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History Of Kashmir Dispute.

Muslim notables in Srinagar present memorandum to British Viceroy regarding Maharaja's misrule and set forth popular demands. This is sequel to labour strike in state-run silk factory in which workers were charged by troops commanded by Hari Singh, then the heir apparent, and their leader tortured to death

Leader of the signatories, Saaduddin Shawl is deported from the state.

First meeting of Kashmiri expatriates and other Muslim leaders in Lahore is held to muster support for liberation struggle in Kashmir.

Police official stops the Khutba (sermon) at the congregational religious service of Muslims in Jammu on the grotesque pretext that it alludes to Quranic passages about Moses and Pharaoh and thus indirectly advocates sedition. Protest by worshippers in Jammu led by Ghulam Abbas is held to express vehement disapproval of police action in Srinagar and major towns.

At a large public meeting in Srinagar, 11 representatives are chosen to spearhead liberation movement against Maharaja and his brutality. These include, Ghulam Abbas, Saaduddin Shawl, Mirwaiz Muhammad Yousuf Shah and Shaikh Abdullah.

Thousands of people gather at the Central Jail Srinagar to witness the in-camera trial of Abdul Qadeer, a youth accused of involvement in a case of agitation. The people demand an open trial of Abdul Qadeer. As the time for mandatory prayer approaches, a young man stands for Azan (call for the prayer). The Dogra police open fire on him, and he embraces martyrdom. Thereby, another death-defying youth takes the place of the martyred young man and starts Azan. He too, dies of gunshots. In this way 22 Kashmiris embrace martyrdom one by one in their effort to complete the Azan. This gory episode proves to be a milestone in the popular liberation struggle. The mass agitation begins, Ghulam Abbas and Shaikh Abdullah, along with three other leaders, are arrested.

August:Maharaja's government claims that popular liberation movement is instigated by "outside elements" and announces policy of not permitting speeches creating hatred against his regime.

All-India Kashmir Committee is formed in Lahore to muster support for Kashmir freedom movement led by Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, renowned poet-philosopher. Meanwhile, All-India Muslim League adopts resolution commending the gallant struggle carried on both inside and outside Kashmir for Kashmiris' right to liberation. �

Kashmiri leaders are rearrested. On September 24, a large number of young men demonstrate on Srinagar streets. They shout slogans, �we will fight the Maharaja's soldiers". Maharaja responds by display of military armour in the city the next day. Law is promulgated providing for flogging as punishment for political activity. Ordinary citizens are bludgeoned by troops if they fail to shout 'Maharaja ki jai' - victory to Maharaja.

British Viceroy urges Maharaja to adopt conciliatory policy. Leaders are released and asked to present demands, which they do on October 19. Excerpts:

� "We demand same liberties as prevail in British India ... equality of rights regardless of religion ... better terms for labour ... a representative form of government ... the State cannot claim proprietary rights over land merely because Kashmir was purchased from the British."

November:

November 1931-January 1932, No tax campaign is started in Mirpur. Armed encounters occur in Kotli between Maharaja's soldiers and local guerillas. Maharaja's administration in areas now in Azad Kashmir collapses. British Indian government intervenes, moves troops to Jammu and Mirpur. Muslim political party in Punjab - Jamaat-i-Ahrar - launches movement for unarmed "civil invasion" of State. Around 30,000 people are arrested to prevent them from crossing the border. Meanwhile, on Britain request, Reforms Commission is constituted, headed by British official Douglas Glancey and consisting of four public representatives.

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Two Muslims, including Ghulam Abbas, and two Hindus, including Prem Nath Bazaz as members, the Reforms Commission recommends limited reforms including establishment of legislative assembly. Kashmiri Pandits denounce their representative Prem Nath Bazaz for supporting reforms. Hindu newspapers in India condemn the movement in Kashmir as evidence of "dishonorable Muslim communalism". Delegation of Hindu leaders in India meets Viceroy stressing strategic importance of Kashmir to India against so-called pan-Islamic wave.

1932

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October:

First mass organisation in the State - the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference is established. At its session in Srinagar, Shaikh Abdullah is elected President and Ghulam Abbas General Secretary.

1934

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January:

Mass protests are staged against limitation of franchise to three per cent of population for proposed legislative assembly and restrictions on assembly's powers. At a meeting of Muslim Conference held in Sialkot, Ghulam Abbas is designated as leader of the campaign. Abdullah distances himself from campaign. Abbas is arrested.

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September:

tate legislative assembly is established by Maharaja. Muslims constituting 77 per cent of population are allotted 32 seats in a house of 75, out of which 21 are elected and 11 nominated by Maharaja. Muslim Conference captures 20 seats.

1935

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October:

Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas is elected President of Muslim Conference. With Hindu leaders attending as observers at annual convention, Abbas appeals to non-Muslims "to join the struggle for emancipation of our country". Muslim Conference members of State Assembly (19 out of 21 elected members) resign in protest against Assembly's restricted powers.

1936

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May:

Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah visits Srinagar. Though visit private, both factions of Muslim Conference (led respectively by Abdullah and Mirwaiz Yusuf Shah) invite him to address large public meetings organised in his honour. The Great Quaid counsels promoting harmony between Muslim majority and Hindu minority.

1937

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September:

Abdullah again elected President of Muslim Conference. Urges "common platform" of Muslims and non-Muslims and demands that State representatives to Indian federation be chosen by people and not nominated by Maharaja. (contemplated in Government of India Act-1935 before demand for establishment of separate federation of Muslim majority states - Pakistan - was formulated by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah).

1938

June:

Working Committee of Muslim Conference recommends change in name and constitution of party. Abbas opposes the move, which was deferred for one year.

1939

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September :

Maharaja's Prime Minister, Gopalaswamy Ayyangar - a Hindu bureaucrat from Madras - promulgates constitution providing not only for Maharaja's unrestricted veto over legislative assembly's enactments but also for any enactment by Maharaja himself to be considered as if made by assembly. Abdullah establishes understanding with Ayyangar that, in return for refraining from any active campaign for responsible government, he will be supported in his fight against his political opponents - former leaders of Muslim Conference. On his advice, National Conference members abstain from vote on bill abolishing discrimination against Muslims in arms licences, Abdullah cultivates closer relations with Congress leaders, particularly Jawaharlal Nehru, criticises Muslim League but later disclaims remarks.

October:

Special session of Muslim Conference decides to convert party into National Conference. Abbas endorses move on conditions that, inter alia, (a) it will not mean affiliation with Indian National Congress against Muslim League; (b) non- Muslims will participate in campaign for representative government; and (c) Conference will continue to seek end of discrimination against Muslims. Some prominent Hindu leaders, including Prem Nath Bazaz, join National Conference but Hindu masses keep aloof.

1940

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May:

Jawaharlal Nehru visits Kashmir and appeals to Hindus to support National Conference and its struggle for responsible government. Enthusiastic welcome accorded to Nehru by Abdullah and his followers, is marred by hostile demonstrations by others. Handbill widely circulated by students asks 'Where were you, Mr Nehru, in 1931? You claim to be a Kashmiri; how come you have been silent all through our continuing struggle?�

1943

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April:

Gopalaswamy Ayyangar, Prime Minister since 1937, quits. 'Deliverance Day' observed by dissident sections of National Conference. Bazaz, virtually co-founder with Abdullah, also resigns, expressing disillusionment. Abbas re-establishes Muslim Conference pleading as ground non- fulfilment of conditions set for conversion of party into National Conference. Protests against Ayyangar's statement that Kashmir would be first to accede to Indian Union.

1944

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National Conference issues radical manifesto called "new Kashmir" contemplating drastic social and economic measures. At the same time - as against Muslim Conference position of non-cooperation with Maharaja's government, agrees to inclusion of one nominee of National Conference in Maharaja's cabinet. �

Quaid-e-Azam visits Kashmir on joint invitation of Muslim Conference and National Conference. Attempts to bring about reconciliation. Advises maintaining single Muslim representative organisation which, on basis of full safeguards for rights of non-Muslim minorities, should arrive at honourable settlement with their representative organisations regarding campaign for responsible government. Abdullah rejects advice publicly and criticises Quaid-e-Azam. �

June 17:

Quaid-e-Azam addresses largest ever public meeting in Srinagar at Muslim Conference convention. Maharaja declines to meet Quaid-e-

1945

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Jawaharlal Nehru accompanied by two Muslim leaders of Indian Congress, visits Kashmir. Faces hostile demonstrations when party taken out in boat procession up Jehlum river. Demonstrations larger and more vehement than on his earlier visit in 1940.

1946

� National Conference makes declaration called 'Quit Kashmir' against Maharaja drawing attention of British government to Kashmir's claim to freedom on withdrawal of British power.

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May:

Abdullah arrested. Nehru comes to Kashmir as Abdullah's defence counsel, is arrested and ordered to leave State. Hindu press, however, condemns 'Quit Kashmir' movement; Achhariya Kriplani, one of top Congress leaders, calls campaign "mischievous". Abdullah, in his statement in court during trial, tones down 'Quit Kashmir' declaration. Agitation peters out.

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July:

R.C. Kak, Maharaja's Prime Minister, meets Congress leaders in India. Nehru permitted to revisit Srinagar, meets Abdullah in jail and confers with Maharaja's Raj Guru, or head priest.

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July:

Muslim Conference adopts Azad Kashmir resolution, calling for end of autocratic government and claims right of people to elect their own constituent assembly.

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October:

Chaudry Ghulam Abbas arrested

1947

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June 11:

Quaid-e-Azam declares policy of not putting any pressure on any state in making its choice.

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July 19:

Convention of Muslim Conference urges Kashmir�s accession to Pakistan.

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August 11:

British Indian government returns Gilgit, leased to it in 1934, to Maharaja. �

August 14/15:

Pakistan and India are established as sovereign states. British supremacy over princely states ends. Standstill Agreement between Kashmir and Pakistan takes place for continuance of existing arrangements of trade, communications and services which had been maintained with outgoing British Indian government (virtually all inherited by Pakistan).

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August 17:

Red Cliff Award is published. (Cyril Red Cliff, a London barrister, headed Boundary Commission to establish partition lines between Pakistan and India in divided provinces of Punjab and Bengal.) By splitting Gurdaspur district - a Muslim-majority area allotted to Pakistan in 'notional division', the Award provided India with road link to Kashmir and made it practicable for Maharaja to accede to India or establish military alliance with it. Maharaja, having excluded option of joining Pakistan, adopts three-point strategy

� (i) to make road to India serviceable - all existing roads lead to Pakistan; (ii) to concentrate his troops in areas bordering Pakistan to deter insurgencies and seal frontier against incursions; (iii) to establish close working relationship with Indian government without formal accession, if possible and with it, if necessary. �

August 26:

Armed uprising against Maharaja's forces begins in Poonch. Fighting spreads quickly throughout the area inhabited by ex-servicemen of British Indian army.

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September 29:

Shaikh Abdullah is released by Maharaja's "act of royal clemency" while Chowdhary Ghulam Abbas continues to remain incarcerated. � Armed bands of extremist militant Hindu party in India, the Rashstrya Sevak Sang (RSS) enter Jammu and are deployed at various places, including Uri and Muzaffarabad in Kashmir. Killing of Muslims is accelerated in interior of Hindu-majority areas - Maharaja himself giving signal at place named Deva Vatala. � Military plans for "re-conquering Kashmir" - words used by a senior aide and confidant of Maharaja - for Maharaja are advanced with promise of arms supplies from Indian government. Wireless equipment for Srinagar airfield is provided. Preparations are made for Indian troops concentrations in vicinity of State. Indian Defence Minister Baldev Singh and Home Minister Vallabhai Patel facilitate arrangements for enlisting Patiala state troops as reinforcement for Maharaja's army. One senior officer of Indian army, a kinsman of Maharaja, is stationed in Srinagar.

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October 12:

Pakistan government sends telegram to Mahajan about "large number of villages (in Poonch) that can be seen burning from Murree Hills" (in Pakistan), pointing out that as "Pakistan army obtains large number of recruits from Poonch", situation is "fraught with danger" to "friendly relations" that Pakistan "wishes to retain with Kashmir". Message asks for restoring order and discipline of Maharaja's troops. Mahajan replies on October 15 complaining of "infiltration" from Pakistan and stating that his government is "prepared to have impartial inquiry made into the whole affair" to "remove misunderstandings" and restore cordial relations. Otherwise, he adds, his government will have "no option but to ask for assistance to withstand aggressive actions of what he described as "Pakistani people along our border".

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October 16:

Shaikh Abdullah holds meeting with Maharaja. Mahajan sends his message with telegram to Quaid-e-Azam on October 18 stating that if Pakistan's "extremely unfriendly acts" are not stopped, Maharaja's government "will be justified in asking for friendly assistance". Reply of Foreign Minister of Pakistan categorically denies Maharaja's allegations; pointing out exodus of Muslims" from border areas of the State, and adds "We are astonished to hear your threat to ask for assistance from an outside power" with the object of completing "the process of suppressing the Muslims to enable you to join India as coup d'�tat against the declared will of 85 per cent of population of your State." Message warns of "gravest consequences" if measures toward that end are not stopped. Finally, message states that Pakistan government appreciates suggestion of an impartial inquiry and asks Maharaja to "immediately to nominate your representative on the Enquiry Committee" whereupon "Pakistan government will nominate its representatives without delay so that the Committee can proceed at once with a thorough inquiry into the whole matter."

� A battalion of Patiala State forces - is brought into Kashmir on October 17; it takes up positions guarding Srinagar airfield and reinforces Maharaja's garrison in Jammu. �

October 20:

Governor General of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah sends telegram to Maharaja deploring tone and language of Maharaja's telegram which is "almost in the nature of an ultimatum", pointing out that difficulties in supplies "have been felt actually by the Punjab government (in Pakistan) themselves" and refuting Mahajan's "ex-parte" allegations in detail. Message stresses urgent necessity of meeting of representatives of Pakistan and asks Maharaja to help end acrimonious and bitter controversy and smooth out difficulties by sending representative to Karachi and also to cooperate in setting up an Enquiry Committee immediately.

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October 22:

Muslim soldiers of Maharaja's army in Muzaffarabad sector - on the road to Srinagar - rise in mutiny and liquidate their commander and other officers. About 3,000 Pathan tribesmen, volunteers from areas not under Pakistan's regular administration with small arms and driving in civilian lorries, commanded by Khurshid Anwar, enter State on October 22 and overrun whole Muzaffarabad-Uri area. Although lacking armoured transport, they rapidly advance towards Srinagar (October 22-26), overcome resistance by Maharaja's force and, amidst jubilation of people along the way and with help from local civilians in building diversions in place of bridges destroyed by Maharaja's retreating troops, reach Baramulla on October 25. R.L. Batra, Maharaja's Deputy Prime Minister, is sent off to Delhi on October 23 with request for large-scale military assistance but without offer of accession unless insisted on by Indian government.

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October 24:

Establishment of Azad (free) Kashmir government declared with headquarters at Trarkhal inside Kashmir. �

General Gracey, British acting Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan army, warns Pakistan Government on October 24 of "chaos in Kashmir" and urges that tribal leaders in Kashmir be "told categorically that policy of Pakistan government is strict neutrality". News of planned Indian military operation reaches Pakistan army headquarters on October 26 but information not passed on to Governor General Quaid-e-Azam until evening of October 27. Immediately on receipt of it, Quaid-e-Azam orders Gen Gracey to send regular Pakistan troops to Kashmir to rectify situation. Gracey responds that action requires approval of Field Marshal Auchinleck, Pak-India Joint Supreme Commander. Auchinleck flies next morning to Lahore and represents to Quaid-e-Azam that sending Pakistan army to Kashmir will necessitate withdrawal of all British officers from the army and spell virtually total disorganization. Auchinleck suggests that, instead, Quaid-e-Azam invite Mountbatten and Nehru to Lahore in order to achieve peaceful settlement. Auchinleck's suggestion is backed by Pakistan cabinet which recommends to Quaid-e-Azam to withdraw his order. On return to Delhi, Auchinleck impresses on Mountbatten that Quaid-e-Azam is enraged at what he regards India's "sharp practice" and that Mountbatten and Nehru should meet Quaid-e-Azam in Lahore immediately to come to an agreement. In view of prospect of peaceful adjustment by decision at summit conference, Quaid-e-Azam accepts cabinet's recommendation and withdraws his order for sending troops to Kashmir. �

October 25:

As Azad forces, including Pathan volunteers, advance towards Srinagar, Maharaja flees from his capital. Mahajan and Shaikh Abdullah fly to Delhi and confer separately with Nehru on October 25. Nehru assures Prime Minister Attlee of Britain on October 26 (copy of telegram sent to Pakistan Prime Minister two days later) that "question of aiding Kashmir in this emergency is not designed in any way to influence the State to accede to India" and "question of accession must be decided in accordance with the wishes of the people". Attlee cables next day "begging" Nehru not to let his answer to Maharaja's appeal for aid "take the form of armed intervention" and suggests tripartite meeting of Prime Ministers of India, Pakistan and Maharaja to settle problem. �

October 26:

Indian government decides to rush troops to Kashmir, requiring Maharaja to accede to India and install Shaikh Abdullah as head of administration. Maharaja's letter offering accession, drafted for him by Indian official, V.P. Menon, is preceded by Governor General Mountbatten's letter of acceptance, drafted by same hand; the two letters are given dates of October 26 and 27, respectively. Mountbatten's letter provides that "as soon as law and order have been restored in Kashmir and her soil cleared of what was called as the "invader", the question of the State's accession should be settled by a reference to the people".

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October 27:

Indian troops are flown to Srinagar, early morning. First contingent encounters advancing detachment of Azad forces at a place 24 miles from Srinagar and is eliminated. Mountbatten personally supervises planning of Indian military operations.

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October 28:

Nehru invites Pakistan government's "cooperation" in stopping "the raiders" (i.e. Azad forces) and assures Liaquat Ali that "accession is subject to reference to the people of the State and their decision".

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October 29:

Pakistan's reply cites Maharaja's refusal to allow an impartial inquiry, killing of Muslims by his troops and conspiracy to create a situation for military intervention by India. The telegram, addressed both to Nehru and to Attlee, says that developments have revealed "existence of a plan for accession against will of the people possible only by occupation of the country (Jammu Kashmir) by Indian troops". Message concludes that "Pakistan government cannot recognise accession of Kashmir to Indian Union achieved as it has been by fraud and violence." Conflicting views appear at highest level of Indian government about proposed conference with Quaid-e-Azam. Mountbatten agreeable, Nehru most reluctant, Patel (and Menon) vehemently opposed. Conference is postponed until November 01. Nehru pleads illness and is relieved when Mountbatten lets him off. Finally, Mountbatten (accompanied only by Ismay, his personal adviser) flies to Lahore to meet Quaid-e-Azam. �

October 31:

Nehru communicates to Liaquat Ali that Kashmir's accession has been accepted on condition that as soon as law and order have been restored "the people of Kashmir would themselves decide the question of accession". He adds "Our assurance that we shall withdraw our troops from Kashmir as soon as peace and order are restored and leave the decision regarding the future of the State to the people of the State is not merely a pledge to your government but also to the people of Kashmir and to the world". �

November 2:

Nehru repeats the same undertaking in a radio broadcast. "We have declared that the fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be decided by the people. We will not, and cannot back out of it. We are prepared when peace and law and order have been established to have a referendum held under international auspices like the United Nations. We want it to be a fair and just reference to the people, and we shall accept their verdict."

1948

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January 1:

India lodges complaint with UN Security Council alleging that situation, continuance of which is likely to endanger peace and security, has developed between Pakistan and India owing to aid which invaders across Pakistan into the State of Jammu and Kashmir are receiving from Pakistan. India places their number augmented by Pakistan nationals at 19,000. The letter stresses that India is not using the "State's immediate peril for her own political advantage" and repeats that once the State has been "cleared of the invader and normal conditions restored, its people would be free to decide their future by recognised democratic method of a plebiscite or referendum which, in order to ensure complete impartiality, might be held under international auspices". The complaint requests the Security Council to ask Pakistan to desist from the course it has chosen.

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January 15:

Gopalaswamy Ayyangar , India's representative, presenting his government's case to the Council, states "The question ... whether she (Kashmir) should withdraw from her accession to India, and either accede to Pakistan or remain independent with a right to claim admission as a Member of the United Nations - all this we have recognised to be a matter for unfettered decision by the people of Kashmir." Following President's consensus statement, Council members work on draft resolution contemplating simultaneous withdrawals of tribesmen and Indian troops, setting up a neutral administration and holding plebiscite under United Nations control. �

February:

In early February, at crucial stage of Security Council's consideration of the dispute, India asks for suspension of proceedings expressing dissatisfaction with trend in the Council. Council members, notably Phillip Noel-Baker of Britain (later a Nobel Peace laureate) and Warren Austin of the United States protest. It seems, Austin says on February 10 that "what he (Indian representative) desired ... was that the Council should take up a position which would amount to that of an ally in a war ... and allow India to finish the job by force against the tribesmen. That is the very last position which the Council ought to take." Mountbatten helps India bring pressure on Britain to help modify proposals under Council's consideration.

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Council adopts comprehensive resolution instructing UN Commission (membership raised to five) "to proceed at once" to subcontinent with mandate to bring about cessation of fighting and "necessary measures" for holding plebiscite. Resolution recommends demilitarisation of the State (except minimum forces required for law and order) "equitable" share of major political groups in government, establishment of Plebiscite Administrator headed by a nominee of Secretary General and return of all displaced persons. �

April 30:

Pakistan states that measures envisaged in Council's resolution "are not adequate to ensure an impartial plebiscite". On May 7, India voices objections to Council's recommendations. Both parties, however, agree to confer with UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP). With end of winter and roads no longer snow-bound, India poised on large-scale military offensive to capture Muzaffarabad. Gen Gracey, commander-in-chief of Pakistan Army, makes urgent request to his government to permit Pakistan's regular forces, in limited strength, to enter Kashmir to prevent "an easy victory of the Indian army". To forestall grave danger to Pakistan, Gen Gracey states, India cannot be "allowed to sit on the doorsteps of Pakistan" and "to advance beyond the general line of Uri-Poonch-Naushehra". Pakistan moves in three army brigades with strict instructions to take defensive positions behind Azad forces and not to take part in battle unless Indian troops break through. No air cover is provided to Pakistan forces, lest fighting escalate to Pak-India war. �

May 18:

Indian army launches offensive on Uri front, advancing half-way to Chakothi. "Our advance petered out on the Uri-Domel road," says a senior Indian commander (Kaul). The halt on May 21 seems to be caused by strategic points being tightly held by Azad forces in the wooded, mountainous area and the risk of scattering Indian strength in assaulting different positions. Fighting, however, continues sporadically on this front (of principal political importance) but steadily elsewhere. �

July 7:

UNCIP arrives in subcontinent on July 7 after delay (never explained) of 76 days since passage of Security Council resolution instructing it "to proceed at once". Enters into intensive negotiations with both governments at highest level towards formulating an agreement to a ceasefire and synchronises withdrawal of all regular Pakistani forces and bulk of Indian forces (constituting a truce between the two sides) and reaffirmation of their common wish that "future status of the State shall be determined in accordance with the will of the people".

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August 13:

UNCIP adopts resolution, which is a draft agreement between Pakistan and India and submits it to both governments. It says, future status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall be determined in accordance with the will of the people.

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August 20:

Nehru addresses letter to UNCIP Chairman saying that his government "have decided to accept the resolution". Acceptance is based on India's understanding (stated in letter) of several key terms of resolution. Foreign Minister Zafrullah Khan of Pakistan seeks "elucidations" from UNCIP of its proposals and of explanations it has supplied to India and expresses reservations about ambiguity concerning specific nature of conducting plebiscite. UNCIP decides to return to Geneva to prepare interim report to Security Council.

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December 11:

UNCIP supplements its resolution with provisions regarding conduct and conditions of contemplated plebiscite. Both Pakistan and India accept the UNCIP proposals along with resolution of August 13. Acceptance is conveyed in communications dated December 23 (from India) and December 25 (from Pakistan). These proposals as agreed to by both governments are embodied later in UNCIP resolution of January 5, 1949. The peace plan contemplates three stages of settlement, first, ceasefire, second, truce (synchronised withdrawals of forces on the two sides), third, plebiscite. Joint acceptance of peace plan comes at time when after reverses suffered by Azad forces, Pakistan army has launched an operation at a vital point (Beri Pattan bridge) to sever India's line of communications. Operation is halted on Gen. Glancey's orders.

1949

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January 1:

Ceasefire takes effect on all fronts "pursuant to the agreement arrived at as provided for in UNCIP resolution of August 13, 1948". Relief and joyful expectancy at popular level (especially in Kashmir) is dampened by skepticism in knowledgeable circles about prospect of implementation of peace plan.

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January 5:

UN Commission for India and Pakistan adopts resolution saying, the question of the accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan will be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite.

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February 4-March 22:

UNCIP returns to subcontinent to draw up truce agreement between Pakistan and India. In advance of agreement, Pakistan appeals to all tribesmen and Pakistan nationals to withdraw from Kashmir. Some thinning of forces takes place on both sides. Final exchange of Prisoners of War (along with a dozen prominent political prisoners in Indian-held Kashmir is arranged through International Red Cross between January 10-13. Truce Committee of UNCIP obtains agreement on cease-fire line. Admiral Chester Nimitz (a US war hero) is nominated as Plebiscite Administrator by UN Secretary General. His formal induction into office was to take place on completion of withdrawal of forces according to jointly agreed schedule. These auguries of progress towards settlement begin to fade in atmosphere thickened with controversy. Divergent interpretations of the international agreement (embodied in UNCIP resolutions) put forth as "elucidations" of the agreement provided by UNCIP to the two sides are published. UNCIP convenes meeting in March of representatives of the two parties at which they are invited to present for discussion their proposals for truce. Pakistan presents paper suggesting framework within which, subject to agreement, high commands of the two armies can work out together a detailed and synchronised withdrawal programme and Pakistan forces would be withdrawn within three months. India does not submit any plan to joint discussion and agreement. �

April 28:

UNCIP formulates "truce terms" - i.e. programme of demilitarisation - and communicates them to the two governments. India demands (a) disbanding and disarming of Azad Kashmir forces as condition for phasing withdrawal of bulk of Indian troops and (b) acceptance of principle that Indian troops garrison important strategic points in the northern areas. India further requires that programme of withdrawal of Indian forces agreed upon with UNCIP should not be communicated to Pakistan until Truce Agreement has been arrived at. Pakistan declares its readiness to withdraw all Pakistani troops from Kashmir as soon as schedule of withdrawal of "bulk" of Indian forces is known "on the basis of which a synchronised withdrawal of the two armies could be arranged". Regarding disposition of Azad Kashmir forces, Pakistan suggests that as the issue corresponds to disposition of Kashmir State forces on the other side, Plebiscite Administrator (whose mandate under jointly-accepted resolution of January 5, 1949 includes disposal of all forces in Kashmir) be associated with discussion to evolve an agreement even before his formal induction into office.

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June 9:

Under auspices of UNCIP and on its initiative, Ceasefire Line Agreement is signed in Karachi by military representatives of Pakistan and India along with representatives of UNCIP. Karachi Agreement demarcates ceasefire line and provides (in accordance with resolution of August 13, 1948) that "UNCIP will station observers where it deems necessary". Agreement is promptly ratified by both governments, UN Military Observers' Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) present, since ceasefire, is now provided strengthened legal foundation. �

August:

As logical sequel to Karachi Agreement, UNCIP proposes tripartite meeting at political level on August 17 to conclude Truce Agreement stipulating programme of withdrawal of forces. Meeting is cancelled in view of persisting differences between the two sides.

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August 26:

In effort to end stalemate, UNCIP makes formal proposal that the two governments agree to submit to arbitration by Admiral Nimitz, Plebiscite Administrator-designate, all questions at issue between them regarding implementation of Part-II of UNCIP resolution of August 13, 1948 (listing truce terms), the arbitrator "to decide these questions according to equity". UNCIP makes clear that arbitration will not affect objective of demilitarisation and free plebiscite and that it will terminate "once the truce terms are agreed upon". On August 20, US President Truman and British Prime Minister Attlee issue joint appeal to Pakistan and India to accept UNCIP proposal for arbitration. � September-October: As demonstrative of world leadership interest in peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute, Truman-Attlee appeal generate hope in Kashmir about earlier ceasefire but dashed by tortuous course of later negotiations. Pakistan responds to UNCIP proposal with a one-sentence letter of acceptance. India rejects proposal mainly on ground that question of Azad Kashmir forces "cannot be left to the decision of an arbitrator". UNCIP replies to this contention on September 10 as "both governments have agreed to large-scale disbanding and disarming of their forces" and "the difference that has arisen on this matter has not been one of substance but of scope, method and timing" and that "arbitration would apply to this aspect only". Unconvinced, India expresses surprise and disappointment at UNCIP suggesting a procedure India calls "novel and without precedent". This spells end of UNCIP's labours. In its final report (submitted some weeks later), it recommends Security Council to appoint a representative, rather than a commission, to help resolve contentious issues between the two governments. Kashmir dispute runs along a two-track course. At formal diplomatic level, negotiations via United Nations continue with focus on establishing conditions for a fair plebiscite. At domestic level, India pursues systematic policy of integrating Indian-held Kashmir with India and thus seal Maharaja's accession. �

October 17:

Article-370 is inserted in Indian Constitution giving Kashmir certain special rights not available to other states of India.

�

December:

Following UNCIP's final report, Security Council on December 17 requests its President, Gen A.G.L. McNaughton (Canada) to mediate between the parties and find a "mutually satisfactory basis for dealing with the Kashmir problem". Gen McNaughton formulates his proposals on December 22. Comprehensive in scope, they seek "to preserve the substantial measure agreement on fundamental principles already reached" between the parties "under the auspices of the United Nations". They affirm the objective of determining "the future of Jammu and Kashmir by the democratic method of free and impartial plebiscite to take place as early as possible". In an effort to cut through the tangle of controversies about implementation of UNCIP plan, McNaughton's proposals contemplate "an agreed programme of progressive demilitarisation ... on either side of the cease-fire line to withdrawal, disbandment and disarmament in such stages as not to cause fear at any point on both governments to reach agreement by January 31, 1950 on progressive steps to be taken in reducing and redistributing the forces to the minimum level "complete with the maintenance of security and of local law and order". The Plan envisages the appointment of a United Nations Representative authorised to supervise demilitarisation and "to make any suggestions" to the two governments "likely to contribute to the expeditious and enduring solution of the Kashmir question." This broadens scope of United Nations mediation. Pakistan accepts MaCnaughton proposals while suggesting minor alternation in wording to make paragraph conform to terms of UNCIP resolutions. India formulates its objections to them in the form of "amendments" which would radically change their scheme. � It does not countenance what it regards as equality of states between Indian-sponsored government and Azad Kashmir regime which is implied in execution of a balanced or symmetrical demilitarisation plan. It also insists on retaining Kashmir state forces after demilitarisation.

1950

�

March 14:

Security Council adopts resolution of reflecting intention of MaCnaughton proposals. It appoints a UN Representative to replace UNCIP and calls upon Pakistan and India to prepare and execute within five months "a programme of demilitarisation" on basis of MaCnaughton proposals or on "mutually agreed modifications thereof". �

April 12:

Security Council appoints Sir Own Dixon, eminent jurist from Australia, as UN Representative. Appointment is accepted by both parties.

�

June-July:

Owen Dixon conducts intensive negotiations with governments of Pakistan and India and also meets Shaikh Abdullah in Srinagar and Ghulam Abbas in Muzaffarabad. He is struck by peculiar nature of situation � The two governments acknowledge objective of plebiscite but disagree on measures necessary for it. India takes stand that Pakistan is an "aggressor" and should be so declared, that there must be "no impairment of, or prejudice to, the recognition of the sovereignty of the State of Jammu and Kashmir" (meaning the Indian-sponsored regime) and that its authority should be recognised on both sides of the ceasefire line. In a concession to India in view of its rejection of the UNCIP truce plan, Dixon puts forward a plan whereby "the first step in demilitarisation should consist in withdrawal of Pakistan regular forces commencing on a named day" and "after a significant number of days from the named date, other operations on each side of ceasefire line should take place and as far as practicable, concurrently". Prime Minister Liaquat Ali of Pakistan questions reasoning behind the proposition but "expresses his readiness to accept" it "in compliance with" Dixon's "request". India, however, raises a number of objections to the rest of Dixon's proposals; these persist even after Dixon provides certain satisfactions to India with regard to her arguments over status of Azad Kashmir. Dixon notes that India does not "put forward any suggestion for amendment" of his plan "or offer any alternative solution".

�

July 20-24:

After shuttling between the two capitals, Dixon convenes summit meeting of the two Prime Ministers in his presence in Delhi from July 20-24. This is the highest point of face-to-face negotiations under UN auspices over Kashmir. At the conference, Dixon formulates three plans for placing entire State under one administration which would be collectively impartial and thus for removing all difficulties arising from "division of the State by the ceasefire line as a political boundary during period of the plebiscite". The single administration would alternatively be composed of coalition of Indian-sponsored regime and Azad Kashmir Movement, of "trusted persons outside politics" or of UN representatives. "None of the suggestions," he says "commended themselves to Prime Minister of India." In the end, says Dixon, "I became convinced that India's agreement would never be obtained to demilitarisation in any such form or to provisions governing the period of the plebiscite of any such charter as would ... (guard) against intimidation and other forms of influence and abuse ..." With this line of negotiation blocked, Dixon tries an imaginative approach. He suggests "holding a partial plebiscite including or consisting of the valley of Kashmir and partitioning the remainder of the State" between Pakistan and India according to already known wishes of different zones of the State. Pakistan expresses fear that attending a conference to consider this plan may mean abandoning demand for overall plebiscite in advance of agreement on an alternative plan. India agrees to attend such a conference. However, while Dixon is trying to assure Pakistan that its claim will remain unaffected as long as an alternative agreement does not emerge, India raises objections to his plan. "I came to the conclusion," says Dixon "that it would be impossible to give effect to doctrines formulated by India in objection to any plan for partition and a limited plebiscite which I could ask Pakistan to accept." These doctrines stem partly from India's contention that Pakistan's position is that of an aggressor in Kashmir. As a jurist, Dixon deals deftly with this contention. In the first place, he says in effect, he is not mandated to adjudicate the claim. Secondly, even if he assumes that Pakistan has acted in breach of international law, how can that detract from recognition of Pakistan's interest in Kashmir which is implied in agreement to the principle of plebiscite? The claim, whether factual or otherwise, is wholly devoid of relevance to Kashmir problem's settlement. In his report to Security Council, Dixon states, "If there is any chance of settling the dispute over Kashmir by agreement between Pakistan and India, it now lies in partition and is some means of allocating the occupied valley rather than overall plebiscite."

1951

� January 15:

Pakistan in its reply refutes Indian charges but concedes that some "independent tribesmen and persons from Pakistan are helping the Azad Kashmir government in their struggle". It files 10 counter-charges against India accusing it of having "obtained the accession of Kashmir through fraud and violence and large-scale massacre of Muslims". Pakistan requests Security Council to appoint a commission to "arrange for the cessation of fighting in Jammu and Kashmir and the withdrawal of all outsiders, whether belonging to Pakistan or the Indian Union". It also calls for a plebiscite when these steps have been taken "to determine whether the State should accede to India or Pakistan".

�

January 17:

Security Council in preliminary move asks both governments to recognise urgency of situation, take measures to improve it and report progress. On January 20, Security Council sets up three-member commission to investigate the two complaints. �

January 28:

President of Council states that "the three ideas", (a) question of accession to be decided by plebiscite, (b) the plebiscite to be conducted under conditions ensuring complete impartiality and (c) hence to be held under the aegis of United Nations "are not disputed between the parties". �

August 10:

White Paper issued by Government of India states "The Government of India are firmly of the view that whatever sovereign rights reverted to these (princely) States on the lapse of paramountcy, that is to say when the British sovereignty ceased to operate, they vest in the people and conditions must be created in every State for a free and unfettered exercise of these rights."

�

August 13:

Security Council passes resolution calling for ceasefire, truce and plebiscite and acceptance of certain principles. Pakistan agrees to withdraw troops and use its best endeavours to secure withdrawal of tribesmen and Pakistani nationals. Resolution says pending final solution, territory evacuated by these troops will be administered by local authorities under close Commission supervision. This is ipso facto recognition of Azad Kashmir government as "local authority". Once Pakistani troops and national are gone, India to begin to withdraw "bulk of its forces" in stages. Pending final settlement, India to maintain remaining forces for law and order. Pakistan and India asked to reaffirm commitment to plebiscite and to enter into consultations with Commission to determine fair and equitable conditions for free expression of people's will. India accepts while Pakistan expresses reservations regarding specific nature of carrying out of plebiscite.

�

December 11:

After extensive negotiations, both governments accept resolution which calls for free and impartial plebiscite in State, appointment of a Plebiscite Administrator, re-establishment of political and human rights and return of refugees. Question of final disposal of armed forces in State to be solved by Plebiscite Administrator in consultation with the two governments. Both governments agree to ceasefire in State from January 1, 1949 and appointment of 36 UN observers.

1952

�

July 16:

In his revised proposals, Graham tries to narrow down differences on size and disposition of troops but does not succeed. Negotiations continue and agreement is reached on all points except size of Azad Kashmir and Indian and Kashmir State forces to be retained on eve of plebiscite and timing of Plebiscite Administrator's appointment. Negotiations continue at UN and Geneva but do not reduce differences on these two points. Finally, Graham reports failure of his mission to Security Council on March 27, 1953 and appeals to Indian and Pakistani governments to "join in negotiating an agreement on Kashmir and thereby light a torch along the difficult path of the people's pilgrimage toward peace". � One of the debates on Graham's mission is marked by Soviet delegate Jacob Malik attacking UK and US on January 17, 1952 for interference in "internal affairs of Kashmir" and attempts to turn it into a military base against Soviet Union. He also criticizes Security Council resolution of March 30, 1951 as restricting Kashmir's right of free expression through a "democratically elected Constituent Assembly".

�

July 24:

India signs agreement with Shaikh Abdullah granting a certain measure of autonomy to State not available to other states of Union. It also provides for abolition of dynastic monarchy. It is decided that the Indian "Union flag will occupy the supremely distinctive place in the State", fundamental rights guaranteed under Indian Constitution as well as jurisdiction of Indian Supreme Court will apply to Kashmir, not only in regard to fundamental rights but in respect of disputes between states and between State and Centre.

�

August 21:

Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly passes resolution providing for abolition of Dogra dynasty and its replacement by a constitutional head for five-year term. Karan Singh, son of former Maharaja, appointed head of State or Sadar-i-Ryasat by Constituent Assembly.

1953

� March 27:

Graham informs Security Council that efforts to break impasse between Pakistan and India on Kashmir have failed. This marks the end of his mission.

�

July 25-27:

Pakistani and Indian Prime Ministers meet in Karachi and agree that a resolution of their disputes is "essential to progress in both countries".

�

August 9:

Shaikh Abdullah is dismissed from his post by the Sadar-i-Ryasat at the direct instance of New Delhi which has been finding his repeated demand for the promised autonomy irksome and, finally, intolerable. Abdullah's successor Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad accuses him of conspiring with foreign powers to establish independent Kashmir. Abdullah is arrested by the Bakhshi administration subsequently.

�

August 17-20:

Talks continue as Pakistan Prime Minister Mohammed Ali goes to New Delhi. Communiqu� issued at end of meeting says issue of Kashmir "should be settled in accordance with the wishes of the people of that State with a view to promoting their well-being and causing the least disturbance to the life of the people of the State". They also agree on appointment of Plebiscite Administrator by the end of April 1954. � US Admiral Chester Nimitz is proposed for the post but Nehru demands that Administrator should come from one of the smaller nations. Pakistan maintains it has full confidence in "the integrity and impartiality of Nimitz". � Direct negotiations between Pakistan and India continue until September 21, 1954 when Pakistani Prime Minister tells Nehru his attitude leaves no chance for a settlement and the matter "must revert to the Security Council"

�

December 10:

Jawaharlal Nehru writes to Prime Minister of Pakistan that because of the growing military alliance between the United States and Pakistan, situation in Kashmir is directly affected. He writes, "... it becomes rather absurd to talk of demilitarization (of Kashmir), if Pakistan proceeds in the reverse direction with the help of the United States." <

1954

�

February 3:

Despite Pakistan's protests, the Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly (in occupied Kashmir) ratifies State's accession to India, describing it as "irrevocable". Pakistan urges Nehru to repudiate the move, but he while reiterating India's continuing commitment to plebiscite, declines to take action.

�

October 1:

Pakistan and India issue White Paper on Kashmir containing correspondence between both governments. Nehru's view that US military aid to Pakistan has "changed the entire context of the problem" and the problem now was not one of "demilitarization but militarization" now increasingly begins to color India's attitude towards Kashmir and Pakistan. India also feels that it is now obliged to keep a much larger force in Kashmir, disregarding Pakistan's assurances that US military aid has no bearing on Kashmir dispute. President Eisenhower's reassuring letter to Nehru on military aid to Pakistan fails to placate Indian leader. Nehru proposes No-War Declaration to Pakistan to which Pakistan says it should contain guarantee for the two parties to abide by arbitration, should negotiations and mediation fail. This is rejected by Nehru. �

February 3:

October 1:

1955

� March 29:

Nehru declares in Parliament in New Delhi that "Pakistan is out of court" since � it has failed to honor obligation under UNCIP resolution of August 13, 1948 of withdrawing � its forces from Kashmir. He also hints at his opposition to plebiscite.

� April 2:

Nehru repeats March 29th stand in more open terms at Press conference in Indian � capital. This is followed by Indian Home Minister declaring Jammu and Kashmir to be � integral part of India.

� December 10:

Soviet leaders Nikita Khruschev and Bulganin declare in Srinagar that Jammu � and Kashmir is part of India. Khruschev says, "the question of Kashmir as one of the States � of the Republic of India has already been decided by the people of Kashmir". He sharply � attacks Pakistan and charges that its policy is "not based on the real interests of the � people and of the State, but is dictated by the monopolistic circles of other countries." � He also denounces partition of India on a religious basis. Pakistan reacts sharply and � there is also some criticism in Indian Parliament.

1956

� November 17:

Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly adopts constitution which includesun-amendable provision about State being an integral part - atoot ang - of India. Newconstitution due to come in force on January 26, 1957. It declares, "the State of Jammu andKashmir is and shall be an integral part of the Union of India."

1957

� January 16:

Five years after its last meeting and nearly 30 months of direct though fruitless Pak-India negotiations, Security Council meets to continue consideration of Kashmir issue at Pakistan's request.

� January 24:

Through a resolution Security Council reaffirms determination of Kashmir's future by plebiscite and declares that any action by Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly and its support by parties would not constitute a disposition of the State in keeping with that principle.

� February 21:

Security Council asks its President, Gunnar Jarring of Sweden to examine with the two governments any proposals likely to promote a settlement having regard to earlier UNCIP resolutions. During debate USSR denounces what it calls "imperialist interference" in Kashmir and supports India and its stand. Also vetoes on February 20th resolution which includes provision for "a temporary UN force for Kashmir". Pakistan charges India with going back on solemn international commitments and brutal repression in Kashmir of popular upsurge in favor of plebiscite. India calls Pakistan "aggressor" and maintains it has no obligation to discharge until vacation of aggression (more or less the same stand as it has taken 38 years later in 1995). Also declares that its voluntary effort to consult people of State has already implemented through elections to Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Adds that UNCIP and other resolutions have become outdated.

� March 14-April

11:

Security Council President Jarring visits Pakistan and India.

� April 29:

Jarring submits his report to the Security Council which makes no specific proposals as such but affirms that "the parties were still desirous of finding a solution". Reports that on being told by India that Pakistan has not implemented Part-I of UNCIP resolution of August 13, 1948, in particular provisions relating to agreement to "refrain from taking any measures that might augment military potential of the forces under their control in the State" and creation and maintenance of atmosphere favorable to promotion of further negotiations, he suggested arbitration. Jarring's proposal that arbitration should be limited to determining which state has failed to implement provisions and to indicate to parties concerned which measures they should take to arrive at full implementation is accepted by Pakistan but rejected by India. Jarring hopes that India and Pakistan agree to hold high-level conference "without prejudice to their respective positions on the Kashmir question". He proposes that the agenda "might include the basic differences which the parties find to stand in the way of a settlement and such other matters as the parties might find would contribute toward the implementation of the resolutions of the UN Commission on India and Pakistan on August 13, 1948 and January 5, 1949 and toward a peaceful settlement".

1959

� April 1:

Permit system for entry to State from India is abolished.

� September 15:

Pakistan President Ayub Khan holds meeting with Jawaharlal Nehru at Delhi airport in bid to persuade India to settle Kashmir.

� October 1:

Constitution is amended to extend jurisdiction of Union Election Commission to Jammu and Kashmir and State high court is brought at par with high courts in rest of India.

1960

� May:

President Ayub and Nehru meet in London at Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference and discuss Kashmir but without making progress towards settlement.

� September:

Nehru visits Karachi and Rawalpindi and Kashmir forms one of main topics of discussion between Ayub and him but once again, this meeting too fails to produce results

1962

� February 1:

After an interval of four years, Kashmir returns to Security Council at Pakistan's request, which India opposes but at Pakistan's insistence, meeting is convened. Pakistan's delegate Zafrullah Khan draws Council's attention to recent Indian statements, which he sees as posing threat to the security of Pakistan and Kashmir. Reference is made to call by Indian National Congress President Sanjiva Reddy in Patna on 4 January 1962 "for liberation of areas under Pakistan's occupation in Kashmir". Also brought to Council's notice is Indian Defence Minister Krishna Menon's statement threat that India will "take steps to end Chinese and Pakistani aggression in India". � India seeks adjournment of meeting owing to national elections, while Soviet delegate says the meeting is "unnecessary and uncalled for". Adjournment until March 1 is announced. However, next meeting takes place on April 27 and is followed by 10 more.

� June 22:

An Irish resolution urging resumption of direct negotiations is once again vetoed by Soviet Union. While Zafarullah Khan stresses India's commitment to UNCIP resolutions, Indian delegate V.K. Krishna Menon states that "accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India was complete and final" and there is no provision in Indian constitution for provisional or conditional accession. He calls Pakistan an "aggressor" which does not stand on the same footing with India. He claims that "people of Kashmir have expressed their will and solidarity for India through three general elections". He argues that Indian acceptance of UNCIP resolutions is not a commitment but an engagement, which can only come into effect when Pakistan has withdrawn its forces from Kashmir. Pakistan, he asserts, had no locus standi in Kashmir and urges Council members to persuade Pakistan to "vacate her aggression". Also holds it responsible for non-implementation of UNCIP resolutions. He further states that India cannot submit to mediation or arbitration and "No power except a secession act by Indian parliament could cut Kashmir asunder from India." � India is supported by USSR and Romania, its Warsaw Pact ally, with the Soviet delegate saying, "It was unrealistic to demand plebiscite and the UNCIP resolutions were not capable of mediation." He states that Security Council "must respect the wishes of the people of Kashmir which has irrevocably decided to link its fate with India." � Zafarullah, speaking for Pakistan, says no unilateral obligation is enjoined on his country to withdraw its troop from Kashmir. India, on the other hand, is required under UNCIP resolution of August 13, 1948 to withdraw "the bulk of her troops". He points out that these principles have been accepted by both countries but no Truce Agreement has so far been concluded because of Indian intransigence. He offers Pakistan's readiness to "refer the question to any body of international standing if the responsibility to withdraw troops begins before the drawing up of the Truce Agreement and act accordingly". Zafarullah draws Council's attention to "the universally accepted principle of international law" that a nation cannot invoke its constitution and laws to obstruct implementation of international agreements and treaties as India is doing. Elections to Kashmir Constituent Assembly, he points out, are no substitute for plebiscite, stressing that in its resolution of May 30, 1951, Security Council has specifically stated that any action by said Assembly cannot mean determination of State's future in keeping with principles embodied in various resolutions on the subject including those of UNCIP. Pakistan envoy also points out that Kashmir Constituent Assembly represents, at best, part of the State, and it is universally accepted in law that a part cannot decide for the whole.

� June 22:

All Council members favour another resolution calling for resolution of Kashmir dispute through direct negotiations but USSR threatens veto, which it duly applies on June 22, its 100th in Security Council. Heated exchanges take place, with Zafrullah stating, "If India wants to be released from its obligations, it should propose as much to the Security Council and seek the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on all these matters. The validity of accession, question of sovereignty and other questions in dispute and issues not yet determined." � Six months after this inconclusive debate, India-China border conflict breaks out with Indian army suffering major reverses and complete loss of face at Chinese hands. US and UK rush arms to "neutral, non-aligned" India and decide that to eliminate possibility of Pakistan taking military advantage of India's situation to clinch solution of Kashmir, talks between Pakistan and India should take place. Averall Harriman of US and Duncan Sandys of UK rush to subcontinent and persuade Nehru to have direct talks with Pakistan on Kashmir.

� November 29:

Joint communiqu� is issued in New Delhi but everything threatens to get unraveled when next day Nehru says status quo in Kashmir cannot be affected by forthcoming talks. Sandys who is on his way to London via Karachi flies back to New Delhi and makes Nehru retract statement.

� December 26:

Six rounds of talks start between Pakistan Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indian External Affairs Minister Sardar Swarn Singh. First round at Rawalpindi - December 26-29, 1962 - is confined to preliminaries, historical aspects and respective stands.

1963

� Second round of Pak-India talks at Delhi - January 16-20 - and third at Karachi - April 21-25 - see Pakistan calling for plebiscite and India opposing it, at fourth round at Calcutta - March 12-14 - India suggests readjustment of ceasefire line to settle dispute which Pakistan rejects, while fifth round at Karachi - April 21-25 - is taken up with Indian protest at recently signed Pak-China boundary agreement under which some area of former State is ceded to China. At sixth and final round at Delhi - May 14-16 - Pakistan proposes plebiscite confined to Valley which it further suggests should be placed under international control for 12 to 15 months prior to holding of vote. If plebiscite not acceptable, then people's wishes should be ascertained in some other form and dispute settled. India rejects both proposals.

� December 27:

Much political upheaval in Kashmir with installation of openly integrationist government in State, climaxed with mysterious disappearance of Holy Prophet of Islam Hazrat Mohammad (SAW)'s hair - a much-revered relic - from Hazratbal shrine near Srinagar. Mass protests all over State with hundreds of thousands out in streets, wailing and denouncing India and its puppet regime in State.

1964

� January 4:

Holy relic of Hazrat Mohammad (Peace be upon him) just as mysteriously reappears. Awami Action Committee formed to recover relic demands, release of Shaikh Abdullah, withdrawal of cases against him and holding of plebiscite.

� February 3:

Security Council meets and holds a series of seven meetings.

� April 8:

Abdullah released

� May 18:

Last meeting of Security Council ends with summation by President of Council. Bhutto informs members that Kashmir is in revolt against India and refers to anti-Muslim riots in India. Indian representative M.C. Chagla counters by restating that Jammu and Kashmir is India's integral part and UNCIP resolutions have become obsolete and, further, that constitutional changes to bring about Kashmir's integration with India are internal Indian affair and Pakistan has no right to interfere or complain. Bhutto replies that UNCIP resolutions can only be abrogated by agreement of Pakistan and India, UN and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Points out that if UNCIP resolutions are obsolete, so is the ceasefire which they produced. Members suggest indefinite adjournment to enable new trends emerging to take over, especially in view of Abdullah's release.

� May 24:

Nehru invites Abdullah to Delhi and the two make up. Abdullah travels to Pakistan and also goes to Azad Kashmir where he confers with its President K.H. Khurshid. Nehru is said to have had a change of heart on Kashmir, though others deny it - to this day. Ayub later records that Abdullah proposed confederation like arrangements between Pakistan, India and Kashmir, which he rejected. Mirza Afzal Beg, who accompanies Abdullah to Pakistan later tells Indian author P.L. Lakhanpal, "various solutions of the dispute were talked about in general terms but no preferences for any particular solutions were indicated."

� May 27:

Nehru's sudden death in New Delhi aborts Abdullah's mission without any understanding on any point. Abdullah returns to India.

� September:

Elder Indian statesman Jayaprakash Narayan visits Pakistan and feels there is a chance of settling Kashmir dispute.

� October 12:

President Ayub Khan and Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri meet in Karachi but no dramatic announcements are made nor is there any expression of mutual goodwill. However, it is agreed that next contact will be at ministerial level.

� December 21:

Article-356 and 357 of the Indian constitution providing for extension of Presidential or federal rule in Jammu and Kashmir by India evoke strong protests in Valley and is taken exception to by Pakistan through various communications to Security Council.

1965

� March:

Indian government permits Abdullah and Afzal Beg to make the pilgrimage to Makkah. From there they decide to travel to Algiers via London to attend Afro-Asian Conference - which never takes place because of coup d'etat against regime. In London, they learn about arrest in Srinagar of 165 leaders and supporters of Plebiscite Front. Abdullah travels to Algiers where he meets Chinese Prime Minister Zhou En-lai, which causes widespread official and public anger in India. Abdullah's passport is cancelled and he is ordered to return.

� May 8:

Abdullah turns down offer of Pakistani passport and arrives in New Delhi with Beg and is arrested and detained in Ootacumand, thousands of miles from Kashmir. Widespread protests in Valley and a near civil disobedience movement. After military clashes in Rann of Kutch, separating Pakistan's Sindh province from India's marshy Kutch region, Pakistan seems to get better of Indian troops. British mediation produces ceasefire.

� May 19:

Major clash occurs on ceasefire line in Kashmir and 40 Pakistani troops are reported killed. June 30: Status quo ante agreement is signed between Pakistan and India and arbitration accepted in case the two sides fail to settle differences (dispute is finally settled in July 1969). More changes are introduced on April 10, State to integrate it further with Indian Union. Nomenclatures are changed to bring them in line with those prevailing elsewhere in India, with the Prime Minister now called Chief Minister and Sadar-i-Ryasat. Earlier in January, Indian National Congress, ruling party in Delhi, has established branch in Kashmir and Prime Minister G.M. Sadiq announced dissolution of National Conference and absorption of its membership in Indian National Congress.

� June-July:

Incidents continue. There are increasing reports of infiltration from Azad Kashmir into Indian Kashmir. By first week of August, as part of 'Operation Gibraltar', an estimated 1,000 to 3,000 fighters (infiltrators to India;) have crossed over. A clandestine radio station calling itself Sada-i-Kashmir (The voice of Kashmir) starts broadcasting calling for uprising against Indian occupation.

� August 14-15:

Indians attack Pakistani positions in Kargil in north Kashmir.

� August 16:

100,000 people march on Indian Parliament and demand action against so-called Pakistani "aggressors". Indian army captures important positions in Azad Kashmir's Titwal region and Uri-Poonch salient.

� September 1:

Pakistani and Azad Kashmiri troops supported by armor cross the Pakistan-Jammu border near Chhamb and capture sizeable territory.

� September 6:

India attacks Pakistan on two fronts near Lahore and Sialkot. Full-scale war breaks out though there is no formal declaration.

� September 9:

UN Secretary General U.Thant travels to the subcontinent.

� September 17:

USSR steps in to fill void and promote its international peace-making stature. Aleksei Kosygin writes to Ayub and Shastri proposing that they meet in Tashkent.

� September 23:

After 14 days of intense fighting in which there is much loss of life on both sides, ceasefire is declared after Security Council demands one. In Security Council, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Z.A. Bhutto demands discussion of Kashmir question in near future or he will withdraw his delegation. � October: In Srinagar demonstrations take place with student participation demanding plebiscite to decide future of State.

� October 10:

Many leaders including Mirwaiz Mohammed Farooq are arrested and many others by October 21.

1966

� January 3:

Ayub and Shastri meet in Tashkent and reach agreement with Soviet Union playing honest broker

� January 10:

The Tashkent Declaration does not deal with Kashmir dispute but notes its existence. Some see it as having relegated issue to cold storage while concentrating general improvement of relations.

� January 11:

Shastri dies of heart attack.

� February:

Withdrawal of armies behind established international borders and cease-fire line, as laid down in Tashkent agreement, is implemented.

� June:

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto exhibiting open disenchantment with Tashkent begins to distance himself from what he later denounces as a sellout of Kashmir and is finally forced to resign on grounds of "ill health".

1967

� January-June:

Indian People's Representation Act is made applicable to occupied Kashmir as part of continuing efforts to integrate State with Indian Union and further erode Article-370 and what autonomy it conferred on Kashmiris. � Elections held in occupied Kashmir are almost massively rigged by G.M. Sadiq government which has become almost totally subservient to New Delhi. Sadiq's party, the old National Conference, now renamed is an extension of Indira Gandhi's Congress. Plebiscite Front which is believed to represent Abdullah's views boycotts elections.

� July:

Mirza Afzal Beg is permitted to return to his native Islamabad in the Valley as is Sheikh Abdullah's wife Akbar Jahan. � December: Maulana Sayeed Masoodi, another detained leader, is released.

1968

� Pakistan continues to press for further negotiations as sequel to Tashkent through the United Nations or direct talks. Possibility of no-war pact is again explored but Indian attitude remains "non-committal and evasive", to quote Alistair Lamb. Jammu and Kashmir People's Convention holds session in Srinagar under Sheikh Abdullah's leadership and looks at various options to solve Kashmir problem.

Shaikh Abdullah announces entry of Jammu and Kashmir Plebiscite Front in electoral politics. Front fares well in local elections and is set to take part in State elections.

On visit to Srinagar, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi says, "The accession of Kashmir is part of our history, and history cannot be reversed or changed. The Kashmir question has been settled once for all." This clear declaration of Indian position comes in, followed by arrests of political activists known to favor Pakistan. � An organization calling itself Al-Fatah carries out number of acts of sabotage in Valley, first time such actions have taken place in this manner.

Plebiscite Front led by Sheikh Abdullah is banned by the Indian Home Ministry under Unlawful Activities Act to keep it out of State elections.

Ganga, an Indian Airlines Fokker Friendship airliner with 30 passengers and crew on board is hijacked to Lahore while flying from Srinagar to Jammu by two young Kashmiris seeking release of 36 political prisoners in Indian-held Kashmir, asylum in Pakistan for them and their families' which are still in Srinagar.

The hijackers release passengers and crew who cross over into India.

Airliner set on fire and destroyed by hijackers before India can take decision on their demands. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whose PPP has scored runaway victories in Punjab and Sindh in December 1970 elections, declares that the hijackers are "two brave men" and have shown that "no power on earth can stifle the Kashmiris' struggle for liberation.

India holds Pakistan responsible for destruction of aircraft

�India announces that it has suspended with immediate effect over flight of all Pakistani aircraft, both civil and military over Indian territory. It also demands that hijackers be surrendered by Pakistan. Pakistan replies that the hijacking is directly attributable to Indian repression in Kashmir and also protests against continuing hostile demonstrations outside its Delhi mission and burning of some of its property. Meanwhile, political crisis in Pakistan deepens every day with no chance of compromise between Sheikh Mujibur Rehman's Awami League and Z.A. Bhutto's PPP, with Gen Yahya Khan's military regime acting most dubiously. Meanwhile, G.M. Sadiq, Chief Minister of occupied Kashmir calls hijacking an Indian plot and one of the two hijackers is an Indian intelligence agent. This is confirmed by Sheikh Abdullah one week later. People in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, however, continue to view hijackers as Kashmiri heroes. Pakistan government believes entire episode has been staged to isolate East Pakistan and make it difficult for federal authority to ship arms and soldiers there.

Yahya Khan cracks down on Awami League which has for weeks been defying federal authority and demanding transfer of power. Army units fan out all over East Pakistan and there is much wanton killing, some of it in revenge for atrocities committed by Bengalis against West Pakistanis and Biharis. Hundreds of thousands of refugees pour into West Bengal and situation goes from bad to worse each day. Indians arm and train East Pakistanis extensively in coming months and province is plunged into violence with no sign of a political settlement since Yahya Khan has declared Mujib traitor. Indian infiltration increases and Pakistani garrison is stretched out and finds itself beleaguered and short on resources.

To relieve pressure on East Pakistan, Yahya Khan authorizes attack on India from West. This operation makes no headway, but gives India the excuse it has been looking for.

Full-scale military invasion of East Pakistan by Indian army gets underway and after some fighting Pakistani commander Gen. A.K. Niazi surrenders. Cease-fire declared in West.

Yahya Khan steps down and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto takes over as President of Pakistan. East Pakistan has meanwhile declared itself independent and is Bangladesh.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Indira Gandhi meet in Simla, India, to deal with consequences of 1971. On the night of July 2-3, after what looks like a deadlock in negotiations between delegations, the two leaders find agreement and thus come to be signed what is known since as Simla Agreement. On Jammu and Kashmir, the accord renames cease-fire line as line of actual control - to reflect some minor adjustments that are mutually agreed on - and while it pledges both sides to respect the new line, a proviso added at Bhutto's insistence says this will be "without prejudice to the recognized position of either side.� It also commits both countries to "further undertake to refrain from the threat of use of force in violation of this line".

On return to Lahore, Bhutto announces that "on the vital question of Kashmir too, we have made no compromise, We told them ... categorically that the people of Kashmir must exercise their right of self-determination. This was a question which can be decided only by the people of Kashmir. Neither Pakistan nor India had any say in this matter." However, at Simla, no representative of the people of Jammu and Kashmir from any side is present. Simla Agreement also speaks of bilateral relations being governed by principles and purposes of UN Charter and draws a distinction between the international border between Pakistan and India and line of control in State. India has argued since that Simla rules out referral of Kashmir to an international body including United Nations, while Pakistan maintains that Simla does no such thing and, in any case, bilateral agreements cannot override international agreements. To Pakistan, UNCIP resolutions on Kashmir remain unaffected by Simla, while India maintains that Kashmir has to be settled bilaterally without third party intervention as laid down in Simla Agreement.

Externment order passed against Shaikh Abdullah is lifted, followed by removal of similar orders against Mirza Afzal Beg and G.M. Shah, Abdullah's son-in-law. Begum Abdullah has already been allowed to enter the State in April.

Abdullah returns to Srinagar and declares that people of Jammu and Kashmir have still to exercise right to self-determination. Of Simla Agreement, he says that neither India nor Pakistan have any right to decide State's fate over the heads of its people. His utterances appear to suggest that he does not consider State's accession to India in October 1947 as final.

Ban on Plebiscite Front is not renewed when it expires.

Students in Anantnag, not far from Srinagar, protest against an image of the Holy Prophet in a children's encyclopedia. By May 20, trouble spreads to Srinagar with strikes and marches, all with a strong anti-India flavour. Total strike in Valley with public transport halted. Police opens fire and there are some deaths. By May 27, 100 have been arrested and four have died in Srinagar alone.

Prime Minister Z. A. Bhutto of Pakistan while visiting Muzaffarabad, makes highly critical speech about India's failure to hold plebiscite in Kashmir.

There are riots in Srinagar over renaming of a women's college after Jawaharlal Nehru. There is further unrest in entire Valley, which continues for next two weeks.

Series of meetings take place between Mrs Gandhi herself, her emissaries and Sheikh Abdullah and Mirza Afzal Beg over terms on which peace can be made with the once-estranged Kashmiri leader. Abdullah and Indian External Affairs Minister Sardar Swarn Singh meet several times in June, while Beg holds series of meetings with former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan G. Parthasarathi.

Mirza Afzal Beg and G.Parthasarathi agree on all terms discussed during series of meetings.

Delhi Accord is accepted formally by Abdullah.

Mrs. Gandhi makes contents public of what has now come to be known as 'Delhi Accord'.

Abdullah is sworn in as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir after Congress legislative party elects him as its leader. The Delhi Accord, contrary to Abdullah's wishes, does not return position as it stood before his dismissal in August 1953. It implies clearly that accession of State to India is final. The Accord's key provision says "The State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is a constituent unit of the Union of India shall in its relations with the Union, continue to be governed by Article-370 of the Constitution of India". The Union Parliament "will continue to have power to make laws relating to the prevention of activities directed towards disclaiming, questioning or disrupting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India or secession of a part of the territory from the Union." Congress Party in State legislature elects Sheikh Abdullah as leader. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto calls countrywide strike in Pakistan and Indian held Kashmir for February 28.

Response to Bhutto's strike call is overwhelming. He says Abdullah, who calls himself a champion of democracy is about to become head of government of a party to which he does not belong in an Assembly of which he is not even a member.

Pakistan protests to United Nations arguing that Delhi Accord violates both Simla Agreement and UN requirements for Kashmir plebiscite. China seconds Pakistan on March 12. Right-wing Hindus in Jammu oppose Accord and call for abrogation of Article-370 and State's full and complete absorption in Indian Union.

Delhi Accord receives approval of Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) massively.

Delhi Accord is passed by Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament).

Abdullah revives National Conference after dissolving Plebiscite Front with himself as President.

� September: Abdullah announces that he intends to bring some form of alliance with Awami Action Committee led by Mirwaiz Farooq who has been held for a short time in June after an anti-Abdullah demonstration. However, the promised rapprochement never quite takes place.

Members of Congress in (Indian-held) Kashmir Assembly withdraw support from Sheikh Abdullah's administration under the urging of Delhi, which is increasingly uncomfortable with the Sheikh and openly disenchanted with Delhi Accord of 1975.

Elections called by Mrs. Gandhi produce unexpected results, she loses and state of emergency under which she has been ruling is lifted.

Abdullah persuades Governor of Indian-held Kashmir to dissolve Assembly and order fresh elections in order to defeat conspiracies being hatched against him.

: Elections take place and Abdullah's National Conference wins 47 out of 76 Assembly seats.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government is overthrown in a coup by his army chief, Gen. Zia-ul-Haq.

� December: Riots break out in Poonch.

Riots that broke out in Poonch city in December 1978 continue into January through March against charges of nepotism by National Conference government. Police firing kills 10 people. There are also riots in Jammu over "regional imbalances".

Four parties including one formed by Abdullah's old comrade, Afzal Beg, form alliance against National Conference and passage of a controversial bill that, if passed, can only go towards establishment of one-party rule.

Controversial Bill is passed.

Mrs. Gandhi is returned to power in India.

Abdullah says, "No one would be allowed to enslave us again�.

Mrs. Gandhi reprimands Abdullah when they meet in Delhi.

Abdullah nominates his son, Farooq Abdullah, as his successor.

Abdullah gets Farooq Abdullah elected President of National Conference. � Disagreement between Abdullah and Delhi over definition of who is or isn't a Kashmiri citizen ensues. The Resettlement Bill which Abdullah wants passed will practically obliterate the cease-fire line in the sense that refugees who from Indian-held Kashmir living in Azad Kashmir obtain right of return to State as if they are returning residents.

Sheikh Abdullah dies in Srinagar. Farooq Abdullah takes over as Chief Minister.

Relations between Farooq and Delhi deteriorate. National Conference announces that it is fighting State election due that year, by contesting all 76 seats, leaving Congress (Indira group) no option but to follow suit. National Conference sweeps Valley in May elections, winning 46 seats, while Congress scores landslide in Jammu with 26 seats. Riots in Srinagar with several hundred injured.

Farooq Abdullah hosts conclave of Indian opposition parties in Srinagar.

Maqbul Butt, head of Jammu-Kashmir Liberation Front hanged in Tihar jail in Delhi. Widespread protests in Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and Valley.

Jagmohan is appointed as the Governor of Indian-held Kashmir.

Curfew imposed on Martyrs' Day.

Assembly summoned by Jagmohan, and through defections and other methods mandate is conferred on G.M Shah by 43 votes to zero with Farooq and his party-men staging walkout.

Police fires on anti-India demonstration in Srinagar on Indian Independence Day.

G.M. Shah Government is bundled out of office.

Farooq Abdullah is returned to power but only after he has agreed to share power with Congress.

14 Muslim parties form United Muslim Front.

Elections are held and Farooq wins 38 seats, mostly in Valley, with Congress taking 24 seats from Jammu.

Farooq is once again sworn in as Chief Minister. Widespread rigging reported and leaders of United Muslim Front arrested.

Protest march in Srinagar against rise in power rates is fired on. Three killed; three-day strike follows.

Indian Independence Day sees Srinagar under curfew.

Demonstrations in Srinagar streets at the news of Pakistan President Zia-ul-Haq's death in plane crash.

Four protesters shot dead by police.

Three more protesters killed.

Curfew is lifted in Srinagar after 13 days.

DIG Kashmir, A M Watali's house attacked in Srinagar. One attacker killed.

Protests against Salman Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses, lead to massive demonstrations in Srinagar. 50 people are injured in clash with police. Protests and clashes with police continue.

Two bombs are thrown at police by crowd demonstrating against indiscriminate arrests of Kashmiri youth. Situation remains tense and marked by unrest and use of force by police for about one week.

Gen. K.V. Krishna Rao is sworn in as Governor in place of Jagmohan.

Communal clashes take place in Leh, Ladakh.

Indian Independence Day is marked by total strike in Srinagar.

Indian troops desecrate the Central Jamia Mosque, Srinagar. Hundreds of believers were severely beaten up and dozens of innocent people arrested by the Indian troops.

Hindu right-wing BJP leader Jia Lal Taploo is shot dead by unknown attackers.

Neel Kanth Ganjoo who had sentenced JKLF leader Maqbool Butt to death is killed.

JKLF kidnaps Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who is viewed as India's prime Kashmiri collaborator.

Curfew is imposed in entire Valley and five people are killed by police.

Jagmohan is brought back as Governor and Governor Rule is declared again. Farooq Abdullah resigns as Chief Minister. Jagmohan 'celebrates' his return to power by ordering night-long house-to-house searches in Srinagar.

Protests against these excesses are dealt with sternly and 35 Kashmiris are killed.

Eight Kashmiris are killed in firing by security forces in Srinagar. 200 policemen protest against killing of their comrades by Indian para-military forces.

10 youth are killed in Indian army firing while crossing the ceasefire line from Chakothi on the call of National Liberation Front.

Lassa Koul, director of Indian TV channel Doordarshan's Srinagar station is killed by unknown assailants.

Jagmohan dissolves State Assembly.

Mass exodus of Kashmiri Pundits begins from Valley largely because of Jagmohan's orders, the aim being to give situation religious, communal color. 30 killed in Zakura, near Hazratbal shrine and Barzala locality of Srinagar.

The liberation organisations advocating Kashmiris' accession with Pakistan form a forum, Tehreek-e-Hurriyate Kashmir in Srinagar. Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom heads the forum.

Mir Mustafa, former Assembly member kidnapped and killed.

Mushir-ul-Haq, Kashmir University vice-chancellor is kidnapped with 2 others by Jammu-Kashmir Students Liberation Front.

The kidnapped are killed.

Mirwaiz Maulvi Mohammad Farooq is killed. His funeral procession is fired on by security forces killing 50.

Jagmohan is succeeded by Girish Chandra Saxena, once security adviser to Rajiv Gandhi and V.P. Singh.

73 Kashmiris described by India as militants are killed near cease-fire line.

Up to 50 people are killed when security forces fire at funeral procession.

JKLF leader Amanullah Khan leads march through Azad Kashmir in a bid to cross cease-fire line. Marchers stopped well short of line, many are arrested.

14 innocent Kashmiris are killed by Indian forces near Srinagar in retaliation against firing at two officers.

JKLF and Hizbul Mujahideen declare self-determination as their common goal.

40 Kashmiris killed in Sopore in retaliatory action by Indian forces.

Nearly 30 parties and groups including JKLF, join together to form All-Parties Hurriyat Conference in Srinagar, headed by Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, son of the slain Mirwaiz Maulvi Mohammad Farooq.

Gen. K.V. Krishna Rao is appointed Governor.

Almost entire town of Sopore destroyed by fire believed to have been started by Indian security troops.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Robin Raphel in a briefing to correspondents in Washington casts doubts about finality and even validity of instrument of accession signed by Maharaja to join Jammu and Kashmir State to India in 1947. Raphel's words � "We view Kashmir as a disputed territory and that means that we do not recognize that instrument of accession as meaning that Kashmir is forevermore an integral part of India." This causes uproar in India where US is denounced for interference in India's internal affairs. Subsequently, on several occasions, administration officials reiterate that US considers entire State as disputed territory.

Indian troops besiege Hazratbal shrine; heavy paramilitary contingents are reinforced and sandy bag bunkers erected around the shrine before and after the siege. More than 65 people including women and children are captivated without any supply of food and essential commodities for 32 successive days. Even water supply to the shrine was cut off after the siege.

More than 50 protesters are martyred and another 100 injured in indiscriminate firing by paramilitary forces in Bijbehara, Islamabad.

Complete shutdown observed in Kashmir for 32 days till the siege was lifted. Shrine is still under surveillance of troops frisking every visitor. The month-long siege is finally resolved through negotiations and those holed up are allowed safe passage. During this crisis, HurriyAt Conference gains importance as it organizes mass boycotts, public demonstrations and protests throughout the Valley to protest siege of Kashmir's holiest shrine. Hurriyat leaders play important role in negotiating end to crisis.

� March: In an interview in Geneva to a Pakistani newspaper correspondent, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Salman Khurshid says India does not consider people of Jammu and Kashmir party to the dispute.

British Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd stresses the need for an end to encouragement of violence in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Sardar Aasef Ahmad Ali believes the government has quite successfully managed to chip away India's citadel of maintaining status quo on Kashmir. The Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Kashmir, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan says that an international conspiracy was being hatched in the name of elections to divert the attention of the world community from the human rights violations being committed by India in occupied Kashmir.

India declares occupied Jammu and Kashmir territory a "backward" state, offering tax breaks and concessions to businesses in a bid to get rid of freedom movement.

UN resolutions on an issue could not become "old or irrelevant", says George Galloway, Member of British Parliament, adding, "adoption of double-standards or choosing selectivity in the matter of UN resolutions or those in respect of violation of human rights is highly regrettable and unforgivable". Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Khan says Britain being a party to the subcontinent partition plan should play effective role in getting the Kashmir issue peacefully and politically resolved in accordance with internationally recognized principles instead of taking an indifferent or partisan attitude. India loses control over ground situation in occupied Kashmir and starts harassing journalists to cover up its massive human rights abuses. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif criticizes British Foreign Minister Douglas Hurd's statement in which he had talked about 'outside interference' in Occupied Kashmir.

AJK Prime Minister Sardar Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Khan tells Robin Raphel that the Kashmiris desire peaceful and political solution of Kashmir problem and greatly value all efforts towards that end.

Indian authorities clamp curfew on southern Kashmir town of Islamabad following widespread protests after troops torched some 24 houses. The National Kashmir Conference expresses complete solidarity with the Kashmir freedom fighters and assures the brethren in held Kashmir that the Muslims across the globe in general and the people of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan in particular forthrightly support their just struggle for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination. A member of the Norwegian Parliament Mr Athar Ali says that the Indian forces have let loose a constant reign of terror in Kashmir and the people of the territory were deprived of the right of self-determination which was recognized by the world community at the United Nations.

Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao says India would accept US help in settling dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir but the two countries would eventually have to resolve their differences themselves. Kashmir Watch, a London-based human rights agency, while reminding British Foreign Secretary Prime Minister Douglas Hurd of Lord Mountbatten's role in presiding over the Indian invasion, says the indifference of Britain towards what is happening in Kashmir, is painful.

Having failed to quell the freedom struggle through the use of brute and savage security forces, Indian intelligence agencies step up attempts to exploit the sectarian differences between various segments of the Mujahideen to create fissures in the freedom struggle and pit them against each other.

The occupation troops stormed a local mosque on the pretext of search and besides damaging doors and windows, demolished a portion. In addition, more than 12 protestors were arrested.

Big anti-India demonstrations were held in Srinagar and Doda to register the Kashmiris abhorrence to the ever-growing blood-thirst of the Indian forces.

The United States calls for a solution to the Kashmir issue because, as a senior defence official put it, "anybody" interested in stability in an area "that encompasses over a billion people has to look for a way to try to find methods for defusing the Kashmir dispute".

Ruling out the involvement of any third party in settling Pak-India disputes, India says it is ready to hear from Pakistan directly what elbow room they require to commence the talks.

Events in occupied Kashmir remained among the most serious human rights situation in Asia, says Human Rights Watch World report 1995 on India.

As many as 3007 Kashmiri Muslims are still in detention in the Valley, says an official report of Pakistan conveyed to the Indian Human Rights Commission.

Two mosques are blown up, 17 people including five freedom fighters martyred and 235 others rounded up two days ahead of India's Republic Day at different in occupied Kashmir. Some leading US newspapers have criticized the "deafening silence" on India's human rights record as Clinton administration sets about to promote business deals with that country.

Eight persons are killed and 30 wounded in three bomb explosions in Srinagar stadium during ceremony to mark India's Republic Day.

Senior Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Gilani says accession of Kashmir to Pakistan is must. Hindus in Jammu and its surrounding areas go on rampage, looting and putting on fire the Muslim localities and killing innocent Kashmiris in reaction to attack on India's Republic Day function at Srinagar.

Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan says that Pakistan is the only hurdle in the way of India in becoming a lord in South Asia.

Mirwaiz Maulvi Umar Farooq rejects Douglas Hurd's view that 40-year-old UN resolutions on Kashmiris' right of self-determination have become outdated saying it is the UN commitment to the Kashmiris to get their right to be given to them. Amnesty International again puts India in the dock for widespread torture and deaths in custody in occupied Kashmir.

US State Department in its annual report for 1994 holds Indian forces responsible for many human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir.

US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, John Shattuck denies the Clinton administration had backed away from its strong 1993 stance on human rights abuses in Indian-held Kashmir because of its new focus on economic and trade opportunities, saying "the subject of human rights is very high on our agenda." Pakistan Ambassador Ahmad Kamal in a statement at the 51st session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva strongly rebuts India's allegation that it is abetting terrorism across its border saying the allegation is ridiculous. Amnesty International says their repeated requests for permission to send a team of researchers to the area, have so far not received a positive response. The Indian government has neither turned down the request nor accepted.

India, bowing to international pressure, agrees to allow the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) an access to detainees in jails and detention centers in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Turkish President Suleyman Demirel appeals to Pakistan and India to settle the Kashmir issue bilaterally through dialogue under the aegis of the Simla Accord. Pakistan ambassador in the United Nations Ahmad Kamal says that right of self-determination is a fundamental right which must be conceded to the peace of Kashmir and Palestine. Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto urges India to give up oppression in IHK and enter into serious dialogue with Pakistan to find out ways for the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir issue.

Life in Pakistan comes to a standstill due to strike observed to express solidarity with the Kashmiris fighting for the right of self-determination.

Pakistan says the Indian concession of allowing ICRC into J&K has been done under pressure and is a mere ploy to stave off international censure coming in its way at the ongoing session of the UNHRC in Geneva.

APHC leaders scheduled to meet a large group of Members of British Parliament drawn from all the three main political parties, again make it plain that they will not take part in any Indian sponsored elections in held Kashmir.

The US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Ms Robin Raphel tells a House subcommittee that the Administration has no information on reports originating in India that some Kashmiri militants given permission to attend OIC summit at Casablanca are raising funds in Saudi Arabia. Prof Dr Dhirendra Sharma of science policy at the JN University in an article appearing in India's Sunday Observer, says "the real challenge to India's sovereignty over Kashmir, does not come from across the border but from India's continued violation of social contract with the Kashmiri people".

Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto says Pakistan will continue supporting Kashmiris in their struggle for freedom by extending fullest moral, political and diplomatic help and will try its best to make the world realize the gravity of the issue.

The Indian National Human Rights Commission (INHRC) advises the Government that a team of Amnesty International members be allowed to visit Kashmir Valley to take an on-the-spot account of the human rights situation in the insurgency-infested Valley.

Somewhat piqued after the statement of the Union Home Minister, Mr. S.B. Chavan in the Lok Sabha that the US is fishing in the troubled waters of Jammu and Kashmir, the US embassy in Delhi seeks clarification on Mr. Chavan's views from the Ministry of External Affairs though this has been done informally.

An Editorial in Toronto Star terms Kashmir as a "dark stain" on India as more than 17,000 people have been killed in the Kashmir Valley since 1989.

Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, leader of the Pakistan delegation at the 51st session of Human Rights Commission makes extensive diplomatic contacts to campaign for Kashmir.

The United States reaffirms that Kashmir is a disputed territory and that for any resolution of the problem to be stable and long lasting, the wishes of the people of Kashmir have to be taken into account. A report of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) says that India is violating human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dorab Patel, former Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and a member of the International Commission of Jurists says that Pakistan will not accept general elections in the IHK as an alternative to the plebiscite which the UN resolutions promised to the people of this war-torn state.

The 51st session of the UN commission on Human Rights officially circulates a memorandum concerning human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. US Assistant Secretary Robin Raphel says a resolution of the Kashmir issue is not only "long overdue", it is "essential for the long-term stability of the region as a whole". If Pakistan and India make a request "the Unites States has offered to assist" in a solution.

War of words between government of India and Amnesty International takes an extraordinary turn with the AI demanding that Indian forces' personnel suspected of involvement in torture and ill-treatment of detainees in Jammu and Kashmir be suspended from active duty during the course of investigations.

Notwithstanding the repeated assurances of Indian administration that its forces will not enter the Holy Charar Sharif town of Central Kashmir where some prominent Mujahideen have been camping for last two months, the situation in and around the town continues to be grave with both security forces and the freedom fighters fortifying their bases.

India is once again under the fire for its human rights record in Kashmir at a hearing of the House Sub-Committee on Asia and the Pacific.

Members belonging to the main political parties at a parliamentary debate marking the Commonwealth Day, urge Commonwealth initiative to resolve the Kashmir issue. The US secretary of state, John Shattuck, and director of Asia watch, Asia, Gender Zevak, advise the Clinton administration to use its influence to bring an end to the deplorable situation. In an address to the sub-committee of Congress, Shattuck terms the situation in Kashmir like a blazing inferno which could flare up any time.

Sir Frederick Bennett, Conservative MP for 34 years and now a Privy Counselor for life, says the people of Kashmir would be the only people regaining their freedom having once thrown the yoke of imperial domination yet deprived of the right of self-determination, forced instead to exchange one alien rule by another, and much more rigorous one, than that of the outgoing British Raj.

US Secretary of State Warren Christopher says resolution of some seemingly intractable international problems during last two years has given hope that solution of Kashmir issue would also be found. Leaders of the liberation groups reject the idea of elections held under the Indian constitution in Jammu and Kashmir as a ploy to placate world opinion, and threatens his party will make any such polls in Jammu and Ladakh impossible.

APHC demands of the Human Rights Commission to send a fact-finding mission to occupied Kashmir to stop India from its repressive acts.

The Chairman of the National Assembly's Kashmir Committee, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan says Pakistan will not approve of any Camp David-style agreement on Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan. Jammu-Kashmir Peoples League leader Shabbir Ahmad Shah while speaking at the foreign correspondent club reiterates that elections are no alternative to "right of self-determination" and says if polls are at all organized in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the people in unison will boycott them.

The disclosure by Prof P.O. Dhar, who was secretary to Indira Gandhi and a member of the Indian delegation at the Simla talks, says that Indira and Z.A. Bhutto had a "secret understanding" for converting the Line of Control in Kashmir as a permanent solution to the dispute has caused many Kashmir observers to raise eyebrows and speculate if it is intended to signal India's willingness to begin negotiations with Benazir Bhutto on this basis. German President, Herr Roman Herzog says Kashmir is the most serious conflict in the region and bloodshed must stop there.

Indian Prime Minister, in his message of felicitations to Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on her assumption of office in October 1993, offered to discuss all aspects (of Kashmir). Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan S.K. Lambah tells daily The Nation that India is ready for a dialogue on Kashmir with Pakistan at any time, at any level and without any condition.

Lord Eric Avebury, Chairman of the British Parliamentary Human Rights Group, bitterly criticized the British government for putting too much faith in a political process in held Kashmir reminding that not more than four percent of the people of Kashmir had taken part in the last elections for the Lok Sabha in 1989.

Thomas M Cox Chairman British and Pakistan Parliamentary Group in House of Commons, Gary Waller, MP and Maxwell tell a joint Press conference that they will approach Clinton Administration through their government to pressure India to resolve Kashmir dispute as it is a threat to regional peace.

Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukerjee says he is ready for talks with Pakistan at "anyplace, anytime" but an upcoming South Asian summit is not the forum for such bilateral discussions.

A national lobby of the British Parliament on Kashmir is launched as a 'standing body' to create awareness about the Kashmir among the British people and seek wider support across the country for its resolution.

The ambassadors of the European Commission in India meet Kashmiri guerilla leaders for talks to find a political solution to the crisis in the Indian-occupied state.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Jose Ayala Lasso meets Muslim leaders who complain about rampant rights violations in the Indian-held Kashmir.

Pakistan President Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari rules out the third option of independent Kashmir for the resolution of the Kashmir issue because it betrays the basic philosophy of the 1947 Partition Plan. Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao says that Kashmir issue can be resolved only in a "conducive and congenial atmosphere between India and Pakistan."

Pakistan Foreign Minister Sardar Asef Ahmed Ali says Simla agreement is an open document and there are no secret clauses.

Several hundred homes are gutted on the eve of Eid as a mysterious fire rages through Chrar Sharif where freedom fighters have been under siege of the Indian army for two months. Pro-liberation groups say that the incident is the handiwork of Indian troops.

Anti-India protests engulf Kashmir Valley as a result of destruction of the 650-year-old mausoleum of Sheikh Nooruddin Wali (R.A.) and an adjacent mosque. However, India blames Pakistan for engineering destruction of a shrine in Kashmir and issues a strong warning against 'interference in its internal affairs'.

Angry Kashmiris defy a curfew and hold noisy demonstrations across the Kashmir Valley for the third day to protest against the burning of a mosque and the shrine of Sheikh Nooruddin Wali in Charar Sharif.

The US Assistant Secretary, Ms Robin Raphel says that Kashmir remains a primary source of tension between India and Pakistan and the violence and destruction that occurred in Charar Sharif is "deeply saddening", adding that "unfortunately, it is only the latest incident in a tragic conflict that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people. This conflict must be ended peacefully and as soon as possible".

The leadership of Pakistan Muslim League demands of the government to suspend all kinds of commercial and diplomatic ties with India in protest against burning of the holy shrine and its adjoining mosque in Charar Sharif. The Senate of Pakistan unanimously adopts resolution condemning Charar Sharif sacrilege.

The OIC Contact Group on Kashmir strongly condemns the "brutal Indian military operation" in Charar Sharif and urges India to withdraw its forces from there. A formal resolution is moved in US Congress calling on Pakistan, India and the legitimate representatives of the people of Kashmir to enter into negotiations and resolve the Kashmir conflict peacefully.

Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee says New Delhi is committed to resolving all its disputes with Islamabad, including over Kashmir, bilaterally and peacefully. He rules out third country mediation in Kashmir. Yet another revered shrine is besieged by the Indian troops soon after the burning of Charar Sharif.

On the eve of the Black Day to protest against the desecration of the Charar Sharif shrine, Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto calls upon India to start negotiations with Pakistan on the modalities to hold plebiscite in Kashmir. APHC rejects New Delhi's offer of talks on Kashmir, saying it will not enter into any dialogue with New Delhi unless it admits Kashmir as a disputed territory.

King Hassan-II of Morocco, chairman of OIC, expresses deep anguish and indignation at the destruction of the holy shrine of Sheikh Nooruddin Wali by Indian armed personnel adding that this outrage is shared with the peoples of Kashmir and Pakistan not only by Muslims but all peace-loving people across the world.

Damascus Declaration signed in the OIC Information Ministers' Conference endorses the resolution of OIC countries demanding a peaceful solution to Jammu and Kashmir. Uzbekistan supports Kashmiris right of self-determination as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Pakistan President Farooq Leghari says failure of 600,000 Indian troops to overcome a small valley of Kashmir has proved that the freedom movement of Mujahideen is not only indigenous but also sustainable.

New Delhi decides to extend federal rule over Indian-occupied Kashmir by another six months after the election chief said polls could not be held by mid-July, when the latest term of central rule expires.

Iran renews its mediation offer for peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue, which has been hanging fire on subcontinent for the last four decades. Pakistan's Ambassador to Hungary, Dr. B.A. Malik says the resolution of Kashmir under the UN Security Council resolutions is the responsibility of European and civilized nations.

US Ambassador Frank Wisner says Pakistan, India and the people of Jammu and Kashmir must together work out an agreement to solve the Kashmir issue

Turkmenistan urges India to exercise restraint in occupied Kashmir and expresses concern over the tragic incident of Charar Sharif.

A bipartisan resolution is moved in the US Senate condemning Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir and urging both India and Pakistan to enter into negotiations with the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people to resolve the dispute peacefully.

US Ambassador to Delhi Frank Wisner arrives in Indian-occupied Kashmir on a four-day visit, the first by a senior Washington envoy since the launching of liberation movement by Kashmiris five years ago.

President of the State of Palestine Yasser Arafat reaffirms his support to all people struggling for their right of self-determination especially the brotherly people of Kashmir, in compliance with the relevant UN Resolutions. Former Japanese Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata says Kashmir is a thorny issue and unless India takes initiatives to resolve this key problem, peace in South Asia remains threatened.

The Amnesty report for 1994 says that in Jammu and Kashmir, deaths in custody as a result of torture or shooting have reached extraordinary levels and none of the perpetrators is brought to justice. � Four foreign tourists - two Americans John Donald and Donald Fred Hustchins, and two Britons Paul Well and Keith Moningan, are abducted by unknown persons from the tourist resort of Pahalgam, 100 kms from Srinagar.

British High Commissioner to India Sir Nicholas Fenn while addressing a gathering of businessmen and industrialists in London says the Kashmir issue is the main hurdle in the development of economic cooperation between countries of South Asia region.

� Indian authorities impose curfew in parts of Jammu and Kashmir amid clashes between police and Kashmiris commemorating the martyrdom of several Kashmiris on July 13, 1931.The Kashmir issue gains across-party support in British Parliament where the dispute finds persistent echo second only to the Parliament in Islamabad.

Former Indian Foreign Secretary J.N. Dixit proposes that New Delhi accept a popular Kashmiri demand for a plebiscite in the Himalayan region.

New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, in a report titled On the Razor's Edge, says the kidnapping this month of four journalists in Kashmir is just the latest example of a full clampdown on any independent reporting in that region.

Former Pakistan Foreign Secretary Shaharyar M. Khan, currently serving as the UN secretary-general's special envoy for Rwanda, and J.N. Dixit, India's Foreign Secretary until 1992, tell Wilton Park conference sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth office in London that a political solution of the Kashmir conflict has to be found, one which also fulfils the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Chairman of the Iranian Majlis (Parliament) Human Rights Commission, Rajai Khorasani, expresses deep concern over the atrocities being committed by the Indian occupation forces against the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Washington Post lambastes India over the reign of state terrorism its armed forces had unleashed in occupied Kashmir.

The deputy head of Asian Desk in Foreign and Commonwealth Secretariat Nick Kay admits that the atrocities committed in the occupied Kashmir have been noted on the international level. The Kashmir issue should be solved by mutual negotiations between Pakistan and India according to Simla agreement.

J&K police recovers headless body of one of the Western hostages about 50 km south of Srinagar. Pakistan expresses deep shock over the killing of Norwegian hostage and appeals for immediate release of the remaining four Western hostages. � Mr. Gerald Kaufman, MP and a former shadow foreign secretary of British Labour Party, says Kashmir is a disputed matter and it should be resolved according to the UN resolutions,

The OIC fully supports the struggle of the Kashmiri people and sympathizes with the people of Kashmir, who are suffering as a result of the Indian atrocities in Indian-held territory.

A representative of the World Muslim Congress and Chairman, Kashmir Commission of Jurists, Srinagar, Jalil Andrabi tells the 47th session of the sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities at Geneva that India's denial of the right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is a perpetual threat to peace in South Asia.

The Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Mohammad Mahdi Akhondzadeh calls for an early resolution of the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India in accordance with the wishes of their people.

At least 15 persons are killed and over 20 others injured in car bomb explosion outside the State Bank of India branch in Srinagar.

3 persons including correspondent Yousuf Jamil are injured in bomb attack by unidentified armed persons on the BBC office in Srinagar.

A general strike called to condemn bomb attack on journalists paralyses the Kashmir Valley.

Chairman of the United Kingdom Parliamentary Human Rights group, Eric Avebury describes the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir as one of the greatest tragedies of modern times, and demands urgent measures to curb the Indian oppression of the innocent people and for the solution of the dispute.

A 3-member delegation from occupied Kashmir led by APHC chief, Mir Waiz Umar Farooq, visiting Cartagenda, Colombia, for the Non-Aligned Summit, is detained for six hours by local authorities on Indian accusation that they are 'terrorists'.