India´s ruling Hindu party to form coalition in occupied Kashmir

JAMMU: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi´s Hindu nationalists are Sunday set to form a government in occupied Kashmir for the first time in a power-sharing deal with a regional rival.

Modi´s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to be officially sworn into office in the restive region´s winter capital of Jammu in a tightly secured ceremony attended by the premier.

PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be chief minister of the region and head of its coalition government, following inconclusive elections held two months ago for the state assembly.

Security was tight around the University of Jammu, the venue where the cabinet will be inaugurated from 0530 GMT, with swarms of police patrolling the grounds.

"We have taken all necessary measures along the border (with Pakistan) and in the city to maintain law and order," police inspector general for the Jammu region, Rajesh Kumar, told AFP.

Modi and Sayeed last week finally agreed on a common agenda to jointly rule the disputed state following weeks of negotiations, and details were expected to be unveiled on Sunday.