Strategic bridges next target
Army, BSF set in motion
to foil Pak mischief

Excelsior Defence Correspondent

NEW DELHI Mar 7: With fresh reports about Pakistani plot for some kind of serious mischief in Jammu and Kashmir,........more

Delhi rules out early talks
Pak rejects freezing of Kashmir issue suggestion

From B L Kak
NEW DELHI Mar 7: Pakistan has turned down America’s suggestion favouring freezing of ......more

Govt. to minimise Pandit
migrants’ hardships
Pak ISI for more mercenaries in J&K: Rao

From B L Kak
NEW DELHI, Mar 7: The Government of India has come across evidence in connection with the close collaboration Pakistan.....more

French Govt selects
Jaipur under ‘Asia Urb
prog’ for civic help

JAIPUR, Mar 7: The French Government has selected Pink City Jaipur under its ‘Asia Urb......more

N Chandrababu Naidu

Single largest party
should be called
in Bihar: Naidu

VIJAYAWADA, Mar 7: In the first significant reaction by a BJP ally .....more

Gujarat Govt circular
paralyse both Houses

NEW DELHI, Mar 7: The role of the Bihar Governor and the...more

Withdrawal of UP
Religious Places
Bill demanded

LUCKNOW, Mar 7: The Samajwadi Party (SP)’s Uttar Pradesh unit has ......more

Allies ask BJP to persuade Guj Govt at political level

NEW DELHI, Mar 7: As Government-opposition.....more

Strategic bridges next target
Army, BSF set in motion to foil Pak mischief

Excelsior Defence Correspondent

NEW DELHI Mar 7: With fresh reports about Pakistani plot for some kind of serious mischief in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government of India has ordered the defence personnel guarding the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) to shoot if shot at and to ensure that attempts at organising fresh infiltration into the Indian territory were effectively foiled.

Clear signals have been sent out, directing the Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel to be extra careful and vigilant at a time when Pakistani trouble-makers seem poised for engineering fresh mischief in J&K any time in the coming days.

These signals, in fact, have emphasised the need for intensification of vigilance all along the border with Pakistan and for initiating appropriate measures against planned infiltration and ex-filtration.

Similar signals have been sent to the security personnel guarding the borders in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and north-eastern region. Highly-placed sources told EXCELSIOR that the call from Delhi-based headquarters of the Army and the BSF for round-the-clock vigil by the border guards had been necessitated by two ominous developments across the border.

First, of course, is the stepped-up activity by the Pakistani Army and trigger-happy Rangers in as many as 60 pockets close to the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir following the recent killing of several civilians in a border village in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistani authorities have held Indian agencies responsible for the sad episode, even as there is no concrete evidence to substantiate the allegation.

Second development relates to the circulation of thousands of posters and leaflets by Pakistani agencies in most parts close to the borders as part of Islamabad’s restructured strategy to deepen anti-India feelings. Pakistan’s poster war has been reported by intelligence specialists following the discovery of a Pakistani plot to engineer bomb attacks on vital bridges in Jammu and Kashmir, including Tawi bridge in Jammu city and Akhnoor bridge.

Apart from strategic bridges, telephone exchanges and military communication networks in different areas of Jammu and Kashmir are also reported to have been targeted in the ISI list.

Intelligence specialists have informed the Government of India that while nearly 2,000 trained ultras are presently waiting at Muzaffarabad, capital city of PoK, for their induction into Indian territory for further increasing the level of terrorist violence, the ISI operatives plan to push into Jammu sector at least 500 trained subversives from a location in Sialkot sector.

It is, apparently, in this context that the Union Home Ministry has highlighted the significance of the role of the BSF troops along the International Border in Jammu region. Of the 198-km long International Border, 188 km are taken care of by the BSF troops. And that the threat from the other side has of late increased is explained by the hardened attitude of the Pakistani troops towards Indians and by the preparations across the border for pushing into Indian territory more and more militants and foreign mercenaries.

Pakistani Rangers are adequately assisted by an unspecified number of men from 13 Division and 8 Division of Pak Army. New Delhi has taken strong exception to unprovoked firing, almost every day, by Pakistanis on Indian side at several points along the LoC and International Border.

That the Chenab Rangers enjoy active support from 15 Division, with its headquarters at Gujranwala, and 8 Division, with its headquarters at Sialkot, has been borne out by the use of 12.7 mm ammunition by Pakistani paramilitary personnel. This kind of ammunition is meant only for anti-aircraft guns of regular Pak Army personnel.

Pakistani soldiers recently used 12.7 mm ammunition on more than one occasion to render ineffective three vital observation posts of the BSF at Golpatian, Pipul and Beli Azmat on this side of Jammu’s International Border. Pakistanis failed as vigilant Indian troops foiled their attempts.

Delhi rules out early talks
Pak rejects freezing of Kashmir issue suggestion

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI Mar 7: Pakistan has turned down America’s suggestion favouring freezing of Kashmir issue for the time being. The Pak military leaders and hardliners in Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs have voiced their unwillingness to accept the idea of taking up less contentious issues for the resumption of dialogue process with India.

Pakistan’s military ruler, Gen. Parvez Musharraf, and his Foreign Minister, Mr Abdul Sattar, have been reported to have emphasised the "need to take up Kashmir issue first" in the event of holding of official-level talks between Islamabad and New Delhi. Both of them have rejected the idea of putting aside Kashmir issue, at least temporarily, and moving quickly forward in areas where there is immediate potential for cooperation such as trade and energy exchanges.

Even as Gen. Musharraf has reiterated his "desire" for a meeting with Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Islamabad has officially let it be known that Kashmir "is the core issue for Pakistan. Nothing new or alarming in Islamabad’s standpoint, considering the fact that Kashmir for Pakistan has been a magnificent obsession.

The ruling military establishment of Pakistan has welcomed America’s message calling for the renewal of the dialogue process between Islamabad and New Delhi. However, Islamabad’s official message has made it clear that Pakistan would oppose tooth and nail any move to talk on trade first and Jammu and Kashmir later.

All available signals from Islamabad clearly suggest that Pakistan will continue to stress that without a "meaningful dialogue" on Kashmir, the talks process would be meaningless. For India, Kashmir is one of the eight areas identified for discussion in June 1997. But Pakistan insists that Kashmir is the "core issue".

That the Pakistani ruling establishment will not allow itself to be influenced by the suggestion favouring freezing of Kashmir issue for the time being has also been borne out by an unambiguous message received by New Delhi from Islamabad, which says that while any discussion without Kashmir on the agenda will not be acceptable to Islamabad, any attempt to put Kashmir issue on the backburner will not be permitted by Pakistan.

Apart from the fact that Pakistan has gambled everything on Kashmir in the past one decade, Islamabad has also sought to tie the entire relationship with India to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Hawks in Pakistan have now been reported to be of the firm view that importance of Pakistan can further increase by keeping Kashmir issue in the international domain for a settlement as per the resolution of the United Nations.

Apart from straining every nerve since early 1990 to force India into substantive negotiations on Kashmir and apart from spending vast resources in running a proxy war against India in Kashmir, Pakistan has also devoted enormous diplomatic and political energies to internationalise the Kashmir dispute.

There is no denying that Islamabad continues to have a powerful lobby of Pakistani ‘patriots’ within Kashmir. However, finding itself in an unenviable position as a result of the failure to bring the great powers and the United Nations to intervene on its behalf, Islamabad obviously is left with no alternative but to talk of Kashmir being the "core issue" for domestic political considerations.

Pakistan broke off the Foreign Secretary level talks in 1994 when it called for India to take steps to improve the atmosphere in Kashmir. Latest reports available with the Government of India make it clear that Pakistan wants separate, substantive and exclusive discussions on Kashmir.

The Government of India is not for talks with Islamabad as long as the latter continues its proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi, a senior Ministerial source asserted, would not favour talks with Pakistan "at a time like this when the ISI has unleashed terror in various parts of J&K".

The Ministerial source also asserted that while India would not permit third-party mediation on Kashmir, New Delhi would think of resuming the deadlocked dialogue with Islamabad "only after Pakistan stops the proxy war in Kashmir and hostile propaganda against India".

Govt. to minimise Pandit migrants’ hardships
Pak ISI for more mercenaries in J&K: Rao

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Mar 7: The Government of India has come across evidence in connection with the close collaboration Pakistan intelligence agencies have with religious fundamentalist forces in Pakistan to ensure deployment of foreign mercenaries on this side of the Indian border in the name of ‘jehad’.

Giving this information in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr Vidyasagar Rao, stated that Pak intelligence agencies had been working in "close concert" with religious fundamentalist forces to abet militancy.

The Government, Mr Rao pointed out in response to a question by Mr Nana Deshmukh, had adopted a well co-oordinated and multi-pronged approach for tackling the activities of militants . Mr Rao admitted that the Government was aware of reports about Pak agencies sponsoring ‘suicide squads’.

Answering a question by Mr Swaraj Kaushal, Mr Vidyasagar Rao stated that in dealing with individual terrorist incidents including suicidal attacks in Jammu and Kashmir the security forces acted as per the demands of the situation under the overall direction of the Unified Headquarters. The security forces, he said, had been asked to be fully vigilant by taking measures to provide better security around the military camps and establishments, effectively repulse any attack and to be extra vigilant while on the move on foot or by vehicles.

A total of 1082 terrorists had been killed by the security forces in J&K during 1999. Mr Rao said that as many as 78 terrorists were killed during January 2000. "No", was Mr Rao’s reply when Mr Gaya Singh enquired if there had been a spurt in the militant attacks in Kashmir Valley since the hijacking of Indian Airlines plane and release of three jailed militants. According to him, the multi-pronged approach adopted to tackle the problem of terrorism in J&K which is "dynamic in nature" is constantly reviewed to meet the changing strategy adopted by the terrorists.

In his reply to a question by Ms Kamla Sinha, Mr Vidyasagar Rao made it plain that there has been continued efforts on the part of the Pakistani ISI and pro-Pakistan militant outfits to induct more mercenaries into Jammu and Kashmir from across the border with a view to carrying out terrorist activities. He said that it was difficult to precisely ascertain the exact level of infiltration.

Mr Rao reiterated that Government’s multi-pronged approach included inter alia strengthening the border management, neutralising plans of the militants by pro-active action against them in the hinterland, gearing up intelligence machinery, greater functional integration through an institutional framework of operations groups and intelligence groups of Unified Headquarters at all levels, improved technology, weapons and equipments for security forces. Steps, he said, were being taken to flush out militants and curb militant activities in J&K.

Mr Rao informed Mr CM Ibrahim that the relief package sanctioned by the J&K Government for victims of border shelling and firing in the State included free ration at the rate of 9 kg of foodgrain per person per month, kerosene oil at the rate of 10 litres per family per month, cash assistance at the rate of Rs 200 per member per month. Ex-gratia relief is also paid under the standing orders to the next of kin of persons killed at the rate of Rs 1 lakh and suitable amount to persons injured as per the relevant Government orders. For damaged immovable property, 50 per cent of the assessed loss, subject to a ceiling of Rs 1 lakh in each case is paid. Free medical treatment including cost of drugs till such time the persons go back to their homes is also provided.

On the future of Kashmiri Hindu migrants, Mr Vidyasagar Rao said in reply to a question by Ms Malti Sharma and Prof. Ram Baksh Singh Verma that the policy of the Government "is based on the premise that the migrants would return to their native places in the Valley once the conditions reasonably conducive for their return are created".

The main thrust of the policy, Mr Rao emphasised, had been to ensure that the difficulties and hardships of the migrants, while they are outside the Valley, "are minimised". He informed the House: "Till such time the migrants return to the Valley, necessary assistance including cash relief, dry ration and temporary accommodation are being provided to the migrants".

Mr Rao also informed the House that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has informed New Delhi that the issue about return of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley "is at top of agenda". He pointed out that the J&K Government "is in the process of drawing up an action plan" to ensure safe and honourable return to migrants to their native places in the Valley.

In his reply to a question by Mr Suryabhan Patil Vahadane, Mr Rao stated that with the objective of providing assistance for psychological and economic rehabilitation of the victims of militancy, the J&K Government had set up a council in 1995 for rehabilitation of widows, orphans, handicapped and old-aged persons adversely affected by militancy. The council is to have a corpus fund of Rs 20 crores, income from which is to be utilised for operation of its schemes. During the current financial year,the council in collaboration with the State Social Welfare Department organised 6 camps at all district headquarters of the Valley for providing artificial limbs to the handicapped persons including victims of militancy.

Mr Rao said that militants and terrorists hurled 49 grenades in November and December 1999 in J&K, while the number of hurling of grenades in January 2000 was 13. If the number of random firings was placed at 51 in November, 73 in December last and 64 in January this year, the number of rocket attacks, the Minister said, was 6 in November, 3 in December and 1 in January. He put the number of security forces killed at 46 in November, 46 in December and 26 in January 2000. As against 51 civilians killed in November last, the number of civilians killed in the State in December was put at 72. In January this year, 72 civilians got killed in different parts of J&K.

French Govt selects Jaipur under ‘Asia Urb prog’
for civic help

JAIPUR, Mar 7: The French Government has selected Pink City Jaipur under its ‘Asia Urb Programme’ to help solve the problem of waste disposal of the city.

A decision to this effect was taken following a high-level French delegation’s visit to the state capital to apprise itself of the city’s urban problems, an official spokesman said yesterday. The delegation held discussions with Rajasthan Urban Development Secretary G S Sandhu here yesterday.

According top priority to waste disposal, the French Government would also extend help to find solution to other urban problems like water supply and traffic.

Earlier, the French Education Minister had visited India thrice, for choosing a city for the programme, the spokesman said. (UNI)

Gujarat Govt circular paralyse both Houses

NEW DELHI, Mar 7: The role of the Bihar Governor and the impasse over the Gujarat Government circular continued to generate heat, paralysing business in both Houses of Parliament today.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day within 15 minutes after it assembled in the post lunch session amidst uproarious scenes with Congress, RJD and CPM unrelenting and pressing hard for a discussion on the Bihar Government’s role and the Government keeping mum over fixing a time for it.

As soon as the house assembled the members of the three parties were on their legs and wanted the chair first to fix a time for the discussion on the Bihar issue. Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi (JD) said "if you have protected democracy in Bihar, why are you afraid of having a discussion."

Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla who was in the chair said when the Chairman had already given his ruling she could not do anything. Mr Vekaiah Naidu (BJP) said the opposition members did not have any respect for the chair.

Ms Heptulla pleaded with the members to allow only some of the papers to be laid on the table for record sake if it was in no mood to let any other business to be transacted. However some of the papers were laid amidst the din.

Before adjourning the House for the day Mrs Heptulla said "I think that there is an impasse and you will not allow any transaction of business."

A defiant opposition forced the Deputy Speaker P M Sayeed to adjourn the Lok Sabha till tomorrow amid noisy scenes.

As soon as the House assembled, the Congress members were on their feet demanding that the Gujarat Government be asked to withdraw its order permitting State Government employees to participate RSS activities. On the other hand the RJD members pressed for sack of Bihar Governor for ‘murder of democratic norms in the state’. (UNI)

Allies ask BJP to persuade Guj Govt at political level

NEW DELHI, Mar 7: As Government-opposition standoff continued in Lok Sabha on the RSS issue, NDA constituents today suggested that the BJP leadership should persuade the Gujarat Government at the political level to withdraw the controversial order on allowing its staff to join the RSS.

The allies, who have reservations about an opposition-sponsored censure motion in the Lok Sabha on the Gujarat decision, are of the view that the matter can be resolved if the BJP takes it up at the party level, NDA sources said.

However, most of the allies, except TDP have said that should there be voting on the issue in the House, the allies would support the Government as the matter did not concern the Central Government.

An all-party meeting convened today by Lok Sabha Speaker GMC Balayogi, which followed a meeting of NDA leaders with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, failed to find a resolution to the week-long deadlock.

Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia told reporters that the opposition stuck to the demand for discussion that allows voting under Rule 184 as it would expose the stand of the allies on the issue of secularism.

But the allies were not prepared for a censure motion as voting for or against the motion would create problems for them, he said.

RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said if the 184 motion failed, his party would bring in a no-confidence motion. Stating that allies wanted the discussion under Rule 193, he said in any case his party would support the NDA Government led by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in the Lok Sabha.

Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athavale said his party was interested in exposing some of the allies which claimed to be wedded to secularism. (PTI)