Ten Die in Kashmiri Fighter Attacks on Indian Targets

25/11/2002| IslamWeb

At least 10 people died when suspected Kashmiri nationalist fighters attacked two Hindu temples in Indian-ruled Kashmir on Sunday as Kashmiri fighters warned a new state government the long anti-Indian revolt was not dead. Nearly five hours after the first temple was attacked in the 150-year-old Raghunath temple complex, gunfire continued at another temple 200 metres (218 yards) away in the heart of Jammu, winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir state.

Kashmir has been the trigger for two of three wars between India and Pakistan and was at the heart of a military build-up that brought the nuclear neighbours close to war in June.

Five civilians and one security officer were killed in the first raid at 7:00 p.m. (1330 GMT) and another officer was killed in the second, police said. Two other civilians died later in hospital. At least 45 people were injured.

One of two Kashmiri fighters was killed in the first attack. It was not clear if the other fighter was involved in the second battle.

Indian police said they had imposed a curfew in Jammu city.

SPATE OF ATTACKS

An assortment of resistance groups have been fighting for Kashmir's independence or merger with Pakistan since late 1989.

More than 35,000 people have died. Kashmiri nationalists put the toll at over 80,000.

A spate of attacks over the past 48 hours has killed more than 40 people, including the temple victims and 12 people in a bus blown up by a landmine.

The fighters said the landmine blast was a message to Kashmir's new chief minister who has vowed to bring peace to the Indian-ruled province.

Two resistance -- Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-e-Jehad Islami -- claimed responsibility for the blast that killed 12 people including six soldiers.

Although still pro-Delhi, the governor's new coalition has raised hopes for a change after a watershed state poll in September and October ended decades of hardline pro-Indian rule.

PHOTO CAPTION

Indian soldiers and local residents attend to an injured pilgrim after an attack on a Hindu temple in Jammu, the winter capital of Indian-ruled state of Jammu and Kashmir early on November 24. REUTERS/Arun Sin