Asia 879
1987, India put its troops on alert, citing another buildup of Pakistani forces along the
border. This did not derail the talks, though, both sides agreed to troop withdrawals to
peacetime positions on February 4.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from October 14, 1986. End Date changed from
November 15, 1986. Outcome changed from Unclear. Settlement changed from None.
Fatalities changed from None.
MID#3959
Dispute Number: 3959
Date(s): February 11, 1990 to December 22, 1990
Participants: 750 India/770 Pakistan
Outcome (and Settlement): Compromise (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: With Pakistani help a secessionist movement began in Kashmir after
fraudulent assembly elections in 1989. In January 1990 Pakistani-backed Kashmiris
began to protest for a plebiscite on control of Kashmir as called for by previous trea-
ties and UN resolutions. India refused. Over 400,000 marched on February 23. On
March 1, Indian security forces opened fire, killing 32 protesters, and the next day
Indian officials imposed a curfew with orders to shoot violators on site.
Over the next several months Indian security forces and separatists fatally clashed
several times. India banned several Islamic organizations and shut two Islamic
newspapers. Islamic insurgents kidnapped and killed the vice chancellor of Kashmir
University, his aide, and a businessman in the first half of April. Meanwhile, Islamic
insurgents gained control of the valley and the persecution of Hindus increased. Sixty
thousand Hindus fled by the middle of April. On May 21, three unidentified men
killed Maulvi Mohammed Farooq, the chief Muslim cleric in Kashmir. A procession
of 100,000 mourners formed later that day, and Indian security forces opened fire on
the procession, killing at least 60. Still, 350,000 gathered for Farooq’s funeral the
next day. On June 19, Kashmiri separatists claimed credit for killing four policemen
in Srinagar, and on June 29, they claimed credit for the assassination of the highest-
ranking judge in the city. Meanwhile the United States confirmed that Pakistan had
operational nuclear weapons and that Pakistan’s leaders were prepared to use them to
avoid another defeat if the Indians attempted to invade. Deputy CIA Director Robert
Gates visited both capitals and warned the respective country’s leaders over the pos-
sibility of war. Pakistan agreed to close training camps for the militants, and India
invited US defense attachés to witness that an Indian invasion was not imminent. Both
countries pulled troops back during June.
Although clashes continued intermittently between Pakistan and India from August
to October, tensions had largely died. On December 22, 1990, India and Pakistan
agreed to cut the number of troops along their border, and on January 27, 1991, India
and Pakistan ratified an agreement to not attack each other’s nuclear facilities.
MID#3985
Dispute Number: 3985