Tahir Mohiuddin, 50, edits the Urdu-language weekly newspaper, Chattan, one of the most widely-read Urdu publications in Kashmir. A political commentator on Kashmir, Mr Mohiuddin has been threatened by militants and beaten by the Indian security forces for taking a strong line against both. The events of 11 September have had a major part to play in Kashmir. Following the action of al-Qaeda and the Taleban, South Asia has come into international focus. Before that the Americans and the Europeans had very little interest in this region. Their focus was on Europe and, to a certain extent, the Middle East. I think people here in Kashmir and the peace-loving people of both India and Pakistan expect the international community to intervene Listen to audio Real 28k  Now every week an American dignitary or British minister visits Islamabad, Delhi and Kashmir. They say they want to reduce the tension and set things right here. I think people here in Kashmir and the peace-loving people of both India and Pakistan expect the international community to intervene and do everything necessary to bring these two warring neighbours to the negotiating table. They should stress to these two countries that now that the world has changed and is heading in a certain direction, India and Pakistan should avoid confrontation and seek permanent peace. And for that, the resolution of the Kashmir issue is essential. So for the interest of the whole subcontinent it is imperative that this problem be solved and solved amicably between all three parties - India, Pakistan and Kashmir. The international community has a large role to play in that. Battling the mujahideen Following the events of 11 September, Pakistan has come under tremendous international pressure to act against the mujahideen who were coming into Kashmir from across the Line of Control. Even as India built up its forces along its border with Pakistan, General Musharraf came under pressure from the West to stop his country's patronage of the mujahideen and close down their operations. The effects of this shift in Pakistan's policy can now be seen on the ground in Kashmir. Militant attacks have still continued but their level has come down and there are fewer attacks than before 11 September. Earlier fidayeen or suicide bombers would target the security forces and army installations. Those kinds of attacks have now come down. However, although attacks on the security forces have come down, attacks on civilians have increased. And the Kashmiris' alienation from India has not come down at all. It is really tragic that the Indian Government has not taken any steps to deal with this issue with any seriousness. Waning support for Pakistan In 1989, around when the armed struggle began against Indian rule, you would have found very few Kashmiris who were not pro-Pakistan. But things have really changed in these past few years. For one thing, the notion of an independent Kashmir has become very attractive to a majority of Kashmiris. The other thing is that, many here used to view Pakistan as a friend and supporter, and as sympathetic to the Kashmir cause. But in the past few years, many innocent people have lost their lives to the bullets of the militants. And with Pakistan being seen to back the militants, people have turned against their one-time friend and supporter.