N. INDIA: KASHMIR: VILLAGE SET ABLAZE IN FIGHTING

Record ID: 375931

  • Title: N. INDIA: KASHMIR: VILLAGE SET ABLAZE IN FIGHTING
  • Date: 16th August 1965
  • Summary: VILLAGE ON FIRE, VILLAGERS AMONG RUINS, INDIAN TROOPS ON GUARD. Initials JRG/V/JF/PC Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 31st August 1965 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BATMALOO, KASHMIR
  • Country: India
  • Reuters ID: LVAD1B9OO8SXJKEYFVJ3UZPM15AJ
  • Story Text: AS IN VIETNAM, VILLAGES IN KASHMIR ARE GOING UP IN FLAMES, AND AGAIN THE TRAGEDY IS REPEATED OF VILLAGERS LEFT DESTITUTE AMONG THE RUINS.

    BATMALOO WAS A QUIET VILLAGE IN THE VALE OF KASHMIR UNTIL WHAT INDIA CALLS PAKISTAN INFILTRATORS SWEPT IN, BENT ON DEATH AND DESTRUCTION.PAKISTAN ON THE CONTRARY SAYS THE UPRISING IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY KASHMIR FREEDOM FIGHTERS BENT ON WRESTING THE STATE FROM INDIAN CONTROL.

    WHATEVER THE TRUTH OF THE CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS, THE RESULTS ARE THE SAME - THE VILLAGE LIES IN CHARGED RUINS, THE VILLAGERS SOB AND THEN WITH YOUNG AND OLD, SET OFF IN SEARCH OF SHELTER.

    ACCORDING TO INDIAN TROOPS, THE VILLAGE WAS SET ON FIRE BY INFILTRATORS IN A BID TO HOLD OFF THE INDIAN ADVANCE.BATTLE BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES KEPT OFF THE FIRE BRIGADE AND THE FLAMES QUICKLY SPREAD, DESTROYING THE HOMES OF 200 FAMILIES.

    INDIA CLAIMS OVER 150 'INFILTRATORS' KILLED AND OVER 80 OTHERS CAPTURED.INDIAN LOSSES WERE PUT AT OVER 40 TROOPS AND 20 POLICEMEN.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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