Firing on religious gathering; one hurt
Two Indian, 12 Pak jawans killed as troops clash on LoC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 24: Indo-Pak troops clashed again on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district early today in which two Indian and atleast 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed and several others were injured. Pak troops also fired upon a religious gathering on the occasion of Janamashtmi last night in forward village of Mawa in Hiranagar sector causing injuries to a civilian.

A Defence spokesman said Pakistani troops attacked a forward Indian post in Doda village of Poonch district in the wee hours of this morning with a view to capture the post. Alert troops of Poonch Brigade (Ace of Spades Division) noticed the sneak attack by Pak troops and opened firing.

Atleast 40 Pakistani soldiers including some commandos were involved in the attack, the spokesman said, adding a fierce exchange of gun-fight ensued between the two sides which continued for one hour.

One Indian jawan was killed and another was missing. Bodies of two Pakistani jawans were found on this side but the spokesman said there were atleast 10 more casualties on Pakistan side besides scores of injuries.

Indian side rushed re-inforcement to the spot. After suffering a number of casualties in the unsuccessful sneak attack, Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing on Indian positions in Doda and adjoining villages on the LoC. Firing at some places on the LoC continued till late this evening but there was no report of any fresh casualty on either side.

This was second sneak attack by Pakistan army in less than a week, which has been thwarted by Indian side. Last week, army had gunned down four Pakistani commandos when they attacked a forward Indian picket in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district.

Prior to this, three similar attempts of Pak army were foiled by Indian troops in Sunderbani sector inflicting a number of casualties on the enemy. Pakistan army’s attempts have created tension on the LoC. The spokesman said army was maintaining a high alert all along the LoC and was ready to thwart any such fresh attempt.

Our Kathua correspondent adds: Pakistan Rangers last night opened firing on a religious gathering (kirtan mandli), which was celebrating Janamashtmi with religious fervour at forward village of Mawa in Hiranagar sector.

A civilian Puran Chand son of Janak Raj, who was among the gathering, sustained a gun shot in Pakistani firing and was seriously injured. He was shifted to sub district hospital of Hiranagar by local people from where he was referred to Medical College hospital today.

Local people resented Pakistani firing on the religious function.

King Commission report to be made public tomorrow

JOHANNESBERG, Aug 24: The King Commission’s interim report on the Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal will be made public by tomorrow morning, a spokesman for the Sports Ministry has said.

"It is being made public on Friday. We will post it on the Government’s website," Gregory Abrahams, the spokesman for Sport and Recreation Minister Ngconde Balfour, told AFP yesterday.

The lengthy, long-awaited report on Cronje’s confessions of corruption was on August 11 handed to Balfour who in turn gave it to president Thabo Mbeki to examine before it could be published.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) said it was expecting to receive a copy of the report this morning and would hand one to International Cricket Council president David Richards, who is in the country.

"We are getting it tomorrow (Thursday) but we won’t comment on it until Monday when we make public the findings of the disciplinary hearings," UCB spokeswoman Bronwyn Wilkinson said.

The UCB will Monday announce the disciplinary steps it will take against Herschelle Gibbs, Henry Williams and Pieter Strydom, three players who were implicated in corruption in the course of hearings into the Cronje scandal.

Gibbs and Williams told the commission that Cronje, sacked as South Africa’s skipper in April, had offered them money to underperform in matches against India this year, while strydom made an attempt to place a bet on behalf of Cronje during a test match.

In testimony that shook the cricket world, Cronje admitted to the Commission that he received thousands of dollars from gamblers and bookmakers on five separate occasions between 1996 and 2000.

The initial shock by the South African public at Cronje’s confessions has given way to anger as the one-time idol has revealed himself to be manipulating and money-loving, and had corrupted other players.

The report should be read with interest though judge Edwin King has made no recommendations for disciplinary action against the players, nor has he made any finding on whether cronje had told the whole truth and should therefore receive indemnity from criminal prosecution.

Judge King has said that further evidence could emerge when the Commission reconvenes on October 2 for a second set of hearings expected to last about two weeks.

King has asked for terms of reference of the Commission to be broadened as a result of the evidence that came up in the first hearings in July. (AFP)

Imran Khan expelled from Pak opposition alliance

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: Pakistan’s cricket hero-turned politician Imran Khan has been expelled from the multi-party Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) for deviating from its charter, the alliance said today.

Both Khan, as leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and Tahirul Qadri, president of the religious-political party Awami Tehreek were expelled for behaving in an "undemocratic manner", spokesman Nawabzada Nasrullah said.

"They were opposing the GDA charter, condemning allied parties and violating political morality.

"We want the Army back in barracks and democracy restored in Pakistan. But they were opposing elections," the veteran politican told AFP by telephone.

Nasrullah said the expelled leaders insisted that elections should not be held untill the process of accountability of politicians was complete while the GDA’s stance was that accountability, being a continuous process, should not be linked with elections.

GDA, which groups about a dozen factions, including former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), was formed in 1998 with a one-point agenda — to remove former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif was ousted in a military coup by Gen Pervez Musharraf in October last year who cited corruption as one of the main reasons for the takeover.

"We wanted Nawaz Sharif’s removal and fresh elections but not an Army coup or a political vacuum," Nasrullah said, stressing that the fourth military intervention in Pakistan’s 53 years history had "tarnished the image" of the country. Imran Khan, lashing out at the GDA said the alliance was hatching a conspiracy to bring Sharif and Bhutto together.

"PTI stood in the way of this conspiracy which is to maintain the status quo by reviving the politics of bankruptcy," he said.

He said four elected Governments in the past 12 years were removed on corruption charges and yet the same leadership was allowed to acquire power through flawed electoral system.

"The GDA’s stance against the accountability process is only meant to protect such people who are closely associated with some component parties," he said.

PTI’s expulsion is a "precursor" to an alliance between GDA and Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League "which would further erode the credibility of of the traditional politicians whose only aim in politics is to assume and abuse power," he said. (AFP)

Prankote massacre still haunts people
Militants threats loom large over minorities

From: Dinesh Manhotra

SWANCHAL-GALI (ARNAS): Though the Army has contained militant activities to some extent, fear still lurks on the faces of denizens of this militancy plagued belt, located in the south-west of the Pir-Panchal range. The nightmarish experience, which they had witnessed during Prankote-Dhakikote carnages, still haunt them despite the fact that no big massacre has taken place since March 2000.

About 150 families, who had migrated from the higher reaches, no doubt, have re-gained some courage after deployment of army in the entire area but civil administration has miserably failed to inculcate confidence among them.

"We have gained some confidence after deployment of Army but civil authorities have so far not initiated any step to rehabilitate us at our native places", said Tirath Ram of village Tholu who along with his family members has been camping at Swanchal Gali. With the involvement of local people, he said, there should be adequate security arrangement. The displaced people demanded that Village Defence Committees (VDCs) equipped with sophisticated weapons, must be created before their return to their native places.

" The security scenario has witnessed considerable change but villagers should be armed with sophisticated weapons to remove fear psychosis and sense of insecurity", said Nasib Singh, who is running a tea-stall at this dusty hamlet. A resident of Thoru Pattian, Singh deserted his home and hearth after Prankote carnage when militants brutally killed about 35 Hindus including some minor children and women.

8 Village Defence Committees (VDCs) have been created so far in the Tholu, Dhamankote, Parnali and other areas but only 303 riffles have been provided to them.

The fear stricken inhabitants said that militants’ writ still prevailed in the areas between Pallar Lardha and Malkhumba Sawas and threats of militants looming large over Tharey, Kllay, Sawas, Kakarguda and other areas. Residents demanded creation of permanent posts of Army or Special Task Force in these areas. "Forces should remain here before eradication of militancy", said Rafiq of village Sahr.

He narrated that militants burnt houses of five Gujjars who allowed BSF to make its post in their houses. "As soon as BSF was removed from the area militant torched houses", he said.

Sense of insecurity is not the only problem confronting these poor and ignored people, they also have no option to earn their livelihood. Residents demanded that some employment package should be announced for them before their return. It is worthwhile to mention here that a large number of people deserted their home and hearth after Prankote and Dhaki-kot massacres in April 1998. villages namely Barn, Misra, Dhaka, Khojam, Barni Gali, Dhug More, Baila, Dhamankote, Parnali, Shakari, Halla, Bagoey, Chanankote, Neoshi, Kalaban, Assor, Tuli Bana and others witnessed mass exodus of minority community in the year 1998. Authorities have made some security arrangements but silent migration continued till March 2000. Migration came to halt after deployment of Army in the area but civil authorities have not made any attempt to return these displaced people to their native places.

Camping at Talwada, Dharmari, Reasi and Pouni poor helpless people are living in hellish conditions due to indifferent attitude of the civil authorities.

Farooq hails fresh HM offer

NEW DELHI, Aug 24: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today welcomed the recent offer by Hizbul Mujahideen to announce afresh a ceasefire and hoped that this time it would lead to a lasting effort for peace.

"The statement of the militant group is in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the State," Abdullah told PTI before leaving for London.

He, however, hoped that this time the efforts would be a lasting affair and no conditions would be attached to it.

Abdullah said the Hizbul Mujahideen should understand that India has never been averse to talks with Pakistan. "We have always been talking to them but this time until Islamabad stops cross-border terrorism, New Delhi will never engage in a dialogue," he said.

The Chief Minister cautioned Hurriyat Conference leaders either to play a constructive role in future talks or remain silent.

"The statement issued by Hizbul Mujahideen, where the outfit criticised the Hurriyat’s functioning, is enough lesson for them and if they continue in the same fashion the day is not far when people of the State will completely discard them," the Chief Minister said.

Abdullah called upon other militant outfits operating in the Valley to follow the path of peace and come to the negotiating table.

The Chief Minister said his Government is keen on bringing peace in the State and if Hurriyat Conference could control the gun, they should also come to the negotiating table.

"We are keen to bring peace back to the State and for that we have kept our doors open for everybody...The ball is in their court," he said.

Referring to the economic development of the State, Abdullah hoped that the Centre would soon announce an industrial package to revive the derailed economy.

The Chief Minister met Union Commerce and Industries Minister Murasoli Maran this morning and discussed the package for the State.

"I hope they announce it soon so that more employment opportunities are generated in the State besides uplifting the economy," he said.

Abdullah also met Home Minister L K Advani and asked him to release funds for building bunkers in border areas in the wake of continued indiscriminate shelling by Pakistani troops.

Abdullah, who arrived here yesterday, informed the Prime Minister about the fear psychosis among the civilians due to Pakistani shelling and said work to build the bunkers should be expedited to provide shelters to the civilians.

Pakistani troops have been in past resorting to heavy shelling in various parts of the State.

The Chief Minister had called on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee last night and urged him for early release of the annual funds for the State as the working season was expiring in October.

On the ongoing inquiry into the Pahalgam massacre in which Amarnath pilgrims were killed, the Chief Minister said the process was on and he had briefed the Home Minister about it.

About the criticism over the recent M L Kaul committee report about action plan for return of Hindu migrants, Abdullah said the report was never designed to bifurcate the State.

"We have only sought return of migrants and allow them to construct houses of their own choice and the State Government would foot in the bill," he said.

The report came in for criticism from various quarters including Hizbul Mujahideen, Hurriyat Conference and several Kashmiri Pandit organisations.

The Chief Minister appealed to the Pandit organisations that before commenting on a report, they should read it thoroughly. "And infact, I am not averse to any constructive criticism. If their is any mistake, the State Government would definitely rectify it," he added.

Abdullah also asked the Planning Commission to release plan funds for the State quickly as the working season for utilisation of such funds was very limited.

He said "we have stressed that the funds could only be used for development before the onset of bitter winter in the State." (PTI)

US wants Pak to encourage peace talks
‘Secret’ parleys between Delhi, and Hurriyat begin

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Aug 24: Adopting ‘secrecy-for-the-sake-of-secrecy’ policy, three representatives selected by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and an equal number of leaders of Kashmir’s All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) have, at last, come together and that too in the Union capital to formulate agenda for "positive, constructive and meaningful" negotiations on the vital question of resolving the Kashmir crisis.

Even as the recently-elected chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, had two rounds of "informal" parleys with the three interlocutors of the Government of India, no information was allowed to go out in connection with the discussions held so far.

The Hurriyat leaders as well as the Government-sponsored interlocutors have reached an understanding on the question of ensuring "greater secrecy", at least for the time being, with regard to the interaction they have had and are going to continue in days to come.

Mr Abdul Ghani Lone, too, has had quiet sessions with two interlocutors. According to sources, one of the interlocutors was specially commissioned to get into touch with the Jamaat-e-Islami stalwart, Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

These sources told EXCELSIOR that after Mr Geelani’s meeting with the Indian Government’s representative, more than four leaders of the Hurriyat Conference arrived in New Delhi early this week as part of the "secret" plan to continue "peace" talks.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani has already mellowed down as a result of the enormous clout wielded over his parent organisation, the Jamaat-e-Islami, by Mr GM Bhat. In fact, the re-election of Mr Bhat as ‘Amir’ of the Jamaat-e-Islami also gave reason for optimism. Mr Bhat Mr Geelani’s nominee, Mr Sharaf Sehrai. Just one member of the organisation’s ‘Majlis-e-Numaindgan’ voted for Mr Geelani himself to be elevated from political chief of the organisation to its overall leader.

Mr GM Bhat has for the last two years been calling for an end to violence, and has gone on record to state that the Hizbul Mujahideen’s campaign is defeating the Jamaat’s core political objective. One of the Government-sponsored interlocutors, a senior Kashmiri politician told EXCELSIOR, has had two unpublished "informal" meetings with Mr Bhat. And the interlocutor, under reference, has, in his separate meetings with Mr GM Bhat and Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, found both of them "pretty intelligent, not belligerent".

The interlocutor, according to sources, has, following his meeting with Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat on Tuesday, recorded in his assessment note: "Well begun is half done. There is little doubt of the existence of a genuine constituency for peace in Kashmir today. Barring one or two Hurriyat leaders, the rest of the Hurriyat representatives are for an early end to militancy and terrorism in Kashmir. Much, however, will depend on Pakistan, considering the fact that every peace initiative by India in the past several years has always been thwarted and neutralised by Pakistan".

A Hurriyat leader, currently in New Delhi, pleaded anonymity when he told EXCELSIOR: "The Government of India will succeed only if it, this time, demonstrated sincerity of intention and of purpose while enlisting our cooperation for resolving the bigger Kashmir issue. We want the peace initiative to prepare the ground for the major parties involved in the Kashmir imbroglio to come to grips with the decades-old problem that has defied solution". His assertion: "The on-going differences between New Delhi and Islamabad notwithstanding, Pakistan cannot be brushed aside as it is also a major party to the Kashmir problem".

Significantly, by the time some Hurriyat leaders, particularly the chairman, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, arrived in the Indian capital, the US State Department spokesman, Mr Richard Boucher, said: "We do believe there cannot be a solution to the Kashmir issue without direct discussions between India and Pakistan. In order for such discussion to take place, a climate of trust must be created through sincere efforts to end the violence and, of course, taking the wishes of the Kashmiri people into account".

Indian chancery in Washington has reportedly informed New Delhi that senior American officials have made no bones about the fact that Pakistan could be leaned on to use its influence over the Kashmiri political groups. After all, Washington is not under any illusion as to who is the real power behind the militant and terrorist outfits in Kashmir.

Talks on with other militant outfits
Proposed ceasefire will be a meaningful one: Dar

SRINAGAR, Aug 24: Top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) leader in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdul Majid Dar, has said that talks are on between HM and fellow militant outfits to make the proposed ceasefire a "meaningful and effective one".

"If there is an offer for initiation of a meaningful dialogue from India, other militant outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir are also prepared for the ceasefire’’, Dar, chief commander (Operations) of HM, told a local daily in an interview published today.

He said the Hizbul was desirous of initiating a meaningful dialogue but before going for talks this time it was important and necessary to gauge and examine the attitude of India.

Dar, who accused some "vested interests" for the failure of the first round of talks between the Centre and the outfit, said HM called off the ceasefire on August eight because of "confusing and conflicting" statements of Indian leadership which created misgivings forcing Hizbul to call it off.

He said "Hizbul Mujahideen stands by its committment for ceasefire but the real issue is that India should agree for tripartite talks which will enable all the three parties to the issue - India, Pakistan and representatives of Kashmiris, to talk face-to-face".

Asked how talks could be initiated within two months, Dar said "we hope that people actively involved in the process will be able to create a conducive and congenial atmosphere for talks within two months".

He did not like to identify the people involved in the process but said many people had come forward and were playing a key role to end the deadlock in the talks.

"India will have to come forward with a clear stand for talks this time which will create an atmosphere conducive for talks and an opportunity to resolve the serious issue," Dar observed.

Replying to another question, he said "if security forces will stop its operations against Hizbul Mujahideen the activists of the outfit will also follow suit".

The Hizbul chief commander, however, categorically denied any contact between him and the Centre and said we have not yet taken a concrete decision for ceasefire or initiation of talks. We are waiting for the response from India.

Dar clarified that he has hailed the role of Indian intelligentsia and not Indian intelligence agencies in his August 22 interview to a local news agency.

"After the unilateral ceasefire announced by Hizbul Mujahideen on July 24, Indian intelligentsia came forward and played an appreciable role in bringing together the Government and the militant outfit’’, Dar said adding he was misquoted. (PTI)

Neeta’s sister-in-law among 3 nabbed
KZF’s Nepal base neutralised

NEW DELHI, Aug 24: Delhi Police today claimed to have neutralised a powerful module of the dreaded Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) in Nepal with the arrest of three persons including the sister-in-law of the militant outfit’s Lahore-based chief Ranjit Singh alias Neeta.

Acting on a specific information, sleuths of the inter-State cell of the city police’s crime branch nabbed Manpreet Kaur alias Maan Behanji and Lakhbir Singh alias Baba, the main organisers of KZF’s Nepal module based in Birganj, on August 14 from Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, near Parliament House, City Police Commissioner Ajai Raj Sharma told reporters here.

A 2.8 kgs high-grade explosive bomb fitted with an ABCD timer, a detonator and a nine volt battery were seized from Lakhbir while two pencil timers and Rs 3,200 in fake Indian currency were seized from Kaur, he said.

During interrogation, the duo allegedly disclosed that they were to plant the bomb at some busy place in Delhi before the Independence day function.

The duo have also allegedly disclosed that the group was behind a large number of blasts in Delhi, Punjab and Jammu including at Sirhind, Samba and Paharganj besides the Pooja Express and Sealdah Express explosions, the police chief said.

Following their interrogation, police teams seized 4.20 kgs of RDX, two ABCD timers, five electric detonators from the banks of river Tawi in Jammu and arrested one Surjeet Singh, a contact of Neeta, from Hoshiarpur in Punjab.

Police Commissioner Sharma said with the arrest of the three militants, several blast cases have been worked out, explosions averted on Independence Day in Delhi and "the Nepal base of the ISI sponsored KZF militants has been completely neutralised."

According to him, Neeta used to send explosives and terrorists to India through that base and even used to visit the operatives regularly.

"This Nepal base was used as a springboard for terrorist activities in India," Sharma said.

The group, he said, had come to Delhi on August five from Nepal by train via Raxaul and the plan was that Kaur would escort Amritpal Singh and Manjeet Singh to Jalandhar after carrying out the explosions in the capital.

Lakhbir Singh and Manpreet Kaur used to contact Neeta in Pakistan through conferencing facilities in Germany, Canada and other countries and Neeta used to send fake Indian currency to them through Surjeet Singh, Sharma said.

A sum of Rs 12,600 in fake currency and some passports were seized from Surjeet following his arrest in Hoshiarpur, he said.

Surjeet Singh was remanded to police custody for seven days by a city court here today.

Lakhbir Singh was earlier arrested in Bir Ganj with a consignment of 20 kgs of RDX but he managed to come out of jail within a year while Kaur had accompanied the militant outfit’s chief as his wife, Sharma said. (PTI)

Six statues stolen from Tashi Cholang monastery

From Tashi Morup

LEH, Aug 24: In yet another major theft in monastic shrine, six statues were stolen from Tashi Cholang Gonpa of Sural village in Chamba district of Himachal Pardesh recently. Earlier in a similar incident, 21 statues worth crores of rupees were stolen from Zongkul monastery in Zanskar region of Kargil district two years back. Those involved in the theft are still at large.

According to Norboo Mahayan, a resident of Sural, the old statues of Buddha (8 inches), Ganesha (18 inches), Milarcpa, Avaloketesvara, Hashand and another one in the range of three to four inches were found stolen from the shelves when Pujari (the only monk taking care of the shrine) returned after a nightlong stay at a house in Sural, where he had gone to perform a ritual.

The lock was found broken with a hexa-blade as some pieces of its teeth were found at the entrance of the shrine, which belong to Nyingma, the oldest set of Tibetan Buddhism.

Reports said the villagers later searched for the culprit all over the village and also informed the local police. Unable to trace anybody, Norboo alongwith three other men left the village to chase the thieves, who were apparently two in number, which was evident from the footprints of a Chinese warrior shoes and another pair at certain points.

The four men moved towards Zanskar according to the foot prints hoping to catch the culprits. Following the footprints still remaining at certain points, they crossed two mountain passes including Dadla and Poat La (5490 meters) to reach Bardan monastery in Zanskar.

Close to Bardan monastery, Norboo and his three accomplices met some people from Kaban area of Doda district, who revealed that they saw two short men, one of them wearing a cap and a blue jacket and other one in yellow sweater moving downward along the stream. They said seeing them, the duo hurriedly climbed up the hill, retreating from the normal track.

At some distance, Norboo found that footprints along the stream had diverted avoiding the track that would touch the Bardan monastery as thieves apparently sensed the presence of J&K police check-post near monastery.

IRP cop kidnapped in Tangmarg
Militant killed, 8 personnel injured

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Aug 24: Even as security forces today eliminated a militant in Tangmarg-Beerwah belt and a constable of IRP was kidnapped in the same area, militants have left ten persons, including eight soldiers, injured in three different incidents of firing and blasts in Kashmir valley.

Official sources told EXCELSIOR that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 34 Bn eliminated a local militant in an encounter at Gogaldara, in Tangmarg-Beerwah belt, this evening. He was unidentified but reportedly a resident of Shunglipora, Beerwah. Reports from Beerwah and Kunzar said that the encounter was in progress till late tonight as two more militants were believed holed up in the operation.

At the nearby village of Palpora, in Kunzar area, earlier today unidentified gunmen kidnapped constable Ghulam Jeelani Bhat of IRP 3rd Bn who was reportedly on leave and had gone to his in-laws. He was untraced till late this evening.

On Srinagar-Baramulla highway, militants today targetted a convoy of Rashtriya Rifles 29 Bn at Potkhah, near Sangrama. It was at 1100 hours that militants in ambush caused an IED blast on the highway which hit a vehicle of security forces. Officials confirmed that five personnel sustained injuries who were rushed to military hospital in Srinagar. Two passers-by, namely Shameema wife of Bashir Ahmed and Misra wife of Abdul Ahad Hajam, also sustained injuries. They were rushed to SMHS Hospital.

Today’s IED blast occurred in broad daylight, close to the spot where militants had attacked then DIG Baramulla Dr Sheshpal Ved, early last year.

Last evening, militants fired upon a vehicle of security forces at Ahlan, Gadole, in Kokernag area. One vehicle suffered damage and two soldiers sustained injuries who were rushed to hospital. In the same area of Anantnag district, militants also fired upon security forces at Tengwani, Kokernag. One soldier got injured in exchange of fire.

Two HMPPR militants shot dead in Banihal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 24: Troops of Delta Force today eliminated two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Pir Panjal Regiment at Chapni Marg forests in Khari area, about four kms North West of Nachlana in Banihal tehsil of Doda district.

One of the slain militant hailed from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) while the other belonged to Poonch district.

A Defence spokesman said Delta Force personnel launched a search operation in general area of Khari after developing specific information regarding presence of the militants. Three columns of Rashtriya Rifles were launched in the wee hours of this morning to seek and destroy ultras hiding in Chapni Marg forest.

The militants, unaware of the security forces movement, were taken aback with the break of dawn. Finding themselves surrounded by the security forces, they started firing on soldiers indiscriminately and tried to escape. Troops retaliated the firing effectively.

A fierce-gun battle ensued between militants and security forces for approximately two and a half hour in which two dreaded militants were shot dead. Their bodies were later recovered from the forest area and were identified as Raja Jagir Bhadar, ‘commander’ 10 HM PPR son of Amar Khan, a resident of Kotli district in PoK and Sayeed Majeed Saneen son of Sayeed Sajeer of Sarina, Surankote in Poonch district.

Recoveries to the effect of two AK rifle, five grenades, one radio set and six magazines was made from the possession of killed militants, whose bodies have been handed over to local police. There was no report of any casualty on army side in the encounter.

Only yesterday, troops of Delta Force had gunned down a ‘tehsil commander’ of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) outfit in Kushal forest area of Kishtwar.

Meanwhile, the Special Task Force (STF) of Kishtwar have rescued a youth Mohd Ayaz, a resident of Gandoh from the clutches of HUJI outfit during a search operation in general area of Dachhan in Kishtwar.

Human trafficking to Pak continues

BATALA, Aug 24: Bangladeshi nationals, who were caught by the Border Security Forces (BSF) from the Punjab border while crossing over to Pakistan, have revealed that a mafia was behind their intrusion who had chosen the Punjab border for this purpose.

The mafia has been luring them to lead a prosperous life in Pakistan, the Bangladeshis nationals, who were caught two days ago in Dera Baba Nanak Sector, said, according to BSF sources.

Despite a total of 554 km long wiring on India-Pakistan border in Punjab, the illegal trade of sending Bangladeshis nationals to Pakistan from Punjab border was still continuing, they revealed.

Despite claims that the security forces have checked the attempts of intrusion, the trade is continuing due to "security lapses" on the border, they said.

The mafia brings the Bangladesh nationals in small groups to Punjab from Bangladesh in the trains from where they take them in buses and trains to the International Border in three districts of Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Firozepur, they said.

The mafia then asked them to cross the border despite a fencing because the Bangladeshis were not aware about that and normally were caught by BSF, the sources said.

On the other hand, the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI was pushing the Bangladeshis from their side to India to check the security lapses on the border to push intruders, arms and ammunition into India from Pakistan through Punjab border, they said.

The sources said nearly 50 Bangladeshi nationals had so far been caught by BSF in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur districts while crossing over to Pakistan from India during this year.

Of them, 24 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended in Dera Baba Nanak and seven in Ferozepur district since January one this year, they said.

Similarly, a group of 25 Bangladesh nationals were caught by Railway Police at Batala railway station who reached Batala by mistake because they boarded the Batala train instead of the Dera Baba Nanak train last year. (PTI)

Heavy firing in Chhamb sector

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 24: Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing and shelling in the entire Chhamb sector this morning and continued it till late tonight. Two Indian army jawans were injured in the firing today.

Official reports reaching here said Pak army suddenly started targeting Indian army and civilian positions in Pallanwalla, Hamirpur, Khour and adjoining areas with the onset of dawn. Indian army returned the firing at all the places.

A fierce exchange of firing ensued between the two sides which continued till late this evening when the reports last came in. Two army jawans were injured in the firing. They were evacuated from the firing site and evacuated to hospital.

There were reports of some casualties on Pakistan side as well but their exact details were not available. Till late tonight, the firing was going on in the entire sector creating tension among the villagers living in forward areas.

Firing in Chhamb was suspected to be retaliation of Pak casualties in Poonch sector today.

Uma Bharti firm on her resignation

NEW DELHI, Aug 21: BJP firebrand leader Uma Bharti today said she was firm on her resignation from Lok Sabha though Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Home Minister L K Advani told her that they would decide after the party’s national executive and national council meeting in Nagpur. "The decision to resign from the Lok Sabha was taken by me after having observed `maun’ (silence) for about 25 days," she told reporters here after a 45-minute meeting with Vajpayee.

Bharti, who had announced her decision on Monday last, said she had given her resignation letter to Vajpayee and not Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi as "Vajpayee is the leader of the party in the House and that is why I gave him my letter."

Asked whether her move to resign from the Lok Sabha was a "pressure tactic" to get a ministerial or party berth, she retorted "injustice has been done to me with reports suggesting that I want a party post or ministership in the Centre. Why should I use such tactics to get back ministership when I had resigned from the post. I did not want any party post either."

To a question whether she was considering quitting the party, she said "I will continue to be member of the party. I told the Prime Minister that I used the party as a platform for serving the poor and he understood this. Now I want to dedicate all my time in the service of the poor and that is why I want to resign from the Lok Sabha."

Asked whether resignation from the Lok Sabha would not be a let down for her electorate having contested the elections on the grounds that she would serve the constituency for five years, she said "the people know my intentions and therefore there is no problem if I resign my Lok Sabha seat. I can continue to serve them." (PTI)

Musharraf asked to control terrorism in J&K

NEW DELHI, Aug 24: Japanese Prime Minister Yashiro Mori today said he has asked Pakistan’s military ruler General Pervez Musharraf to take steps to control terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and to create an environment conducive to the resumption of dialogue with India.

"Terrorism is an enemy to the international society. We are aware that terrorism is especially a serious problem for India......It was very deplorable for me to learn that brutal acts were perpetrated at the beginning of this month when the very positive move for putting an end to violence in Kashmir had just commenced," he said addressing a meeting on 'Japan-India global partnership in the 21st century’ at the FICCI here.

Maintaining that there could be no justification for terrorist acts for whatever reasons, Mori said "a few days ago I emphasised to Gen Musharraf the need to take steps to early return to democracy, to control terrorism and to create environment conducive to the resumption of dialogue with India."

Mori, who arrived here after visiting Pakistan, said the efforts to resolve problems of any kind through dialogue should not be abandoned. "Only through dialogue can you understand the other side."

Mori said Japan welcomed the Lahore visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee last year in the hope that direct dialogue between India and Pakistan would help ease tension in South Asia.

"However, the fighting that broke out in Kargil after the visit betrayed Vajpayee’s good intentions," he said.

Emphasising that Japan and India shared a common goal of creating a nuclear free world, Mori said he strongly expected New Delhi’s early signature to CTBT "in order that we can take initiatives together for nuclear disarmament and further promote our amicable relations." (PTI)

PoK Govt asks India to respond positively
to HM’s peace effort

MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 24: The Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Government has asked India to respond positively to "peace efforts" of Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit and said consultation with the people of Kashmir was essential for durable solution to the Kashmir issue.

The PoK Cabinet yesterday said India had wasted a "golden opportunity" to settle the Kashmir issue in the wake of unilateral cease-fire offer bid by Hizbul Mujahideen and accused New Delhi of adopting "instransigent and hypocritical attitude" towards the resolution of the vexed problem.

"Instead of taking benefit of the offer, the Indian Government tried in vain to sow seeds of dissension between the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Hurriyat Conference and other groups," the Cabinet said.

The Cabinet said "only such a solution to the Kashmir issue would be durable as would be reached at in consultation with the people (of Kashmir). (PTI)

‘ISI targeting entire country’

JAIPUR, Aug 24: Commanding Officer, Air Marshal V K Bhatia South-West Air Command, today said Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) was targeting not only Jammu and Kashmir but the entire country, with Rajasthan and Gujarat facing more danger of "cross border terrorism" as they were border States.

Referring to the growing menace of infiltrators and smuggling of drugs in the bordering region, he said that to check it the exchange of intelligence has become imperative.

The Air Marshal was speaking at a conference organised by Indian Air Force (IAF) on the Army-civilian relations at the State Secretariat here.

Expressing concern over the growing incidents of "encroachment" on Army lands, he said the administration should ensure eviction of the encroachers.

Air Marshal Bhatia sought the cooperation of the State Government and the administration in land allotment to the armed forces.

Rajasthan Chief Secretary Inderjeet Khanna also emphasised the need for better intelligence gathering to strengthen the security system.

Mr Khanna said that due to lack of coordination in exchange of intelligence information the administration had to face problems at many times in combating the natural calamities. (UNI)

People are tired of violence in Kashmir: BJP

NEW DELHI, Aug 24: BJP today expressed happiness that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were getting alienated from militants and tired of violence which was being aided and abetted by Pakistan. "We are happy that day by day there is a growing urge among the people of Jammu and Kashmir for peace and the militants were getting alienated from the people. As Pakistan wanted some form of respectability with international opinion too going against them, that country was trying to influence the militant by urging them to demand Pakistan’s presence in any talks related to militancy or Kashmir," party spokesman Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here.

He said the party strongly supported the Government stand that there was no question of inclusion of Pakistan in any talks until it stopped aiding and abetting terrorism in this country.

On the national executive and national council meeting in Nagpur from August 26 when the new president Bangaru Lakshman takes over from Kushabhau Thakre on August 27 for a three-year term, he said a political and economic resolution would be adopted at the meeting.

The meeting would also be presented a general secretary’s report listing out the party’s activities in the past two years under the presidentship of Thakre, he said.

He condoled the death of Power Minister P R Kumaramangalam which was a "great loss to the party more particularly for southern India as he had been emerging as a dynamic leader." (PTI)

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