Analysis Battle of narratives will follow ceasefire

Just over 26 years ago, thousands of Pakistani soldiers quietly made their way on to high, rocky ridges on the Indian side of the de facto border that divides the former princely state of Kashmir. The war that this rash operation triggered lasted much of the summer of 1999.

- Jason Burke

Reporting on the conflict was a bizarre experience. In high mountain valleys, at altitudes more suited to mountaineers than soldiers, howitzers hurled shells across icy, rocky peaks and infantry readied for bayonet assaults.

A Pakistani artillery officer read memoirs of English cricket stars and the Qur'an in his bunker. As spent shrapnel and rock splinters thrown up by incoming Indian shells rattled against the walls of the canvas mess tent, his commander spoke of Pakistan's "historic national and religious duty" to free Kashmir, partitioned 50 years before - and waited for servants to bring dessert.

The war of 1999 was the fourth between Pakistan and India and the third to have been triggered by Kashmir. If, over the decades, technology and regional politics have evolved dramatically, recent days have made clear that the animosity generated by the dispute over the region, said to be the most beautiful in south Asia, has not. Even if the ceasefire agreed on Saturday has silenced the guns for now, there is little doubt that they will speak again.