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Villagers Tired of Living Dangerously Along Kashmir Frontier

Associated Press

   CHAKOTHI, PAKISTANI KASHMIR - Villagers in Chakothi in
   Pakistan-controlled Kashmir are frustrated with living in constant fear
   of fighting along the heavily militarized frontier in the disputed
   Himalayan region.

   Their situation has been exacerbated since India's government, led by
   the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, imposed a security
   lockdown and communications blackout just over the Line of Control from
   Chakothi in Indian-controlled Kashmir, which is majority Muslim.

   The move followed the Indian government's Aug. 5 decision to downgrade
   the region's autonomy, raising tensions with Pakistan and touching off
   anger in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.

   "India has been killing our brothers and sisters in Indian-occupied
   Kashmir and the world is silent," 65-year-old Mohammad Nazir Minhas
   told reporters Thursday. "It compels us to say that freedom will come
   only through war. We are ready."

   Journalists were escorted to the village in Pakistan-held Kashmir by
   the military to show them the plight of villagers living along the
   frontier. From where Minhas stood, an Indian post could be seen without
   using binoculars.

   Kashmir is split between Pakistan and India and claimed by both in its
   entirety. Pakistan and India have fought two of their three wars over
   the disputed region since gaining independence from British rule in
   1947.

   India on Thursday said it has information that Pakistan is trying to
   infiltrate "terrorists" into the country to carry out attacks amid
   rising tensions between the two countries.

   Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Ghafoor rejected the Indian claims, saying
   Pakistan was a responsible state and "we would be insane to allow
   infiltration" across the Line of Control.

   Minhas, who said he lost his daughter in 1971 when she was shot in the
   chest by a soldier firing from the Indian side, is among local Kashmir
   residents who say they often spend sleepless nights because of nearby
   skirmishes between Pakistani and Indian forces.

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