Posted on 05/05/2003 6:55:51 PM PDT by miltonim
1 Dead, 17 Wounded in Attack at Kashmir Bus Station
Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir are blaming Islamic militants for Monday's bomb attack in the disputed Himalayan region.
Police say one person was killed and at least 17 others wounded, four of them seriously, when a small bomb tore through a crowded bus station in the town of Doda. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
A number of groups are fighting for Kashmir's independence from India. New Delhi accuses Pakistan of sending militants to fight Indian rule in the disputed territory. Pakistan denies the charge.
Kashmir is expected to be at the top of the agenda when Pakistani Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali meets today with all parties represented in parliament to discuss a unified stand for talks with India.
The surprise meeting was announced Sunday, just two days after Mr. Jamali invited his Indian counterpart, Atal Behari Vajpayee, for a high-level dialogue on differences between the two countries.
Mr. Vajpayee responded by urging "careful preparation" for such talks, and reiterated his call for an end to what called "cross-border terrorism" by Pakistan.
The rival nuclear-capable neighbors have fought two of their three wars over the divided Himalayan region.
The United States has welcomed the latest moves to ease tensions, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage is due in the region in the next several days.
The peace initiatives between the arch-rivals began two weeks ago, when Mr. Vajpayee offered a "hand of friendship" to Pakistan and Mr. Jamali initiated a telephone call to the Indian prime minister.
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