Cease-fire generates hope in troubled Kashmir

Kashmir's scenic appeal has been overshadowed by years of fighting

SRINAGAR, India (AP) -- With Kashmir's main militant group having declared a cease-fire, hundreds of joyous Kashmiris set out Sunday for holiday resorts -- their first relaxed weekend outing in 11 years of fighting between Indian forces and separatist guerrillas.

The cease-fire "has taken some fear out of the minds of people," said Ali Mohammed, a taxi driver, as he cleaned his vehicle and waited to pick up passengers.

Mohammed Rasool was boarding a bus with his wife and two children for the skiing resort of Gulmarg. "I am confident that we won't be attacked by either side," he said.

Such peace of mind is unusual in this Himalayan province, the flashpoint of tensions between India and Pakistan and the site of a guerrilla uprising that has claimed more than 25,000 lives in the last decade.

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A 1972 line divides the mountainous province between India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars since 1947 and skirmished last summer. India controls two-thirds of Kashmir, Pakistan the rest, and both sides claim the entire territory.

A dozen separatist groups want Kashmir to be independent or merge with Pakistan, and many have fought Indian troops for years. But on Tuesday one of the groups -- Hezb-ul Mujahedeen, until now branded the most dreaded militant group in Kashmir -- declared a cease-fire.

Other groups have vowed to keep fighting. But the Hezb-ul Mujahedeen cease-fire seems to be holding, raising hopes of India and the separatist organizations opening a dialogue to settle the dispute here.

A series of quick diplomatic breakthroughs seem to have been triggered by Hezb-ul Mujahedeen's cease-fire declaration. On Friday, India's Interior Ministry invited all militant groups and political leaders in Kashmir to hold discussions with the government. Kashmir's top umbrella group of political and separatist organizations accepted the invitation Saturday, and India's top military commander in Kashmir said operations against the Hezb-ul Mujahedeen had been suspended.

A 1972 line divides the mountainous province between India and Pakistan

Saleem Hashmi, a spokesman for the Hezb-ul Mujahedeen, said Sunday that any talks on the future of Indian-ruled Kashmir should be unconditional. The group will review its decision if New Delhi sets conditions for talks over the disputed region, he said.

"It depends now on how India puts the blocks on this foundation," said Yusuf Jameel, a local journalist. "Since nothing was emerging out of fighting, pressure from Western countries seems to have worked on Pakistan and the militants."

But the contours of a possible solution are anybody's guess. Some politicians want the existing cease-fire line dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan turned into an international border. The state legislature in Kashmir wants the federal government to give wide autonomy to the Kashmir valley, controlling only defense, currency and communications. Several militant groups want India agree to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir to ascertain the wishes of people.

Whatever the resolution, the possibility of peace has some Kashmiris looking to the future.

"I hope there won't be any more midnight knocks at my door by the Indian security forces," said Faiz Ahmed, 28, a textiles salesman.

Others are hoping for the chance to make a living again.

Tourism was the main source of income for most of the 5 million residents of Kashmir, known as the Switzerland of the East. But tourists, fearing attacks and kidnappings, have shunned Kashmir since the insurgency broke out in 1989. Five years ago, four western tourists were abducted by a pro-Pakistan militant group and never seen again.

Fighting in Kashmir has claimed over 25,000 lives in the last decade

"We have grown old sitting at home without work," said Mohammed, the 40-year-old taxi driver.

Both Mohammed and Ahmed live in the downtown district of Bahri Kadal, which was known as India's Beirut after the outbreak of the militancy. The militants openly challenged the Indian forces for the first time in Bahri Kadal in December 1989, displaying their guns and firing in the air while driving through the crowded district.

Abdul Ghani Bhat, the chairman of the umbrella group representing political and separatist organizations here, has said the cease-fire announced by the Hezb-ul Mujahedeen and the positive Indian reaction were prodded by interest from the West and China. Analyst Ali Imran said the thaw follows what may have been heavy maneuvering in the background by the United States after President Clinton visited India and Pakistan in March.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is scheduled to meet Clinton again during his official visit to Washington in September. They are expected to discuss progress on the Kashmir issue.

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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CIA World Factbook: India
CIA World Factbook: Pakistan
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