Violence In India's Kashmir Province Increases

Indian soldiers patrol a deserted street in Srinagar, during a general strike called by a main separatist alliance. Hundreds of thousands of people massed in Indian Kashmir's main city on Friday to demand "azadi" or freedom and protest against New Delhi's rule in the second major demonstration this week. (AFP/Rouf Bhat)

8 Die As Indian Soldiers, Kashmir Separatists Clash -- CNN

SRINIGAR, Kashmir (CNN) -- A senior Indian Army officer, two Indian Army soldiers and five separatist militants were killed in the Machil sector of the Line of Control in Indian-administered Kashmir Friday, the Indian Defense Ministry said.

A ministry spokesman said the army intercepted a group of infiltrators near the Line of Control between Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir early Friday and challenged them.

"The group of militants opened fire at the surrounding troops, resulting in an on-the-spot death of an Army colonel and two soldiers," Lt. Col. A.K. Mathar said in Srinigar. "In the subsequent gunbattle, five militants were killed. A search operation is now on in the Machil area of the North Kashmir Kupwara district," he said.

India has often accused neighboring Pakistan of aiding and abetting militants in Kashmir, a charge denied by Pakistani officials. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since 1948. The insurgents want to see India's part of the region merged with Pakistan or given independence.

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More News On The Province Of Kashmir

200,000 Muslims protest Indian rule in Kashmir -- Yahoo News/AP
Crowds of Muslims protest Indian rule in Kashmir -- Washington Post
Thousands mass for Kashmir separatist rally, crying 'freedom' -- Yahoo News/AFP
Scores march for Kashmir's independence -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Kashmir Rumbles, Rattling Old Rivals -- New York Times
Protesters Rally to End Indian Rule Over Kashmir -- Voice Of America
Kashmir Disorder -- Wall Street Journal
Kashmir - missed chances for peace -- BBC News

My Comment: The separatist movement in Kashmir is incredibly strong. The population is 95% Muslim, and they have no desire to stay with India. India has another opinion, and it is because of this difference in opinion that has resulted in violence and ethnic warfare.

Because both parties have no interest in negotiations .... expect more violence and ethnic strife.