DATE=05/17/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=INDIA / PAKISTAN (S)

NUMBER=2-289907

BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE

DATELINE=NEW DELHI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: India's parliament is debating how to respond to an attack by suspected Islamic militants that left 35-people dead in Kashmir. V-O-A's Jim Teeple reports from New Delhi the debate took place as Indian and Pakistani troops fired at each other across the "line of control" that divides Kashmir.

TEXT: Indian and Pakistani border guards exchanged small arms and mortar fire at several points across the "line of control. The shooting caused hundreds of villagers in Indian-administered Kashmir to flee their homes in panic.

The tensions in Kashmir spilled over into India's parliament where opposition leaders, like Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi, accused the government of not doing enough to stop the violence in Kashmir.

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The steps taken so far by the government have not proven to be effective.

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Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's government will outline steps it plans to take to curb what it calls the "cross border infiltration," of militants from Pakistan. Pakistani officials say they have nothing to do with militant activity in Kashmir.

India's Army Chief says Tuesday's killings should not go unpunished. Senior Indian officials say they are considering a number of options, including military strikes against militant bases raising fears of an all out war between the two nations. (SIGNED)

NEB/JLT/RAE