A 10-kilometre stretch of the fence has been erected and it is scheduled to be completed within two years. In the past, Pakistan has raised objections to a fence in the Jammu area. Muslim-majority Kashmir was divided between India and Pakistan in 1947 but remains claimed by both. A great portion of the population favors total independence. Indian military reaction to a Muslim separatist movement on the Indian side has claimed more than 34,000 lives since 1989, according to Indian figures.
Separatist leaders say the death toll is twice as high.
Meanwhile Indian media said it was likely it would extend what it calls a unilateral ceasefire in violence-wracked Kashmir. However, when contacted, the Indian Prime Minister's office refused to confirm or deny the report on the ceasefire which is due to expire at the end of the month. The news agency said the decision is to be taken later this week by India's cabinet committee on security, which is chaired by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. The Indian government has called a meeting of its political allies Monday to discuss the issue. India's self-titled unilateral ceasefire was declared six months ago, at the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.