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'Independent Kashmir could become haven for terrorists'

An independent Kashmir could turn into a haven for terrorists, a US congressional research paper has warned.

"There is the real danger that an independent Kashmir, given the jihadi nature of some of the insurgent groups, could end up as another permanent sanctuary for Islamic extremist terrorist operations," the Congressional Research Service, an advisory body to the members of Congress, said in a report.

Regarding infiltration across the Line of Control, it said a system was required that would not only allow India to present proof of reported incursions, but also enable Pakistan to reject any false claims in this regard.

Airborne or satellite surveillance would be non-intrusive and could help both the countries make their cases. Another possibility would be to expand the United Nations' presence, the paper said.

The paper said when coupled with the war on terror and US relations with India and Pakistan, the Kashmir issue became complicated and difficult to address through foreign and security policy.

The anti-terror campaign and the hunt for Al-Qaeda terrorists in the region would be hampered considerably if the Kashmir conflict were to escalate to an all-out war, the CRS report said.

The threat that such a war would escalate to include nuclear weapons also presented serious challenges to America's non-proliferation efforts. Defusing the current crisis and establishing some degree of stability in Kashmir was, therefore, important to America's long-term interests, it added.

The US was unable to make Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf keep his promise to end infiltration permanently, the CRS said, adding, "growing international pressure led General Musharraf to make a speech to the Pakistani nation on May 27 in which he said no infiltration was taking place at the LoC."

On receiving assurances from Secretary of State Colin Powell and Deputy Secretary of Defence Richard Armitage that Islamabad would terminate support for infiltration and dismantle militant training camps, India began the slow process of reducing tensions with Pakistan, the brief said.

India recalled naval vessels patrolling near Pakistan's coastal waters, agreed in principle to allow Pakistan to use its air space, and named an ambassador to Islamabad, the paper noted. Indian officials were, however, unwilling to pull back large numbers of troops from the border until they received proof that cross-border infiltration had stopped, it added.

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