Terrorism rears ugly head in India-Pakistan conflict

The presence of Al-Qaida fighters in the disputed Kashmir region that separates arch enemies India and Pakistan may be a blessing in disguise. Why? Because if U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's suspicions are confirmed that Islamic militants directly linked to Al-Qaida or with ties to the world's leading terrorist organization are in the area, Kashmir would become another target of the war on global terrorism.
The United States, along with many other nations, have made it clear that the mastermind of international terrorism, Osama bin Laden, and his Al-Qaida organization are the ultimate targets of this war. In addition, President Bush, who sent American troops into Afghanistan shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on American soil, has remained firm in his conviction that any country which provides a safe haven for terrorists will be dealt with as the enemy of the United States.
Artillery fire
The latest flare-up between India and Pakistan over Kashmir must be viewed in this context. The two countries have traded heavy artillery fire since December, when a terror attack on India's parliament was blamed on Pakistan-based Islamic groups and Islamabad's spy agency. The Pakistan government of Gen. Pervez Musharraf denied that his country was involved, but the fuse was lit.
Last week, Rumsfeld visited both capitals and urged an end to the artillery attacks. He also discussed the presence of terrorists in Kashmir.
"I have seen indications that there in fact are Al-Qaida in the area," the defense secretary said. "I do not have hard evidence of how many or who or where."
On Friday, an attacker crashed a bomb-laden vehicle into a guard post outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, killing himself and at least nine other people and injuring 45, the Associated Press reported. The massive blast incinerated a dozen cars, blew a 10-foot-wide hole in the compound wall, and sent debris flying a half-mile.
Although no Americans were reported killed, one Marine and five Pakistani employees in the consulate were slightly injured.
The Bush administration must put pressure on the Musharraf government to mount a major campaign to rid the country of terrorists.