INDIA: KASHMIR CONFLICT UPDATE

Описание: (25 Jul 1999) Hindi/Nat

Thousands of people living in Indian controlled Kashmir say they have had to flee their homes in fear of their lives after shelling from the Pakistani side of the line of control which divides the disputed territory.

The refugees have found shelter with people living in villages further from the fighting between Indian troops and Islamic militants.

Some have had to take refuge in schools.

Thousands of people are now fleeing Kashmir, in fear of their lives.

Locals from villagers in the disputed valley are seeking shelter elsewhere as fighting between Indian troops and Islamic militants continues.

They say they have left all their possessions, and their valuable livestock behind.

In the town of Drass, close to the line of control, only Indian soldiers remain.

Some refugees had returned after a lull in the fighting, but left again after the aerial assault began on Saturday.

Two men who had fled from the village of Kharbu, also close to the line of control, said the shelling from the Pakistani side had forced them out.

SOUNDBITE: (Hindi)
"There has been heavy firing from Pakistan. We couldn't stay there so all of us villagers came to a safer place."
SUPER CAPTION: Haji Ghulam Rasool, Refugee

SOUNDBITE: (Hindi)
"How can we go back? The shelling is still going on. Things are uncertain."
SUPER CAPTION: Ghulam Qadir, Refugee

The recent violence started in May after Islamic insurgents snuck into Indian mountain posts abandoned during the winter and attacked the Indians when they tried to return.

India responded with massive airstrikes and ground attacks, threatening a full-blown war with Pakistan.

After ten weeks of bitter fighting over the disputed territory, India has evicted most of the intruders from its territory.

But small pockets of guerrillas are still clinging to their positions and artillery duels continue.

India has accused Pakistan of training and arming the Islamic militants who have fought for independence in Kashmir since 1989.

India says the infiltrators were mostly Pakistani soldiers.

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