Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Kashmir 'Curbs' to Be Lifted Gradually

VOA News

   Indian government officials say restrictions imposed on the
   Indian-controlled Kashmir region will be "lifted gradually."

   The Indian Supreme Court heard petitions Friday from Kashmir Times
   editor Anuradha Bhasin challenging the curbs imposed 12 days ago on
   Kashmir by India.

   A lawyer for Bhasin told the panel, according to the Deccan Chronicle
   newspaper, that communication systems need to be restored as soon as
   possible so journalists can do their jobs in the region that is claimed
   by both India and Pakistan.

   On Thursday, Pakistan said three of its soldiers were killed in clashes
   with India across the disputed Kashmir border, known as the Line of
   Control (LoC), amid increasing tensions between the two nations over
   the Himalayan region.

   A Pakistani army spokesman claimed five Indian soldiers also were
   killed in retaliatory fire. The Press Trust of India said late Thursday
   an Indian army spokesman told the news agency late Thursday that the
   report of five Indian soldiers killed was "fictitious."

   Also Thursday, Pakistan summoned the senior most Indian diplomat in
   Islamabad to the foreign ministry to condemn what an official statement
   described as "the unprovoked cease fire violations" by Indian forces in
   several sectors along the de facto Kashmir border. "The cease fire
   violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may
   lead to a strategic miscalculation," the statement said.
   Pakistan already has expelled the Indian high commissioner to Pakistan,
   and has suspended all bilateral trade and public transport links in
   response to India's recent actions in Kashmir.

.