LAHORE: The Pakistan government has set May 31 (today) as the deadline for all militant groups based in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to wind up their camps, but the outfits have vowed to resist any crackdown against them strongly.
| "Ain't nobody tells us what to do!" |
The Press Trust of India said though there was no official word from Pakistan on the deadline, highly placed sources in ruling Muslim Conference said the Pakistan government was âfirmâ in its resolve not to allow groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad and other splinter groups to operate from Pakistanâs soil. The paper said the militants were told that they would not be allowed to operate. According to SANA, the crackdown was aimed at preparing ground for the forthcoming Pakistan-India peace talks. It said the militant groups opposed the orders strongly.
| "Peace talks? What do we need peace talks for? We're busy killing people!" |
Meanwhile, Kashmiri militants, for the first time, say Pakistani authorities are trying to stop them from crossing over into the Held Kashmir, and accuse Islamabad of betraying their âbloody struggle.â As snows melt in the Himalayan mountains infiltration usually picks up, and with it violence in Kashmir, that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since 1989. âSince early April, the militants are not being allowed to cross over the LoC,â a senior official of the banned LT told journalists. âSummer is the time when Pakistani Mujahideen cross into Kashmir to help Kashmiri fighters. It is a big blow,â he said.
| "It's tradition, y'know? How can you go against tradition?" |
There is no independent confirmation of the claim. India says the infiltration has begun again this year. The United States, which has led international efforts for peace in South Asia, says the infiltration is down but has not completely stopped. Ameeruddin Mughal, a member of the banned Harkatul Mujahideen, told Reuters Islamabad was betraying Kashmiris but vowed the militants would defy the government order. âBy not letting us cross into the Held Kashmir, Pakistan is demoralising Kashmiris,â Mr Mughal added. |