India and Pakistan PMs met 29 Sept, agreed to stop Kashmir attacks following several exchanges of heavy fire on line-of-control (LoC) during Sept; at least 9 killed 26 Sept in militant attack on Indian police station and army camp near Pakistan border ahead of talks. Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar 7 Sept assured IMF India would retain Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status despite Aug threat to withdraw status after military exchanges with India along LoC left 2 Pakistanis injured. Indian police 7 Sept killed 4 in Shopian, imposed curfew in district; police claimed 2 victims were rebels attempting attack on base, residents said victims civilians; police 11 Sept violently dispersed mass protest, killing 1 and injuring 13. All Parties Hurriyat Conference mid Sept called strike in Kashmir valley to protest killings. Suspected separatist rebels 23 Sept killed Indian soldier, injured another at Srinagar market; Indian army 23 Sept killed suspected militant trying to cross LoC in Kupwara region. PMs Singh and Sharif 29 Sept met on sidelines of UNGA, tasked Directors General Military Operations to seek means to restore 2003 ceasefire.

India 6 Aug claimed Pakistani troops fired at Line of Control (LoC) border post killing 5 soldiers, said incident “gross violation” of 2003 ceasefire; Pakistan reported 2 soldiers killed in separate attacks near Skardu 20 Aug and near Rawalakot in Poonch district 22 Aug. Unidentified militants 27 Aug killed two Indian police officers in separate attacks in Shopian, Anantnag districts of South Kashmir; Indian police 30 Aug reportedly killed at least 5 militants during clash in Najwan forest area near Ganderbal district. Indian FM Salman Khurshid 12 Aug said secretary-level talks with Pakistan will only take place in “environment free of terror”. Pakistan PM Sharif 14 Aug called for de-escalation, reiterated his govt’s resolve to normalise relations.

4 killed, dozens injured 18 July when demonstrators protesting alleged violence by Indian patrols clashed with Indian Army in Ramban; authorities declared curfew. Skirmishes continued along Line of Control (LoC) including 5 suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) infiltrators reportedly killed in gunfight with Indian army, 2 Indian soldiers wounded by IED 8 July, 1 Pakistan soldier reportedly killed 27 July by Indian military. Suspected LeT militants reportedly killed policeman in Kupwara 13 July. Police 23 July announced Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militant commander Qari Yasir killed by security forces in Lolab. 3 militants, 1 Indian policeman killed 1 July in gunfight in Pulwama. 4 policemen injured, arrested Hizbul Mujahideen militant killed 17 July in grenade attack in Srinagar.

Series of skirmishes reported alongside Line of Control (LoC), including 3 militants killed in gunfight with Indian forces 2 June; 1 Indian soldier killed in 7 June gunfight, firing allegedly originated from Pakistani side; Pakistani army 19 June reported Indian fire killed 9-year-old girl and injured 3 civilians. Pakistani Air Force 11 June reported Indian jets violated Pakistani airspace, Indian Air Force said incident unintentional technical violation. Several militants reported killed in gunfights with police in Pulwama, S Kashmir early June. Unidentified gunmen 22 June killed 2 police in Srinagar; 24 June ambushed Indian Army convoy in Srinagar, 8 killed. Indian PMSingh 25 June visited J&K, said ready  for talks with those who shun violence.

1 soldier killed in 18 May gunfight with suspected militants on Indian side of Line of Control. Unidentified gunmen 10 May killed Indian police officer in Pulwama, S Kashmir. Police 19 May arrested suspected Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) treasurer in Baramulla. LeT militant Hilal Maulvi killed in 23 May gunfight with police in Srinagar. 4 soldiers and 1 Hizbul Mujahideen militant killed 24 May in heavy fighting in Pulwama. Police 31 May killed Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander in Wandena, Pulwama.

Region wide strike 7 April demanding burial of Kashmiri militants executed in India; 7 injured in city of Baramulla in clashes with police. Unidentified gunmen 8 April killed head of village affiliated with Indian National Conference party in Pulwama district, S Kashmir. Police 18 April arrested high-ranking Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) member, killed militant in gunfight in Sopore, N Kashmir. 4 Indian policemen killed 26 April in suspected LeT attack in Baramulla. Indian govt reported 35% decrease in incidents of terrorist violence in 2012, increase in infiltration attempts from Pakistan. Indian Defence Minister reported Indian army killed 168 militants in J&K in last 2 years.

Series of attacks by militants in Jammu and Kashmir: 2 Indian policemen killed by unidentified gunmen 2 March in Handwara; 5 soldiers and 2 militants killed, 1 arrested in 13 March attack against Central Reserve Police Force camp in Srinagar, arrested militant reportedly confessed affiliation with Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT); suspected LeT militants 19 March killed boy in Sopore; 3 Border Security Force soldiers injured in 21 March militant attack in Srinagar. 1 killed, dozens injured during protests against Indian forces in Baramulla 5-6 March. J&K govt 11 March released 1,811 people involved in cases of stone throwing during summer 2010 unrest. Indian Defence Minister Antony 4 March claimed 188 violations by Pakistan along Line of Control (LoC) 2010-2012. Pakistan’s parliament 14 March condemned India’s Feb execution of Kashmiri militant Afzal Guru, demanded return of body to family, sparking protests from India. Indian parliament condemned Pakistan’s interference in J&K, declaring Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India.

Increased tensions as India 9 Feb secretly executed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant Afzal Guru, convicted over 2001 attack on Indian parliament, prompting protests in Jammu and Kashmir despite imposition of 7-day curfew, media blackout. 3 dead, dozens injured, dozens arrested as protesters clashed with security forces; increasing calls for return of Guru’s body to hometown. UNSG Ban and EU foreign policy chief Ashton criticised execution. Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and JeM militant groups 13 Feb vowed to “step-up jihad” in Jammu and Kashmir to avenge execution; JeM 26 Feb reportedly threatened to blow up rail junctions near Nainital. Unidentified gunmen 24 Feb killed head of village affiliated with Indian National Conference party in Baramulla, W of Srinagar. Pakistani soldier killed in gunfight with Indian troops 14 Feb after reportedly crossing Line of Control (LoC), circumstances contested; 2 Indian soldiers injured in clash. Indian army 26 Feb reported it killed suspected infiltrator in Rajouri district. 4 minors injured 3 Feb by unexploded shell in Aragam Chattabandy, N Kashmir.

Escalation of tensions along Line of Control (LoC) early month as Pakistan 6 Jan accused Indian forces of killing Pakistani soldier after crossing LoC; India 8 Jan claimed Pakistani forces crossed LoC, killed 2 Indian soldiers. Daily heavy artillery shelling followed from both sides, killing second Pakistani soldier 10 Jan. Pakistani FM Hina Rabbani Khar early Jan accused India of “warmongering”, Indian army chief Gen. Bikram Singh urged troops to be “aggressive and offensive” when dealing with gunfire from Pakistan. Indian and Pakistani military commanders 16 Jan agreed not to allow escalation of tensions along LoC; trade and travel at Chakan da Bagh border point, suspended following shootings, resumed late Jan. In Baramulla district unidentified gunmen 11 Jan shot dead local official and 12 Jan injured another, triggering resignation of some 40 local officials. In Pulwama district police prolonged curfew until 31 Dec to contain violent demonstrations against alleged firing on protesters by police during 28 Dec anti-India protests.

Security forces killed several Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) militants in Baramulla, Kulgam and Pulwama districts during month; 13 Dec killed 3 unidentified militants in separate gunfights. Militant suspected of involvement in 2011 Delhi high court blast shot dead by police 20 Dec in Kishtwar district. Violent anti-India protests broke out 28 Dec in Pulwama district; police reportedly injured 7 protesters, imposed curfew. Pakistani troops allegedly fired at Indian outposts along Line of Control. Indian soldier killed 25 Dec in Poonch district by cross-border fire from Pakistan.