Mapping out battle scenarios, Pakistan's military kicked off its largest war exercises ever Tuesday as a marketplace explosion in the disputed Kashmir region killed 3 people and injured several others. President Gen. Pervez Musharraf defended the need for the 10-day maneuvers, saying proper training was critical for Pakistan's defense.

ARMED NATIONALISTS ATTACK CAMP

Suspected armed Kashmiri nationalists have meanwhile attacked a counter-insurgents' camp in Indian-ruled Kashmir setting off an explosion that killed at least three people and injured eight others, police say. Anti-insurgent camps have been regular targets of attacks by armed Kashmiri nationalists fighting for Kashmir's independence from Indian rule, or its merger with Pakistan.

Authorities described the condition of one of the victims as critical. Police were investigating how the explosive device was carried into the camp, which is normally well guarded by security forces. Suspected nationalists also hurled a grenade at the house of a member of parliament in Puluwama district, about 55 kilometres south of Srinagar. No one was injured in the attack.

PHOTO CAPTION

An Indian police bomb squad member searches for explosives July 17, 2002 in the Qasim Nagar area of Jammu. (Pawel Kopczynski/Reuters)
- Jul 17 8:01 AM