"We have allowed the situation in Kashmir to fester for over half a century... We should have and we need today to apply more diplomatic effort to resolve that issue... This is one of the most dangerous situations on the globe," Chairman, U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee

SRINAGAR, Kashmir Times, Dec 31: The world over, the year 2001 has proved to be the most tumultuous one. In the state, as well, the year that has passed by took the heaviest toll of civilians, militants and security forces and thus far it is the bloodiest year in the history of turmoil in state.

Around 3500 people including civilians, militants and security forces lost their lives this year. Earlier, the highest annual toll during last 12 years was in 2000 when around 2760 people were killed.

As per the official figures some 27,000 persons were killed since the inception of militancy in the state. (Unofficially, however, both main stream and separatist political parties put the minimum number at 60,000). During the 11 years preceded by the year 2001, the annual average killings was around 2200.

The year that has passed by witnessed some of the fiercest encounters between security forces and militants leading to surge in their killings. For the first time the killings of security forces per year have crossed 500 mark.

Militants, similarly, suffered massive casualties and as per the official figures more than 2000 of them were killed. Less than 1000 civilians were also killed.

One off the reasons for the rise in casualties of security forces was due to introduction of Fidayeen attacks by militants, two years back. Of around 50 such attacks carried by militants thus far, which left more than 150 jawans dead, majority were carried this year alone.

Some major attacks included the ones at SOG camp Handwara and Ramban when more than 20 army and SOG men lost their lives. The latter, it is recalled, was carried on the national highway - which was one of the favorite targets of militants this year.

One attack that will be remembered for a long time was the one on the state assembly complex here on October 1 in which 39 persons, 23 of whom were civilians, got killed. Around 50 persons were also injured.

The spine-chilling incident saw some militants dressed in police uniform entering the premises of the complex after a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the gate. The attack was carried when both the houses of the state legislature were in session. While chief minister and most of his senior ministers had left the spot at the time of attack, some legislators, who were within the complex escaped unhurt.

The year was even more fatal for the militants who, according to official figures, lost more than 2000 men. This is the highest casuality of militants in any year. Around 11,800 militants were killed in the first 11 years of militancy putting their average annual killings at less than 11,00.

On every new year eve, Kashmiris have been hoping for a peaceful year ahead. This time, however, this feeling is also missing due to apprehensions of a looming Indo-Pak war. If there is an outbreak of a war, new year could be far more bloodiest.

WASHINGTON, Dec 31 (Reuters): The head of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee said that Washington needed to expend more diplomatic effort to resolve the Indo-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir, saying it had become "one of the most dangerous situations on the globe."

"Americans should be gravely concerned," Sen. Bob Graham, a Florida democrat, told CNN’s "Late Edition yesterday."

"We have allowed the situation in Kashmir to fester for over half a century," he said. "We should have and we need today to apply more diplomatic effort to resolve that issue."

"This is one of the most dangerous situations on the globe," he added, noting that the two nuclear neighbors have fought three wars, but "have never gone to war with the capability that they have today."

Tensions between india and Pakistan have been worsening since December. 13, when gunmen attacked the Indian parliament, leaving 14 people dead, including the five assailants. India has blamed a Pakistan-based Kashmiri separatist group for the attack.

Pakistan foreign minister Abdul Sattar, in an interview taped on Saturday with CNN, condemned the "reprehensible terrorist attack at the Indian parliament" and said his government would work to "ensure that the accused are brought to justice."

But Sattar rejected suggestions that Pakistan’s government or intelligence officials were in any way responsible for the attack.

Pressed during the interview whether Pakistan would renounce the first use of nuclear weapons against India, Sattar responded, "we are in favor of no first use of force, any kind of force."

Sattar and Jaitley agreed that the United States and the United Nations should play an active role in trying to ease the tensions between India and Pakistan.

Mid-East Realities

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Source: http://www.middleeast.org/articles/2002/1/540.htm