America's General
Pakistan takes its most crucial decision since the 1971 war — to side with the US against the Taliban. The clerics may protest, but Musharraf has few options.

ECONOMIC IMPACT
Where Are We Going?
Fear and uncertainty stalk the Indian economy as early damages begin to show.

Ready For Battle
Where will the US strike, with what and how? A report on the military options before the global coalition that the Americans are building against terrorism.

Shifting Stance
Indian foreign policy is in a flux following the terrorist strikes in the US, metamorphosing in tandem with the tectonic shift in the geopolitical landscape of the world.

Menace In The Mind
People like bin Laden are not so much politicising religion as religionising politics.

COVER STORY: INDIAN RESPONSE

KASHMIR VALLEY
An Afghan Distraction for Jehad

Militant organisations fear the inevitable war in Afghanistan may weaken separatism in the Valley

In the past week, Kashmiris, like the rest of the world, remained glued to their television sets, struck by the horrific images of devastation in New York and Washington. But the initial disbelief over the scale of devastation has given way to anger against the US for what is being described as that country’s “double standards”. “Whether it is Algeria, Palestine or Iraq,” says Hurriyat leader Umar Farooq, “there is a perception that the US has not been fair.”

The possibility of a US retaliation has only served to heighten this sense of outrage.“The Americans are presenting the anti-terrorist campaign as a war between Muslims and non-Muslims,” says 75-year-old Ghulam Mohiudin. No wonder Osama bin Laden has become a hero, valorised in Urdu newspapers. “Holding bin Laden responsible without any evidence will earn him a lot of sympathy,” says Abdul Ahad, a schoolteacher.

The military organisations too are peeved by the developments, but for a different reason. A war in Afghanistan could actually weaken the jehad in Kashmir, says Aasiya Andrabi, chief of the women’s separatist group Dukhtaran-e-Milat. In fact, the number of militants is likely to drop, with the non-Kashmiri guerrillas likely to join forces with Taliban fighters, should fighting begin in Afghanistan. “The foreign militants are apparently expecting orders to retreat from Kashmir and are therefore lying low,” says Rudrepal Singh, Kashmir’s bsf intelligence chief. Since September 11, only one attack has been carried out, killing nine policemen in Handwara town in the state.

However, chief spokesman of the Lashkar-e-Toiba Abu Osama refutes such claims, saying the militants had no intention of withdrawing from Kashmir even if a war broke out in Afghanistan. The security officials, meanwhile, are worried that the attacks in the US may encourage the militants in Kashmir to attempt similar strikes in the state. “We are on high alert to help thwart such acts,” says Ashok Bhan, a senior police officer. Anxiety is also rife in the tourism industry, what with tourists like Delhi’s Amit Agarwal hastening back home to safety. “You never know what’s going to happen,” says Ag1arwal. He may only be voicing the fear of many in the Valley.

—Izhar A. Wani in Srinagar

Constant suspicion, poverty, ill-health and lack of work dog Afghan asylum seekers in India. INDIA TODAY's Principal Correspondent Anna M.M. Vetticad meets some of them.
Living On The Edge