 |
Two jawans
die, 3 serious Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Apr 17: Three militants including two dreaded Pakistani ultras ‘Col Zaki’ and ‘Code 11’ and two army jawans were killed while three soldiers were injured in a fierce 48 hour long exchange of gun-battle in Nangali forests in Khablan village of Thanna Mandi today. According to official sources, army and police personnel had been carrying out searches in Khablan village since Sunday evening following reports that ‘Col Zaki’ (a junior of ‘Gen Zaki’, now in Pakistan) and ‘Code 11’ alongwith their other associates were camping in the village. ‘Code 11’, who had completed his two years tenure in the border district, was handing over the charge of Thanna Mandi belt to ‘Col Zaki’, who had recently infiltrated from Pakistan when troops started a search operation. In the initial exchange of firing, a civilian, Mohd Din was killed on Sunday night. Sources said army and police jawans continued massive searches for the militants and finally succeeded in trapping them in Nangali forest area in the wee hours of this morning. Amidst heavy rains and inclement weather, army soldiers asked the militants to surrender but they opened firing. Fierce exchange of gun-battle continued till this afternoon in which three militants including the two who were being hunted by troops were killed. Two army jawans also attained martyrdom in the encounter while three others were injured. Slain ultras have been identified as Izatullah alias ‘Col Zaki’, a ‘district commander’ and Mohd Azam Rabbani alias ‘Code 11’, a ‘group commander’ of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit and Tahir Sadiq Bhat alias Tahir Kashmiri, a resident of Doda. Deceased army jawans were identified as Naik J D Matranjan Dass and Sepoy Vinod Singh. Three injured army jawans have been shifted to Military Hospital. A police party from Thanna Mandi police station led by SHO Devinder Singh Katoch actively participated in the 48 hours long operation. Two AK rifles, two magazines, two grenades, five rifle grenades, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) and 40 rounds were recovered from the scene of encounter. Sources said the killing of ‘Col Zaki’ and ‘Code 11’ was a major setback to Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit. Meanwhile, one of the militants gunned down by army and police at Ghai Chobatta in Dudasanwalla area of Thanna Mandi yesterday has been identified as Abdullah, a ‘commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen. The intercept revealed that two Hizb hitmen Darbar and Afghani managed to escape from the encounter site in an injured condition. Besides, two other foreign mercenaries—Shaheen and Saifullah also escaped during the exchange of gun-fight in Ghai Chobatta. Army and police have launched a massive search operation in the adjoining forests to track down the absconding militants. |
|
Farooq for reforming
prisoners Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 17- It was a different evening for about 500 inmates of District Jail, Jammu. The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah kept his date with them for the evening. It was equally a different evening for Chief Minister himself who has been moving around and meeting the different sections of population, listening to their problems and mitigating these. Prisoners is the one section who cannot meet the Chief Minister like a free citizen. But inauguration of Jail Barracks and Kitchen block of District Jail, Jammu provided the much desired occasion for inmates to meet the Chief Minister. Dr Abdullah who is a great lover of music was amused to listen to the Ghazals and Bhangra dance presented by the inmates of the prison. So impressed by the hidden talent of some of prisoners, the Chief Minister ordered Director General, Prisons, Mr S S Ali to organize cultural evenings of eminent singers and artists for the entertainment of the inmates who unfortunately landed in the jail after committing some crimes. Saying that even prisoners have rights, the Chief Minister even suggested that he himself will try to request reputed singers to spare some time for these unfortunate people. He also advised jail authorities to organize cultural contests among the jail inmates and cash awards be given to the best ones which should be deposited in their accounts. Those found talented can even be further trained by music experts of cultural academy. Similarly Sports contests should also be organized and Secretary, Sports Council would be asked to organize necessary sports and infrastructure. The Chief Minister has categorized in his directions to jail authorities for making jail a centre of reformation rather than cell of repression. He said, no one is born as criminal and crime committed by human being is an abrasion in our civilized society. Punishment, which he earns for the crime, has to be undergone but at the same time they should be given opportunity to reform themselves so that when they move out of the jails after completion of sentences they can lead a normal life. It is with this objective that jails are now being considered as reformatory institutions for criminals. Dr Abdullah said that while they are in jails, the prisoners should be imparted vocational training in trades which can put them in good stead in society after they are released. In this context, he appreciated the action in setting up an IGNOU centre for imparting training in computer and typing. He announced grant of Rs. 10 lakh for purchase of more computers and making the computer centre air conditioned. He said, since imprisonment brings a social taboo for them, they would not be welcomed in any employment except self-employment ventures. He said, the Government have simplified procedure for loans for small self-employment units. He said, the jail inmates must make their time in jail more profitable by learning vocational trades which provide them sufficient succor to stand on their own feet. The Chief Minister made a special mention of the efforts of Minister of State for Home, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Lone in bringing out new jail manual replacing 1934 manual in the State. This manual envisages better conditions in jails and is an effort toward reforming the prisoners. The Chief Minister also stressed for good hygienic conditions and said that prisoners should be careful about their health and hygiene. He also announced an Aqua Guard for the prisoners in the District Jail. As a token of his appreciation as excellent cultural items, he asked Mr S S Ali to organize a Bara Khana for them. Dr Abdullah distributed ITI certificates to prisoners trainees and two computer trainers on the occasion. |
|
Hurriyat had a major role to play to facilitate talks: Qasim NEW DELHI, Apr 17: With Hurriyat Conference lukewarm to the Centre’s initiative for talks on the Kashmir issue, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Syed Mir Qasim today said the conglomerate had a major role to play by prevailing over the hawks to facilitate a dialogue. Qasim said the political leadership in both India and Pakistan should try and facilitate the peace process by sidelining the hawks. He said the offer made by the Centre now was the first genuine and sincere move to tackle the issue since the time of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The former Chief Minister said what the Hurriyat should be concerned about was that their opinion was represented in the dialogue and since the Centre had already made it clear that their grievances would be listened to, they should have no problems in engaging in talks. Qasim, who met the Centre’s negotiator K C Pant on Sunday, however, rejected Hurriyat Conference’s claim for exclusive talks with him and said "there are some organisations in Jammu which have been demanding separate State and some groups in Ladakh who want a Union Territory status for the Himalayan region." Qasim also said there should be no delay in handing over the travel documents to Hurriyat delegation to visit Pakistan as they would be going as "Indian citizens". Stating that he was "no mediator" in the present peace initiative, Qasim said "but I have a partisan role to play as I am in the know of almost every single thought prevailing in the State." He said the peace initiative of the Prime Minister and response by Pakistan’s military ruler and its Foreign Minister need to be appreciated. The former Chief Minister said all political parties should be willing to come forward to restore peace in the State. "Majority of people in the State, who want peace, are silent today and there is a need to restore their confidence before moving towards strengthening the peace process and all parties will come forward in this," Qasim said. (PTI) |
|
Two explosion rock Pargwal Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 17: Suspected Pakistani saboteurs blasted a Government school building with two powerful explosions in forward village of Balwalbus in Pargwal island of Akhnoor tehsil in the early hours of this morning. Official reports said two blasts took place inside the Government primary school building at Balwalbus at 0135 and 0145 hours. The blasts were triggered with two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which had been fitted by the saboteurs inside two rooms of the school building. The entire building was rattled under the impact of explosion and developed serious cracks. The building, however, didn’t collapse but it has been declared as totally damaged and unfit for the functioning of school. Hearing the sound of explosions, a local police party rushed to the spot. Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Akhnoor Jagjit Singh also visited the spot this morning for investigations. There was no report of any casualty in the two blasts as no one was present in the school at that time. Reports said that one of the explosive device had been planted inside the room of School Head Master and the other in a class room. Going by the intensity of explosions, the devices would have caused a number of casualties had the blasts taken place during the day time when the school was functional. Reports said the militants had intended to cause blasts during the day time and that’s why they had planted the RDX-filled IEDs in Head Master’s room and a classroom. However, a major tragedy was averted as the IEDs went off when the school was deserted. There was a strong wave of resentment among local people of the village against blast of the school building by Pakistani saboteurs. The damage will means that students of the village will have to study in open for the months together as it will take a long time to repair the school and make it fit for running classes again. Police and security forces, meanwhile, carried out searches in Balwalbus and adjoining villages of Pargwal in search of saboteurs responsible for blowing up the school building. No arrest could be made immediately. Reports said that saboteurs might have managed to escape back to Pakistan after planting the IEDs in school building. Security arrangements have been intensified in the area. |
|
Suicide attacks
likely to increase From B L Kak JAMMU, Apr 17: An intelligence agency has dashed off a report to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), making it clear that even as the centrists "now control" the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) executive, it is increasingly clear that they are unable to control the shape and pace of political events in Kashmir. In a pointed reference to the jihadi capacity which has become a "major" issue for the Hurriyat cadres, the agency’s report has stated the centrists of the Hurriyat Conference have received "fresh" threats from terrorist groups. These threats have come at a time when the Hurriyat centrists do not want to derail the peace process set in motion by the Government of India. The intelligence agency’s report has quoted three senior leaders of the APHC as having stated: "In recent days, quite a few missives were delivered to us — all of them threatening us of dire consequences if we participate in the dialogue process started by New Delhi and stop defending the on-going freedom struggle in Kashmir". The report, while discussing the renewed offensive by the jihadi outfits, has pointed out that any expectation that the violence would just stop and everyone would now settle down to nice, courteous dialogue "is of course unrealistic". If the report is any guide, sustained violence will eventually undermine the APHC centrists, around whom the peace process seems to have been built. A section of the Indian Government officials, backing the cease-fire, point to the drop in the number of security force casualties over the past weeks to suggest that there has, in fact, been a de-escalation of terrorist violence. This argument is, to say the least, disingenuous. Indian forces are suffering fewer fatalities, since they are not being committed in offensive operations. But the number of suicide attacks has not declined significantly. The intelligence agency’s report -- some of its portions were shown to EXCELSIOR -- has stated that the number of suicide attacks has "actually increased", along with that bomb explosions, a rise that is reflected in the "sharp upsurge" in the numbers of security personnel injured as well as civilian. Will the Hurriyat Conference eventually be compelled to disassociate itself from terrorism? Recent events, significantly, suggest that terrorist groups of the Islamic Right see little need for the APHC’s endorsement. With the security apparatus back in the barracks, organisations like the Lashkar-e-Toiba have been able to assert their authority unchallenged, drowning out voices calling for peace. "All this", the report says, "when Pakistan hasn’t demonstrably ceased or at least considerably minimised its role in the infiltration and re-supplying of intruders". Stating that even a small number of "fanatically youth seeking martyrdom" can organise a few suicide squads and terrorist attacks, the report wants the Government to recognise the full extent to which the roots of the insurgency are indigenous, and that some degree of violence will persist so long as those aspirations are not addressed "which the jihadis exploit". The intelligence agency’s report has reckoned what has been termed as the "excellent organisational capacity" of the Lashkar-e-Toiba and pointed out that when one Lashkar militant is caught, he leads the forces nowhere. To confuse the ‘enemy’, the Lashkar members have similar names. So for every Abu Salem that is killed, ten others by the same name surface. A senior security officer told EXCELSIOR: "LeT (Lashkar-e-Toiba) chaps baffle us with their planning, making it difficult for us to assess their strength inside Jammu and Kashmir and in the rest of India". It is not just that security personnel are baffled by the planning, they are getting scared by the fidayeen attacks as well. The report says: "No one quite knows when a daring squad would storm a police post, and what hour". |
|
Glowing tributes to
Ch. Devi Lal Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Apr 17: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah asked Pakistan to realize that it will never get Kashmir. Paying tributes to Chaudhary Devi Lal, at a condolence meeting on the occasion of his kriya ceremony near Kisan Ghat New Delhi. Dr Abdullah made it clear that Jammu and Kashmir has been an integral part of India and will remain so and said the machinations of the enemy will never be allowed to succeed. He said Pakistan is under wrong impression that Kashmir will be offered to her on a platter. Describing Ch Devi Lal as a leader of masses, Dr Abdullah said he was a farmer and worked for the welfare of the farmers. He said Ch Sahib worked for betterment of the masses irrespective of caste, region or religion. For him people of all religions were equal, he said. Dr Abdullah recalled his meeting with Ch Devi Lal at the oath ceremony of Mr O P Chautala as Chief Minister and said that Chaudhary told him that the development of the farmer would be the progress of India. Dr Abdullah said that people have lot of hope with Mr Chautala. He expressed the hope that Mr Chautala will not only keep Haryana in mind but whole of India. |
|
Hurriyat receives Centre’s invitation for dialogue SRINAGAR, Apr 17: The Hurriyat Conference today received a formal invitation from the Centre for dialogue on the Kashmir issue but could not firm up its response despite six hours of deliberations by its executive council. Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat told reporters here after the meeting that "we have received the invitation for dialogue from K C Pant, the Centre’s chief negotiator, to hold dialogue with all groups in Jammu and Kashmir for restoration of peace in the State." The executive council meeting remained inconclusive but it was decided to hold working committee meeting on Saturday followed by general council meeting on Monday, Bhat said. The Hurriyat working committee consists of five members each of the seven-party executive council, the general council comprises all the constituents of the 23-party conglomerate separatist outfits, besides the seven executive members. Bhat claimed Hurriyat has overcome the differences with its executive member Syed Ali Shah Geelani, leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, and the issue should be treated as "closed chapter" henceforth. He said Geelani would take part in future meetings of the executive council. Today’s meeting assumed significance as serious differences gripped Hurriyat over the issue of holding talks with the Centre with some leaders favouring dialogue while others opposing it with involvement of Pakistan. The Hurriyat had earlier spurned dialogue offer saying such an exercise should be preceded by a visit of its delegation to Pakistan. However, senior Hurriyat executive member Abdul Gani Lone, considered a moderate, termed Bhat’s remarks as his personal view. (PTI) |
|
Military attaches express satisfaction on J&K ceasefire NEW DELHI, Apr 17: Military attaches from 23 countries have expressed satisfaction over the handling of militancy by the Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir and welcomed the Centre’s ceasefire initiative, official sources said today. The military attaches from the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Bangladesh, Australia, Czech Republic, Iran, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Italy, South Korea, Myanmar, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine and Nigeria, who returned after visiting various forward areas of Jammu and Kashmir and also the Line of Control (LoC), welcomed the ceasefire initiative taken by the Centre and expressed the hope that such steps would go a long way in normalising the situation in the Valley. They were briefed by high-ranking military, police and civil officials during their visit to various areas. At Srinagar, they were briefed by Lt Gen J R Mukherjee, Corps Commander, and in Jammu by Lt Gen J B S Yadav besides the Divisional Commanders on the frontiers. The military attaches were led by Brig S M A Lee of the UK, Dean of Corps of Military Attaches. Brig T K Kaul, Deputy Director General, Foreign Division at the Army Headquarters, also accompanied them. They also visited Gulmarg in Kashmir and forward areas like Rajouri and Pallanwala in Jammu region which often come under Pakistani fire from across the border. The sources said the military attaches met Jammu and Kashmir Governor G C Saxena and Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah who apprised them of ground realities and the real situation in the State. They had a meeting with Jammu Divisional Commissioner and the Inspector General of Police. They also met a cross-section of the people to get a first hand knowledge about the situation in the Valley. This is the first time that military attaches have met the common people. (UNI) |
|
PM blames Cong for disruption of
NEW DELHI, Apr 17: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today squarely blamed Congress for disruption of proceedings in both Houses of Parliament saying it was improper and against the tenets of democracy. "Except Congress, all other parties were in favour of smooth proceedings of Parliament whereas that party continued to place demands and thus obstructing the functioning of the House which was not parliamentary and improper", he told the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, party spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters. Vajpayee said all efforts were made by the Government to ensure smooth functioning of both Houses and all parties, except Congress, were in favour of the effort. He said the Government could not assure Congress that Parliament would function only on the conditions laid down by it and hoped that it would allow normal functioning. The Prime Minister said the Congress demand for a probe by either a Joint Parliamentary Committee or the CBI could be looked into after a discussion in Parliament, Malhotra said. Vajpayee said either of these investigations could be done on the basis of consensus arrived at from the debate in Parliament. Taking a firm stand on the economic policies of the NDA Government, Vajpayee said "a disinformation campaign appears to have been launched against the economic policies of the Government." He said the Government was amenable to accepting suggestions on economic policies but "the present policies have been formulated after considerable thought and there is no question of going back," Malhotra said. The Prime Minister said any suggestions from any quarter could be considered by the Government to further improve the existing policies. Earlier, Home Minister L K Advani appreciated Vajpayee’s visit to Iran and South East Asia terming them as a success of the NDA Government’s foreign policy initiatives. He said the visit to USA by External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh since the Bush administration took office and the discussions with the American side was yet another success of the initiatives. (PTI) |
|
|
NEW DELHI, Apr 17: In a major operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence today recovered 17 kg of high quality white heroin valued at Rs 17 crore in international markets from two cars intercepted here. Additional Director General of DRI Jogender Singh said the seizure followed a long drawn surveillance operation mounted over a number of premises and suspects in New Delhi. On the basis of inputs provided by the surveillance, the DRI team kept a watch over the National Highway No 8 opposite Shiva Temple on Delhi Gurgaon road this morning. At about 0930hrs two cars were noticed and a consignment of heroin contained in a handbag was being transferred from one vehicle to other. The DRI officers immediately swooped on the cars and a search of the vehicles resulted in the recovery of heroin kept in 17 packets of one kg each in the bag. The contraband and cars have been seized under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985 and two occupants of the cars were being questioned. The heroin packets carry markings in English and Urdu. The preliminary investigations indicated that heroin was smuggled into India from Pakistan through Rajasthan border, he said in a release. This is the third big narcotics haul by the DRI this year as earlier it had seized 17.9 kg heroin in Jallandhar in Punjab on January 4 and 16.06 kg of contraband in Pathankot on February 8. (UNI) |
|
|
NEW DELHI, Apr 17: The Union Cabinet is understood to have tonight cleared the long-discussed Lokpal Bill to check corruption in high places, bringing within its ambit the office of the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament. The bill, which has been awaiting Government’s nod, aims at ensuring probity in public life. The approval of the Cabinet, at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, comes barely a month after the Tehelka expose of corruption in fictitious defence deals. The bill would now be brought before Parliament to secure its passage. The ruling NDA in its election manifesto had pledged that its Government would enact the Lok Pal Bill with adequate powers to deal with corruption charges against anyone, including the Prime Minister. "In the administration of justice, we shall not allow discrimination between the rich and the poor, the empowered and the powerless, restore the majesty of law and objectivity of the State," it had said. (PTI) |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Apr 17: Police today busted a hideout of the militants in Kalaban forests in Sabjian area of Mandi belt. A large quantity of explosives and ammunition was recovered from the hideout which included 704 Pika ammunition, two RPG rockets, two boosters, five AK rifle grenades, one hand grenade, 14 AK tracers and some personal belongings of the militants. The hideout was busted by a police party on the first day of take over as SSP Poonch by Dr Kamal Saini. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |
