1. News
Following the visit of the US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage
the tensions between India and Pakistan have eased somewhat. President
Musharraf's promise to crackdown on militants crossing into Kashmir was
followed by India's lifting of ban on the use of its airspace by
Pakistani commercial aircrafts. India has also ordered its western
fleet to end patrols off Pakistani waters in the Arabian Sea. India has
reportedly told the visiting US defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld that
it is not planning any further immediate measures to diffuse the crisis.
Pakistan's current envoy to Malaysia and former foreign secretary
Najmuddin Shaikh has indicated that some militant groups may not be
"entirely subservient" to the wishes of the government. K.P. Nayar's
report in the daily Telegraph, India, examines the role of Brajesh
Mishra, national security adviser to Vajpayee, in diffusing the India-
Pakistan crisis. According to a report by Muzamil Jaleel in the daily
Indian Express, the reduction in tension has had very little impact on
Indian troops deployed along the Line of Control (LoC).
"India lifts ban on overflights"
"India withdraws warships New Delhi selects"
"Delhi to us: thus far and no further"
"Pak warns of loose cannon"
"Acting in concert"
"On the ground, little to cheer yet"
According to Pakistan's Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mushaf
Ali Mir, Indian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Searcher Mk II that was
shot down by the Pakistan Air Force was an Israeli spy plane launched
from India.
"Downed plane was Israeli: Mushaf"
India's Defence Secretary Yogendra Narain has denied reports that the US
and Britain have suspended arms sales to India.
"US, UK to continue arms sales to India"
Amnesty International has criticized extensive anti-personnel mine
laying operations being conducted by both India and Pakistan since
December 2001. Yoginder Sikand's report in Outlook, India, examines the
human costs of the Kashmir conflict.
"AI deplores mining of border areas"
"What You And I Can Do?"