|
|
Kashmir dispute is the only reason of three wars
between between India and Pakistan.It is still unresolved at the tables
of the United Nations.The last few years, and particularly during the
1990s, the issue of Kashmir has been brought to the forefront of world
agenda by the freedom struggle of Kashmiri fighters, fighting in the
Indian occupied Kashmir. This freedom struggle against this brute Indian
force, now in excess of 700,000 troops, demands the fulfillment of UN
Resolutions and of Indian commitments to give them the opportunity to
decide their political future through a fair and free plebiscite. This
plebiscite to be held under UN auspices, is mandated by the UN Security
Council Resolutions of August 13, 1948 and January 05, 1949.
The freedom struggle gained further momentum in 1999 when the freedom
fighters, in probably the most brilliant and courageous maneuver in
modern military history, made high-altitude conquests, and captured a
high ground of 140 kilometers stretch of 4,500 meters high mountain
ridges near the strategic Indian-held garrison towns of Kargil and Drass.
These towns lie on the only usable road between Srinagar, capital of
Indian occupied Kashmir, and to the East. This threatened India’s main
supply route to its forces on the Chinese border.
The occupation by the Kashmiri freedom fighters came as a “Spring
Surprise” to the Indian patrols. During the winter freeze the area is
abandoned by Indian patrols and isolated from the rest of Indian
occupied Kashmir. In the beginning of May 1999, when the Indian forces
returned to the mountains, they were surprised to find around 600
Kashmiri freedom fighters, occupying a territory 5 km inside Indian
occupied Kashmir. India alleged that these “militants” were sponsored by
Pakistan, and that these militants crossed the provisional borderline,
the “line of control”, in an attempt to alter the de facto border by
force. The Government of Pakistan stated that it was not involved in any
way and clarified that it is only the moral, diplomatic and political
support that the Government of Pakistan continues to extend to Kashmiri
freedom fighters for their cause of self-determination. It further
clarified that the heights near Kargil were occupied by indigenous
Kashmiri freedom fighters. On May 26, 1999, India resorted to air
strikes to drive out the freedom fighters. During this episode, two
Indian aircrafts entered the territory of Pakistan, one of which was
shot down.
The situation across the line of control became tense and several
innocent civilians became the target of indiscriminate Indian shelling.
The conflict posed a threat to the region of South Asia.
International community was concerned about the escalation of the
conflict between the two newly declared nuclear powers, India and
Pakistan. Talks, however, resumed between India and Pakistan in summers
1999 and efforts were made to resolve the crises. International
intervention, most notably from the President of United States, Bill
Clinton, persuaded Pakistan to use its influence on the freedom fighters
to avert a full-scale war with India.
In July-August 1999,The freedom fighters had to vacate the captured
territory of Kargil.
|
