 |
Army Chief
for non-controversial arms’ purchase From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Oct 3: More mine protected vehicles-one estimate has put the number at 50-are on their way into India. Need for the imported MPVs (mine protected vehicles) has been occasioned by the unabated insurgency and organised attacks on Indian security personnel and their camps in Jammu and Kashmir and north-east region. Nearly 100 mine protected vehicles have already been imported and deployed in the Northern and Eastern Commands. According to sources in the Defence Ministry, action has been initiated to acquire more MPVs. These sources admitted that losses were occasionally suffered by the Army in counter insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and north-eastern States as a result of mine and IED (improvised explosive device) blasts. Over 120 Army personnel were reported to have been killed in counter insurgency operations in J&K and north-eastern States since 1997. Equally significant action initiated by the Defence Ministry is for procuring UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) from Israel. These UAVs are to be used for various surveillance tasks, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir-Kargil and Leh sectors of Ladakh included. A contract has already been concluded between India and Israel for purchase of UAVs for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Procurement of UAVs for the Army and the Navy is also in the process, the Defence Ministry sources point out. In fact, the Kargil Review Committee’s specific recommendation was for high-altitude UAVs for strengthening the surveillance system. Apart from initiating steps on this recommendation, the Defence Ministry has also approved a series of measures for the acquisition of communication interception equipment and satellite imagery capability of world standards and development of skills in encryption and decryption. To meet the operational requirement of the Army in low intensity conflict and counter insurgency duties, particularly in the region under the vital Northern Command, a contract was concluded with a Bulgarian vendor in May 1994 for procurement of 1 lakh AK-47 rifles and 50 million rounds of ammunition for the rifles. However, as the Bulgarian vendor did not supply the rifles and ammunition, the Government of India was left with no option but to procure the rifles and ammunition from a Romanian vendor at a higher cost. According to the statistics available with the Defence Minister’s office, two contracts were concluded in June 1995, one with Messrs Romtehnica, Romania, for procurement of 1 lakh AK 47 rifles and the other with Messrs Komid, Korea, for procurement of 50 lakh rounds of ammunition. Rifles were supplied by the Romanian vendor. However, the Korean vendor failed to supply the AK 47 ammunition. India received the AK 47 ammunition after a new contract was concluded with Messrs Remethnica, Romania, in December 1996. The initial contract value for procurement of 1 lakh AK 47 rifles and 50 million rounds of ammunition was 10.10 million US dollars. And the contract value against which the supply was received by India was 16.42 million US dollars. Significantly, at a time when the new Army Chief, Gen S Padmanabhan, has broadly indicated his unwillingness to oblige a cabal of politicians, bureaucrats and arms dealers, it is generally felt that he will ensure that purchase of armaments for the Army is free from suspicion and controversy. And at a time when perhaps none doubts the omnipotence of the army lobby, a source close to Gen. Padmanabhan told EXCELSIOR that even as a variety of events had revealed how deep the arms lobby had clawed into the political establishment, the new Chief of Army Staff seemed to have made up his mind to be "harsh" towards those who wanted to favour one arms dealer or the other. According to the source, Gen Padmanabhan is not ignorant about the recent and old media reports about the alleged dirty deals in defence purchases. Gen Padmanabhan has taken over from Gen VP Malik at a time when some senior serving officers suspect that the arms lobby finances many of those who file cases relating to postings and promotions. Often, these officers hire eminent lawyers whose fees should normally be beyond their ability to pay. When Gen Malik was the Chief of Army Staff, two significant reports had surfaced. One was from former Air Force PRO, Wing Commander Praful Bakshi: "The arms lobby cultivates officers from colonel and above. It’s a universal phenomenon and India is no exception". Once an officer is obliged, he remains loyal to the lobby throughout his career. Second statement came from Mr TV Rajeshwar, former chief of Intelligence Bureau (IB): "Purchase of armaments has to be free from suspicion and controversy. It is not known to many that a retired senior bureaucrat was the agent for Bofors in India in the 1970s, and he was assisted by two retired service officers. Later, when he became the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of a non-Congress Government, he insisted and presided over inter-ministerial meetings dealing with contracts and purchase of armaments". |
|
Crisis on
Mamata’s resignation resolved CALCUTTA, Oct 3 : The crisis in NDA Government at the Centre over the resignation of Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today appeared to have been resolved following an assurance from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of partial rollback of petro price hike. The Trinamool Congress chief gave broad hints of withdrawing her resignation immediately after her second round of talks with Prime Minister’s Emissary Sudhindra Kulkarni here today. "I thank the Prime Minister for his intervention. He has given the assurance that price increase of LPG, diesel and kerosene would be reduced at the Union Cabinet meeting on October 6," Mamata told newspersons here after the talks. When asked about withdrawal of her resignation, she said "we will wait till October 6. Let the formalities be over. We will take a decision then". Expressing confidence that the price hike would be reduced, she, however, declined to divulge the quantum of price reduction her party had demanded. Trinamool Congress spokesman Sudip Bandopadhyay also hinted that the crisis was virtually over saying "our leader has said everything. Only a formal announcement is left." To a question whether Trinamool Congress had demanded more representation in the NDA Government, Bandopadhyay said "I do not think so." Kulkarni, who flew down to the city twice in the last four days to negotiate with the Trinamool Congress chief, indicated the crisis was heading for a solution. To a query whether his meeting with Banerjee was positive, he replied "most certainly". Banerjee and Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Kumar Panja had submitted their resignations on Saturday in protest against the petro price hike. Banerjee, however, said she would not be present at the October 6 Cabinet meeting as she will be busy with flood relief operations. "Moreover I have resigned from the Cabinet. Let the problem be solved". To a question, Banerjee expressed confidence that the price hike would be reduced. Asked whether she would sign files pertaining to her Ministry, the Railway Minister replied, "can’t the files wait for two days?" Kulkarni, who flew into the city late last night to discuss the partial rollback offer with Banerjee, also gave indication that the crisis was heading for a solution. Asked whether he was satisfied with the talks, a smiling Kulkarni said, "of course". Queried if he felt that the outcome of the meeting was positive, he replied, "most certainly". Meanwhile, BJP sources in New Delhi said that Banerjee was also unhappy over the position of only a Minister of State given to her colleague Ajit Kumar Panja and also inadequate representation to her group in the Ministry. The sources hinted that Panja, who is Minister of State for External Affairs, might be given independent charge of another Ministry possibly Mines and Minerals. They also said that another Trinamool Congress MP Krishna Bose might be accommodated in the Ministry to assuage the ruffled feelings of the TC leader who has on hand the challenge of taking on the Left Front in the Assembly elections early next year. (PTI) |
|
Army headquarters one of
the target Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Oct 3: Rajouri town was again rattled with a series of explosions, suspected to be rocket or mortar attacks creating panic among the people while troops and police fanned out to tackle the situation. This was for the third time in the last about one month when militants converted the border town of Rajouri into a battle-field in the night making people to spend sleepless nights. Official sources said the explosions started at 2100 hours at Kabba Kha and Dandi Dhara areas. Initially sound of five explosions was heard. However, the sound of blasts, which police believed to be rocket or mortar attacks continued intermittently (after a gap of every 15 to 20 minutes) till mid-night. Incidentally, the headquarters of elite Romeo Force, which has spread a wave of terror among Pakistan-sponsored militants ever since its induction in the border district, was also located at Dandi Dhara. The headquarters of Romeo Force could have been one of the target of the militants but latest reports indicated that militants have failed to hit their target. Other targets of militants’ rocket or mortar attacks could be vital installations of army, police and other security agencies in the town. However, no report of any major casualty or loss of life was reported from any part of the town till mid-night. DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Ram Lubaya, when contacted on telephone, said the teams of army and police fanned out in all sensitive areas of the town to assess the situation, maintain order and restored confidence among the people, who were gripped with a wave of panic following the series of blasts. No army or police team has reported any damage, he said, adding troops were also firing in the directions from where the militants were reportedly firing rocket or mortar shells. Details would be available only in the morning, he added. Ending last month, militants had fired several mortar shells aiming POL (petrol, oil, lubricants) dump of army and Darhali police post in the town but failed to hit the intended targets. A couple of mortar shells had, however, narrowly missed the POL dump. A mortar launching gun, which had been used by the militants, was recovered by army the very next day of the attack. |
|
HUJI ultra surrenders in
Surankote Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Oct 3: Troops of Madras Regiment of Krishna Ghati Brigade under Ace of Spades Division last night eliminated a dreaded foreign mercenary in an encounter at village Bhagiot in Kasblari area of Krishna Ghati in Mendhar tehsil. Defence sources said jawans of Krishna Ghati Brigade launched troops at Bhagiot village last night after getting an information from a local Hizbul Mujahideen militant about the presence of a couple of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants in the village. As troops were moving in the dense forest, they were fired upon by militants. Troops retaliated and gunned down a militant while his associate fled from the spot. Army didn’t suffer any casualty in the brief operation. Slain militant was identified as Abu Hansa, an Afghani affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba. From his possession, one AK rifle with five magazines and 180 rounds, three hand grenades, one binocular and a huge quantity of incriminating documents were recovered. The operation was still continuing when the reports last came in with troops hunting the absconding associate of slain ultra, who was also believed to be a foreign mercenary. Meanwhile, troops of Rajput Regiment of Poonch Brigade smashed a militants’ hideout at Barapathar in Mandi area of this district yesterday. The hideout was located and smashed on the information given by local people. As militants deserted the hideout and started running after seeing the approaching army jawans, troops opened firing wounding a militant. However, the injured ultra managed to disappear in an adjoining forest area alongwith his associates. Recovery made from the hideout include one Universal Machine Gun, five RPG rockets with booster, 1500 rounds of AK ammunition and 10 IED switches. Our Rajouri correspondent adds: A militant of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) surrendered before police and army during an encounter in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district this evening. Official sources said troops of Rashtriya Rifles of Romeo Force and Surankote police engaged a group of militants in the encounter. Unable to face security forces pressure, one of the militant threw his rifle and surrendered himself before police. He has been identified as Sabzar Ahmed alias Arif son of Kalu Khan, a resident of Behram Gala in Surankote. One AK-56 rifle and five magazines were recovered from Sabzar Ahmed, who was an activist of HUJI’s 313 Brigade and was active in Surankote for the past quite sometime. |
|
Two top Hizbul militants captured in Jammu City Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 3: City police tonight arrested two dreaded Kashmiri militants of Hizbul Mujahideen from a hotel in Residency Road, who were on a ‘mission’ in the City assigned by Hizbul’s top leadership. Both the militants were Pakistan-trained and had been deputed here by Hizbul Mujahideen to study the situation and revive Hizbul Mujahideen’s network in the city of temples. Though police officials were tight-lipped over the arrests made from Akshay Lodge, located in a by-lane of Residency Road, reliable sources confirmed the arrests and identified the captured militants as Abdul Rashid Bhat alias Nanda (code name Shaffi), a resident of Battalgam, Badgam and Naseer Ahmed alias Naseera (code name Abdul Majid), a resident of Chadoora, Badgam. Sources said SSP Jammu R R Swain had received a specific information about the presence of a couple of Hizbul Mujahideen militants in the City. The officer had directed City police to maintain a strict vigil in the temple City and carry out searches in hotels and lodges. A City police party under the supervision of SP City (North) Sheetal Singh and DySP City Ashok Sharma was on the look-out for the militants for the last two days and nights. Finally, a team led by both these officers and comprising Residency Police Post Incharge Sub Inspector Bharat Sharma got a tip off about militants’ presence in Akshay hotel. Police party sealed all exit routes of the Lodge and carried out searches. Both the militants hiding in a room tried to escape but couldn’t succeed as they had been surrounded by police parties from all sides. They were arrested on the spot and the room, where they had been putting up, was subjected to searches from where some documents were seized. The arrested militants were whisked away to an unknown destination soon after their arrest for sustained interrogation to extract clues from them. Their sustained interrogation was being carried out by senior police officers. Preliminary questioning reportedly revealed that Abdul Rashid Bhat alias Nanda was a dreaded militant and was wanted to Badgam police in connection with several subversive activities across Kashmir valley. His associate Naseer Ahmed alias Naseera had visited Pakistan thrice for arms training and bringing arms consignments from across the border. Police said the duo had a large quantity of arms and ammunition in their possession at Badgam but they had left it at a hideout while leaving for Jammu. They said the militants were being questioned to ascertain their mission to Jammu but investigations revealed that they were trying to study the situation to revive Hizbul network in the City and outskirts. Jammu Police have established contact with their counterparts in Badgam to gather more details about their activities. |
|
J&K to approach Centre for more power supply: Farooq Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 3: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the Centre would be approached for more power to Jammu and Kashmir to minimise the proposed higher curtailment schedule during winter months. Taking stock of the availability and supply of power in Kashmir at a meeting of the legislators of Srinagar city and representatives of various trade associations here this morning, the CM said the power generation dwindles during winter owing to receding of water level that affects supply position considerably. With fall in water level in rivers, generation of power in Uri and Salal slashes down steeply, Dr Abdullah said, adding that availability from the Northern Grid also gets affected during the winter. He said the 35-MW capacity-first unit of the Upper Sindh Hydel Project has started functioning while its another two units, 35-MW capacity each, would take some time to operate. He said operation of gas turbines is impracticable due to higher generation cost. Already the state’s power procurement bill has touched whopping Rs 930 crore against revenue of Rs 231 crore which includes Rs 75 crore from Government departments. Stressing for working out a realistic curtailment schedule, the Chief Minister ordered setting up of a committee under the Chief Secretary to deliberate on proposed curtailment this year and assessing the requirement of power so that the matter to plug shortfall is taken up with the Centre. He suggested that power cuts should be for shorter duration on daily basis rather than complete shut down periodically during evenings. He hoped the people would appreciate the difficulties on this count and help in overcoming the situation by making judicious use of electricity. Dr Abdullah asked the engineers to stick to curtailment as per schedule and avoid frequent power disruption that causes inconvenience to people. He expressed concern over power pilferage and appealed to the people to co-operate the power development department in maintaining the supply. He said improvement would have to be brought about in power supply in view of ensuing holy month of Ramzan. Responding to the demand for ensuring street lighting during shutdown, the Chief Minister said a scheme has already been sent to the Centre for funding ground cabling in Srinagar and Jammu. With clearance of the proposed scheme, the twin capital cities will get uninterrupted street lighting during nights, he added. The Chief Minister referred to Government’s keenness to tap rich hydel resources and said the Centre withheld requisite counter-guarantee as a result of which proposed projects could not be taken up. However, he said, the ambitious Baghliar project has now been taken up in the State sector and MoU signed for another project. Under another agreement NHPC will take up seven hydel projects and complete these in five to seven years. Dr Abdullah called for greater awareness among people about the power scarcity and said a campaign would be launched by involving students to educate the people about availability and judicious use of electricity. The non-governmental organisations and trade associations could also lend a helping hand in awareness campaign, he said. The Minister for Works, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar and MLA, Mr G M Bhawan stressed for regulating power supply in such a way that people face minimum inconvenience. The Chief Secretary Mr Ashok Jaitly said that instructions have been issued to the Government offices for judicious use of electricity. Giving the resume of power availability from the Northern Grid, the Development Commissioner Power, Mr Vinod Sharma said that against peak requirement of 1363 MWs, only 540 MWs are available. The State has a transformation capacity of 960 MWs. The power and energy demand in the State during current year has risen to 1363 MW and 6445 units respectively against last year’s 1265 MW and 5983 units, he added. . The power curtailment during last year in Kashmir and Jammu divisions ranged between four hours to nine and half hours daily from September to December, he said, adding that the schedule for this year is being formulated. The Minister of State for Works & Power, Mr Qamar Ali Akhoon, Mr Mohammad Shafi, Mr Mohammad Syed Akhoon, Mr Mubark Gul, MLAs, Ms Shameema, MLC besides representatives of various trade and industry associations were present. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Khursheed Ahmed Ganai, Inspector General of Police, Dr Ashok Bhan, senior officers and engineers also attended the meeting. |
|
Cop seriously injured,
hospitalised Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 3: Operators of Rajouri and Poonch-bound passengers buses and local people went on rampage today at Tanda on Akhnoor-Rajouri road ransacking a Traffic Police check post and handing over a severe thrashing to one of the constable while his colleagues deserted the post. While drivers and people alleged that Traffic cops misbehaved with them, Traffic officials claimed that driver of Poonch-route bus refused to show registration certificate of the vehicle and created trouble. Reports said a passenger bus No. 771 JKS, on way from Jammu to Poonch, was stopped by Traffic cops at their check post at village Tanda in Akhnoor tehsil this morning. Driver of the bus had an altercation with Traffic officials, who were on duty at the check post. After a brief scuffle, driver parked his bus in the middle of the road disrupting vehicular movement on either side. In the meantime, operators of other passing buses and trucks also joined the blockade. Some local people of Tanda and adjoining villages also gathered on the spot and started shouting slogans against Traffic police personnel. As tension mounted, drivers and people together attacked Traffic Police check post, housed in a shop on main road at Tanda and ransacked it. They caught hold of a Traffic constable Jang Bahadur Singh and gave him severe thrashing. Injured cop’s colleagues tried to rescue him but to no avail. Agitated people also damaged a shop, adjacent to Traffic Police check post. They threw utencils out of the shop. Meanwhile, a local police party rushed to the spot after getting a report of the incident and chased away the miscreants, who had assaulted a cop and damaged check post. The injured cop was shifted to sub district hospital in Akhnoor from where he was referred to Medical College hospital in Jammu. Condition of Jang Bahadur Singh was stated to be serious. He had received multiple injuries on his person. Other Traffic personnel on duty including ATI Tarlochan Singh and constable Zafar Iqbal survived with minor bruises in mob fury. DTI B K Ganjoo, Incharge Tanda check post was not on duty at the time of incident as he had gone to deliver a lecture in a school at Kaluchak. SP Traffic Mohd Suleman Salaria said Traffic cops had asked the bus operator to show registration and fitness certificate of the vehicle, which was on way from Jammu to Poonch. He said Traffic officials had recently decided not to allow any vehicle on difficult Jammu-Poonch track without fitness to avoid mishaps. Driver of the vehicle refused to show the fitness certificate, Salaria said, adding instead he instigated other bus operators and people against Traffic cops and created an ‘unwarranted’ scene. Meanwhile, on the basis of a written complaint lodged by DTI B K Ganjoo at Akhnoor, police have registered a case against the erring bus driver and others for assaulting a police official on duty and ransacking their post. Further investigations were being carried out. |
|
One killed, 2 foreign militants nabbed SRINAGAR, Oct 3 : One person was killed and security forces arrested two foreign militants in the Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours while’s militants hurled a hand grenade towards a Border Security Force vehicle at Zonimar in the down town. The grenade exploded on the roadside without causing any damage. Militants threw a grenade followed by firing on security force picket at Kokerbagh at Soura last evening. No one was injured. Militants and an Army patrol party exchanged fire at Beerwah in the central Kashmir district of Badgam last evening. Police detected and later defused a powerful improvised explosive device planted by militants on Wahipora-Tangmarg road this morning. The spokesman said a blast took place at Wahipora-Chandiloora in the same district without causing any damage. Body of one Gulzar Hussain was recovered from Kangan last evening. Meanwhile, business activities in Budshah Chowk and adjoining areas remained suspended today in protest against the arrest of three youths by security forces on the evening of October one. However,transport was plying as usual. (AGENCIES) |
|
Heavy shelling in
Pallanwalla Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 3: Pakistani troops resumed heavy mortar shelling in Pallanwalla and Jogma sectors of Akhnoor tehsil overnight causing damage to several abandoned houses while police detected a cave, which was being used by the militants for dumping arms and ammunition at village Saryara Jagwan in Khour area today. According to official sources, Pakistan army started unprovoked and indiscriminate mortar shelling at Pallanwalla and Jogma sectors last night and continued with it till this morning. As there was no population left in Pallanwalla (all of them have migrated to safer areas), there was no civilian casualty in the shelling. However, some houses, abandoned by the civilians, were damaged. Indian side replied the shelling at both the places. Shelling stopped in the afternoon. Sources said Pakistani shelling was aimed at pushing infiltrators through Jogma post but their attempt was thwarted by Indian side. Pakistan army also resorted to small arms firing at Garkhal and Kanachak in Akhnoor tehsil last mid-night but failed to cause any casualty or damage, the sources said. Meanwhile, Akhnoor police have detected a small cave, which was being used by the militants for dumping arms and ammunition, at village Saryala Jagwan under the jurisdiction of Khour police station. Police sources said a police party was deputed at Saryala after the recovery of an arms consignment by two Village Defence Committee (VDC) members. During searches in the area, from where the arms had been recovered, police detected a cave and smashed it. A huge quantity of ammunition, hidden in the cave, was recovered, they added. This is for the first time that such a cave had been detected in Akhnoor tehsil. |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 3: Justice I K Kotwal, retired judge of High Court, passed away at his residence here today. He was 79 and is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. The funeral procession will start at 12 noon tomorrow from his residence 5, Shakti Nagar, for cremation at Jogi Gate cremation ground. The Jammu and Srinagar benches of High Court will remain closed tomorrow to observe mourning on the death of Mr Kotwal A legal luminary, Mr Justice Kotwal remained president of Dharmarth Trust and was now chairman of the J&K Backward Classes Commission. Justice Kotwal conducted inquiry into Zojila Pass tragedy in November, 1986 and made recommendations for remedial measures to avert such occurrence. He also headed commission of inquiry into Child Hospital building collapse case in 1987. His contribution as chairman of J&K Municipal Finance Commission is noteworthy as it provided suitable guidelines for local bodies. The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah has expressed grief over passing away of Mr Justice Kotwal. In a condolence message, Dr Abdullah described Justice Kotwal as a legal luminary who served the State in various capacities. With his death, a void has been created in legal field in the State, the Chief Minister added. The Bar Association, Jammu at its emergent meeting today decided to suspend work in the courts today and tomorrow to mourn the death of Justice Kotwal. Rich tributes were paid at the meeting by members of Bar Association. Two- minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed soul. A Full Court Reference in the memory of Justice Kotwal will be observed at the High Court, Srinagar on October 5. |
|
|
NEW DELHI, Oct 3: The visiting first lady of Russia Lyudmila A Putina today said Indian women were a role model for other women folk of the world. Speaking at a function organised by the Indo-Russian Women’s Association, she said Indian women were known for their strength, affection and tolerance and would definitely work as role models for women in Russia as well as the world. Appreciating the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her contribution to development of women, she said the bond between women folk of India and Russia would further strengthen in years to come. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the contribution of women in public life had a long history. However, she regretted that the fairer sex had still to fight for equal status even today. "If this is the situation in urban areas, the scene in rural areas is no better as women still do not have the independence to take decisions," Dikshit was quoted by an official release as saying. (PTI) |
|
Gen Joshi takes over as Central Army Commander LUCKNOW, Oct 3: Lt Gen P S Joshi today took over charge as the Central Army Commander at the headquarters of the Command here today. Joshi, who was serving as the Commandant of the College of Combat at Mhow, succeeds Lt Gen Surjit Singh who has been posted to Western Command. (PTI) |
|
|
ISLAMABAD, Oct 3: Pakistan has sought a report from its High Commission in New Delhi about the visit of a Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) delegation to India. Interior Minister Lt Gen (Retd) Moinuddin Haider told reporters in Lahore yesterday that no one would be allowed to go scot-free after making anti-Pakistan statements. MQM leaders, on their first official delegation to India, recently said "if democracy is not ensured in Pakistan and the domination of Punjabis over Baloochis, Pakhtoons, Sindhis and Mohajirs continued, India cannot afford to sit idly by with an unstable Pakistan at its doorsteps in control of fundamentalists, with their finger on the nuclear button." Last month MQM chief Altaf Hussain had also categorically stated that the partition of India was the "greatest historic blunder". The Minister said that three persons had been arrested in connection with the recent blasts at Hyderabad and Mirpur and they had "confessed to having connections with Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India." (PTI) |
|
Punjab Police seizes 2 trucks of willow clefts Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Oct 3: The alert Punjab Police jawans today seized the two trucks of willow clefts to be smuggled from J&K during the routine checking at Madhavpur Check Post today. Three persons including one Iqbal Mohammed of Kashmir has been taken into custody and cases registered against them. The two trucks carrying 4000 pieces of willow clefts were on their way from Srinagar to Jalandhar. During the sustained interrogation the arrested persons revealed that the willow clefts were to be delivered at Jalandhar by them and no where in the entire way from Srinagar to Lakhanpur they were subjected to any checking. They also revealed that five trucks of willow clefts were loaded at Srinagar and the three managed to cross the Madhavpur Police Naka also. |
|
Chhota Shakeel’s associate nabbed LUCKNOW, Oct 3: A close associate of underworld dons Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel, Prem Kumar, has been arrested by Varanasi Police, Uttar Pradesh Principal Home Secretary V K Mittal said here today. Kumar alias Shiv Dhara, arrested on Sunday, told police during interrogation that he had come to Varanasi to make preparations for the visit of Dawood’s brothers to the city, Mittal said. Kumar further told his interrogators that they had planned disruptive activities on the Independence Day this year, the Principal Home Secretary said. He said a mobile phone was seized from Kumar which he used frequently to talk to Dawood’s brother Anis and his associate Sikandar. Mittal said Kumar was also working towards securing the release of a gangster, arrested last year, on bail. (PTI) |
|
Musharraf rules out nuclear war ISLAMABAD, Oct 3: Pakistan military ruler General Pervez Musharraf has ruled out any threat of a nuclear war with India saying there is no such danger as long as Islamabad’s "deterrence is in place." "As long as our deterrence is in place, there is no danger of a nuclear war," Gen Musharraf said speaking at the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) award giving ceremony in Karachi yesterday. The Chief Executive said his Government was alive to the needs of the country’s security and "no harm can be done to us because we have the potential and capability to ensure our security and integrity." Stating that the perception of a nuclear war was aimed at creating despondency, he said "nuclear war is not a child’s play." "Those who don’t understand it get worried," he said asking the people not to get panicky. He said such perception was part of the campaign to destabilise the Army and the country. (PTI) |
|
|
NEW DELHI, Oct 3: Rama Pilot, widow of Rajesh Pilot, rode the sympathy wave to retain the Dausa Lok Sabha seat for Congress defeating the nearest BJP rival Rohitashav Kumar by a margin of over 65,000 votes. In simultaneous bypolls for eight Assembly seats in as many States, Congress topped its impressive show in recent civic polls in Gujarat by retaining a seat each in Gujarat, neighbouring Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra but had little to cheer about in Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The party retained Shaherkotda in Gujarat and Lakhnadon in Madhya Pradesh against nearest BJP rivals and Shahuwadi in Maharashtra against and an independent. It, however, yeilded Sunam in Punjab to Akali Dal BJP combine candidate Parminder Singh, son of Union Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. It was also shocked in Lunkaransar seat in Rajasthan by BJP while JD (U) wrested Kagwad seat in Karnataka from it. The party fell way behind Samajwadi Party, BJP and BSP in the Karhal seat of Uttar Pradesh which was retained by SP’s Anil Yadav. (PTI) |
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |
