July 2000
Hizbul Mujahedeen, a dominant Kashmiri Islamic separatist group, declared a unilateral cease-fire against Indian troops in Kashmir.

Dec. 22, 2000 - Separatist group claims responsibility for attack in New Delhi
The Kashmiri separatist group Lashkar-e-Tayyiba claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on the historic Red Fort in New Delhi, India.

May 2001 - India-Pakistan peace summit on Kashmir
Pakistani President Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee held a summit in New Delhi to negotiate a truce over Kashmir.

Sept. 11, 2001 - Terrorist attacks on U.S. lead to alliance with Pakistan
After the United States was hit by terrorist attacks, Pakistan became a major ally to the U.S. campaign against terrorism and its war effort to oust the Taliban and al-Qaida terrorists from Afghanistan.

Dec. 13, 2001 - Indian parliament attacked by terrorists
Following a Dec. 13 attack on the Indian parliament, India ordered Pakistan to turn over 20 suspected terrorists believed to be hiding in the Islamic nation.

Pakistani officials arrested at least 50 members of two Pakistan-based Kashmiri separatist groups, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba -- including the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Maulana Masood Azhar, who India had released in December 1999 to satisfy the demands of airplane hijackers.

New Delhi accused Pakistan of aiding the Islamic militant groups, but Islamabad denied any involvement. Both nations deployed more troops to their troubled border, with tensions continuing to rise near the year's end.