India-Pakistan: November 18, 2003

Archives

India reports that Kashmir violence is down 16 percent in the last year versus the previous year. In the last year, there were 3,468 violent incidents, that left 1,501 rebels dead. In the previous year, there were 4,111 incidents. Civilian deaths fell 17 percent (from 1,064 to 885). Security troops suffered 23 percent fewer fatalities (from 550 to 425). Much of the credit for the decline is being given to the new administrator of Kashmir, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. He has preached peace and healing, and has had an effect during the year he has been in charge.

Pakistan is putting more pressure on Islamic radical groups, outlawing previously outlawed groups that simply adopted new names to get around earlier bans.