ISLAMABAD: The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front das called off its plan to cross into India to liberate Kashmir following Pakistan’s tough stand against the move.

The Pakistani police opened fire on militants trying to cross the line of control into India killing three of them doctors said report agencies.

They said at least 12 persons were hit by gunfire among at least 50 on Wednesday in clashes between the police and marchers.

Unconfirmed reports however put the number of dead in firing at 10.

Two of the dead were youths shot in the head as the militants pushed back security forces the doctors said.

Two policemen were among more than 20 people seriously hurt in the clash including a senior government official nearly lynched by the enraged crowd after he fell from a cliff where his men were throwing rocks on the protesters.

APTI report quoting government sources said that nobody had crossed over to the line of control in Kashmir emphatically denying reports that a group of militants managed to come over to the Indian side.

The situation on the Indian side is peaceful and director generals of military operations of India and Pakistan are in constant touch an official spokesman said.

According to reports received in Delhi about 15000 people had assembled at Chakoll last Pakistani check post near the line of control but they were pushed back by the Pakistani security forces.

Earlier the main caravan of the JKLF led by its chief Amanullah Khan had reached Chinari a couple of kilometers from the line of control and are expected to make an attempt to cross the border. Khan and his deputy Raja Mauzzafar told reporters in Chinari that they would move toward the international border after addressing a public meeting.

Later Khan told reporters in Chinari that he along with other activists was determined to “accomplish their goal.”

A big clash between about 2000 JKLF supporters and PAK authorities took place at Jaskoof bridge near the L.C. and the police lathi charged and tear gassed the procession which resulted in many injuries.

A senior foreign office spokesman reiterated that Islamabad would not allow the JKLF to cross the L.C. and prevent any untoward incident occurring there.

The PAK administration had blocked all incoming roads by putting up hurdles and also exploding rocks to create landslides atabout45 points including Garhi Doppata Hattlan Chinari and Chakothi from where the JKLF activists have announced their plan to move into India.

In Srinagar three persons one of them security men were injured as supporters of the JKLF violated curfew and clashed with security men in the city an official spokesman told reporters here. The authorities re-imposed curfew from 10:30 a.m. in the areas falling under police stations of Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar and Batmaloo area coming under the jurisdiction of Shergahri as a precautionary measure he said.

Militants hurled a: grenade at security forces at Bagyas Chattabl. The attack was followed by the exchange of fire in which two pedestrians and a security man were injured.

Soon after the announcement was made through the electronic media that curfew has been lifted from Srinagar City people came out in large numbers at Khana Molla Rajourikadal MR. Gun Soura Zimmar All Masjid Idgah Wallahadal Kari Massar in down town Srinagar and Batmaloo Saribala Mahjoor Nagar Natipora Rambagh.

 

Article extracted from this publication >> February 21, 1992