SRINAGAR, July 19: A 20-month-old peace process between India and Pakistan is not at risk from a sudden spurt of incursions by Muslim militants into Indian Kashmir from Pakistan, an Indian army general said on Tuesday.
Lt-Gen S.S. Dhillon said the incursions and guerrilla violence would have to be on a much bigger level to derail the peace process that has led to better transport, sporting and commercial links between the nuclear rivals.
“This infiltration, I think is something which will not impact the peace process,” Gen Dhillon, head of the 15 corps guarding the ceasefire line in Kashmir, told a news conference.
“It will have to be something far more violent or sensational than this routine infiltration. I think it will continue for some time and it should not affect the peace process.”
Nearly three dozen militants trying to sneak into Indian Kashmir have been killed on the military Line of Control, which divides the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan, in a series of clashes with the army over the past 10 days.
The Indian government has consistently said Pakistan has to live up to its promise to stop the flow of Muslim militants into its part of Kashmir to join the nearly 16 year revolt there. But Pakistan accused Indian soldiers of crossing the ceasefire line in Kashmir to seize a villager, and on Tuesday lodged a diplomatic protest over the incident. “The sudden spurt of infiltration because of the opening of the passes is happening a little late this year, because of heavy snowfall during the winter,” he said.
Islamabad denies Indian charges that it gives material support to guerrillas fighting New Delhi’s rule in Kashmir.
“I would like to state and state with all the vehemence at my disposal, I am quite certain that they (the Pakistan army) are not unaware of this infiltration,” Gen Dhillon said.— Reuters
