Pakistan fears Kashmir fallout

The Line of Control has been quiet

By George Arney in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir

The guns are silent along the Line of Control that separates Indian and Pakistani forces.

A ceasefire has been observed by both sides here for the past nine months.

On the Pakistani side, we walked through the trench system with our Pakistani hosts and, showed ourselves quite openly to Indian soldiers in their post just a 100 metres away.

We waved; they waved back.

Despite the peaceful atmosphere in these mountains, Pakistani forces are on high alert.

Militant groups

One of Islamabad's main concerns in the current crisis is that India might take advantage of Pakistan's preoccupation with the situation over its other border with Afghanistan.

Kashmiri militants may be targets of anti-terror campaign

On our journey through the hills of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, we have seen no sign of any militant groups.

But the latest issue of Jane's Intelligence Review says that there are 91 militant training camps in this region.

One Pakistan-based militant group fighting in Kashmir, the Harakatul Mujahideen, has been identified by Washington as a terrorist group.

There is some concern in Islamabad that Kashmiri militant groups could come to be targeted by the US in its war against terrorism.

Last week, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said that some Kashmiri militant groups might be targets of the US anti-terrorist campaign.

But it is also hoped that a greater focus on this troubled region by the international community could increase the pressure for a negotiated settlement to this 54-year-old conflict.