Daily
Wednesday,8
Linking Kashmir Poslnrc Wilb Nuclear Capability
Prime Minister Vajpayee yesterday gave hardlineraster Advani full responsibility for Kashmir policy, including approval authority for cross-border raids and "ho! pursuit" across the Line of Control. Advani last week announced the nuclear tests had "usheredew era in Iitdo-Pak relations" and explicitly linked India's nuclear capability withasting solution to the Kashmir problem"
Vajpayee last week took Kashmir Chief Ministerwho lacks any connection lo the scientific, defense, or nuclearan official visit to the test site.
has said his goals for Kashmir include dealing with Pakistan's "proxymproving economic development, and resettling Kashmiri Hindu refugees who had fled violeoce in the state. Advanl's rhetoric and refusal to talk with militants and Kashmiri political separatists suggest Jn^wuld not support nonmilUary options to resolve the Kashmir issue.
Islamabad considers the Bharatiya Janata Party's tough talk on Kashmir proof that /Vew Delhi Is employing "nuclear blackmail" to resolve the dispute. Army Chief Kniamat toured frontline units in Kashmir yesterday and urged vigilance against Indian aggression.
Islamabad's past behavior suggests il will not bach down in Ihe face of Indian ihreals and may raise the slakes by stepping up infiltration of militants across the Kashmir Line of Control to launch high-profile assassinations, kidnappings, or bombings against civilian targets in India.
Several major incidents this yearignificant withdrawal of security forces from Kashmir unlikely Militanls have conducted several high-profile attacks on civilians, and entire families of Kashmiri Hindus have been massacred Pakistani journalistslaughterillagers in the Pakistani pari of Kashmir this monthetaliatory strike by pro-Indian countermilitanlsl
APPROVED FOR PFIfnSt DATE:1
Original document.
Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic: