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Kashmir
not to be raised at SAARC NEW DELHI, Aug. 16 : Declaring that India would never compromise on Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said a "broad framework" for talks with Pakistan had been worked out and an assurance given that Kashmir issue would not be raised in SAARC. "The process of dialogue with Pakistan will continue. We have reached an understanding on the broad framework for future talks," Vajpayee told the Rajya Sabha while giving his reply to a debate on the summit. In his spirited 40-minute speech, interspersed with his characteristic wit, the Prime Minister made it clear that there would be no compromise on J and K which is an integral part of the country. "India will not allow another partition on the basis of religion," he said asserting New Delhi rejected the two-nation theory. Vajpayee warned Pakistan that terrorism was a double-edged sword and by encouraging it, Islamabad was putting itself in peril. Referring to recent killings of innocent people in J and K including yesterday’s massacre in Udhampur, he said Pakistan stood exposed before the international community which wanted terrorism to end rather than focussing on the Kashmir issue. Vajpayee said in Agra it was agreed to carry forward the stalled SAARC process. Recalling the Colombo SAARC summit during which Pakistan attempted to raise the Kashmir issue but was disallowed by the forum president on grounds that it was a bilateral matter, Vajpayee said he had expressed apprehension that Islamabad would again raise it and vitiate the atmosphere. "Now we have an assurance that this will not happen. Let us see," he said. During the recent meeting of the Foreign Secretaries in Colombo after the Agra summit, he said Kashmir issue was not raked up by Pakistan. "In future too, this policy will be followed, " Vajpayee hoped. The Prime Minister said adequate preparations were made both for the Agra and Lahore summits but the one noticeable difference between the two meetings was the change of power in Islamabad prior to Agra talks. He regretted that those in power in Islamabad now did not willingly accept the Lahore declaration and had strong reservations even on the time-tested Simla agreement. Because of the change in power and the Kargil intrusion, a wide gap emerged between the two countries with questions being raised of trust and sincerity on Islamabad’s part in improving ties with India, the Prime Minister said. Notwithstanding Kargil when communications links between the two countries snapped, India was keen to pick up the threads and carry the dialogue process forward, he said. "Dialogue must go on," Vajpayee stressed. Maintaining India strongly favoured democracy in all countries including its neighbours, Vajpayee said New Delhi had expressed dissatisfaction over the military takeover in Pakistan but this did not prevent it from going ahead with the dialogue process. He said India had not spoken to Pakistan for quite sometime after the Kargil conflict, adding Pakistan found itself totally isolated in the International arena with more and more countries moving away from it. On Congress criticism of the Government that it had gone back on its words of not talking to Pakistan till it stopped cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Vajpayee said his Government had stuck to this position for almost two years. He said there was demand in the country and also suggestions from outside that India should not hesitate to talk to Pakistan. The Prime Minister said the Ramadan ceasefire had a positive effect in J and K. People there were yearning for peace. They were fed up with violence and wanted to lead a normal life away from the constant shadow of death. The Pakistan-backed militant outfits did not want the ceasefire initiative to succeed, Vajpayee said. Vajpayee said he made it clear to President Pervez Musharraf that solution to any issue, including Kashmir, could be achieved through peaceful means. "I asked him why he feels that a solution to all problems can be achieved through weapons," Vajpayee said, adding the Pakistani leader was only interested in discussing Kashmir. The Prime Minister said a lot was discussed on Kashmir and India wanted to know why the people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were not allowed to decide whether they wanted to go to India or Pakistan. He said Pakistan had taken a portion of Kashmir which belonged to India. The Prime Minister questioned Congress member Karan Singh’s contention that India had coronated the Pakistani leader. "A person who has already coronated himself by assuming all powers at that point of time cannot be coronated again," he said, adding of course, there is a talk of elections in Pakistan." Stating the opposition was keen that Indo-Pak talks should be continued, Vajpayee said after Musharraf took control of Pakistan, the Government decided to extend an invitation to the Pakistani leader to visit India. Vajpayee said while India had tried to explain its situation in case of any controversy, Pakistan had failed in that direction. He said when an Indian woman, who was not associated with politics, had during the summit asked whether this person (Musharraf) must be trusted, the Government had explained that the international situation warranted a peaceful solution of the Kashmir issue. "I hope Musharraf would also have convinced the Pakistani journalist who during a press conference in Islamabad after the Agra summit had suggested that no solution could be found by peaceful means," Vajpayee said. Defending Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj, Vajpayee said an unnecessary controversy was raised that she had not mentioned about Kashmir while talking about the discussions between him and Musharraf. He said the Minister only tried to state that there were other issues between the two countries than Kashmir. Vajpayee said there should be better understanding between the media and the Government as the media was not willing to give time for the briefings from the Government which should be expedited. He said there should be consensus between the press and the Government on sensitive issues such as whether the talks between the two countries had failed or not. "Unfortunately this was not to be," the Prime Minister said. Vajpayee asserted the country would not be allowed to be divided on the basis of community. "We told Musharraf that there has been three wars," he said. The Prime Minister said one day this would create problems in "your home" as terrorism is a double-edged sword and it will not solve the problem. Reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India, he said Islamabad should realise this and criticised the cross-border terrorism. "Yeh Azadi Ki Ladai Hai Ya Barbadi Ki Tamasha Hai (is it a freedom movement or a drama of destruction)," he remarked. He said Pakistan was not prepared to accept the issue of cross-border terrorism and it was one of the reasons for the deadlock of the Agra summit. The deadlock has exposed Pakistan internationally, he said. (PTI) |
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People asked to rise
against militancy Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah today called upon the people to rise against militancy collectively with courage and fortitude, saying that the Government is contemplating new measures for rushing security forces for rapid action against militants on specific information. The Chief Minister, who alongwith Director General of Police, Mr. A. K. Suri and MLA, Gulabgarh, Mr. Abdul Gani Malik, visited village Sarh near Mahore in Udhampur district, which witnessed massacre on Tuesday night, said that the Government is taking all possible measures to flush out militants especially from far-flung areas and army presence has been strengthened. He said these steps would yield greater dividends only if local population extends full cooperation and provide information about presence of militants in the area or the militancy incidents. Delayed information enables militants to escape after committing the crime, he cautioned people. The Chief Minister said that basically it is our (people of J&K) fight against militants and army and security forces are there to help us (people). "What is the fun of deploying army and security forces in the mountainous regions if people do not make optimum use of their services by providing them timely information", he said and added that there is no reason why our brave people do not come forward with immediate information to enable security forces to eliminate militants. "In fact, it is militants who are coward and scary as they have no guts to face security forces and instead pick up soft targets in high mountains", he added. The Chief Minister advised the majority community in every area to ensure protection of their brethren belonging to minority community. He said "this is not a war of Hindus or Muslims, but our collective war against Pakistan". He reminded people about the sacrifices made by Master Abdul Aziz and Maqbool Sherwani who preferred to lay down their lives than allowing marauders Pak invaders in 1947 to touch women of Hindus, Sikhs and Christians. He said Islam enjoins upon Muslims to protect the weak and hapless. He said Master Abdul Aziz holding holy Quran in his hands refused to handover Hindu and Sikh girls to raiders saying that they have to kill him before touching the women. Ultimately they desecrated the holy Quran and beheaded Master Abdul Aziz before touching the women. He said, similarly Maqbool Sherwani preferred to be get nailed and receive bullets all over his body than to help invaders in fulfilling their nefarious designs. He said there is no dearth of gallant people who have shown their grit in sacrificing their lives for the motherland. Brig. Rajinder Singh and Brig. Usman are some of our national heroes who are symbol of our courage and conviction. The Chief Minister said that he would take up with the Union Home Minister the issue relating to supply of automatic weapons to VDC members as also upgrading weaponry for J&K Police. He said, he had spoken to Mr. Advani previously also about our weaponry requirement to meet the challenge of militancy. He, however, complimented VDC members for putting up a gallant fight to better equipped militants. The Home Minister will also be requested to consider supply of wireless sets for VDCs for prompt communication to nab militants. The Chief Minister also announced that a SOG post will be set up at Dewal to strengthen the security apparatus in the area. Dr Abdullah expressed his profound grief over the killing of innocents at the hands of militants in these high mountains but made it clear that "we are not going to accept defeat come what may". In fact, such heinous crimes against humanity reaffirm our resolve to crush militancy with iron hand. Dr Abdullah said Pakistan must understand that what Pakistan could not grab through three wars in the past, it cannot achieve its unholy territorial designs by bleeding us through these ghastly acts. He said, he had told Gen. Musharraf at Delhi that he should forget Kashmir as it will never become Pakistan. The Chief Minister said that job will be given to one eligible dependent of each killed in this massacre. He also announced Rs 10,000 to each injured VDC member. |
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Centre not averse in
granting some degree NEW DELHI, Aug 16 : Centre is not averse to granting Jammu and Kashmir a degree of autonomy in certain aspects but is unlikely to give the State the status it enjoyed in the Indian Union before 1953, highly-placed sources said here today. A day after State Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah disclosed that the Centre would shortly initiate a dialogue with his Government and "others", the sources confirmed that the autonomy dialogue would be conducted on behalf of New Delhi by Centre’s interlocutor on Kashmir, K C Pant. While Abdullah had said the autonomy resolution passed by the State Assembly last year was going to be discussed, the sources said all aspects of autonomy in certain spheres would come under discussion but reverting to pre-1953 status was ruled out. Before 1953, the head of the Government was called the Prime Minister and the Centre’s powers were confined to external affairs, defence and communication. The sources also said autonomy dialogue will not be confined only to ruling National Conference or the State Government but other political forces in the state will also be invited. Union Home Minister L K Advani had recently said Centre was not averse to giving special powers to Jammu and Kashmir as part of the devolution of powers to various states. BJP, one of the main constituents of the ruling National Democratic Alliance, has already opposed the autonomy resolution passed by the State Assembly and said it would encourage other states to raise similar demands "giving rise to instability". "We have made it clear to the Government that the BJP is opposed to the resolution as it will cause disintegration of the country," former president of the Party Kushabhau Thakre had said. The issue of autonomy has led to a tug of war between the State and the Centre for over a year after the Vajpayee-led NDA’s Cabinet rejected on July four the autonomy resolution passed by the state Assembly. The State’s Legislative Assembly had passed the resolution for the restoration of autonomy to the state on June 26 last year and demanded that the Union and the State Government "take positive and effective steps for its implementation". The resolution was adopted by the Assembly by a voice vote after a nine-member State Autonomy Committee, which "examined the question of restoration of autonomy" to the State, had submitted its report. (PTI) |
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Accused arrested, flag
seized Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 16: In a major security lapse, a police recruit hoisted a Pakistani flag in Police Training Centre (PTC), Talwara in Reasi tehsil of Udhampur district yesterday. The recruit has been arrested by police and a case registered against him. Official sources confirmed the incident only after local army authorities took serious note of the presence of a militant in the PTC. Initially, an attempt was made by local police to hush up the case. According to sources, a Pakistani flag was seen hoisted atop a ‘safeda’ tree inside the high security PTC Talwara yesterday when people all over Reasi tehsil were celebrated Independence Day with great pomp and show by unfurling the tricolor. The Pakistani flag was seen by some local police personnel in the PTC, who informed PTC authorities and local police. The enemy flag was immediately removed from the tree. Even as PTC authorities were conducting an in-house inquiry to identify a Pakistani mole in the training centre, the report of Pak flag being hoisted in the PTC, spread like a wild fire in the entire Reasi tehsil, creating tension among local people. In the evening, army authorities also swung into action and directed local police to ensure that Pakistani agent in the PTC was immediately identified and put behind the bars as he could be a serious threat not only to the PTC but to army installations as well. After over two hours long investigations, PTC authorities and police succeeded in identifying the Pakistani agent and took him into custody. He has been identified as Fayaz Ahmed, a fresh recruit undergoing training as a police constable in the PTC Talwara and a resident of Sumbal, Baramulla district. Fayaz was suspected to have links with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. Despite this, he managed to get himself recruited in police after ‘proper verifications’ by police and civil authorities. Fayaz has admitted that he hoisted Pakistani flag in the PTC ‘on the instructions of his bosses’. A case against Fayaz has been registered under Anti-National Activities Act involving Sections 124-A and 153-A at Talwara police station for further investigations. Disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against him by PTC Talwara authorities and he was likely to be discharged from the training. Fayaz was being interrogated by police to ascertain his suspected links with the militants. How he fabricated Pak flag inside the training centre was also being investigated by police. It may be recalled that militants had attacked Talwara PTC three times during last few months firing rockets and grenades. However, they had failed to hit the target. Besides, an army camp was also fired upon by the militants in the upper reaches of Talwara sometime back. "Presence of a Pakistani mole, probably a suspected militant, was a grave security threat as Chief Minister and DGP visit the PTC everytime to inspect the passing out parade", the sources said. |
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‘Jehad concept threat
to world peace’ NEW DELHI, Aug 16: The Government should thoroughly probe the overseas funding of Hurriyat Conference and other separatist outfits in Jammu and Kashmir and get it stopped immediately, Omar Abdullah, Minister of State for External Affairs said here today. "When their (Hurriyat Conference’s) funds will be stopped once for all, they will come to the negotiating table and also make attempts to restore peace in the State," Abdullah told reporters at the Foreign Correspondents Club here. He said it was such funding that was keeping them going. "Once it comes to zero, their minds will also start thinking in a constructive way," he said. About the statement of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee from the ramparts of Red Fort yesterday assuring free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said "the Prime Minister’s speech was aimed at addressing the issues raised by some leaders including Shabir Shah and some Hurriyat leaders, who want to contest in the elections." Asked whether this was an adequate hint that past elections in the State were rigged, Abdullah said "I wonder, how could National Conference rig the elections in 1996, when it had no say in the administration and the polls were held under the Central rule." The minister said "instead those, who cry for fair elections, rigged these by intimidating the voters by putting up threatening posters." Regretting that religious institutions like mosques were used by Hurriyat leaders and other militant groups to spread their reign of terror, Abdullah said "when I was contesting from my constituency, posters were pasted in mosques" intimidating my voters. "Is this not rigging? why is the press and so called champions of human rights silent over this issue," Abdullah asked and assured "that if Hurriyat Conference reins in the militants, elections would not be held under the shadow of gun." He said the presence of security forces was necessary during the elections to instil confidence in voters. Asked whether Hurriyat could come to the negotiating table, he said "now they are demanding a fresh invitation. What for? we have already invited them and it stands even now. They are most welcome to talk to the Centre’s interlocutor K C Pant." Responding to questions about the separatist leader Shabir Shah, Abdullah said "he (Shah) is only making public postures. Initially he said elections should be held under the supervision of the United Nations. Later it was international observors and now it is Indian intellectuals." However, Abdullah made it clear that the State Government had no problems with the "intellectuals" moving in the State during elections but they cannot be given a status as observor because we have an impartial Election Commission and vigilant judiciary to oversee the elections." Abdullah warned that Pakistan’s use of the concept of "Jehad" (armed crusade) to legitimise terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir will pose a grave threat to peace not only in this region but to the world at large. "Why doesn’t the world understand that this country has millions of Muslim population who do not legitimise the Jehad call of Pakistan because they know it very well that secular traditions are taken utmost care of in this country," Omar Abdullah, said. Asked about the future course of action especially after the failure of Agra summit, Abdullah said "the summit did not fail in totality. At least both sides agreed to talk at some levels and the meeting between the two Foreign Secretaries was an outcome of this understanding." Rejecting the Pakistani plea that the armed struggle in the State was indigenous, Abdullah said "(Pervez) Musharraf does not have guts to call a spade a spade. He acknowledges terrorism here but makes a complete about turn when he reaches Islamabad." He said India will continue to highlight the menace of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan as this was posing a great threat not only to this region but the world over. The Minister said Pakistan should take utmost care to see that terrorists killings like in Doda, where innocent people fell prey to bullets of militants, were stopped. "Pakistan, as a confidence-building measure, needs to rein in militants immediately failing which Islamabad will have to regret its continued support to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir," Abdullah said. On the peace initiatives of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Abdullah said "Pakistan should understand that India’s history of non-violence should not be construed as its weakness. We are determined to stamp out militancy and protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity." Stating that the confidence-building measures initiated by the Prime Minister including setting up of two border check posts in Jammu and Kashmir will continue to be in place, Abdullah said "we will continue with the process and it is for Pakistan to reciprocate." He said Pakistan would have to realise one day that Kashmir issue could be solved once confidence in other fields like trade and commerce was built. "Islamabad is shying away from this now, but one day they will have to admit it," the minister said. He said that issue of casteism cannot find any relevance in the United Nation’s conference on racism, being held in Durban, as both the issues were different. "Casteism cannot be discussed in the Durban conference and moresoever we have made enough provisions in the legal system and the Constitution to fight it, Omar told a questioner. Regretting that certain vested interests were making attempts to discuss the caste issue at the conference, Abdullah said "India recognises the issue and other countries also acknowledge our efforts in ending it." Asked about India’s stand vis-a-vis problem in West Asia, Abdullah said "our stand is clear and we want peace be given a chance in the region." To another question whether India will accept an observatory status to ensure peace between Palestine and Israel, Abdullah said "we support and continue to support all efforts of the international community and we want the two parties to resolve the issue as they are only people, who are facing violence." He said India was not in favour of peace in installments in the region. "Sporadic peace like for six months and then sudden spurt in violence will lead nowhere," the Minister said. (AGENCIES) |
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Attack on Gandoh PS leaves 2 SPOs hurt Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Aug 16: Militants attacked Gandoh police station in Doda district last night wounding two Special Police Officers (SPOs), one of them seriously, while troops of Rashtriya Rifles today arrested a hardcore Hizbul Mujahideen militant from village Thalela in Thathri. Two fierce gun-battles were going on between army and militants at Puneja in Bhaderwh and Sheshwan in Gool till this evening, official sources said. They said a group of militants, which had taken positions atop a hill, rained bullets on Gandoh police station in Doda district at 2140 hours last night. Police jawans and SPOs returned the firing from police station. Militants fled away after about 20 minutes of firing. Two SPOs were injured in the militants’ attack. One of the SPO, who was seriously wounded in the attack, has been identified as Romesh Kumar. He has been hospitalised. Other SPO suffered minor injuries. After the attack was over, police and security forces fanned out in the areas surrounding the police station and launched searches for the militants involved in the attack. The ultras remained untraced. Troops of 10 Rashtriya Rifles arrested a hardcore militant of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit from a hideout in village Thalela near Thathri area of Doda this morning. He has been identified as Tanveer Akhter son of Habibullah, a resident of Thalela. From his possession, army recovered one sophisticated Chinese Mouser, its two magazines and 10 rounds. Sources said Tanveer Akhter was involved in several cases of militancy and was wanted to police. He was operating in the district for last one and a half year. Akhter’s arrest was a big blow to Hizbul outfit, they added. Akhter has been whisked away to a security forces camp for sustained interrogation. Troops hoped to extract vital clues about Hizbul Mujahideen’s network in Doda district during Akhter’s questioning. Local police have registered a case in the arrest. Meanwhile, a group of six militants was trapped by army and police at village Puneja in Bhaderwah tehsil of Doda district this morning. A heavy exchange of fighting between the two sides continued intermittently throughout the day today. Till tonight, no casualty was reported on either side. Re-enforcement of security forces have also reached the spot to ensure that militants couldn’t manage to escape. Another encounter between army and militants was going on at village Sheshwan in Gool area of Udhampur district. Two to three militants were involved in the operation but none of them had been killed so far. Operation was on, the sources said. |
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Sham of an inquiry! From Ahmed Ali Fayaz Text of Govt order specifying the terms of reference of the committee to inquire into the irregularities in the selection of Faculty staff at SKIMS. Government of Jammu & Kashmir Sub: Constitution of a committee to inquire into the alleged irregularities in the selection of Faculty in SKIMS. Govt Order No: 902 GAD of 2001 Dated August 7, 2001 Sanction is accorded to the constitution of commitee comprising the following to inquire into the allegations of irregularities having allegedly been committed in the recent selection of faculty staff in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar:- 1) Mr Justice G A Kuchhai, retired judge J&K High Court: Chairman 2) Dr Girja Dhar, Chairperson State Commission for Women: Member 3) Mr M Ashraf Bedar, IGP: Member The committee shall take up its work immediately and submit the report to the Government at the earliest. By order of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. R.K. Jeerath Text of Govt order changing the
committee’s terms of reference within a week In supersession of Government Order No: 902 GAD of 2001 Dated 7-8-2001, it is hereby ordered that the committee shall look into the overall work of SKIMS and suggest measures for its improvement and development in future. The committee shall also look into the service records of entire faculty as well as the process of selection. By order of Government of Jammu & Kashmir. R K Jeerath SRINAGAR, Aug 16: An invisible hand has prevailed upon the top echelons of the National Conference Government and succeeded in hijacking the entire gamut of investigations into the irregularities committed in the recent selection of Faculty staff at SKIMS. The purpose, it appears, is to save the skin of highly influential officials, albeit at the cost of the government’s own credibility and morale of the entire medical community in Jammu & Kashmir. Taking a serious note of the irregularities committed in the appointment of the Faculty staff, Government had constituted a high level committee to inquire into the matter. Vide Government order No: 902 GAD of 2001 Dated 7-8-2001, the committee was asked in unambiguous terms "to inquire into the allegations of irregularities having allegedly been committed in the recent selection of faculty staff in Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences". Since the raison d’être was nothing but the allegations of irregularities in the SKIMS Faculty staff, there was nothing more in the terms of reference of the committee. While as the former J&K High Court judge, Mr Justice G A Kuchhai, was appointed as the Chairman, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission Dr Girja Dhar and IGP Security, J&K Government, Mr Mohammad Ashraf Bedar were nominated as members of the high level committee. However, before the committee could start its specifically assigned task, highly placed SKIMS officials fired a torpedo. The result, as targetted, was miscarriage of the process, which, according to SKIMS insiders, would have exposed everything, and every person involved in the appointment scam. An invisible hand worked wonders within a week and, quite intriguingly, the terms of reference were changed in a manner so that the committee could investigate anything other than the ticklish appointment scam. After weeklong deliberations outside the Civil Secretariat, GAD was directed to issue an ambiguous modification. On August 14, it obeyed by way of issuing Government Order No: 910 GAD of 2001 which brought relief to all those SKIMS officials who looked unnerved after the August 7th Government order. Clearly to brush aside everything under the carpet, the new terms of reference are : "look into the overall working of SKIMS and suggest measures for its improvement and development in future". It concluded with a brazen eyewash: "The committee shall also look into the service records of the entire faculty as well as the process of selection". It is still obscure as to which precisely were the circumstances that forced the Chief Minister (Minister incharge GAD) to approve the intriguing modification. However, well-placed Government sources insist that a senior functionary of the SKIMS Governing Body, as also two housewives, did the magic. It could not be ascertained immediately whether the three committee members — all of them known for their integrity and self-respect — would agree to carry on the investigation on its changed course or not. But sources at SKIMS said that the modification has sent shock-waves among the entire medical community, which had ultimately pinned hopes on an unambiguous, impartial inquiry. "As per the new terms of reference, the committee has to see overall things like attendance of orderlies, purchasing of paracetamol tablets, quantity of the fuel burnt by SKIMS vehicles, landscaping of lawns, state subject certificates of junior doctors, intake capacity of the referral units, fault repairs of machinery etc", said a senior Faculty member at SKIMS. He pointed out that there was no mention of the recent irregularities in the faculty appointments. As detailed in a series of investigative stories published in EXCELSIOR, irregularities of serious nature had surfaced in recent selection of the faculty staff at SKIMS. These, inter alia, included granting of relaxation to some blue-eyed boys and denying the same to exceptionally meritorious candidates; preparing the final merit list without the knowledge and signatures of some Apical Selection Committee members; keeping the list under a lid for over three weeks after the acting CM’s approval; and, issuing the selection list in a number of installments without a plausible reason. |
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1000 trained militants
shifted to launching points From Ahmed Ali Fayaz SRINAGAR, Aug 16: Fearing Indian military strikes on the guerrilla training camps, Pakistani army has launched major logistic and manoeuvering exercises in a vast belt across Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Having already pushed in around 400 militants after the Agra Summit fiasco, Pakistani agencies have shifted 1000 more Kashmiri and foreign guerrillas to the launching points for a major infiltration drive. Highly-placed Defence sources disclosed to EXCELSIOR that on August 13, Pakistani troops launched military exercises across Gurez, Machhil and Keran sectors. A full corps strength is participating in the high altitude exercises, never before seen in Jammu & Kashmir territories. A divisional commander is supervising the exercises at Athmuqam. Awakening part of the exercises, according to sources, is that Pakistani authorities have not informed their Indian counterparts anything about the operation till this evening. Secondly, the exercises are being carried out in an area, too close to LoC. Even as fire-arms have not been used in these military exercises during the last three days in Keil, Sharda and Neelam territories, it has been observed that a number of fresh bunkers have been and are being constructed in the area. Indian military officials perceive it as part of a new Kargil-type strategy, using a large number of meticulously trained militants. It has been observed that a number of militants have been sent on observation assignment in Gurez as well as entire stretch of LoC in Kupwara district. After some sort of reconnaissance survey, they return to report to their Pakistani military authorities. It has also been observed that a large number of Pakistani military vehicles are participating in high altitude manoeuvering exercises, without headlights, on Korakaram. Officials say that there can be two-odd factors behind these exercises. "They either want to create Kargil-like front somewhere on LoC or they fear Indian military could strike on the militant training camps in near future", said a source. On the basis of "very important information received from across", sources said that as many as 500 militants of Hizbul Mujahideen, 200 militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba and at least 70 militants of Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen were among 1000-odd guerrilla cadres who had recently been shifted to the launching points and kept prepared for infiltration through Baramulla and Kupwara routes. Militants captured alive have revealed how Pakistani troops were asking them "to remain prepared for war". They have obviously apprehensions that after the failure of Indo-Pak talks and both, Atal Behari Vajpayee and L K Advani, taking hard postures, India may exercise the option of striking on the militant training camps in PoK. The captured militants have also disclosed "fresh orders of Pakistani agencies" that huge arms consignments may be transported to New Delhi and other Indian states with the beginning of the fruit harvesting season next month. Militants infiltrating into the Valley have also been asked to get prepared for cutting Indian military supply lines and causing largescale sabotage in military formations in case war broke out or India struck on the training camps. As part of a fresh strategy, exhibitionist things like hoisting of Pakistani flags are being discourage while as militants are being prepared for regular military exercises. Combat weapons are fast replacing the ordinary assault rifles at several training camps in PoK. Meanwhile, official sources in north Kashmir said that militants had launched a major infiltration and exfiltration exercise immediately after the failure of Agra Summit. While as around 300 Kashmiri boys have been sent across through Kupwara borders alone, equal number of militants are estimated to have infiltrated into the Indian territories from seven infiltration routes in Kupwara district. |
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‘NC not adamant on pre-53 status’ NEW DELHI, Aug 16: The ruling National Conference is not adamant on restoration of pre-1953 status to Jammu and Kashmir but asks for a thorough discussion on the issue, party’s senior leader Omar Abdullah said here today. Stating that he was replying to questions on autonomy only in his capacity as National Conference leader and not as Minister of State of External Affairs, Abdullah said "the pre-1953 status is only a point of bargain for us. We only say that come and discuss the issue and let us arrive at a conclusion." Asked why his party was pushing for autonomy, Abdullah said "after all, I was elected to Parliament on the promise of restoring it. What will I tell my people, when I go back." However, when a reporter said some parties in the ruling NDA had also to return to people and they could face a tough time if autonomy was granted to the State, Abdullah said "that is why, let us discuss and arrive at a consensus so that we are able to show face to the electorate." Abdullah said "after all we are only demanding what is enshrined in the Constitution and nothing like what Hurriyat Conference or other groups in the State are demanding." Referring to growing criticism over the functioning of the State Government, he said "I admit that more needs to be done but that never means that nothing has been done. Things have changed a lot. Developmental activities have seen a sharp increase. I only regret that this kind of criticism comes from those persons who have not visited the State for decades together." (PTI) |
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Vajpayee-Musharraf met at stake ISLAMABAD, Aug 16: A meeting between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and India’s Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the sidelines of the UN general assembly session in New York next month does not seem on the cards. "After the recent statement by the Indian Foreign Secretary Chokila Iyer in Lanka, it is clear a meeting between the two leaders would take place later but the meeting is not likely next month in New York," a Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said here today. "There was no reference in Chokila’s statement to the meeting of the two leaders in New York," he said. The spokesman said there was no point in projecting the Agra summit last month as a ‘non-event’. He said Pakistan was not only committed to the Lahore and the Shimla agreements, but also to the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions on Kashmir. "We are also committed to a dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue according to the norms of justice and wishes of the Kashmiris," he maintained and said that Pakistan was willing to simultaneously address all other issues with India. On the question of Afghanistan, he said Pakistan was committed to the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions in spite of its well known reservations on these resolutions. "We feel that one-sided and unilateral sanctions have been imposed against the Taliban Government while the northern alliance is free to receive equipments and assistance," he said. (UNI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Aug 16: A civilian was killed in the exchange of firing between army and militants at village Bunjwa in Bhaderwah area of Doda district this evening. He has been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Beigh son of Mohd Qasim Beigh. Beigh was returning to his house when he was trapped in the firing and got killed. His body has been shifted to hospital for post-mortem. |
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Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Aug 16: Reign of terror let loose by a Pakistani militant Abu Saifullah came to an end this evening when he was shot dead by army after a fierce encounter in general area of Matah in Reasi tehsil. Abu Saifullah was an activist of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and hailed from Pakistan, official sources said, adding Saifullah was operating in upper reaches of Reasi for past quite sometime and had let loose a reign of terror among the local people. Saifullah was killed this evening after an hour long encounter. One AK rifle, one IED, a diary with signal codes, a radio set and some ammunition was recovered from his possession. |
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