[View the story "Kashmir: Caught in the middle" on Storify ]Kashmir: Caught in the middle Renewed tension between India and Pakistan after grandmother crosses Line of Control. Storified by The Stream · Tue, Jan 15 2013 10:04:05
Skirmishes between the Pakistani and Indian armies in Kashmir left two Pakistani soldiers and two Indian soldiers dead last week.
Each side accuses the other of violating a ceasefire that has been in place since 2003. The following coverage by Al Jazeera English provides background on the recent flare-up.
Pakistani soldier killed in disputed Kashmiraljazeeraenglish
Although
cross-border firing on the Line of Control in Kashmir is not unusual, many fear the escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan because of their nuclear capabilities. The two sides have fought three major wars, two of them over Kashmir. Following the recent clashes, both sides have engaged in
diplomatic talks hoping to stabilise the situation.
Pakistani envoy summoned over Kashmir clashaljazeeraenglish
Despite an interest in reconciliation,
prominent Indian leaders have expressed adamant disapproval of the Pakistani army's
reported beheading of an Indian soldier. Pakistan has
denied the accusation. Below, General Bikram Singh, Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, spoke on the subject.
TN Beheading our soldiers is not acceptable Gen Bikram Singh...mrtrendingnews
The
struggle for democracy in Kashmir began long before the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. Kashmiris have often taken to the streets to call for their right to self-determination. Below are videos of protests in
2010 and
2012 .
JAMMU KASHMIR KMS PROTEST EID AUGUST 2012usmanali600
kashmir protests....june 2010rashidtqari
Netizens expressed their views on why Pakistan and India value Kashmir:
@AJStream Kashmir is the heart and soul of Pakistan. Its resolution is a must as per the wishes of kasmiris.Balal Haider
@AJStream govt of both the countries wil never resolve the disputed issues includng kashmir,since this will dry their electoral gain n votesFawad Kazmi
@AJStream Kashmir remains root cause of confrontation b/w Ind & Pak, We Kashmiris suffer.India has increasingly lost its ground. #AJStreamNazir Q Bulla
Others talked about the need for India and Pakistan to change internally in order to resolve the Kashmir issue.
@AJStream Pakistan is a dysfunctional state with multiple power centres & relations can't mend unless they stop exporting terror.deepak gogoi
@AJStream India has started this so the attention of people could be diverted from the real problems in the country. Kashimr will suffer.Khawaja Hamad
@AJStream speaking for #Pakistan, to stop teaching hatred against #India in schools and keeping religious differences apart.Maria Mumtaz
@AJStream Kashmir Muslims want independence b/c of indian brutal policies.India hv to to realise that Kashmir is a big hurdle to prosperityAhmed Ali
Message from #Kashmir is clear, we want an end to Indian occupation. #FreeKashmir @georgegalloway @ConvoyToKashmir http://pic.twitter.com/hyLxLvsN#Kashmir
Netizens debated the effectiveness of Kashmiri leadership in responding to the needs of the locals:
@ajstream We Kashmiris don't believe on our leaders but our fight for independence is always in our hearts. We want free Kashmir.δΗακεει
@AJStream In Kashmir everybody has influence from nationalists to unionists. Our History & now Present times is a proof. #AJStreamHaamid Peerzada
@AJStream I don't know weather klf is truly representing Kashmir issue but what I know is that UN has to do more in order to bring peace.Akif Mehmood
@AJStream Every group in #kashmir is a niche group. And members of each group are perpetually swinging this way and that. Got it, I hope?Djunayd
Some view the recent clashes along the Line of Control as another example of how things have not changed.
@AJStream What happened at LOC, has been happening there since LOC was created. Enough has been said & this is going to continue #AJSTREAMHaamid Peerzada
@ajstream These skirmishes hv been going on since last 2 decades, the fundamantal cause being the indecisiveness 2 resolve Kashmir #ajstreamWamik M Khan
@AJStream Both the countries have fought at least 2 large scale wars over #kashmir, surprising that still such an issue remains unattended!Gowhar Mir
They also discussed the likelihood of peace in the region.
@AJStream Peace is a word that Indians n Pakistanis dont understand n the ones who do I.e Kashmiris will probably go extinct before it comesThe Half Widow
Peace is only viable option that both countries can afford and peace is Kashmir -untill its solved peace Will never come @ajstreami__tahir
@AJStream The issue can only be resolved if the rhetorical statements come down & there be no preconditions for talks on the issue #AJStreamHaamid Peerzada
@AJStream the one specific requirement is for both sides to sheath their swords and meet on a common and mutual platform: symbiotic relationogunkoya kehinde
@ajstream TRUST and Respect will do it.EagleVern
@AJStream solution is dialogue btw the parties involved not war...!Abdul Haseeb
@AJStream A chance of long term stability is constantly undermined by both #India & #Pakistan used for political gains & religious purposes!Neslihan Kurosawa
