Hopes for peace in Kashmir are increasing. The first village elections in more than 20 years proceeded peacefully, with high voter turnout, in some places as much as 80 percent. The Indian army supports extending the cease-fire that remains in place, and the largest alliance of Kashmiri separatist groups has chosen a peace team to travel to Pakistan for talks with the government and militant groups there. But until agreements are in place and working, travel here remains risky. A bomb exploded at the main telephone exchange in central Srinagar Jan. 9 when hundreds were lined up to pay their bills, injuring five people critically. In other incidents, two grenade attacks on government ministers occurred over a three-day period, but failed to reach their targets.
