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NEW DELHI, Dec 24: Home Minister L K Advani today indicated the possibility of talks with militant organisations like Hizbul Mujahideen and did not rule out dialogue with Pakistan after an "assessment" of its behaviour during the extended ceasefire peace initiative in Jammu and Kashmir. "That possibility is there," he said when asked about the chances of the Centre starting a dialogue with militant groups in the State in the wake of its bold peace measures. In a free-wheeling hour-long interview to PTI, the minister said the situation with regard to the ceasefire would be reviewed after the Republic Day when the extension is set to end. On the possibility of talks with militant groups, Advani said "I would like to emphasise that dialogue with our people in J and K would naturally have to include all sections like the ruling National Conference, the main opposition Congress, BJP and leftists and representatives from Jammu and Ladakh. "And if militant organisations like the Hizbul Mujahideen are prepared to lay down arms and become part of the dialogue, they are also welcome," the Home Minister said. Advani said "the Hurriyat Conference must realise this. They have been issuing statements as if they are the sole representatives of the people of J and K". He maintained that resumption of the stalled dialogue with Pakistan was contingent upon Islamabad stopping the support and assistance it has been giving to cross-border terrorism in India. Asked whether this ruled out talks with Pakistan in the immediate future, he said "we don’t say that." The ceasefire initiative, he said, has been taken in a manner to allow the Government to make an assessment of situation on the ground especially with regard to Pakistan’s behaviour. "First when the ceasefire was announced in November end the initiative had a fixed time limit. Now it is open ended. By one month what happens on the ground will be reviewed by the Government. "Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has already stated that the External Affairs Ministry will explore the possibility (of resumption of talks)", he said. Asserting that Islamabad has been feeling the "pinch" of isolation, the Home Minister said "if it earnestly desires peace there should be evidence of it". He made light of the Pakistani announcement about pull back of its troops from the Line of Control saying the Government was more concerned about Islamabad’s involvement in cross-border terrorism. Advani said from the stand point of security in J and K, the months immediately following the Kargil conflict witnessed militants stepping up killings and this aggravation of situation in the State spilled over to the beginning of this year. The security forces struck back with intensity which by September this year gave them an "unprecedented dominant position" in the State. "Never before had the militants suffered such attrition as they suffered this year. "But what I would regard as a more significant achievement in respect of the J and K scene is that the manner the Government, by taking a series of initiatives, has established its credentials as a country earnestly desirous of peace not only among the people of J and K but also in the international community at large," he said. He said the first decision in this context was to release the Hurriyat Conference leaders who had been in detention for some years. Next, when the Hizbul Mujahideen, an organisation comprising militants belonging to J and K, decided to avail of Government’s willingness to talk to militants who laid down arms, the group declared a unilateral ceasefire, he said. "It is understood that before making this announcement, the Hizbul consulted Pakistani authorities which asked them to go ahead but cynically added that India would not respond," Advani said. When, however, Pakistan found that New Delhi’s response was positive, it saw to it that the peace initiative did not move much ahead, he said, adding J and K saw a series of massacres taking place on a single day in August. The minister said during the past few months, apart from the action taken against militants on the ground in the State, the Government has intensified its efforts to mobilise world opinion against Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism. "In this, we have achieved remarkable success. Until 1999, there used to be sustained pressure on India that it should engage Pakistan in a dialogue but what has been a matter of gratification for us is that shortly after the Kargil conflict, India firmly decided it would resume talks with Pakistan only if it abandons cross-border terrorism. "Our stand was widely endorsed by the international community so much so that Pakistan became virtually isolated. Pakistan has evidently been feeling the pinch of isolation," the Home Minister said. (PTI) |
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Pandits divided on talks, trifurcation NEW DELHI, Dec 24: Divergent views were expressed by representatives of Kashmiri Pandits at a two-day conclave that began here today to discuss the political and security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. While a majority of represen-tatives demanded division of the State including a separate homeland for the Pandits, some prominent figures supported the Government’s move to initiate a dialogue with the militants to bring about lasting peace in the troubled State. They felt that the Government’s peace process would help end violence in the State and enable Pandits to return to their homeland. Speaking on the political reso-lution, Prof M K Raina and Dr Teng urged the Government to create a separate homeland for the Pandits stating, "it is very difficult for them to return there under present circumstances." However, senior Advocate Ashok Bhan and Mr D N Munshi welcomed the Government’s efforts to initiate a dialogue with various groups in the State to seek a comprehensive settlement of the Kashmir issue. Mr Bhan said that the Centre should consider the Pandits’ views while finding a solution. He said Hindus and Muslims had to live in peace. They were supported by Mr Harji Lal and Mr H N Nehru who also pleaded for peace in the State. However, Mr K L Bhat and Mr A N Vaishnavi strongly disapproved of talks with the militants. Addressing the conclave, prominent Pandit leader Tota Ram Koul welcomed the cease-fire announced by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee but firmly opposed any sort of dialogue with Kashmiri militants and their mentors in Pakistan. Another Pandit leader Heer Ji Koul also welcomed the cease-fire. (UNI). |
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Red Fort raid
embarrasses Army From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Dec 24: Panic buttons have been pressed with the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, personally addressing a high-level meeting to oversee counter-operations following the meticulously planned attack by the Lashkar-e-Toiba’s suicide squad on an Army establishment inside the historic Red Fort in the Indian capital. The meeting was attended, among others, by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, the Home Minister, Mr LK Advani, and the External Affairs Minister, Mr Jaswant Singh, besides the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen S Padmanabhan, and heads of the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing. Measures to deal with the perpetrators of terrorist violence were discussed, in depth, at the meeting. The Prime Minister, EXCELSIOR was officially informed, insisted on the continuance of the cease-fire ‘experiment’ in Jammu and Kashmir when the issue arising from the Lashkar’s threat of "more attacks" in the coming days was also taken up for discussion at the meeting. The threat of "more attacks" on the Army camps and cantonment areas has been known by the authorities following the interception of some messages from across the border. One of the radio intercepts since Saturday morning, which was meant for the Lashkar-e-Toiba cadres in Jammu and Kashmir, conveyed clear instructions calling for lightning raids on Indian security establishments and convoys of defence personnel. The radio intercept had these loaded words: "Red Fort kay baad aap logon ka kaam aur bhi bud gaya hai. Sirif Kashmir mein hi nahi bulki bharat kay mukhtalif shehroon mein bhee aap ko Islam kay dushman ko hila kay rakhna hai (After the Red Fort raid your workload has further increased. You have to target the enemy of Islam not only in Kashmir but also in different cities of India)". More ominous than this has been message conveyed through the second radio intercept: "Hum yeh zaroori samajhtay hai ki hum aap ko apnay naye faislay sey aaga kardein jo Bharati sarkar kay cease-fire kay sakht khilaaf hai. Hamaray chief ka firman hai ki aap loag aik doosray kaa haath pakad kar apnay hathiyaroon kaa sahi istimaal karay aur chaaroon aur aag hi aag laga day (We deem it necessary to apprise you of your new decision which is totally against the Indian Government’s cease-fire in Kashmir. Our chief’s firman for you people is to proceed ahead together and make proper use of your weapons and set things on fire everywhere)". The Prime Minister, Mr Vajpayee, had strong reasons as he called for the intensification of vigil by the police and other security agencies across the country. By the time the review of the situation was conducted at the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, the Defence Ministry had placed the cantonment areas in all parts of the country, particularly in Delhi, UP, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, on high alert. The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen Padmanabhan, was reported to have explained to the Prime Minister that the Red Fort raid of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, the dreaded outfit known for its stout opposition to New Delhi’s cease-fire in Jammu and Kashmir, appeared to be an attempt to force the Army to retaliate in J&K and consequently derail the peace process in the State. The Army Headquarters has chosen to play down the Red Fort incident. Whatever the reason or compulsion in this connection, there is no denying that the incident has embarrassed the Army. After inspecting the site, the Defence Minister, Mr Fernandes, admitted that the security inside the Red Fort premises was not high. The Prime Minister was also informed that the Army had intercepted a communication which showed that the call in which the Lashkar-e-Toiba had claimed responsibility for the attack on an Army establishment inside the Red Fort, was made from the Kashmir valley. Yet another intercepted communication highlighted the "need to teach a lesson or two" to all those who have welcomed India’s cease-fire offer and been found trying to set the stage for talks between the Hurriyat and the Government of India. In this connection, the communication has made a pointed reference to the Hurriyat leader, Mr Abdul Ghani Lone, and warned that "serious action" would be initiated against him if he continued to pursue his "new role as spokesman of peace with India". |
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Hurriyat Conference
denies playing mediatory NEW DELHI, Dec 24: Hurriyat Conference today denied playing any "mediatory role" between India and Pakistan in resolving the Kashmir issue but said it wants to apply the "keys with a purpose of unlocking the doors of goodwill and understanding." "I do not agree (to the role of mediator), we are a party to a dispute and no party to a dispute can pass for a mediator. We would, however, as the principal party choose to apply keys with a purpose to unlocking the doors of goodwill and understanding," Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat told PTI over telephone from Srinagar. About the conflicting signals emerging out from the camp of Hizbul Mujahideen where a self-styled commander of the outfit demanded annexation of Kashmir with Pakistan, Bhat said "everybody is onto himself. We should have a large heart in India and Pakistan because we are undertaking a stupendous task of easing out tension." The Hurriyat chairman, however, feels very encouraged with the recent developments of India announcing extension of ceasefire and Pakistan deciding to withdraw its troops from the Line of Control (LoC). "Considering the positive steps, Pakistan has taken in response to Indian initiative, I feel encouraged to trust that whatever steps Pakistan is required to take, will be taken in the right earnest," Bhat said, adding "a word in Delhi is transmuted into a deed in Islamabad." About Hurriyat team going to Pakistan for holding talks with militant leaders, Bhat said "the team is yet to be decided and the Government should now give us the travel documents." Former chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has a passport while travel documents of Jamaat-e-Islamia leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, people’s conference leader Abdul Gani Lone and Shia leader Maulana Abbas Ansari have been impounded. While Bhat had applied for passport in 1994, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yaseen Malik applied for it this year. Stressing the need for Hurriyat delegation’s visit to Pakistan, Bhat said "I would very much want it because I think everything should go smoothly." Eventhough Bhat remained tightlipped about the names of Hurriyat team members to visit Pakistan, insiders in the Conference said "a consensus has been arrived on the names of Bhat, Farooq and Malik." About the proposed visit to Pakistan and possible outcome, Bhat said "Hurriyat Conference has fairly and sufficiently expressed its willingness to travel to Pakistan not on a pleasure trip but to engage leaders of boys with guns. We will gleefully gear there throbbing heart and trust that they too will appreciate our anxiety to resolve the dispute through negotiations across the table and thus make sure that the peace process is not derailed." Asked whether Hurriyat had hopes that militant leaders would listen to them as in past they had been criticising the amalgam leadership, Bhat said "well, hope sustains life and we hope that if and when we find an opportunity to talk to them, they will also count the beats of our heart." The Hurriyat chairman expressed satisfaction that the "Governments in New Delhi and Islamabad have realised that there is just one alternative available which is the path of sanity." "However, this path requires that the party to dispute not only exhibit deep sense of responsibility, but also explore the possibility of taking measured bigger steps," Bhat added. He said in this connection the Government should begin with lifting the ban on political activities on some of the constituents of Hurriyat Conference. Referring to remarks made by State Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, who termed the Hurriyat leaders as "black crows", Bhat said "we do not change colours, white in Delhi, red in Jammu and green in Srinagar, like him." (PTI) |
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Civilian held for
militant links Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Dec 24: A hardcore militant and a Special Police Officer (SPO) were killed and another SPO was injured in two separate encounter across twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri overnight. A civilian was arrested by police for harbouring the militants. DIG Rajouri-Poonch range Ram Lubaya said a patrol party of police and SPOs was fired upon by the militants at Khanetar nullah in Poonch district at 0800 hours today. Police personnel retaliated in self-defence. In the exchange of firing that lasted two hours, a militant was killed and one SPO was seriously injured. Other militants escaped from the spot following arrival of re-enforcement of security forces and police from a nearby camp. The injured SPO identified as Faizan Raina son of Abdul Rashid was evacuated from the firing site and later airlifted to Medical College Hospital in Jammu in view of his critical condition. Body of the slain militant was recovered from the spot and has been identified as that of a top militant Abu Mufeen, a Pakistani mercenary and a Lashkar activist. From the scene of encounter, police recovered one AK-47 rifle with three magazines, 42 rounds, one wireless set, four grenades and few letter heads of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit. Security forces and police parties continued searches along Khanetar nullah and surrounding forests to track down the fleeing ultras, believed to be four or five in number. Another joint patrol party of cops and SPOs was ambushed and fired upon by the militants at village Garad under the jurisdiction of Darhal police station this afternoon. Cops and SPOs also replied the firing after taking positions. In the cross-firing, one SPO identified as Showkat Hussain, a resident of Topa was killed. Militants, numbering four, fled towards an adjoining forest area and disappeared. Body of the deceased SPO was shifted to a hospital and sent to his home town after post-mortem. Meanwhile, police have arrested a civilian Sajjad Ahmed alias Sajjad Kashmiri from his house at village Hayatpur in Manjakote area on the charges of his links with the militants. Sajjad Kashmiri, police said, was providing shelter and food to a particular group of Hizbul Mujahideen militants at his house. Sources said Sajjad Kashmiri was on the watch-list of the militant for the last over one month when his name figured during questioning of two surrendered militants. As charges against him were established, he was taken into custody today. From his house, police recovered one Ak-47 rifle and a magazine. He was being questioned by police and some clues were expected of him. |
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Delhi to woo Saudis
against Lashkar Excelsior Special Correspondent NEW DELHI, Dec 24: The intelligence wing of Border Security Force, better known as the BSF (G), is said to have informed the Government that fresh consignments of Indian military uniform for the members of foreign-aided suicide squads have reached several areas in Jammu and Kashmir. These areas have been identified as Srinagar, Beerwa, Baramulla, Kupwara, Anantnag, Pulwama and Qazigund in the Kashmir valley and Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu province. The BSF’s intelligence inputs specifically talk about the "greater possibility" of the jehadis intensifying their moves against the Army and paramilitary personnel in these and other areas in the next few weeks. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Military Intelligence (MI) have also, in their respective assessment notes, forecast that the terrorist outfits, vehemently opposing the Government of India’s peace initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, will indulge in highly disturbing activities in different parts of the State after the ‘successful’ raid by the Lashkar-e-Toiba on an Army establishment inside the Red Fort in Delhi on Friday night. The IB and the MI may differ with each other on some issues, but they seem united on one thing this time-that is, the modus operandi of the Lashkar-e-Toiba. It has been pointed out that the Lashkar, by targeting the Red Fort, is seeking to provoke reprisals, mainly in J&K. A top Ministerial source told EXCELSIOR that following the receipt of intelligence inputs with regard to the plan of jehadis to attack ammunition depots in various areas of the country, including J&K, measures had been taken by way of issuing ammunition to armed troops and, secondly, by taking extra precaution to guard the armouries in the cantonment areas. The source divulged that new communication sets were being issued to the security personnel in order to enable them to speedily pass information about possible attacks. If the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, had, in his statement announcing the extension of cease-fire in J&K, made a pointed reference to the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen for being active in the State, the Lashkar generated unease and a sense of vulnerability among the national political elite by targeting the Red Fort. The Lashkar has, at the same time, conveyed that major defence establishments, including those located in cantonment areas anywhere in India could be vulnerable. Significance is attached to reports from Pakistan which claim that Islamabad’s hold over the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen is waning. These reports also suggest the "inability" of the ruling military establishment of Pakistan to control the two outfits. And if these reports are to be believed, Pakistan’s military ruler, Gen Parvez Musharraf, wanted Saudi Arabia to intervene and curb the activities of the two militant organisations. These reports point out that the Lashkar, of late, has become "aggressively defiant", completely ignoring the "favourable" response from Islamabad to New Delhi’s peace initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir. The Vajpayee Government has already got a set of inputs with regard to the flow of monetary aid to a set of pan-Islamic outfits in Pakistan and Kashmir from certain sources in Saudi Arabia. Hence, all the more reason for the Minister for External Affairs, Mr Jaswant Singh, to fully prepare himself for hammering out a solution to this problem during his forthcoming visit to Saudi Arabia. |
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Rs 30 cr worth heroin,
arms seized Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Dec 24: Two hardcore Pakistani militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit were shot dead by police in an encounter along Babbar nullah on the international border in Hiranagar sector late last night. Killing of two militants, which came just three days after the elimination of three Pakistani militants at Nud in Samba sector, were another clear indication that there was no let up in infiltration from across the border. SSP Kathua Manohar Singh said a police party laid a cordon around Babbar nullah at about 2300 hours last night after getting a specific information about militants’ movement in the area, which was few kms short of the International Border (IB). Police personnel led by Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Border Shivdev Singh Jamwal noticed movement of a couple of militants in the grown up sarkanda but didn’t open firing and instead asked the ultras to surrender. However, both the militants opened firing on cops with an assault rifle and a Mouser forcing policemen to retaliate. In the brief exchange of firing, the police personnel succeeded in killing both the militants without sustaining any casualty on their side. Bodies of both the slain militants were recovered from the scene of encounter this morning when searches were carried out in the sarkanda. They have been identified as Mohd Buta alias Buta Khan son of Barkat Ali, a resident of Qadir Colony, Lahore and Shafiq Ahmed alias Patwari son of Puran Ditta, who hailed from Chowk Manuwali, Lahore. Both of them were activists of international militant outfit of Lashkar-e-Toiba. According to SSP Kathua, Mohd Buta had earlier been arrested by police from the International Border in Samba sector in 1997 for smuggling a consignment of arms and ammunition to Indian territory for LeT cadre. However, he had managed to escape from the lock-up of Samba police station on February 18, 1998. A case of escape from police custody was pending against him at Samba police station. Buta had managed to escape back to Pakistan after fleeing from the captivity of Samba police station. From the scene of encounter, police recovered one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and 15 rounds, one Chinese Mouser with two magazines and 11 rounds, 30 packets of heroin totalling 30 kg having a value of Rs 30 crore in the international market and some incriminating documents. Identity of the slain ultras was established with the help of identity cards recovered from their possession. It may be recalled that three days back, Samba and Kathua police with the help of army had shot dead three Lashkar militants after a day long operation at Nud in Samba sector. The militants had infiltrated from Samba sector and were on way to Udhampur. |
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BSF foils 2 intrusion attempts on border Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 24: The Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an infiltration attempt on the International Border in Nanga post of Ramgarh sector in broad day light today afternoon by killing one of the intruder. Another such attempt was thwarted by security forces in Garkhal area of Akhnoor sector last night. Official sources said the border-guards deployed on the forward border outpost of Nanga in Ramgarh sector observed movement along sarkanda and a small water channel at 1430 hours today and became alert. On spotting an intruder moving into Indian territory, the BSF jawans challenged and asked him to surrender. However, the infiltrator tried to escape back to Pakistan forcing security personnel to open firing. The intruder was shot dead on the spot, the sources said. They said the intruder appeared either on a reccee mission or was intending to sneak inside the Indian territory for ulterior motives. His body has been recovered from the spot but couldn’t be identified immediately. Sources said another infiltration bid by Pakistani militants was beaten-back by security forces in NS Pura area of Garkhal in Akhnoor sector late last night. After a fierce exchange of firing between intruder and security personnel, the former managed to escape taking cover of darkness. In the morning, BSF jawans carried out searches on the border and recovered one anti tank mine planted by Pakistani saboteurs near Malabela BSF post and some other ammunition. The mine had been planted by the saboteurs before fleeing back to Pakistan in a bid to blast security forces camp, the sources said. A major tragedy has been averted with timely detection of the IED and thwarting of infiltration bid, they said, adding this was made possible due to alertness maintained by border guards on the IB. |
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Kashmir issue closer to settlement: PoK PM DUBAI, Dec 24: Settlement of Kashmir problem is round the corner as ground realities on both sides of the border have changed and the current Pakistani regime is more inclined for talks on the issue than any previous Government, Prime Minister of Pak-occupied Kashmir has said. "All parties concerned are looking for a solution to this generation-old-irritant for peace in South Asia and we are heading fast towards a final settlement," Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, on an official visit to the UAE, said yesterday. "India’s extension of the unilateral Ramadan ceasefire and Pakistan’s subsequent partial withdrawal of troops from the Line of Control as well as a flurry of activities by Hurriyat Conference from Kashmir are tell tale signs that things have moved a lot from their original positions," he said. "I think the military Government is in the best position to lead the initiative (for talks)," he said. "I have worked with two Prime Ministers (Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif) and military leader Gen Musharraf. With my experience, I can say that the general is more inclined and is in a better position to hold talks for Kashmiris," the PoK PM was quoted in media reports as saying. Dismissing reports of division among Kashmiri groups, he said "I know there has been a talk of division among Kashmiri groups ...All this talk is spread by vested interests." (PTI) |
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NC activist killed by militants in Valley Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 24: One person was killed while another was seriously injured in two militancy related incidents in the Kashmir valley on 26th day of cease-fire today. According to informed sources one National Conference (NC) activist Ghulam Nabi Naikoo, son of Abdul Aziz Naikoo of Ashmuqam was gunned down by the militants in the late night hours yesterday. Naikoo was earlier kidnaped by the militants from his residence and later done to death. Militants barged into the house of Mohammed Ashraf Ganai son of Ghulam Mohammed Ganai at village Hardu Wularhama in district Anantnag of s1outh Kashmir and fired at him. Ashraf was rushed to District Hospital Anantnag by his relatives where his condition is stated to be critical. |
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: In an apparent softening of stand, Pakistan has indicated that it will not insist on its involvement in talks with India on the Kashmir issue right in the initial stage and suggested Indian leadership first hold talks with the Hurriyat Conference. "India should invite Hurriyat leaders for a discussion which will be preparatory to the Pakistan-India dialogue," Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar told "The Voice", an Islamabad-based English language magazine. Pakistan had earlier demanded trilateral talks among it, India and Hurriyat leaders on Kashmir issue, an idea firmly rejected by India. Sattar said Pakistan has been "encouraged" by Indian Government’s indications that it might allow Hurriyat leaders to travel to Islamabad. He termed as a "welcome half-step" Indian Government’s announcement of Ramzan ceasefire and said the "full step would be to abandon the use of force once and for all." Sattar spoke about "a three-stage framework" of talks. "First, stabilizing the cease-fire at LoC. Secondly, a preparatory process that involves Hurriyat Conference in a process of dialogue with Pakistan and India. The third is a dialogue to find a solution to the Kashmir problem acceptable to the people of Kashmir." (PTI) |
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Pak trying to revive militancy in Punjab: IGP BATALA, Dec 24: Pakistan is trying to revive militancy in Punjab by sending militants to the State, according to Inspector General of Police (Border Range) A P Pandey. Pakistan’s ISI wants to create law and order problem and was trying to send militants from across the border through Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Gujarat as Punjab borders were fully protected by security forces, he told reporters here yesterday. It was also trying to disturb the economy by pumping fake Indian currency and drugs into the country. (PTI) |
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Peace prospect in Kashmir panicked militants: Bangaru INDORE, Dec 24: BJP president Bangaru Laxman today condemned the shootout in Red Fort saying prospect of peace in Jammu and Kashmir had panicked the militants. Laxman told reporters here ‘the Red Fort shootout shows that terrorists are terrorised by prospects of peace in J-K initiated by Prime Minister A B Vajpayee by announcing ceasefire in the troubled State’. Welcoming Vajpayee’s announcement to extend the ceasefire for another month, Laxman said those opposed to it especially Lashkar-e-Toiba were trying to derail the process by attacking Army camps. ‘The attack on Army camp at Red Fort by Lashkar-e-Toiba is an act of both desperation and provocation,’ he said. ‘Kashmiri people’s desire for peace is inevitably exerting its pressure on the Hurriyat Conference leadership and several militants group. Even the military Government in Pakistan has been forced to respond positively, albeit tentatively, to the Indian Governments move,’ Laxman later said in statement. ‘Islamabad, however, still needs to prove its sincerity,’ he said, adding it must categorically say it will not support cross-border terrorism in any manner. The ongoing talks with militants in Kashmir were not being organised at the behest of US as alleged by CPM leader Sitaram Yechuri, he said. (PTI) |
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