INDIA: Two suspected armed Muslim insurgents yesterday stormed a building housing passengers waiting to board today's historic bus journey across the divided Himalayan territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It was an attack that targeted the most significant peace gesture in decades between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan. Rahul Bedi in New Delhi
Police in Indian-administered Kashmir's summer capital, Srinagar, said both rebels were killed following a fierce firefight, and at least six people were injured in the attack on the sprawling wooden complex that was set aflame.
The incinerated building, situated in the heart of the city, contained a large collection of antique documents and maps, as well as original photographs by the acclaimed French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who made a trip to Kashmir early in the 20th century. All are believed to have been lost in the fire.
Four Islamic rebel groups involved in Kashmir's continuing 16-year Muslim insurgency, which had earlier threatened to disrupt the bus service, claimed responsibility for yesterday's attack. Over 66,000 people have died in Kashmir's militant-related violence since 1989.
But all the 20-odd passengers due to travel on the bus between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad - capitals of the Himalayan region divided for nearly six decades between India and Pakistan but claimed by both - were safe, police said.
Meanwhile, officials from both countries, engaged in peace talks for over a year, condemned the attack and reiterated their resolve to proceed with the "peace bus" service that will be flagged off by India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, from Srinagar.
Mr Singh said the attack would not affect the peace process.
"We will not allow the dialogue, peace process to be derailed," a private news channel, New Delhi Television, quoted him as saying.
"Pakistan strongly condemns anyone attacking innocent people," foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri said in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. "What is their crime? Their only wish is to meet with their relatives. They are not politicians."