Suspected rebels 12 Dec fired on Law Minister Ali Mohammed Sagar in Srinagar, killed policeman. Govt 17 Dec banned public assembly in Baramulla, N Kashmir. Army 15 Dec threat; 19 Dec said at least 100 guerrillas waiting to infiltrate Kashmir Valley across Line of Control. Indian army 23 Dec said Pakistan forces violated ceasefire 5, 14 and 23 Dec, claimed army fired on Indian patrol, posts. Suspected guerrillas 24 Dec killed ruling National Conference activist in Srinagar.

Dispute between Kashmir state govt and army over partial revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which gives army wide law-enforcement powers and shields soldiers from prosecution, continued; India Kashmir chief minister Abdullah 2 Nov said he will consult with army, top ministers before making decision. Hurriyat Conference chairman Geelani 17 Nov said India showing “traditional inflexibility” over revocation of AFSPA. Several injured 7 Nov in clashes between police and demonstrators in Anantnag and Sopore. Following protests and police intervention, Army 22 Nov released 3 civilians arrested during crackdown in Anantnag district. Strike 25 Nov to protest continued detention and torture of political prisoners, minors, resulted in clashes in Srinagar and Maraj.

Govt 1 Oct denied People’s Democratic Party (PDP) allegations of govt responsibility for 30 Sept death in detention of ruling National Conference (NC) leader Haji Muhammad Yusuf. Chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir states Omar Abdullah 21 Oct said situation in many areas sufficiently peaceful to lift Armed Forces Special Powers Act; Public Safety Act amended 29 Oct, reducing detention periods and scrapping child detention. 2 grenade explosions 25 Oct in Srinagar wounded at least 3 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers. At least 3 injured 26 Oct in grenade explosion in Bijbehra town in South.

Indian army 26-30 Sept clashed with militants in Kupwara district; 4 security personnel, 5 militants reported killed. Indian forces 1 Sept killed 3 Pakistani soldiers in firing across Line of Control. Pakistan army accused Indian forces of “unprovoked” attack; India denied, said Pakistani forces opened fire first. Locals 15 Sept protested over renewed militant activity in Neelum Valley.

Fighting erupted 20 Aug in northern Gurez district, Indian army lieutenant and 12 suspected militants reported killed; army said militants tried to infiltrate Kashmir from Pakistan. Security forces 8 Aug reportedly killed 2 suspected members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant group. Media 26 Aug reported LeT admitted responsibility for April killing of cleric Maulvi Showkat Ahmed.

Following 27 July new Delhi meeting between Indian FM Krishna and new Pakistani FM Khar, both hailed “new era” in relationship: agreed to strengthen counter-terrorism co-operation, announced new confidence building measure on Kashmir. Police 8 July said 97 violent incidents in Kashmir during first half of 2011, lowest figure during 20-year insurgency.

India, Pakistan Foreign Secretaries met 23-25 June in Islamabad, first official talks since 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack; agreed to hold further talks, work to increase trade, nuclear confidence-building measures. Paramilitary troops 3 June killed 3 suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba militants in Sopore; 23 June killed 2 suspected militants in Poonch. Indian army 21 June claimed infiltration attempts by militants across border lowest in 20 years.

India 2 May said killing of al-Qaeda head Osama bin Laden “underlined concern” Islamabad supports terrorist groups; Delhi expressed similar concern following militant attack on Karachi naval base 22-23 May (see Pakistan). David Headley, U.S. citizen accused of involvement in 2008 Mumbai terror attack, 23 May testified in U.S. court that ISI provided financial, military support to Lashkar-e-Tayyba militants carrying out attack.

Moulana Showkat Shah, head of moderate separatist party Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith, killed in 8 Apr blast outside Srinagar mosque; police 17 Apr arrested 3 members of hardline separatist group Saut-ul-Haq. Female candidate in Jammu & Kashmir local elections, held during month, killed 16 Apr by unidentified gunmen; police said suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba militants.

Following 2-day bilateral meeting in New Delhi, Pakistan 28 March agreed to long-standing Indian demand that its investigators be allowed to visit Pakistan as part of probe of 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Amnesty International 21 March criticised Indian Public Safety Act allowing security forces to detain suspects without charges for up to 2 years in Kashmir. Govt-appointed negotiation panel 13 March called for independent investigation of violations by all parties; expected to submit final report April. State govt 15 March said will pay $1.15mn to relatives of some 100 civilians killed by security forces during 2010 protests. Indian police 10 March killed Sajjad Afghani, head of Pakistani militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, in Srinagar.