Power supply disrupted in many areas
Powerful IED blasts in Bhalwal village blow
up electric towers
*Another device tied with tower defused

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 26: Seven powerful explosions, triggered by RDX-filled Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), rocked village Kangar, about eight kms from Bhalwal under the jurisdiction of Ghrota police station late last night blowing up two electric towers of 400-AMP Salal-Jammu transmission line disrupting power supply in many areas.

Panic gripped Kangar and adjoining villages of Bhalwal block with people spending sleepless night following powerful explosions, whose sound was heard in many far off villages.

Preliminary investigations carried out by police revealed that eight black RDX-filled IEDs had been tied with two electric towers (four each with one tower) by suspected militants or their harbourers at Kangar. While seven IEDs went off, one remained unexploded. Splinters of all seven explosive devices have so far been recovered by army and police with the help of local people, who too assisted cops in search operations in the village.

Earlier, police had indicated that militants might have fired rockets to target electric towers or even the highly fortified Kot Bhalwal jail, which was about 14 kms from Kangar. Later, police declared that explosions were caused by IEDs and there were no rocket attacks.

Meanwhile, one more live bomb was still tied with another tower of second 400-AMP Salal-Jammu transmission line in the vicinity of the damaged line. Army cordoned off the area to defuse the explosive device. The device was defused late tonight by a Special Bomb Disposal Squad of army.

Due to damage caused to 400-AMP Salal-Jammu transmission line, the power supply to most of the City areas and Bhalwal block remained disrupted throughout the intervening night of August 25 and 26. Several areas of Jammu City were affected by disruption in power supply and people had to spend sleepless night in humid conditions.

As the army and police have cordoned off the area, as a result the officials of Power Grid of India, responsible for the maintenance of this transmission line, couldn’t go to the site to restore the power supply. They were expected to reach the spot late tonight or tomorrow morning to launch the repair works.

Local villagers in Kangar told visiting police and security officials that that they saw lightning and then heard the sound of explosion atleast seven times between 2230 hours to 2245 hours last night and got panicky. The sound of blasts was heard in a gap of two to three minutes.

Panic-stricken people informed Ghrota police station, which immediately swung into action and a police party led by SHO Ghrota Sat Pal Sharma launched a search operation in the village with the help of local villagers. Searches were carried out in the villages for three hours last mid-night but due to darkness nothing could be traced.

With the onset of dawn, police and army resumed the search operation. Police saw two electric poles having collapsed after being blasted by powerful IEDs.

Splinters of atleast two explosive devices were also recovered from a field in Kangar village this morning. The U-shaped splinters have been handed over to Military Intelligence to ascertain the nature of explosive devices.

However, no arrest could be made from the spot. Police suspected that anti-national elements might have escaped from the hills towards some safer hideouts after fitting IEDs with the electric towers. Police planned to carry out detailed searches in the hills after the arrival of re-inforcement.

Police said the hills surrounding Kangar village were linked with Nagrota forests and, as such, there was a possibility of militants’ strike. This is for the first time that such explosions have rocked the otherwise totally peaceful Bhalwal block, which have sent the waves of panic among the villagers.

Meanwhile, police said security arrangements in the area have to be intensified as high security Kot Bhalwal jail was just 10-12 kms away from Kangar, where the militants struck last night.

Police sources don’t rule out the possibility of militants planning to target the high security Kot Bhalwal jail, housing a number of dreaded Pakistani, Afghani and Kashmiri militants but they said it was impossible for them to hit the jail from the hill as it was over 12 kms away from the spot.

It may be reported that three hardcore militants including Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) hitman Irfan Ahmed had escaped from Kot Bhalwal jail about two years back. Maulana Masood Azhar, who was released in exchange of Indian Airlines plane hostages in December last year, was also lodged in the same jail.

Security of the jail is being further tightened, the sources said, adding patrolling of police and para-military has been stepped-up in Bhalwal block to prevent the possibility of any such attack in future.

Reports said panic prevailed among the villagers of entire Kot Bhalwal block, especially in the villages surrounding Nagrota hills, following overnight explosions. People were demanding creation of security forces pickets around the hills for their protection.

People alleged that they had noticed mysterious movement in some ‘dhoks’ along the hills. There was a possibility that militants might have established hideouts in the forests of Nagrota and Kangar, they added.

3-day BJP national convention begins
Kashmir issue generates lot of heat

NAGPUR, Aug 27 : The Kashmir issue generated a lot of heat on the opening day of the three-day national convention of the Bharatiya Janata Party here today.

The issue dominated the deliberations of the party’s national executive which met to prepare the draft political resolution to be adopted at the two-day national council meeting beginning tomorrow.

As the executive took up discussion on the resolution several members came out openly against the Government’s approach towards the Kashmir issue.

The members were of the view that Kashmir remained one of the party’s main issues when it was in the opposition. But the manner the NDA Government had mishandled it, the party had gone on the defensive.

The members, particularly former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj, the sources said, were critical of the manner the whole issue was being taken up by the Government.

Surface Transport Minister Rajnath Singh, I and B Minister Arun Jaitley, former Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Hari Shankar Prasad defended the Government. They referred to the resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and also the speech of Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on autonomy.

The National Conference is an ally in the NDA Government and it should have taken the Centre into confidence before adopting any such resolution, they said.

The tenor of their criticism was that the Government had given up proactive policy towards Kashmir and had become ‘soft’. The Government should have shown its displeasure sternly to the National Conference, particularly to its leader, Mr Abdullah, on the resolution.

The members were also critical of the handling of Amarnath Yatra which witnessed massacre of more than 100 pilgrims. Many members did not support the way the talks were being held with Hizbul Mujhahideen leaders to resolve the Kashmir tangle. They said the Government should never agree to the inclusion of Pakistan in the talks as asked by the Mujhahideen.

Several members pointed out that ever since the Kashmir Assembly had adopted the resolution on Kashmir calling for more autonomy there had been spurt in terrorist violence in the State. Scores of people had lost their lives in bomb blasts and other similar incidents. There seemed to be lack of coordination from the State Government to deal with the situation, they asserted.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Home Minister L K Advani and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh were not present in the meeting when the members spoke, as they were held up in Delhi for some urgent Government work and could not reach here.

Mr Vajpayee and Mr Advani joined the meeting only late in the evening when the situation in the North East was being discussed.

The Executive will also finalise the Draft Economic Resolution to be discussed and adopted in the National Council Meeting beginning tomorrow with Mr Bangaru Laxman formally taking over as the fifth BJP president. (AGENCIES)

73 Govt officials transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Aug 26: The Government today ordered transfers and postings of 73 officials.

S R Kapoor, Director Local Bodies, Jammu is transferred and posted as Joint Financial Commissioner which post is equated in status and responsibility to that of Super Time Scale of in terms Rule 9 (2) of (Pay) Rules, till it is held by S R Kapoor. Shantmanu, Special Secretary to Government, Power Development Department, under orders of transfer as Director Industries and Commerce, J&K is posted as Vice-Chairman, Jammu Development Authority. V K Gupta, under orders of transfers as Vice-Chairman, Jammu Development Authority, shall continue in his present place of posting as Managing Director, State Financial Corporation.

R K Handa, under orders of transfer as Managing Director, J&K State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. is posted as Director, Local Bodies, Jammu. O P Khullar, under orders of transfer as Managing Director, State Financial Corporation, shall continue in his present place of posting as Managing Director, J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd. M Saleem Beig, Special Secretary to Government, Industries and Commerce Department is transferred and posted as Director, Industries and Commerce, on ex-cadre basis.

R A Qadri under orders of transfer as Managing Director, J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd. is posted as Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Industries Ltd. G Q Wani, under orders of transfer as Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Industries Ltd, shall continue at his present place of posting as Managing Director, State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. Javid Shabir, Superintending Engineer, Mechanical Irrigation, Srinagar is transferred and posted as Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Cements Ltd.

S K Mahajan, , Director, Planning & Development Department is transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, JAKEDA against an available vacancy. Bua Ditta, Joint Director, Tourism, Jammu is transferred and posted as Addl Secretary to Government, Tourism Department. V D Sharma, Deputy Commissioner (Excise), Lakhanpur is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary to Government, Transport Department.

S Narinder Singh, Joint Director, Information, Jammu is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary to Government, Food & Supplies Department. N A Bhat, Deputy Director, Tourism, Kashmir is transferred and posted as Joint Director, Tourism, Kashmir against an available vacancy. C K Gupta, Joint Director, Industries & Commerce, Jammu is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary to Government, Science and Technology Department.

S K Khajuria, , awaiting orders of posting is posted as Joint Director, Industries and Commerce (RSU), Jammu against an available vacancy. Farooq Ahmed, Secretary, Services Selection Board is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary to Government, Forest Department. Vinod Koul, General Manager, DIC, Udhampur is transferred and posted as Joint Director, Industries and Commerce (Dev), Jammu.

G R Bhagat, , General Manager, DIC, Kathua is transferred and posted as Joint Director, Industries and Commerce (Adm.) against an available vacancy. T K Sharma, General Manager, DIC, Jammu is transferred and posted as Joint Director, Tourism, Jammu. M Y Shora, General Manager, DIC, Anantnag is transferred and posted as Joint Director, Industries & Commerce (Development), Kashmir against an available vacancy.

Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, Joint Registrar, Induscos, Kashmir is transferred and posted as Joint Director, Handloom, Kashmir. G N Bodha, Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax (Recovery), Kashmir is transferred and posted as Joint Director, Handicrafts, Kashmir. Jagjit Singh Isher, Deputy Director, Social Welfare, Jammu is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary to Government, Planning and Development Department.

G N Sofi, Special Asstt to Minister for Housing & Urban Development is transferred and posted as Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama. Mushtaq Ahmed, Joint Director, Handloom, Kashmir is transferred and posted as Addl. Secretary to Government, Information Department. D K Vaid, Regional Transport Officer, Jammu is transferred and posted as Joint Director, Information Department, Jammu.

M I Khan, Asstt. Commissioner (Dev), Kargil is transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Zanskar. Kachoo M Shah, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Zanskar is transferred and posted as Asstt. Commissioner (Dev), Kargil. S K Koul, Joint Registrar, Cooperatives (Audit), Jammu is transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner (Excise), Lakhanpur.

Anal Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax (V&I), Jammu is transferred and posted as Joint Registrar, Cooperatives (Audit), Jammu. Reyaz Ahmed Sheikh, awaiting orders of posting upon abolition of the Enforcement Wing, is posted as Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax (V&I), Jammu. Baseer Khan, Asstt. Commissioner (Dev), Srinagar is transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax (Recovery), Kashmir.

Abdul Latief Deva, awaiting orders of posting, is posted as Asstt. Commissioner Dev, Srinagar. Mushtaq Ahmed Mir, Deputy Director, ICDS, Directorate of Social Welfare is transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax (Recovery), Jammu vice Mirza M A Ashraf who will report to General Administration Department for further posting. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioner Excise (Exec.), Kashmir is transferred and posted as Secretary, Services Selection Board.

Ms Rita Parimoo, , Deputy Director, Employment, Jammu is transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary to Government, Industries and Commerce Department. Showkat Ahmed Zargar, Deputy Secretary, Labour and Employment Department is transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary to Government, Public Works Department. Hilal Ahmed Parray, Deputy Secretary to Government, Works Department is transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary to Government, Forest Department. S C Sawhney, General Manager, DIC, Poonch is posted as General Manager, DIC, Udhampur.

G A Qureshi, Asstt. Commissioner, Dev. Poonch is posted as General Manager, DIC, Poonch. Mehmood Rana, Deputy Director, Tourism, Jammu is transferred and posted as Asstt. Commissioner. Dev. Poonch. Ravinder Gupta, Deputy Director Estates, Jammu is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Tourism, Jammu.

Mubarik Singh, , Asstt. Commissioner Dev., Kathua is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Estates, Jammu. K L Leharia, Deputy Director, Employment, Udhampur is transferred and posted as Asstt. Commissioner, Dev. Kathua. N K Khurana, Deputy Controller, Weights and Measures, Jammu is transferred and posted as General Manager, DIC Jammu.

S L Raina, under orders of posting as Asstt. Settlement Officer in the Office of Financial Commissioner (Revenue) is posted as Deputy Controller, Weights and Measures, Jammu on ex-cadre basis, in his own pay and grade. He will retain lien in his parent Department. Ajay Khajuria, Executive Officer, Jammu Municipality is transferred and posted as Regional Transport Officer, Jammu. Nana Ji Raina, Joint Registrar, Cooperatives, Jammu is transferred and posted as General Manager, DIC,Kathua.

Rayaz Ahmed Zarger, , Deputy Directors, Employment,(Central) is transferred and posted as Deputy Direrctor, Employment, Doda. C L Khosa, Deputy Director, Employment, Doda is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Employment, Jammu. A R Kokiloo, General Manager, DIC, Budgam is transferred and posted as General Manager, DIC, Srinagar.

Abdul Hamid Bhat, , Deputy Director, Food and Supplies, Kashmir is transferred and posted as General Manager, DIC, Pulwama. Mehraj-ud-Din Kanu, Programme Officer, ICDS, Anantnag is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Food and Supplies, Kashmir vice Shri Abdul Hamid. Abdul Majid Mir, Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama is posted as Joint Agrarain Reforms Commissioner, Srinagar against an available post.

Mohd Tariq, Asstt. Commissioner, Dev. Rajouri is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Social Welfare, Jammu. R K Gupta, Deputy Director, Handlooms, Jammu is transferred and posted as Asstt. Commissioner, Dev. Rajouri. A R Khan, Asstt. Commissioner, Dev., Kupwara is transferred and posted as Divisional Employment Officer, Kashmir in his own pay and grade.

M A Qadri, Divisional Employment Officer, Kashmir is transferred and posted as Personnel Officer, Associated Hospitals, Kashmir. G M Alamgir, Joint Registrar, Cooperatives (Spl), hmir is transferred and posted as Asstt. Commissioner, Dev. , Kupwara. S L Saraf, Dy. Director of Information, Jammu is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Employment, Kathua.

Tilak Raj Sharma, , Deputy Secretary, Home is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Information (PR), Jammu. M A Bukhari, Deputy Secretary to Government, Forest Department is transferred and posted as Deputy Secretary to Government, Home Department. Shahid Hussain, General Manager, DIC, Srinagar is transferred and posted as General Manager, DIC, Budgam.

Dr D N Wani, Joint Secretary, BOSE is transferred and posted as Member Secretary, Competent Authority Entrance Examinations. Abdul Rashid Lone, Registrar, CAEE and Mukhtiar-ul-Aziz, Executive Officer, Srinagar Municipality will exchange their places of postings. Mukhtiar-ul-Aziz is posted on ex-cadre basis and shall retain lien in his parent Department. Khursheed Ahmad Bhat, Programme Officer, ICDS, Udhampur is transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kishtwar vice Khursheed Ahmad Deva who will report to Revenue Department for further posting.

Rafiq Ahmed Dar, Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir and Sheikh Fayaz Ahmed, Dy Director, Food and Supplies, Kashmir will exchange their places of posting retaining lien and promotion prospects in their respective departments/organisations.B L Bhat, General Manager, J&K Agro Industries Coorporation Ltd., is transferred and posted as Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing. Mir Mushtaq Ahmad, erstwhile Director, Command Area Development Authority, Kashmir will report to Agriculture Department for further posting.

M Yasin Shah, General Manager, DIC, Pulwama is transferred and posted as General Manager, DIC, Anantnag. Ghulam Nabi Ganai, Assistant Commissioner, (Dev ), Baramulla is transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Excise (Exec.), Kashmir. M L Padha, Under Secretary to Government, Hospitality and Protocol Department is transferred and posted as Executive Officer, Jammu Municipality, in his own pay and grade.

‘Amnesty for ultras if they lay down arms
Paradise on earth defiled by guns

NEW DELHI, Aug 26: No winners have emerged in the bloodshed and warfare in the paradise on earth, as Jammu and Kashmir was once known, which now needs people-oriented development and welfare, analysts say.

It was stressed that if militants lay down arms, a qualified amnesty could be considered by the Government.

The people of Kashmir have been the actual losers in cruelty and victimisation that has already taken place on all sides, concluded the distinguished panel drawn from the Parliament, judiciary, media, human rights and academics who concurred at a public forum this week that a general or time-bound ceasefire between the militants and the Government was the crying need of the hour.

It was pointed out that social sector priorities have been given the back seat because of the decade-old insurgency in the Valley that has forced Indo-Pak relations into the worst form of straitjacket and Islamabad and New Delhi spend nearly three times more on their military than on development.

Emphasis was laid at the symposium that confidence building measures could defuse the crisis in Kashmir and the hardline stance adopted by Mrs Indira Gandhi towards Pakistan had been softened under Mr Inder Kumar Gujral and Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Dr Syeda Saiyuddin, former member, National Commission for Women, said the people in Jammu and Kashmir were sick with the quarreling between India and Pakistan and wanted ‘Azadi’. Women suffer the most when men are killed or join militant groups. Security forces have also suffered and often reacted wildly, killing innocent civilians, she said.

It was also pointed out at the symposium that Kashmir had been talked about bilaterally between India and Pakistan since 1947 on many occasions and in numerous fora around the world.

The problem was not solved by merely suggesting an agenda for talks but by trying to formulate an agenda which will be acceptable to the Government of India and the militants on the one hand and India and Pakistan on the other. For this to happen, it was necessary to create an international consensus about the legitimate, durable and democratic nature of Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to the Indian Union.

Western literature on this subject often omitted to mention the Jammu and Kashmir constituent assembly which had ratified this accession.

The obverse side of militancy was that it justified the increasing presence of Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir and drove the militant groups into a tight corner. On the one hand, given the sheer disproportion in numbers - 10,000 Indian soldiers to one armed militant - and the fact that the Indian troops only went to Jammu and Kashmir for periodic duty as well as had tremendous reserves to fall back on, a military solution to the present crisis was out of the question.

Were the militant groups to lay down their weapons, the pressure on the Government of India to grant a qualified amnesty and withdraw its troops from internal duties will increase. This will also give a chance to the militants to shape a political strategy for waging either a civil campaign for human rights or of a concerted effort to win the elections and form a Government as similar movements had been able to do in Tamil Nadu and Assam.

Persistence with armed violence while providing adverse media publicity will draw worldwide condemnation against terrorism and permanently alienate the perpetrators of such violence. At the same time it was imperative for Indian security forces to seal the borders with Pakistan to prevent the entry of Islamic militants as China had done in Sinkiang within the same mountainous terrain. The fact of low voter turnout could be explained as much by the terror on civilians imposed by the militant groups and their boycott of constitutional processes as it could by allegations of rigging by the State. An all-round analysis was needed to prevent one-sided thinking about Kashmir.

Similarly, what was needed on the human rights front was to further empower institutions like the National and State Human Rights Commission. For this NGOs and not militant groups were required in different social sectors. A political solution was needed within Kashmir for once the boundaries were secured and normalcy restored, the Pakistani elite will change their perceptions of the problem. The onus was much more on India to act on its own to deliver a good deal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir rather than wait for Pakistan to initiate anything. Autonomy to foster development should be granted to Jammu and Kashmir but not so as to help fundamentalism, it was pointed out.

Other speakers included Mr Kuldeep Nayar, Member of Parliament, Justice Rajender Sachhar, Mr Prafulla Bidwai, noted columnist, Prof Ajaz Ahmad formerly at Rutgers University, USA, and Prof Shri Prakash, Academy of Third World Studies (ATWS), Jamia Millia Islamia University which organised the symposium ‘the future of Kashmir’ as part of its research into and analysis of various peace issues in Asia. Academy Director Prof Mushirul Hassan and JMI University Vice-Chancellor Syed Shahid Mahdi also took part. (UNI)

Fierce encounters in Lolab, Beerwah
9 militants, SPO among 11 killed

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Aug 26: While as divergent sections of opinion in Jamaat-e-Islami and Hizbul Mujahideen are engaged in an unprecedented war of attrition through media, security forces have eliminated at least nine separatist militants in three different operations in Kashmir valley, since last evening. One SPO and the widow of a slain militant are also reported killed.

Official sources told EXCELSIOR that on the basis of a specific information, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 18 Bn and SOG Kupwara launched a joint operation at Katianwali forest area near Gagal village of Lolab, in Kupwara district, early this morning. During the operation, a fierce encounter took place between holed up militants and security forces which lasted for several hours. Even as one local SPO, namely Mohammad Yaqub, got killed, security forces eliminated a total of five militants. Two of them were believed to Pakistani cadres of Jaish-e-Mohammad and the third one a Sudanese. Officials claimed that the outfit’s chief of operations in Kashmir, Zarrar Inquilabi of Karachi, Pakistan, also got killed in the clash.

Another militant killed in the gunbattle was identified as Iftikhar Ahmed alias Shahbaz of Pakistan. Five AK-56 rifles, one wireless set and 12 grenades were claimed to have been recovered from the site of encounter. Late evening reports said that two soldiers sustained injuries in the armed clash who were rushed to a hospital.

Sources said that during an extensive search operation in Nowgam sector, close to LoC, troops recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition which included one pistol, eight disposable rocket-launchers, five flame-throwers, 114 grenades, three 107-mm mortars, 39 bombs of 60-mm mortar and nine IEDs.

Sources said that on yet another tip-off, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 34 Bn and RR 2nd Bn launched a cordon-and-search operation at Radbugh village, near Beerwah, in Budgam district early this morning. According to the specific information, a group of freshly-inducted Hizbul Mujahideen militants were present in the village. During the operation, heavy exchange of fire took place between the holed up militants and security forces which continued for seven hours. Three militants got killed while as an equal number of security forces personnel sustained injuries. The militants killed in the gunbattle were identified as Syed Javed Tahir S/O Syed Tahir R/O Chattabugh, Nazir Ahmed Mir S/O Ghulam Ahmed Mir R/O Sanoor-Kalipora and Abdul Hameed Bhat S/O Mehda Bhat R/O Badran, Beerwah.

Three AK-56 rifles, three grenade-launchers, two wireless sets and 12 hand grenades were claimed to have been recovered from the site of encounter. Sources said that the militants killed in the clash were close associates of Maulvi Feroz, Hizb’s former "divisional commander" who had been killed by troops of RR 34 Bn in Arizal belt a month ago. Officials claimed that today’s encounter dealt a severe jolt to Hizbul Mujahideen in Budgam district. However, unofficial reports insisted that at least five militants managed to escape.

Sources said that in an ambush during last night, a joint party of Kulgam Police and BSF 1st Bn eliminated a local militant of Hizbul Mujahideen at Kantsu in Kulgam area. He was identified as Nazir Ahmed Wagay alias Janbaz S/O Ghulam Ahmed Wagay R/O Ashmujipora. One AK-56 rifle, four hand grenades and a wireless set were claimed to have been recovered from the spot.

Meanwhile, dead body of Haseena widow of a slain militant, Farooq Ahmed Dar, resident of Aloosa, Bandipora was recovered from Zainageer Kanal, at Potkhai.

Bhalla police post attacked
Delta Force rescues boy, busts hideout

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 26: Troops of Delta Force today rescued a boy from the clutches of militants from general area of Chandren and busted a hideout of the militants in Dushnan area and recovered arms and ammunition.

A Defence spokesman said Ayaz son of Mohd Ayub, a resident of village Sujan had been abducted by some unidentified militants from a forest area alongwith three other boys of the same village, where he had gone to graze his cattle.

Security forces got a tip off about the presence of hostages in Chandran village and launched a search operation. On seeing the approaching troops, the militants fled from the hideout leaving behind Ayaz, who was rescued.

The spokesman said Ayaz hadn’t been fed since last two days and was being compelled to follow the ultras. He was scheduled to be taken to PoK for arms training. Troops fed the boys and restored him to his family.

Troops continued efforts to retrieve other missing youth.

Another successful operation was carried out by Rashtriya Rifles in Dushnan village where a hideout of the militants was smashed. Recovery made from the hideout include three AK magazines, 13 rounds, two rifle grenades and one compass.

After busting the hideout, troops launched an operation in the village to track down the militants. However, no arrest could be made immediately.

Meanwhile, unidentified militants opened firing on Bhalla police post in Doda district late last night. Police and para-military personnel, present in the police post retaliated.

Police personnel successfully repulse the militants’ attack on their post after half an hour long exchange of firing. No loss of life was reported from either side.

Salahuddin not taken into confidence on ceasefire: Geelani

SRINAGAR, Aug 26: Former Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has disclosed that Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) leader Abdul Majid Dar had announced the ceasefire without taking into confidence Pakistan-based HM chief Syed Salahuddin.

Stating that there were differences within Hizbul Mujahideen, he told a local news agency that "Salahuddin later endorsed the ceasefire in the interest of the organisation."

Geelani said Dar had contacted him over phone before announcing the ceasefire and he (Geelani) had told him that announcement of ceasefire was equivalent to defeat.

He said he had suggested to Dar to delay the announcement till the Jammat-e-Islami organisational polls (held on July 31) and get in touch with fellow militant outfits before announcing the ceasefire. " I told Dar to meet me and other top Jammat leader Ashraf Sehrai personally before making the announcement."

On Dar’s fresh statement that talks with the Centre will be resumed after two months, the Jamaat-e-Islami leader said dialogue could prove fruitful only if all parties are involved. "Pakistan is a basic party to the dispute and it cannot be ignored."

Geelani said the "Hurriyat Conference cannot accept any solution within the Indian constitution as 80,000 people have laid down their lives for freedom and not for autonomy".

Geelani said Hurriyat had a "very flexible stand" on peace talks but asserted that the dialogue should be meaningful, result-oriented and aimed at finding a permanent solution to the Kashmir problem.

Hurriyat was opposed to converting the Line of Control (LoC) into a permanent border or holding elections for transfer of power, he told a rally at Jamia Masjid here last night.

"The solution to the problem lies in tripartite talks involving India, Pakistan and genuine representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Geelani said peace could be established only when "we are allowed to exercise our right to self-determination." (PTI)

LeT hideout busted

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Aug 26: Militants fired at Special Task Force (STF) post in Swari last night while Mendhar police smashed a Lashkar-e-Toiba hideout and recovered three AK-56 rifles in an operation carried out overnight.

A police spokesman said STF jawans repulsed the militants attack after an hour long encounter without sustaining any casualty. Militants were forced to flee from the village.

Special Operations Group (SOG) Gursai and police nafri from Mendhar carried out an operation at Kasblari village under the supervision of DySP Mendhar and busted a LeT hideout. Three AK-56 rifles with 9 magazines were recovered from the hideout.

DGP promotes 12 cops, 10 SPOs

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Aug 26: Director General of Police (DGP) Gurbachan Jagat today ordered on-spot promotions of 12 constables regularised the services of 10 SPOs for their successful anti-militancy operations.

Eight Selection Grade Constables were promoted as head constables while four constables were promoted as Selection Grade Constables. Services of 10 SPOs were regularised.

The promoted cops and SPOs were involved in successful operations against militants at Salhutri and Sabjian villages in which seven and three militants were killed respectively.

IGP Jammu R V Raju, Garrison Commander Brigadier W J B Sturgeon, Brigadier Karan Yadav of 6 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Ram Lubaya and SSP Poonch Pankaj Saxena were present on the occasion.

CBI seizes LIC Kathua record

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Aug 26: Sleuths of Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) have seized the record of LIC office here for investigations of delay in relief of a death case.

Led by Inspector Vijay Sadhu, the CBI men reached the LIC, Kathua unit, office this morning and seized the record. Details were not available immediately.

Swain takes over as SSP Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 26: Rashmi Ranjan Swain, an IPS officer today took over the charge as SSP Jammu from M A Anjum.

Swain was recently transferred from SSP Kathua to SSP Jammu. Anjum will take over as SSP Crime and Railways, Jammu from K K Gupta, who is retiring on August 31.

Ex-Sarpanch murdered

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Aug 26: A former Sarpanch was murdered by three accused for allegedly giving a ruling against them during his tenure as Sarpanch in village Jandrota under the jurisdiction of Basohli police station yesterday.

He has been identified as Isher Dass son of Dhani Ram, a resident of Jandrota. Three accused, who murdered the Sarpanch at his house, have been identified as Bhagwan Singh, Jaswant Singh and Balwant Singh, all resident of Farnata village.

Assailants escaped after committing the crime. Police have registered a case against them and started investigations.

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