Gilgit-Baltistan are unacceptable"^[120] In December 2009 activists of nationalist Kashmiri groups staged a protest in Muzaffarabad to condemn rigging of elections and 'State Terrorism" by Pakistani forces.^[121]

According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence operates in Pakistan administered Kashmir and is involved in extensive surveillance, arbitrary arrests, torture and murder. Generally this is done with impunity and perpetrators go unpunished.^[112] A 2008 report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees determined that Pakistan administered Kashmir was 'Not Free'.^[112]

Map issues

United Nation's map of Jammu and Kashmir, accepted by the Kashmiris and the Pakistani government

As with other disputed territories, each government issues maps depicting their claims in Kashmir as part of their territory, regardless of actual control. It is illegal in India to exclude all or part of Kashmir in a map. It is also illegal in Pakistan not to include the state of Jammu and Kashmir as disputed territory, as permitted by the United Nations. Non-participants often use the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control as the depicted boundaries, as is done in the CIA World Factbook, and the region is often marked out in hashmarks, although the Indian government strictly opposes such practices^{[citation needed]}. When Microsoft released a map in Windows 95 and MapPoint 2002, a controversy was raised because it did not show all of Kashmir as part of India as per Indian claim. However, all the neutral and Pakistani companies claim to follow UN's map and over 90% of all maps containing the territory of Kashmir show it as disputed territory.^[122]

Sources from: UN: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on the map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control of Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by the Republic of India and the Government of Pakistan since 1972. Both the parties have not yet agreed upon the final status of the region and nothing significant has been implemented since the peace process began in 2004.

Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan maintains un-provisionally and unconditionally stating that the informal "Accession of Jammu and Kashmir" to Pakistan or even to the Republic of Indiaremains to be decided by UN plebiscite. It accepts UN's map of the territory. Also the designations and the presentation of the Kashmir's regional map based on United Nations Organization practice, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of theCommonwealth Secretariat or the publishers concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. There is no intention to define the status Jammu and/or Kashmir, which has not yet been agreed upon by the parties.

New Delhi: The Government of India states that "the external artificial boundaries of India, especially concerning the Kashmir region under its jurisdiction created by a foreign body are neither correct nor authenticated".^{[citation needed]}

Recent developments

This article or section may be slanted towards recent events. Please try to keep recent events in historical perspective. (March 2009)

India continues to assert their sovereignty or rights over the entire region of Kashmir, while Pakistan maintains that it is a disputed territory. Pakistan argues that the status quo cannot be considered as a solution. Pakistan insists on a UN sponsored plebiscite . Unofficially, the Pakistani leadership has indicated that they would be willing to accept alternatives such as a demilitarized Kashmir, if sovereignty of Azad Kashmir was to be extended over the Kashmir valley, or the ‘Chenab’ formula, by which India would retain parts of Kashmir on its side of the Chenab river, and Pakistan the other side - effectively re-partioning Kashmir on communal lines. The problem however is that the Population of Pakistan Administered portion of Kashmir is both ethnically and linguistically and culturally different from that in Kashmir Valley India. The Azad Kashmir population being on the most part ethnic Punjabis. Therefore a Partition on the Chenab formula is opposed by most Kashmiri politicians from all spectrums, though some, such as Sajjad Lone, have in recent months suggested that non-Muslim part of Jammu and Kashmir be separated from Kashmir and handed to India. Some political analysts say that the Pakistan terrorist state policy shift and mellowing down of its aggressive stance may have to do with its total failure in the Kargil War and the subsequent 9/11 attacks that put pressure on Pakistan to alter its terrorist position.^[123] Further many neutral parties to the dispute have noted that UN resolution on Kashmir is no longer relevant.^[124] Even the European Union has viewed that the plebiscite is not in Kashmiris' interest.^[125] The report also notes, that the UN-laid down conditions for such a plebiscite have not been, and can no longer be, met by Pakistan.^[126] Even the Hurriyat Conferenceobserved in 2003, that "Plebiscite no longer an option"^[127] Besides the popular factions that support either parties, there is a third faction which supports independence and withdrawal of both India and Pakistan. These have been the respective stands of the parties for long, and there have been no significant change over the years. As a result, all efforts to solve the conflict have been futile so far.

The Freedom in the World 2006 report categorized the Indian-administered Kashmir as "partly free", and Pakistan-administered Kashmir as well as the country of Pakistan "not free".^[128] India claims that contrary to popular belief, a large proportion of the Jammu and Kashmir populace wish to remain with India. A MORI survey found that within the Kashmir Valley, 9% of respondents said they felt they would be better off as Indian citizens, with 78% saying that they did not know, and the remaining 13% favouring Pakistani citizenship.^[129] According to a 2007 poll conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in New Delhi, 87% of respondents in the Kashmir Valley prefer independence over union with India or Pakistan.^[130]

The 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which killed over 80,000 people, led to India and Pakistan finalizing negotiations for the opening of a road for disaster relief through Kashmir.

Efforts to end the crisis

The 9/11 attacks on the US resulted in the US government wanting to restrain militancy in the world, including Pakistan. US urged Islamabadto cease infiltrations, which continue to this day, by Islamist militants into Indian-administered Kashmir. In December 2001, a terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament linked to Pakistan resulted in war threats, massive deployment and international fears of nuclear war in the subcontinent.

After intensive diplomatic efforts by other countries, India and Pakistan began to withdraw troops from the international border 10 June 2002, and negotiations began again.^{[citation needed]} Effective 26 November 2003, India and Pakistan have agreed to maintain a ceasefire along the undisputed International Border, the disputed Line of Control, and the Siachen glacier. This is the first such "total ceasefire" declared by both nuclear powers in nearly 15 years. In February 2004, Pakistan further increased pressure on Pakistanis fighting in Indian-administered Kashmir to adhere to the ceasefire. The nuclear-armed neighbours also launched several other mutual confidence building measures. Restarting the bus service between the Indian- and Pakistani- administered Kashmir has helped defuse the tensions between the countries. Both India and Pakistan have also decided to cooperate on economic fronts.

On Dec. 5, 2006, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf told an Indian TV channel that Pakistan would give up its claim on Kashmir if India accepted some of his peace proposals, including a phased withdrawal of troops, self-governance for locals, no changes in the borders of Kashmir, and a joint supervision mechanism involving India, Pakistan and Kashmir, the BBC reported.^[131] Musharraf also stated that he was ready to give up the United Nations' resolutions regarding Kashmir.^[132]

2008 Militant attacks

In the week of 10 March 2008, 17 people were wounded when a blast hit the region's only highway overpass located near the Civil Secretariat– Indian-controlled Kashmir's seat of government– and the region's high court. A gun battle between security forces and militants fighting against Indian rule left five people dead and two others injured 23 March 2008. The battle began when security forces raided a house on the outskirts of the capital city of Srinagar. The Indian Army has been carrying out cordon-and-search operations against militants in Indian-administered Kashmir since the current armed violence broke out here in 1989. While the authorities here say 43,000 persons have been killed in the violence, various rights groups and non-governmental organizations have put the figure at twice that number.^[133]

According to Govt. of India Home Ministry, 2008 marks the lowest civilian casualties in 20 years with 89 deaths, compared to highest of 1,413 in 1996.^[134] 85 security personnel died in 2008 compared to 613 in 2001, while 102 militants killed. Human right situation improved with only 1 custodial death and no custodial disappearance.

2008 Kashmir protests

Main article: Amarnath land transfer controversy

Massive demonstrations occurred after plans by the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir state government to transfer 100 acres (0.40 km²) of land to a trust which runs the Hindu Amarnath shrine in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.^[135] This land was to be used to build a shelter to house Hindu pilgrims temporarily during their annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath temple.

Indian security forces and the Indian army responded quickly to keep order. More than 40 unarmed protesters were killed^[136] and at least 300 were detained.^[137] The largest protests saw more than a half million people waving Pakistani flags and crying for freedom at a single rally according to Time magazine.^[138] Pro-Independent Kashmir Leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq warned that the peaceful uprising could lead to violent upsurge if India's heavy-handed crackdown on protests were not restrained.^[139] The United Nations expressed concern on India's response to peaceful protests and urged to investigate and bring to justice Indian security personnel who had taken part in the crackdown.^[29]

Separatists and workers of a political party were believed to be behind stone pelting incidents which led to retaliatory fire by the police.^[140][141] Autorickshaw laden with stones meant for distribution was seized by the police in March 2009.Furthermore, following theunrest in 2008, which included more than 500,000 protesters at a rally on 18 August, secessionist movements gained a boost.^[142][143]

2008 Kashmir elections

Main article: Jammu and Kashmir state assembly elections, 2008

State Elections were held in Indian held Kashmir in seven phases starting 17 November and finishing on 24 December 2008. In spite of calls by separatists for a boycott an unusually high turnout of almost 50% was recorded.^[144] The National Conference party which was founded bySheikh Abdullah and regarded as pro India emerged with maximum seats and will form government in coalition with Indian National Congress.^[145]

2008 marks the lowest civilian casualties in 20 years with 89 deaths, compared to highest of 1,413 in 1996.^[146] 85 security personnel died in 2008 compared to 613 in 2001, while 102 militants were killed. Many analysts say Pakistan's preoccupation with jihadis within its own borders explains the relative calm.^[147]

2008 marked the greatest number of anti India protests since 1980 due to the Amarnath land transfer controversy with several hundred thousand protesters spilling out onto the streets of Indian-administered Kashmir demanding freedom from India the protests were suppressed by the Indian army with attacks on protesters leading to the deaths of 40 unarmed civilians.^[148] However the elections which were held subsequently led to almost half of the Kashmiris ignoring the boycott call by separatists and voting Pro India party National Conference into power.Separatists insist that this was so because people were looking towards their well being and voting for whatever could get them 'bread and clothing',and the turnout did not necessarily reflect the feelings of the Kashmiris towards India.On 30 December Congress and the National Conference agreed to form a coalition government, with Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister.^[149] On 5 January 2009 Omar Abdullahwas sworn in as 11th Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.^[150] In March 2009 Omar Abdullah stated that only 800 militants were active in the state and out of these only 30% were Kashmiris.^[151]

Obama on Kashmir Conflict

In an interview with Joe Klien of Time magazine in October 2008 Barack Obama expressed his intention to try to work with India and Pakistan to resolve this crisis in a serious way.^[152] He said he had talked to Bill Clinton about it ( being a mediator). In an editorial in The Washington Times, Selig S Harrison,^[153] director of Asia Programme at the Center for International Policy and a senior scholar of the Woodrow Wilson International called it Obama's first foreign policy mistake.^[154] The Australian in an editorial called Obama's Idea to appoint a presidential negotiator "a very stupid and dangerous move indeed"^[155] In an editorial in Forbes, Reihan Salam associate editor for The Atlantic noted "The smartest thing President Obama could do on Kashmir is probably nothing. We have to hope that India and Pakistan can work out their differences on Kashmir on their own".^[156] The Boston Globe in an editorial called the idea of appointing Bill Clinton as an envoy to Kashmir "a mistake".^[157] India has long regarded Kashmir as an Integral part of India and resisted outside intervention considering Kashmir to be an integral part of India and the conflict a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan. President Obama appointed Richard Holbrooke as special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan.^[158] President Asif Ali Zardari had hoped that Holbrooke would help mediate to resolve Kashmir issue.^[159] Subsequently Kashmir was removed from the mandate of Richard Holbrooke .^[160] “Eliminating … Kashmir from his job description … is seen as a significant diplomatic concession to India that reflects increasingly warm ties between the country and the United States,”The Washington Post noted in a report.^[161] Brajesh Mishra, India's former national security adviser, was quoted in the same report as saying in reference to the territory's Indian-administered sector "No matter what government is in place, India is not going to relinquish control of Jammu and Kashmir," "That is written in stone and cannot be changed."^[162] According to The Financial Times India has warned US President Barack Obama that he risks “barking up the wrong tree” if he seeks to broker a settlement between Pakistan and India over the disputed territory of Kashmir.^[163]

In July 2009 US Assistant Secretary of State Robert O. Blake, Jr. stated categorically that United States had no plans of appointing any special envoy to settle the long standing dispute of Kashmir between India and Pakistan calling it an issue which needs to be sorted out bilaterally by the two neighboring states.^[164] According to Dawn in Pakistan this will be interpreted as an endorsement of India’s position on Kashmir that no outside power has any role in this dispute.^[165]

See also

• History of Jammu and Kashmir
• Indo-Pakistani Wars
• Islamic terrorism

Further reading

• Drew, Federic. 1877. “The Northern Barrier of India: a popular account of the Jammoo and Kashmir Territories with Illustrations.&;#8221; 1st edition: Edward Stanford, London. Reprint: Light & Life Publishers, Jammu. 1971.
• Dr. Ijaz Hussain, 1998, Kashmir Dispute: An International Law Perspective, National Institute of Pakistan Studies
• Alastair Lamb, Kashmir: A Disputed Legacy 1846-1990 (Hertingfordbury, Herts: Roxford Books, 1991)
• Kashmir Study Group, 1947–1997, the Kashmir dispute at fifty : charting paths to peace (New York, 1997)
• Jaspreet Singh, Seventeen Tomatoes– an unprecedented look inside the world of an army camp in Kashmir (Vehicle Press; Montreal, Canada, 2004)
• Navnita Behera, State, identity and violence : Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh (New Delhi: Manohar, 2000)
• Sumit Ganguly, The Crisis in Kashmir (Washington, D.C.: Woodrow Wilson Center Press; Cambridge : Cambridge U.P., 1997)
• Sumantra Bose, The challenge in Kashmir : democracy, self-determination and a just peace (New Delhi: Sage, 1997)
• Robert Johnson, 'A Region in Turmoil' (London and New York, Reaktion, 2005)
• Hans Köchler, The Kashmir Problem between Law and Realpolitik. Reflections on a Negotiated Settlement. Keynote speech delivered at the "Global Discourse on Kashmir 2008." European Parliament, Brussels, 1 April 2008.
• Prem Shankar Jha, Kashmir, 1947: rival versions of history (New Delhi : Oxford University Press, 1996)
• Manoj Joshi, The Lost Rebellion (New Delhi: Penguin India, 1999)
• Alexander Evans, Why Peace Won't Come to Kashmir, Current History (Vol 100, No 645) April 2001 p170-175.
• Younghusband, Francis and Molyneux, E. 1917. Kashmir. A. & C. Black, London.
• Victoria Schofield, Kashmir in Conflict I.B. Tauris, London.
• Victoria Schofield, Kashmir in the Crossfire, I.B. Tauris, London.
• Andrew Whitehead, A Mission in Kashmir, Penguin India, 2007
• Muhammad Ayub, An Army; Its Role & Rule (A History of the Pakistan Army from Independence to Kargil 1947-1999). Rosedog Books,Pittsburgh,pennsylvnia USA.2005.ISBN 0-8059-9594-3
• Kashmir Conflict, Homepage Washington Post.

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