Posted on 10/11/2005 12:58:15 PM PDT by SmithL
SRINAGAR, India -- The massive earthquake that rocked Kashmir appears to have dealt a blow to the disputed region's Islamic militants, ripping through their heartland along the mountainous frontier and wrecking their network of camps, safe houses and weapons caches.
One former militant said Tuesday that a temporary rebel cease-fire called after the quake was a "clear sign they are in trouble."
But he and other one-time rebels, Western diplomats and Indian officials cautioned that any setback to the insurgents — who work in small, flexible cells — is likely to be merely temporary.
And even if they can't launch major attacks, the surviving rebels in Indian Kashmir would press their fight, most agreed, citing scattered violence in recent days.
"Their struggle runs deep and is strong felt," said Shahid ul-Islam, the former militant and a former lawyer who now leads a nonviolent separatist group.
Dozens of militant groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmir's independence from India or its merger with Pakistan, a conflict that has killed more than 66,000 people. The Himalayan territory is divided between India and Pakistan by a cease-fire line known as the Line of Control that has become a de facto militarized border.
While U.S. officials have said that outlawed Pakistani extremists groups in Kashmir may be hiding al-Qaida leaders and training its foot soldiers, Pakistani leaders say no link between Osama bin Laden's terror network and the militants has been established.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
"Pakistani leaders say no link between Osama bin Laden's terror network and the militants has been established."
Rubbish. They all work together. And Pakistani intelligence
supports them all.
Jehovah Strikes Back!
Maybe Osama's sandstone caves all collapsed!!! With all of their goodies too.............
I hear that's where Bin Laden was hiding out....one can only hope.
Unfortunately we will only have a real clue a year from now when no new (datable) OML videos surface.
When the issue first arose, I supported Kashmiri independence, because it seemed to be the right thing to let the people decide. After reconsidering the history of Muslim terrorism, I no longer sympathize.
One of the reasons the Paki Army is rather queasy about letting foreigners supply too much assistance.
Running into a jihadi training center in a Paki Military Compound would make for some embarrassing moments.
Gee...that's too bad.
I'm hoping -- I was sitting back and being quiet about this quake being in the heart of a hot bed of terrorists. Of these 20,000 dead,I have to wonder how many of they were militants? And now we have somewhat of a definative answer.
Yeah, Shiite happens;)
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