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| India and Pakistan trade accusations after Kashmir border skirmishes | India and Pakistan trade accusations after Kashmir border skirmishes |
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| A Pakistani soldier was shot dead by Indian troops on Thursday, the Pakistani army said; the latest casualty from a sudden flare-up of tension on a disputed section of the border between the two countries. | A Pakistani soldier was shot dead by Indian troops on Thursday, the Pakistani army said; the latest casualty from a sudden flare-up of tension on a disputed section of the border between the two countries. |
| The incident occurred despite strong diplomatic efforts in recent days by New Delhi and Islamabad to cool tempers after an outbreak of deadly violence on the Line of Control that separates the two nations in the divided province of Kashmir. | The incident occurred despite strong diplomatic efforts in recent days by New Delhi and Islamabad to cool tempers after an outbreak of deadly violence on the Line of Control that separates the two nations in the divided province of Kashmir. |
| A Pakistani army statement said one of its soldiers, named as Havildar Mohyuddin, died at 2.40pm "due to unprovoked firing by Indian troops" in an area known as Hotspring Tatapani. It followed an incident on Sunday when Pakistan accused Indian troops of raiding one of its checkposts and killing a soldier. | A Pakistani army statement said one of its soldiers, named as Havildar Mohyuddin, died at 2.40pm "due to unprovoked firing by Indian troops" in an area known as Hotspring Tatapani. It followed an incident on Sunday when Pakistan accused Indian troops of raiding one of its checkposts and killing a soldier. |
| On Tuesday, India said Pakistani soldiers crossed into its territory, attacked an Indian patrol and killed two soldiers – one of whom they claim was beheaded. | On Tuesday, India said Pakistani soldiers crossed into its territory, attacked an Indian patrol and killed two soldiers – one of whom they claim was beheaded. |
| The outbreak of tit-for-tat violence has raised alarm around the world, not least among western policy makers who hope a gradual rapprochement between the two historic rivals could help stabilise a region beset by militancy and terrorism. | The outbreak of tit-for-tat violence has raised alarm around the world, not least among western policy makers who hope a gradual rapprochement between the two historic rivals could help stabilise a region beset by militancy and terrorism. |
| Analysts expressed surprise as both countries have been trying to improve relations in recent months and have agreed in principal to an historic expansion of cross-border trade. Plus, the two countries just completed an amicable cricket series in India. | Analysts expressed surprise as both countries have been trying to improve relations in recent months and have agreed in principal to an historic expansion of cross-border trade. Plus, the two countries just completed an amicable cricket series in India. |
| Aziz Ahmed Khan, a former Pakistani high commissioner to New Delhi, said an accident or "act of stupid bravado" by officers on the ground could have triggered the violence. But senior Indian officials said tensions had been rising for several months. Delhi often accuses Pakistani forces of using firefights or artillery duels to allow Islamic extremists to cross the border. | Aziz Ahmed Khan, a former Pakistani high commissioner to New Delhi, said an accident or "act of stupid bravado" by officers on the ground could have triggered the violence. But senior Indian officials said tensions had been rising for several months. Delhi often accuses Pakistani forces of using firefights or artillery duels to allow Islamic extremists to cross the border. |
| "There's been an increase in ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts in 2012 over 2011," Shivshankar Menon, India's national security adviser, told a media conference in New Delhi on Thursday. | "There's been an increase in ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts in 2012 over 2011," Shivshankar Menon, India's national security adviser, told a media conference in New Delhi on Thursday. |
| Ashok Behuria, of the Delhi-based Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, said that "looking at the way the [de facto border] has been hotting up in recent months" it was clear there was "method in the madness". | Ashok Behuria, of the Delhi-based Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, said that "looking at the way the [de facto border] has been hotting up in recent months" it was clear there was "method in the madness". |
| "It is possibly linked with the 2014 withdrawal of Nato troops from Afghanistan as the Pakistani security establishment is redirecting the attention of jihadi militants [to Kashmir]," he said. | "It is possibly linked with the 2014 withdrawal of Nato troops from Afghanistan as the Pakistani security establishment is redirecting the attention of jihadi militants [to Kashmir]," he said. |
| Indian officials said that Pakistani militants could be to blame for the killing of the two soldiers. They said Hafiz Saeed, the founder of banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, had recently visited Kashmir, potentially to incite violence. | Indian officials said that Pakistani militants could be to blame for the killing of the two soldiers. They said Hafiz Saeed, the founder of banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, had recently visited Kashmir, potentially to incite violence. |
| Indian press reports have indicated that a raid ordered by a local Indian commander may have led to the death of a Pakistani soldier at the weekend, triggering Pakistani retaliatory action. One report, in | Indian press reports have indicated that a raid ordered by a local Indian commander may have led to the death of a Pakistani soldier at the weekend, triggering Pakistani retaliatory action. One report, in |
| The Hindu newspaper, said that tensions had been raised in recent months in the sector where the raid took place, due to new observation positions being built by Indian forces, who were concerned after an elderly woman repeatedly crossed the heavily defended zone between the two armies. Such construction is a possible breach of ceasefire terms agreed in 2003. | The Hindu newspaper, said that tensions had been raised in recent months in the sector where the raid took place, due to new observation positions being built by Indian forces, who were concerned after an elderly woman repeatedly crossed the heavily defended zone between the two armies. Such construction is a possible breach of ceasefire terms agreed in 2003. |
| Chidambaram denied Indian troops had committed any violation of the ceasefire agreement. | Chidambaram denied Indian troops had committed any violation of the ceasefire agreement. |
| In India, the clashes have provoked an outpouring of anger and loud calls for retaliation. It is unlikely however that Delhi will seek any further escalation of the crisis. Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister, has personally invested considerable political capital in a rapprochement with Pakistan. | In India, the clashes have provoked an outpouring of anger and loud calls for retaliation. It is unlikely however that Delhi will seek any further escalation of the crisis. Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister, has personally invested considerable political capital in a rapprochement with Pakistan. |
| India's policy has been to "de-link" trade from sensitive issues such as Kashmir and water disputes. | India's policy has been to "de-link" trade from sensitive issues such as Kashmir and water disputes. |
| The long-running insurgency in Kashmir has also diminished dramatically in strength in recent years with casualties dropping to almost negligible levels. Since rioting in the spring and summer of 2010 the key city of Srinagar has been quiet and returning tourists have boosted the local economy. | The long-running insurgency in Kashmir has also diminished dramatically in strength in recent years with casualties dropping to almost negligible levels. Since rioting in the spring and summer of 2010 the key city of Srinagar has been quiet and returning tourists have boosted the local economy. |
| Relations have warmed over recent years since a nascent peace process went into deep freeze following the 2008 Mumbai attacks. "I think there are elements within the Pakistani security establishment who do not want the peace process to continue," said Behuria. | Relations have warmed over recent years since a nascent peace process went into deep freeze following the 2008 Mumbai attacks. "I think there are elements within the Pakistani security establishment who do not want the peace process to continue," said Behuria. |
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