Islamic schools in Pakistan have been playing an increasingly important role in the ongoing military clashes between India and Pakistan, over the disputed region of Kashmir.

The militants enjoy widespread support in Pakistan, particularly in the madrassas or Islamic schools.

11th century teachings

Many of the boys live in the madrassa from a young age

Hundreds of children sat cross-legged on the ground at one such madrassa, rhythmically chanting the Koran which they were learning by heart.

As dusk drew in,the minarets of a mosque glistened softly in the fading light.

Many of the boys would live in the madrassa from the age of six until sixteen.

University lecturer, Pervez Hoodboy, believed the madrassa would give them a very narrow education.

"They are providing an education which is basically unchanged from the eleventh century," Mr Hoodboy said.

"There is no science, very little arithmetic - instead, all the emphasis is on Koranic studies.

"It produces a student with a particular mindset. One who does not question, and who can by easily motivated into fighting to death," he said.

Jihad 'the only way'

Militant Islamic groups support the schools

Syed Chirauddin Shah, the mullah who ran the madrassa, looked on with pride as a ten year old boy recited the Koran.

He said he controlled their lives 24 hours a day, giving them discipline and a full religious hearing.

And should the boys want to fight in Kashmir, he said he would not stand in their way.

"When it is necessary for the safety of the country or for the protection of Islam, then when we allow them to do so, our students are ready to make every sacrifice," he said.

Not surprisingly, militant Islamic groups in Pakistan are enthusiastic about these schools. Twenty-two year old Asheval Ghauri, a trained fighter, said he wanted to go to seek martyrdom in Kashmir.

He was full of praise for the madrassas. "They are playing quite a role and they teach us that jihad - fighting - is the only way," he said.

Narrow version of Islam

The Koran forms the basis of teaching

In a typical Pakistani state school, students sat outside in the blistering heat for a maths lesson.

The teachers said they could barely cope with the number of pupils they have.

State schools are chronically under-funded and many parents think it is better to send their children to a madrassa where they could at least be sure their offspring get food.

Former Pakistani cabinet minister Abida Hussein admitted the madrassas were growing in influence.

"The numbers of young people coming out of the madrassas (are) increasing...children of the humblest and the poorest," she said.