‘Advani’s proactive policy not suits J&K’
Hurriyat, Jamat-e-Islami may control militants’ gun: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 3: Former Union Home Minister and Peoples’ Democratic Party supremo, Mr Mufti Mohammed sayed has said that Jamat-e-Islami and Hurriyat Conference may succeed in controlling the gun of the militants if the Centre shows sincere approach in the dialogue process over Kashmir.

Mr Mufti gave this indication while talking to reporters here today. He pointed out that Hizbul Mujahideen which is considered as the backbone of the militant organisations operating in Kashmir offered cease-fire with the initiative of these organisations. They want peace in this region as lot of bloodshed they have seen in past 11 years of militancy. They may silence the gun of the other militant organisations if the conducive atmosphere for the dialogue is created.

Opposing the proactive approach of the Central Government and specially the Home Minister Mr L K Advani, Mr Mufti said that it has further increased resentment and alienation among the people. Gun is no solution to any problem. Most of the international disputes have been solved through dialogue and not by gun. So, this dispute has to be resolved through dialogue. The English had also shown the proactive approach in India and the outcome of such approach has been better understood. But this approach perhaps suited to the National Conference Government which always tried to derail the peace process.

In response to a question Mr Mufti said, " There is no harm in involving Pakistan in proposed dialogue conditionally or unconditionally. After independence India and Pakistan leaders have sit together for talks on various issues like Indus Water Treaty. But if the Pak and other organisations show some concern for peace in the region, it should be welcomed." He however, maintained that first of all the efforts should be evolved to initiate dialogue by involving all the real representatives from all the three regions of the Jammu and Kashmir State. But the Pakistan has to be involved at certain stage in the dialogue process, he added.

He said the process of dialogue has to be revived in the near future. The Central leadership has also realised that there is no way out except talks. At least they have also understood the ground realities. Army’s role is only to protect the boundaries of the country and stop external aggression. It’s unfortunate that we are using our army in the internal security matters.

Referring to the Autonomy move of the National Conference Government Mr Mufti said that it was all drama enacted by the ruling party. The Centre has understood Farooq’s game plan. But if the free and fair elections are held, one can understand the mood and mind of the public of the Jammu and Kashmir.

Terrorism to top talks agenda of Jack Straw’s India trip

LONDON, Sept 3: International terrorism, organised crime and drug trafficking will be among the major issues that British Home Secretary Jack Straw will discuss with Indian Home Minister L K Advani during his six-day visit to India commencing from tomorrow.

Straw told newsmen here on the eve of the trip that he was greatly looking forward to the visit at the invitation of "my friend L K Advani" and "we will discuss important issues such as international terrorism, organised crime, drugs and policing. We already work together well on many issues. But I am convinced we can do much more."

Advani, during his visit to London in June, had proposed the setting up of a joint working group on terrorism and Britain is considering the matter.

While talks on combating international terrorism and drug trafficking would remain high on the agenda, Straw will also review the visa facilities being offered to Indians.

Straw indicated that Kashmir issue and Pakistan’s overt and covert support to terrorists in Kashmir might figure during the parleys.

Britain has taken a clear stand on Kashmir that it should be resolved through bilateral discussions between India and Pakistan.

Asked whether he would seek the release of British national Peter Bleach, undergoing sentence in Calcutta in the Purulia arms-dropping case, Straw said he would request for an early hearing of the convict’s appeal and serving of the rest of his sentence in the UK.

He made it clear that he would not interfere in the judicial process. "India has a functional judiciary. I will no interfere in it," he said.

Bleach has appealed for pardon after New Delhi pardoned the other five accused, all Russian citizens, in the case. The five were residents of the baltic state of Latvia but were granted Russian citizenship during their time in prison.

The Russian leadership used its good offices to persuade India to grant pardon to them. Moscow linked the issue with the visit of President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi.

During the course of the trip, Straw will visit New Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Ahmedabad and Calcutta.

Referring to complaints of visa restrictions, Straw said he was fully alive to the "strength and weakness of our immigration system and visa and entry clearance" procedure.

He will be visiting the visa sections of the High Commission in Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta to see the system in operation. (PTI)

‘China, India are Asia’s emerging labour powers’

SINGAPORE, Sept 3: India and China are set to be the dominant Asian labour forces, with their pools of highly skilled labour at a relatively low cost attracting foreign investors, a report by Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) said.

"Such labour is a draw for foreign investors, especially when the supply of such labour is almost inexhaustible," the report, received here today, said.

A March-June survey of expatriate managers in Asia found the best quality production labour, irrespective of cost, was found in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.

Highly developed economies such as the US and Australia received only average grades, although they ranked second and third behind Japan when it came to perceptions of managerial and technically skilled labour.

But India and China were adding a new dimension to the Asian labour scene, PERC said, and their emergence "will pose a major challenge for virtually every other country in Asia."

The report said Malaysia and Thailand lacked a deep pool of technical talent and did not offer any production labour advantages in terms of quality and cost compared to China and India.

The main benefits of Malaysia and Thailand had been their willingness to accommodate the needs of foreign investors better than China and India, but that was changing.

"The competitive environment in which these policies have to produce results is changing dramatically, with the most important external variables being India and China’s ability to capitalize on new technology and their local skilled labour." (AFP)

No posts in occupation of Pak: Swami

SONIPAT, Sept 3: Union Minister of State for Home I D Swami has declared that none of the Indian posts is in Pakistan’s possession and asserted that country’s borders are fully guarded and secure.

The Government was determined to maintain the unity and integrity of the country at all costs and ensure the safety of the people in border areas, he told reporters at Gohana town, 35 km from here, yesterday.

Reacting to statements by some opposition leaders saying some military posts in the Kargil sector were in Pakistan’s occupation, he asked people not to be misled by rumours being spread by vested interests, and stressed that the country’s borders were fully guarded and secure.

On the reported alienation of Muslims from the BJP, the minister said that efforts by the Congress to keep the community, which formed 12 per cent of country’s population, away from the BJP had failed.

Referring to the Veerappan’s episode, Swami said it was for the states concerned to take necessary steps in the matter. (PTI)

Rent-free phones being given to gallantry awardees:Paswan

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Sept 3: Union Minister for Communications, Ram Vilas Paswan has informed that the rent free telephones will be given to the gallantry awardees in the country.

The Minister was speaking at a function organised by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on his arrival here today.

Mr Paswan, who inspected the Guard of Honour, later handed over seven numbers of Inmarsat Terminals to Mr Gautam Kaul, Director General, ITBP. Mr Paswan assured on the occasion that the additional requirement of two more Inmarsat Terminals shall also be met on priority to ITBP.

Earlier during the day, Mr Paswan laid the foundation stone for 16 staff quarters for the benefit of the Telecommunication employees.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Paswan appreciated the efforts made by the Telecom staff for development of communication facilities in this region despite hostile weather conditions. He informed that Inmarsat telephone service extended to armed and para-military forces in the region, will boost up their morale and assured that the steps are on to improve the working conditions of the staff and augumentation of staff.

Member Parliament from Ladakh, Hasan Khan, who was also present on the occasion, listed various problems of the region. Secretary, Department of Telecom Operations and CGMT J&K Telecom Circle, Ramesh Lalwani hailed various telecommunication development activities in this cold-desert region.

The Minister also inaugurated Customer Service Centre at telephone Exchange Complex here. This Centre will provide commercial information to the customers and the subscribers can register for new telephone connections, STD/ISD/PCOs, shifting of telephones and Phone Plus facilities in the Centre. They can also make inquires regarding the telephone bills.

SPECIAL REPORT
Vajpayee under heavy medication
Latest bout of illness triggers speculation, consternation

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Sept 3: Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s latest "I-am-all-right" assertion notwithstanding, there is widespread speculation and consternation about the state of his health in the political and official circles. And at a time when the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has chosen to avoid dishing out any specific information in this regard, Mr Vajpayee himself has, at last, felt it necessary to make public: "I have a problem with my knee".

Mr Vajpayee triggered speculation, rumours and consternation immediately after the sudden development at Nagpur on August 27, when he returned to Delhi, taking everyone by surprise. Mr Vajpayee, who had gone to Nagpur to attend the BJP national council and executive meetings, flew back to Delhi a day ahead on doctors’ insistence. Reason: Aggravation of pain in knee joints.

In fact, before Prime Minister’s return from Nagpur, it was officially stated that Mr Vajpayee has been experiencing pain in both his knee joints for the past few days due to exacerbation of osteo arthritis. He had been advised rest after the Parliament session but he chose to attend the BJP national council meeting and installation of Mr Bangaru Laxman as the new party president.

The media cannot be faulted for having put out different stories all these days about the Prime Minister’s state of health, considering the fact that various political leaders, including some from the BJP itself, kept on dishing out details, one after another, about what exactly was wrong with him.

If the Janata Party president, Dr Subramaniam Swamy, added fuel to the raging speculation by saying that Mr Vajpayee’s real problem was his prostrate cancer which was detected two years ago and was "now in an advanced stage", some BJP leaders, while voicing concern at the Prime Minister’s state of health, were reported by a section of the print media as having pointed out that he "is not able to remain in public for more than 2 to 3 hours at a time and is known to be on heavy medication".

Dr Subramanimam Swamy is a known critic of the Prime Minister. In fact, the former does not want the latter to continue as the country’s Prime Minister. This notwithstanding, a section of the public and political class appeared willing to accept Dr Subramaniam Swamy’s statement that the Prime Minister, in order to battle the disease, was on energy enhancing drugs "which are essentially steroid based".

According to Dr Swamy, these drugs help Mr Vajpayee "to be up and about for three hours maximum at a time". After three hours the effect starts waning and if he has to continue he has to take another dose. Incidentally, it was Dr Swamy who had first broken the news of Mr Vajpayee’s prostrate cancer two years ago.

This time, significantly, two things have visibly angered the Prime Minister’s aides. The first is what they term as the "recurring rumour" about prostrate cancer. The second is the claim that Mr Vajpayee has "memory lapses".

But none of these aides denied reports that Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee will consult Dr Chitranjan Ranawat of Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City, on September 11 during his visit to the United States. Dr Ramesh Kumar, who has been Mr Vajpayee’s physician for 28 years, has also confirmed that the Prime Minister, who has by now been examined by the top orthopaedic surgeons, will meet Dr Ranawat for "another opinion".

Dr Ranawat, a top Government source told EXCELSIOR, would be consulted to ascertain whether Mr Vajpayee needs to undergo knee replacement surgery. The source quoted Dr Ramesh Kumar,Head of the Department of Nephrology at Delhi’s Batra Hospital, as saying that although a long-term opinion is knee-joint replacement surgery, there is "no immediate need for it".

Dr Kumar has, at the same time, found his patient (Prime Minister) reluctant to take one month off that such an operation would require. Mr Vajpayee has a tight schedule in the coming weeks. Two weeks after he returns from the United States, he is scheduled to play host to Russian President.

There is no denying that the Prime Minister has not been keeping well of late. Even during his Independence Day speech, he had looked pale and his voice had faded twice. While walking down the podium, he had stumbled also and had to be helped up by his personal security guards. The day after that, he was seen literally shuffling when he went to call on his Ministerial colleague, Mr PR Kumaramangalam at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Before that, he had frequent bouts of ‘bad throat’ which had once forced him to cancel his address to the BJP Parliamentary Party. He also had to cut short his visit to Leh in Ladakh earlier where he had gone to participate in the Sindhu Darshan festival. He was supposed to have addressed four programmes there but could attend only one and had to rush back to Delhi due to a ‘bad throat’.

Two militants, jawan injured
BSF thwarts yet another intrusion bid in Samba

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 3: The Border Security Forces (BSF) last night foiled yet another infiltration attempt by Pakistan-trained militants in Samba sector wounding a couple of militants and forcing them to retreat to Pakistan. A BSF jawan was also injured in the exchange of firing after which troops recovered a large quantity of explosives from the encounter site.

BSF sources said jawans of 53 battalion observed three to four militants approaching their ambush site at Kothe border outpost in Samba sector at about 2345 hours last night. The militants were challenged when they reached at a hearing distance but they resorted to firing on security personnel with AK-47 rifles and used rockets and rifle grenades.

Immediately, the sources said, the ambush party retaliated and engaged the infiltrators in exchange of firing for over 20 minutes. BSF jawans successfully repulsed the intrusion bid by the militants and forced them to return to Pakistan.

A BSF head constable Ladu Ram sustained minor splinter injuries in the exchange of firing. He was evacuated from the scene of encounter and admitted in BSF hospital. His condition was stated to be ‘out of danger’.

In the morning, troops found blood stains on the scene of encounter, which indicated that atleast a couple of militants were injured but they managed to escape back to Pakistan. Searches also lead to recovery of one rifle grenade, AL magazines, 29 AK rounds, RPG casing and a number of empty fired cases of AK-47 rifle.

This is the eighth infiltration attempted by Pakistan-trained militants to infiltrate through Samba sector during the last about one month, which has been spoiled by alert ambushes of BSF on the International Border (IB).

Anticipating more such intrusion bids by Pakistan’s army, BSF have stepped-up vigil and patrolling along the International Border from Kathua to Kanachak sector. Extra ordinary vigil was being maintained in Hiranagar and Samba sectors, which have become traditional infiltration routes of the militants.

Inspector General of BSF, Punjab and Jammu Frontier A S Aulakh has appreciated the commendable job of bordermen in Samba sector and exhorted them to thwart all further intrusion bids by Pakistan-sponsored ultras.

There were reports that after infiltration through Samba and Hiranagar sectors, the trained militants take the route of Mansar forests and Ramkote to reach to the upper reaches of Udhampur and Doda districts. Though maximum of infiltration attempts have been foiled by the BSF, reliable sources don’t rule out the possibility of some groups having succeeded in infiltrating from the International Border.

Arms captured enough to raise 3 Army Divisions
Pak generates 2.5 b. US dollars from drugs, spends Rs 1000 cr on militancy

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Sept 3: Pak generates about 2.5 billion US dollars from drug trade annually while it spends about Rs 1000 crore on aiding militants operating in the Jammu and Kashmir.

Highly placed Defence sources said that the Pak ISI, after coming under the direct control of the Army with the coming of General Mushraff has increased the rate of funds to the militant organisations and its other agencies operating in the Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. It’s economy has been shattered in abetting insurgency in the State, but it describes it as the low cost option for the Nation to wage a proxy war against India.

More concentration is being given to generate funds by the Pak Government through drug trade and the people particularly residing in the Pak occupied Kashmir and North Western Frontier Province are being encouraged to produce poppy crop. It indicates that Pak’s economy mostly depends on the drugs trade. The intelligence inputs have indicated that Pak is generating revenue of about 2.5 million US dollars from drug trade. For the drug traffic to the international market, it exploits the Afghan and the Indian borders while it has increased its drug network in Nepal and Singapore in the recent past.

In just last three consecutive years, the annual expenditure on the aid to the militants has been increased from Rs 500 crores to Rs 1000 crores. With the introduction of medium range weapons, advanced technology and highly improvised devices, the cost has also gone high. With the use of missiles, rockets and anti-aircraft guns etc the cost option has also shown upward trend.

But in real sense it’s not so low cost option for the Pakistan as it claims. Arms and ammunition worth hundreds of crores has been seized and it has lost a large number of militants and its men in proxy war.

The sources said that arms and ammunition seized by the security forces in last 11 years is enough to raise three Infantary Divisions of an Army. The army alone has captured arms and ammunition besides other equipment worth Rs 40 crores so far only in Kashmir.

The militants and ISI agents are also being used for drugs traffic to this side and a large number of youth of this side are being spoiled by spreading drug- addiction.

The special incentives for carrying anti-security forces operation have also been increased by the Pak agencies and they are putting their all efforts to get new recruits especially from Pakistan, PoK, Afghanistan and few other Islamic countries on the name of Jehad in Kashmir. The percentage of local Kashmiri youth has considerably decreased and out of about 123 militant camps operating in parts of PoK and Pakistan hardly 40 % of them are active this time.

For any suicide action/ high risk involving operation the each militant is given incentives to the tune of Rs 50,000 while for low risk or other strikes the incentive ranges from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. Special training to handle medium and most advanced weapons has been introduced for the foreign ultras for which an amount of Rs one lakh is often promised to provide for this special course by the Pak ISI.

This all is being done to raise the morale of the ultras but ultras hardly get this promised amount. They are being lured and duped by the ISI officials. Several of them have revealed the hard facts during their interrogation at different JICs. For the time being, the ultras have suspended the Fidayeen operations and they have changed their strategy as per the instructions from their mentors across the Line of Control.The agencies have also been badly failed to woo the local youth and exploit them any more on the name of Jehad. This is a major set back to the Pak agencies and the foreign ultras have also stopped relying on the local militant leadership.

Security forces put on high alert in J and K

SRINAGAR, Sept 3: Security forces have been put on high alert and stringent measures taken to prevent any attempts by militants to attack ‘soft targets’ in view of Prime Minister A B Vajpayee’s US visit early next week.

"There are already indications that militants may create some sensation by resorting to massacres. We are already on the job and see what lies in the store," a senior security official said.

"We are working on intelligence inputs so that we can thwart the militants plan before they execute it," a BSF officer said adding the organisation had been alerted all over and operations against militants intensified.

Authorities were not taking any chance and security forces in the State particularly in the pockets inhabited by minority community were put on high alert to thwart any attempt of militants to breach the peace, the official said.

He said security forces had been directed to intensify patrolling, launch special drive against militants and carry out night ambushes to keep the militants at bay.

Referring to Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Toiba’s statement claiming security agencies were "planning to massacre Hindus and Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir to defame militants", Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Gurbachan Jagat said "they are the people who carry such acts."

"Going by the incidents at Chattisinghpora, Pahalgam, Jammu and other areas, it is clear beyond doubt that Pakistani militants were directly involved in such type of incidents as was evident from the arrest and killing of the Pakistani nationals," he said.

Besides massacring 35 innocent Sikhs at Chattisinghpora during US President Bill Clinton’s New Delhi visit, militants tried to scuttle the recent peace process by resorting to carnage of innocent civilians including Amarnath pilgrims, Jagat said.

Keeping in view these incidents it had become imperative to take more precautions against the militants, he added. (PTI)

Soldier killed in Pak shelling
5 ultras, SPO among 7 killed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Sept 3: Four Pakistani militants and a special police officer were among seven persons killed in south Kashmir since last evening, police said today.

Two militants, associated with Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Toiba outfit, were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces at Bogund-super in Kulgam area of Anantnag district early today, a police spokesman said.

He said an SPO Nazir Ahmad Wagay laid down his life in the encounter, which broke out when a joint party of police and security forces raided the house of one Mohammad Yousuf Dar in the village to flush out hiding militants.

He said one of the killed militant had been identified as Abu Usman of Pakistan. Two AK assault rifles, four magazines and a wireless set were recovered from the killed militants.

In another encounter in Anantnag, police, assisted by security forces, gunned down three Pakistani militants during search operations at Mir-Bazar in Qazigund area last evening.

The militants were identified as Hassan Shahid alias Hanzullah, a resident of Faisalabad (Pakistan) and Abdul Wahid of Multan (both belonging to Lashker-e-Toiba outfit) and Abu Barar, also a Pakistani national affiliated with Harkat-ul-Mujahideen outfit, the spokesman said.

Two AK assault rifles, a pistol and some ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter, he said adding their involvement in militancy-related incidents is being verified.

Police recovered a bullet riddled body of an unidentified person from Nowgam-Dooru in Anantnag district early today, the spokesman said.

The spokesman said involvement of the three dead militants in militancy-related incidents is being verified.

Mirbazar witnessed the massacre of 18 non-Kashmiri labourers working in a brick kiln on August one. Besides the innocent killings, militants damaged a 33 Kv transmission tower in the area three days back, he said.

Meanwhile, police apprehended a militant of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Bilal Ahmad Dar alias Wasim from Soura locality of Srinagar yesterday.

Dar, a resident of Batmaloo locality of Central Srinagar was wanted in a number of militancy-related incidents, the spokesman said, adding two hand grenades, one AK magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition were recovered from him.

Meanwhile, at least one security personnel was killed when Pakistani troops fired mortars and artillery shells on Indian positions in Gulmarg area of Kashmir this morning.

The jawan was hit by the shells near the Palhad picket, official sources said.

Indian troops retaliated, targeting Pakistani pickets and other installations. However, causalities suffered by the Pakistani forces were not known.

Six people, including two Border Security Force personnel, were killed and several houses damaged in Pak shelling in north Kashmir in the past fortnight.(Agencies)

15 Sabhas sit under one roof, call for unity

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 3: In a historical development, the representatives of over 15 prominent Sabhas and societies of Jammu sat under one roof today and called for unity among themselves for overall development of the society.

The meeting held in a cordial atmosphere was organised in the premises of Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha, Chanakya Chowk, Parade Ground.

Over 50 members representing various Sabhas had detailed discussions on prevailing situation in Jammu and stressed for mutual cooperation setting aside religion, caste, creed and personal differences for the good of the society as a whole.

The members and office bearers of Aggarwal Sabha, Mahasha Sadar Sabha, Central Mahajan Sabha, Rajput Sabha, J&K Mohyal Sabha, Majhal Biradari, Kokhran Biradari, Muslim Federation, Shri Atma Nand Sabha, Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Aror Baas Sabha, S S Jain Sabha, Kashyap Rajput Sabha, Refugee Front (1947 of PoK), Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee and the host Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha participated in the meeting.

Mr Abdul Majid, president Muslim Federation, who presided over the meeting said it was a historical initiative taken by the Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha and emphasised that all of them must endorse the idea for well being of the people of Jammu.

The members were of the view that politics should not be involved in such initiatives and asked those having political connections to set aside their compulsions when they are sitting under the banner of all Sabhas.

It was announced in the meeting that name for the common platform and other guidelines for the smooth functioning will be declared soon.

Later, while extending thanks for healthy discussions by the members, Mr Abdul Majid informed that the next ad hoc committee meeting will be held on Thursday and the general meeting will take place on September 24 (Sunday).

Army jawan killed in shelling at Sunderbani

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 3: An army jawan was killed in continued shelling and firing by Pakistani troops on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) overnight. Some casualties were also inflicted on enemy side by Indian troops but exact details weren’t available.

Reports said Pakistan army shifted firing and shelling to Sunderbani sector last night from Nowshera sector. Army on this side returned the firing effectively. In the exchange of firing, an Indian army soldier identified as Sepoy Sunil Kumar of Bihar Regiment was killed.

Army retaliated. There were reports that Pakistan army also suffered some casualties in Indian retaliation. However, there were no details about the exact number of casualties suffered by enemy. Reports said Pakistani casualties could be between two to three.

Body of the deceased jawan was shifted to an army camp from where it was further transported to his native town.

Shelling was also reported from several other areas on the LoC in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri At some places, mortar shells fired by Pakistan fell in civilian areas, close to the LoC, but exploded harmlessly.

Official sources said Indian side was giving an effective response to Pakistan’s firing and shelling at all the places. Pakistan’s attempt to push trained foreign mercenaries under the cover of firing and shelling have also been thwarted by the Indian side.

In Jammu, exchange of small arms firing continued between Indo-Pak troops in Hiranagar, Samba and RS Pura sectors but there was no loss of life or damage on either side.

NAB chief to pursue corruption cases in Geneva, London

ISLAMABAD, Sept 3: Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to send its outgoing Chief Lt Gen S M Amjad to Geneva, Amsterdam and London later this month to pursue some high-profile corruption cases against former premiers Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto and many other politicians and bureaucrats, media reported today.

In Geneva the NAB chief will be meeting Swiss authorities in connection with the Swiss accounts maintained by Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and many other politicians and bureaucrats, daily the Pakistan Observer reported.

Gen Amjad will also hold meetings with the lawyers hired by the nab to follow cases against Benazir Bhutto in Swiss courts. The NAB chief will also discuss cases being investigated by the NAB in various defence deals.

NAB sources said that it was wrong to presume that the bureau has been sitting on dubious defence deals. Sources very strongly contested the claim by a newspaper that military ruler General Pervez Musharraf had ordered the NAB to investigate these defence deals after the paper carried the story in this regard.

Officials in the NAB said that it may be reminded that the bureau has been investigating defence deals for the last many months. During his forthcoming visit the NAB chief will be meeting people in Switzerland to probe further into defence deals. NAB officials also very strongly dismissed claims made by the same paper that Lt General Amjad has been removed by the Gen Musharraf after the paper carried report that the NAB chief, defying Chief Executive’s orders had not started investigations into defence deals.

They said Lt General Amjad has been moved to Multan and made corps commander there under sheer professional compulsions.

In Amsterdam the NAB chief will attend an international conference on global corruption, money laundering and white collar crimes.

In London, the NAB chief will hold meetings with the senior officials in the home office besides holding a series of meetings with lawyers and experts who are assisting NAB in detecting hidden assets.

Sources in the NAB said that the General will be carrying with him documents required by the British Home Office for the possible release of documents pertaining to Rockwood estate owned by former first couple of Benazir and Asif Zardari.

The NAB has already detected 16 offshore companies owned by deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother. The NAB chief may also be looking into the details of these companies during his short stay in London. (PTI)

SHOs among over 100 Inspectors transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 3: Director General of Police (DGP) has ordered transfers and adjustments of over 100 Inspectors including many Station House Officers (SHOs). They include recently promoted Inspectors.

The Inspectors allotted Kashmir zone include Azad Ahmad Shah, Ghulam Jeelani, Bashir Ahmad, Abdul Aziz Qadri, Abdul Qayoom, Ali Mohd Reshi, Parvez Ahmad, Mohd Aftab Mir, Ghulam Nabi Matoo, Nissar Ahmad, Mohd Ilyas Pandit, Mohd Yousuf, Abdul Majid Mir, Bilal Hussain, Manzoor Ahmad, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Khurshid Ahmad, Manzoor Ahmad, Bashir Ahmad, Riyaz Ahmad, Mohd Shaffi, Ghulam Mohd Rather and Ghulam Rasool Digoo.

The Inspectors allotted Jammu Zone include Rajinder Kumar, Abdul Aziz Khan, Brij Mohan Sharma, Rakesh Kumar, Zahid Saif Wani, Tilak Raj, Tajinder Singh, Sushma Kumari, Rajinder Singh, Naseema Akhter and Rajinder Kumar.

The Inspectors sanctioned CID wing are Mohd Yousuf, Hazoori Lal, Mohd Shaffi, Ashok Kumar, Malik Sadiq, Farooq Ahmed, Naresh Kumar, Prem Krishan, Subash Chander, Inderjeet Bhagat, Anita Pawar, Bal Krishan and Mohd Aslam.

The Inspectors going to Traffic Police are Ghulam Rasool, Anita Chopra, Zubair Mirza, Daljit Singh, Inayatullah, Bansi Lal, Madan Lal Choudhary and Abdul Rashid Wani. Inspectors allotted Crime and Railways wing are Parvez Ahmad, Syed Hussain, Nazir Ahmad, Mohd Ramzan, Showkat Hussain, Tajinder Paul Singh and Kalyan Singh.

Inspectors sanctioned Security wing are Tsering Rinchen, Gurvinder Kaur, Ramji Dass, Duni Chand, Gopi Krishan, Abdul Rashid, Ayub Pandit and Ganesh Raj. Inspector Madan Lal goes to PTS Manigam, Inspector Mohd Iqbal to PTS Kathua and Inspector Surinder Kumar to Police Academy, Udhampur.

Following adjustments of these Inspectors the range of other Inspectors has also been shifted. Inspector Ravail Singh has been shifted from Crime and Railways to Jammu zone while Inspector Dalip Singh has been shifted from Traffic to Jammu zone and Inspector Rajesh Sudan goes from Security to Jammu zone. Inspector Rajesh Sandal has also been given Jammu zone.

Inspector Hari Krishan has been transferred from Vigilance Organisation to CID while Inspector Ved Parkash goes from Jammu zone to CID. Inspector Nirmal Singh, SHO Pacca Danga police station has been transferred from Jammu zone to CID. Inspector Darshan Kumar was shifted from Crime and Railways to CID.

Inspectors Prem Kumar Modi, Mohd Amin Mirza and Ghulam Mohd Mir, all goes to CID from Traffic Police. Inspector Mushtaq Ahmad (Kashmir zone) and Inspector Abdul Rashid Khan (Police Academy, Udhampur) have also been allotted CID wing.

Inspectors Joginder Singh (Jammu zone) and Ghulam Mohd Bhat (CID) go to Crime and Railways. Inspectors Pyar Singh Katoch, Abdul Gaffar and Nazir Ahmad Ganai have been transferred from CID to Vigilance Organisation.

Inspector Pritam Singh Jasrotia, SHO Domana police station has been shifted to Vigilance. Inspectors Abdul Rashid (Crime and Railways), Mohammad Yousuf (CID), Mohd Ibrahim (Crime and Railways) have also been shifted to Vigilance.

Inspector Mohd Yousuf goes from PTS Manigam to Kashmir zone while Inspector Chanderjeet Singh has been shifted from Jammu zone to Traffic Police. Inspector Shamas Din has also been shifted from CID to Traffic Police. Inspector Nissar Ahmed was transferred from Crime and Railways to Police Academy, Udhampur while Inspector Harnam Singh has been shifted from Police Academy to Armed Zone.

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