Terrorists' plot to strike in Jammu foiled
Arms, explosives haul in Kanachak

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 12: Police today said they have foiled a Pakistan-backed plot by the terrorists to strike in a big way at vital and crowded places here. A huge quantity of weaponry including assault rifles, RDX and rifle grenade guns, smuggled by the ultras from the international border of Kanachak for carrying out the strikes, has been recovered by police.

Recovery was made from the forward village of Malpur Dumi, about four kms short of Akhnoor bridge, under the jurisdiction of Kanachak police station in the wee hours of this morning, DIG Jammu-Kathua range Dilbagh Singh and SSP Jammu Farooq Khan told a press conference this evening.

Singh said police parties from Akhnoor sub division and Kanachak police station were carrying out a search operation along the border areas since last evening after developing a specific information of terrorists’ movement.

The success came early today when the cops, with active co-operation of local people, came across two-three large bags of arms, ammunition and explosives. The terrorists had abandoned the bags and fled away after observing movement of the police parties, the DIG and SSP Jammu said.

Police parties, who were already looking out for the terrorists, stepped-up their operations in the entire Kanachak sector to track down the ultras. All sister agencies of police were also put on maximum alert but the ultras remained untraced till this evening.

"Our teams are on the job and we are confident of getting the terrorists. No efforts are being spared to capture the ultras. Security forces were also assisting the cops in the search operations", Dilbagh Singh said.

Recovery made from the spot included two AK-47 rifles with eight magazines and 232 rounds, seven grenades, 30 rifle grenades, two kg RDX, two grenade launching guns, two compass, two wireless sets, three antenna wireless sets, three time devices, two pouches, 10 detonators, five electronic detonators, eight time pencils, two pithoo bags, the battery receivers and a pair of gloves.

Recovery of rifle grenades, RDX and AK rifles was quite significant and could have been used by the terrorists in carrying out a major incident of a shoot-out in a crowded areas, the SSP Jammu said.

To a question on recent activation of Kanachak border, he said geography and topography of the area give a natural access to the terrorists to infiltrate and smuggle the consignment of weaponry from this route.

Tributaries of Chenab wash away whatever defences are raised by the security personnel, he said, adding ‘Pakistan army was resorting to daily firing to facilitate infiltration of the ultras but the security forces were taking all possible measures to plug the infiltration routes’.

Declaring that peace in Jammu region was top priority of the new police team, Dilbagh Singh said that in addition to border police stations and pickets, the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) are being strengthened.

"Though the team was new, the officers are well versed with Jammu region and there will be no problems for them in dealing with the situation", he added.

Two HUJI hitmen killed in Banihal, cop kidnapped

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 12: In a major success, army and police today eliminated two hitmen of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) outfit after a four hours long gun-battle at village Chajlu, about 16 kms from Banihal town, in Doda district this morning. Both the terrorists were carrying a reward of Rs 7 lakh on their heads and were operating in Doda district for last 10 years.

Slain terrorists were involved in last the recent attack on Jawahar tunnel in which four security personnel were killed and five others were injured. In addition to this, they were wanted in a series of subversive activities across Doda district and Jammu-Srinagar national highway, SP Ramban Karnail Singh said.

Troops of 5 Sikh Li, assisted by police, launched a search operation in Chajlu, about eight kms on eastern side of Jawahar tunnel, at 0400 hours today after developing an information that two HUJI ‘commanders’ were camping in Chajlu and preparing for another fidayeen attack on the security forces.

The HUJI ‘commanders’, flanked by their body-guards, opened heavy firing on the approaching columns of army and police, who fired back. Exchange of firing between two sides continued till 0800 hours today in which both HUJI hitmen were eliminated.

Following the killing of their ‘commanders’, their body-guards fled away. A jawan of security forces was injured in the four hour long gun-battle, official sources said.

They identified slain terrorists as Gulzar Ahmed Tantray alias Hashim son of Lassu Tantray, a resident of Krawa, Banihal and a ‘supreme commander of HUJI for Jammu and Kashmir and Abdul Rashid Dangar alias Billal alias Basharat son of Ghulam Hassan Dangar, a resident of Kapran, Dooru in Anantnag district and a ‘deputy commander’ of HUJI for Doda.

Recoveries made from the scene of encounter included two AK-47 rifles, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher with four grenades, three hand grenades, six AK magazines, one Yeasu radio set, seven detonators, one IED battery, a diary and 128 rounds of AK ammunition.

Sources said 9 Tantray had joined militancy in 1991 and was a Pakistan-trained terrorist. He was co-ordinating and controlling terrorist activities of HUJI activists, operating in Kashmir valley and Doda district, He had been supplying arms and ammunition to the terrorists and masterminding all terrorist related activities of HUJI cadres in J&K.

Abdul Rashid Dangar was also a Pak-trained ultra and was involved in a series of subversive activities in Kapran area of Anantnag. Both of them were carrying a total reward of about Rs seven lakhs on their heads.

Duo were involved in forcible recruitment of local youths into HUJI outfit. Elimination of these two important terrorists is a big blow to the outfit, the sources said.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a group of terrorists kidnapped a Selection Grade Constable (SGC) of police from his house in Charal village of Mahore tehsil in Udhampur district last night.

The constable, identified as 35-year old Ibrahim, was whisked away to an unidentified location. His fate remained uncertain till this evening despite efforts by police and security forces to trace him, the sources said.

Tribals gear up for war with Al-Qaeda fighters

KABUL, Dec 12: Tribal militia leaders supported by US forces prepared for a decisive war with Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda fighters holed up in Tora Bora mountains in eastern Afghanistan after they failed to meet this morning deadline of "surrender or die".

Subsequent negotiations with tribal leaders and Al-Qaeda fighters loyal to Osama bin Laden to convince them to surrender also broke down as they insisted to give up their Arms only before UN officials in the presence of diplomats, reports reaching here said.

Even before the talks collapsed, American warplanes pounded the white mountains and a spokesman of anti-Taliban commander said "we are preparing for war as the talks have failed. The Al-Qaeda fighters have refused to surrender."

According to reports Taliban fighters holed up in the mountains were keen to surrender but were being prevented by Al-Qaeda men from doing so.

Immediately after the expiry of the deadline B-52 bombers made at least eight sorties unloading their cargo of bombs.

Just ten minutes before the surrender deadline Al-Qaeda informed Afghan commander Haji Hazrat Ali they would not surrender before him or any other commander and insisted from laying down their arms only to UN officials in the presence of Saudi Arabia and other countries, aspokesman of Ali was quoted as saying.

Another Afghan commander Mohammad Zaman, had said yesterday that Al-Qaeda fighters have agreed to surrender unconditionally.

Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press reported that mostly foreign Al-Qaeda fighters numbering around 1,000 wanted handed over to the UN in the presence of diplomats from their respective countries.

The US warplanes appeared to be hitting the back of the mountains closer to Pakistan border.

A Defense Ministry spokesman said the dominant Northern Alliance favours a force of 1,000 soldiers in Kabul to guard the premises of the new interim Government.

Defence Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim, who retains his post in the new cabinet, delivered the message to brahimi yesterday, spokesman Barna Salihi said.

Anti-Taliban Afghan groups, in an agreement reached last week in Bonn, agreed to demilitarize the city and hand policing duties to a UN-mandated force, but alliance officials have since signalled they want to limit its scope.

Interior Minister Yunus Qanooni, returning to Kabul from talks in India, praised the Bonn agreement as having given Afghans "freedom, peace, reconstruction, security and the right to determine their own future."

Residents lining the streets were seen throwing confetti in the path of his motorcade. (PTI)

Prospects of early solution bright
International community eager to resolve Kashmir: Malik

SRINAGAR, Dec 12: Prospects of an early resolution of Kashmir issue have brightned with change in international perception raising hopes of a serious initiative, senior Hurriyat leader and president of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Mohammad Yaseen Malik, said today.

"There is a change in the perception of international community about Kashmir issue and they are very much serious to resolve it, Malik, who returned from the United States recently, told reporters.

Asked whether a major initiative to resolve Kashmir issue was in the offing and who will be the broker, Malik said "wait, we are waiting. International community will be the broker.... To resolve Kashmir issue".

The news conference was held at Hurriyat headquarters at Rajbagh where almost all senior leaders of the Alliance including its chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, who in his opening remarks said "December 12 will be an important event not only in Kashmir but in the United States of America too. How, wait for just 12 hours, you will know how."

At the end of the news conference Prof Bhat was asked to elaborate on his remark, but he repeated "wait for 12 hours. I trust the events will not disappoint either me or you".

Malik said the dust is settling in Aghanistan and there also seems to be positive changes in Pakistan that will help resolve Kashmir (issue) soon. However, he too did not elaborate.

The JKLF leader also saw role for international community especially the US in resolving the Kashmir issue saying "we believe the international community can be of great help in solving Kashmir. We believe it is worth it for the international community to get involved. Particularly, the US has a role to play since for the first time in its history it is having good relations with both India and Pakistan.

"It is our belief that maintaining and building these relationships will give the US a better chance of taking a crack at Kashmir and helping all three parties to come to the negotiation table. I think the United States is concerned about peace and stability in the region and about the suffering of people of Kashmir," Malik said.

Replying to questions, he said "I am quite encouraged by the direction the international community seems to be heading to on Kashmir. I think the visit of Colin Powel, the statements of a number of heads of states like Germany and Japan, other statements from the United Nations Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) chief in Srinagar, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson have all focused attention on the need to solve the Kashmir dispute."

Malik said "the situation is not good in Kashmir, it is not good for the people of Kashmir, it is not good for diplomacy in Kashmir, and it is not good for India and Pakistan as it can always escalate into major conflict."

Malik parried questions about the ongoing armed struggle in Kashmir.

Asked was there a demand within America to stop armed struggle in Kashmir, Malik said he did not discuss such issues with the Americans.

Asked whether September 11 incident has rendered the gun irrelevant in Kashmir, Malik avoided a direct answer but said "in the wake of September 11 attacks, Kashmir has definitely come back on the radar screen of the international community. In the war against terrorism there is a growing appreciation that its long-term success depends not only on military battles but on combating the roots of terrorism by combating the factors that create an atmosphere for severe poverty and prolonged injustice".

At the same time, he said, after September 11 incident New Delhi started attempting to manipulate world perceptions and tried to link the Kashmir struggle to terrorism and the happenings in Afghanistan.

"In a very cunning way, India directly and indirectly encouraged a few insignificant people to go for emotional gestures that would link Kashmir to Taliban or terrorism in the eyes of the world community." Malik said.

The JKLF chief said that a golden opportunity for peace and justice had come as international focus was on Kashmir and in such a way that will help India and Pakistan realise that it is time this bloody conflict was resolved.

However, he warned that the goal of freedom would remain a distant dream if people of the state failed to unite and speak in one voice.

He also appealed Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister A B Vajpayee to take concrete steps to bring peace in the region. (PTI)

Differences among Kashmiri terrorist outfits

SRINAGAR, Dec 12: Differences have cropped up in the militant groups operating in Kashmir with Hizbul Mujahideen accusing Pakistan-based militant groups of having some "terrorist elements" in their rank and file and warning of retaliation if suitable action was not taken against them by their respective heads.

Hizbul Mujahideen Divisional Commander for North Kashmir Abu Ubaidah in a statement to a local news agency, has said some "exploiters with terrorist designs" were active in the ranks of Lashker-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Harkat-e-Jihad I-Islami, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Al-Badar, all foreign militant groups.

Hizbul Mujahideen is a dominant militant outfit in Kashmir.

"These elements are involved in the killing of two Hizbul Mujahideen activists and two girls", the Hizbul commander alleged and accused them of being involved in several "anti-people activities".

The Hizbul Mujahideen commander even identified these "exploiters" as Hatif and Bilali of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Sajad and Saidullah of Harkat-e-Jehad-i-Islami, and Jibran and Khalid of Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Abu Ubaidah also appealed the heads of foreign militant outfits, active in Kashmir, to correct their rank and file. "If they fail to do so, Hizbul Mujahideen has a capacity and strength to give a befitting answer", he warned.

The Hizbul Mujahideen commander also accused these elements of "torturing" a prominent commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Muhammad Sidiq Bhat alias Yunis, a resident of Kandi Khas in frontier district of Kupwara and later beheading him.

He further said these elements are also involved in the killing of one of the released militants of Hizbul Mujahideen, Mushtaq Ahmed of Devas-Magam and two girls of Sadhu Ganga Kandi Kupwara.

"These elements are writing threatening letters to Hizbul Mujahideen activists", the commander said.

He claimed that his organisation is in possession of solid proofs to establish these charges. (PTI)

Bury differences in national interest: PM to Opposition

MUMBAI, Dec 12: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee tonight launched a veiled attack on the Congress’ opposition to the proposed anti-terrorism law and admitted it was a mistake not to consult the party before promulgating the ordinance.

Vajpayee said his Government wanted to introduce Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) in Parliament but it was being opposed in Toto by a party only because it was not consulted earlier on the issue.

Without naming Congress, the Prime Minister said "all right, we have made a mistake by not consulting the party" but the opposition was now saying "Pudhe Kahi Karaichi Nahi" (we do not want to do anything in this regard). Is this the correct approach?, he said.

He was speaking at a function to mark the 61st birthday of Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar at the Royal Western India Turf Club grounds here.

The Prime Minister, who specially flew in to attend the function, made an impassioned plea to political parties to bury their differences and join hands to strengthen the country’s borders as well as to ensure internal peace and communal harmony.

Vajpayee said the disclosure of extremists’ plan to blow up Indian Parliament had come as a shock to the nation and hence the need to put up a united fight against international terrorism.

The grand function was attended by an array of union and State ministers, other political bigwigs, industrialists and film personalities.

Vajpayee stressed on all round development of the country and said this was possible when all countrymen came together burying their differences.

Vajpayee regretted that the attitude of opposition was "negative" at an all-party meeting convened by him recently. They simply said `Poto Chalnaar Nahi, Poto Chalnaar Nahi’ (POTO will not work), he remarked.

However, the Prime Minister praised Pawar for his constructive suggestions on POTO.

Vajpayee said there may be certain shortcomings in the proposed legislation "but we should consider suggestions and incorporate them to bring about an effective law.’

"The desire or lust for power should not overcome us," the Prime Minister cautioned and said "time may come when the politicians may be afraid to talk to each other. Certainly, we do not want to become enemies of each other", he said.

"In a democracy, one could change a Government without violence and oppose it without causing hatred". He exhorted the countrymen `to adopt a positive attitude in life and take up national challenges’.

The Prime Minister appreciated Pawar’s role as the head of Centre’s committee on disaster management formed to tackle situations arising out of natural calamities. The Maratha strongman had emerged ever ready among the members of Parliament to shoulder responsibilies, he added.

Earlier, Vajpayee felicitated Pawar with a shawl, a citation and memento on behalf of the reception committee headed by former Prime Minister Chandrashekar.

Elaborate security arrangements were made by police in view of convergence of several VVIPs in the metropolis for the function. (PTI)

'Toy planes' to hit VIPs in J&K

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: The Union Home Ministry has received reports, suggesting that a terrorist organisation may use ‘toy planes’ to strike at targets in India, including Jammu and Kashmir.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr Vidyasagar Rao, while giving this information, has, however, avoided, for reasons best known to him, identifying the terrorist organisation.

In his reply to a question by Mr Brahmakumar Bhatt in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Vidyasagar Rao admitted that the Government had recently come across a media report about ISI ultras’ plan to hit VIPs with ‘toy planes".

When asked if Pakistan’s ISI had directed militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir to use explosive-laden ‘toy planes’ to hit VIPs, Mr Rao stated that while there were reports that a terrorist outfit may use ‘toy planes’ to strike at targets in India, instructions had been issued to the concerned authorities to thwart terrnorists’ plan.

Mr Rao informed the House that the Lashkar-e-Toiba mainly operated in Jammu and Kashmir. But there were reports, at the same time, that the outfit had, he said in reply to a question by Mr P Prabhakar Reddy, spread its netework in other parts of the country like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Dehradun, Bhuj and Delhi.

The Home Ministry has not received reports about the involvement of Lashkar-e-Toiba in drug trafficking and smuggling of counterfeit Indian currency. However, such a possibility cannot be ruled out, Mr Vidyasagar Rao pointed out. The Government, he assured the House, had adopted a well-coordinated and multi-pronged approach for tackling the activities of militants. He reiterated that as many as 25 organisations, including the Lashkar-e-Toiba, had been notified as terrorist outfits under the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO).

Answering a question by Mr C Ramachandraiah, Mr Rao stated that the Government of India had, on several occasions, taken up with the Pakistan Government the issue of its sponsorship of cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. He regretted that Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism continued unabated. He cited instances in support of the reports that Pakistan’s ISI had also engaged criminals to carry out subversive activities in differerent parts of the country, including Delhi.

The Minister of State stated in reply to a question by Prof. MM Agarwal that while the Centre and States were providing relief to survivors and victims of terrorism in the form of ex-gratia, the Jammu and Kashmir Government was providing ex-gratia to the victims of militancy for death, injury, etc as per existing rules. The expenditure incurred by the J&K Government on this account, Mr Rao reiterated, was reimbursed to the State Government under the scheme for reimbursement of security related expenditure.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Mr LK Advani, will undertake a visit to the United States shortly as part of the process of strengthening India-US bilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism. Mr Advani has accepted the invitation of the US Government and conveyed to Washington his plan to be in America in the beginning of next year.

Giving this information to Mr Kapil Sibal, Mr Vidyasagar Rao stated that India and the US had an ongoing cooperation in combating terrorism through a Joint Working Group (JWG) on counter-terrorism. Mr Rao clarified that besides sharing of information and assessment on terrorist groups in this region, the United States provided assistance through anti-terrorism training for law enforcement agencies in India, capacity building for consequence management and support for strengthening institutional structure in the country for combating terrorism.

Mr Rao also clarified that the US Department of Treasury had notified Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed as ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorists’. In addition, the US State Department, he said in reply to a question by Mr NK Premachandran, had separately designated Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as ‘Foreign Terrorist Organisation’ and Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Jehadi-Islami as ‘Other Terrorist Organisations’.

According to Mr Rao, the major Pakistan-based Pan-Islamic jehadi terrorist outfits are Hisbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Jaishe-e-Mohammed, Al Umar Mujahideen, Al Badr and Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front. In addition, Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF-Rode), Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) are the major Punjab terrorist outfits operating from Pakistan.

Charging Pakistan with perpetrating cross-border terrorism in India, the Government, Mr Rao said, had adopted a multi-pronged approach for tackling the activities of militants. The Government, he added, has taken measures to comply with the United Nations Security Council resolution number 1373, which required member States to undertake comprehensive steps to deal with the problem of terrorism. These measures include suppression of financing of terrorism and ensuring that any person who finances, plans, prepares for or perpetrates terrorist acts or supports such acts is brought to justice.

Jaish militant killed in Valley

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 12: A Jaish-e-Mohammed militant and a released ultra were killed in two separate incidents across Kashmir valley today.

Troops of 4/1 Gorkha Rifles, 1 Rashtriya Rifles and SOG Pulwama launched a search operation at Nulai Poshwari in Shopian area of Zanipora this evening following reports that four JeM militants had taken shelter in three house.

In the encounter, a house was burnt in which one militant, later identified as Nasir-ul-Islam, a Pak national and ‘district commander’ of JeM for Shopian, was killed. Other militants were still holed-up in two houses and were firing from there.

Till tonight, the gun-battle was on.

Slain militant was involved in an attack on a Rashtriya Rifles camp at Chowgam.

An ex-militant Abdul Hamid Dar S/o Mohd Jabbar Dar was shot dead by the militants in Sopore Bazaar at 11 AM today.

UP Minister sacked, probe against others

LUCKNOW, Dec 12: Ahead of coming Assembly poll in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Rajnath Singh today sacked Minister of State for Trade Tax Amar Mani Tripathi for his alleged links with criminals and said probe was on against some more ministers.

Tripathi, a former member of Loktantrik Congress Party and now an unattached member of the State Assembly, was dismissed shortly after five members of a gang of kidnappers were arrested from a House here under his possession.

The gang had abducted the son of a businessman and demanded a ransom of Rs 20 lakh, Senior Superintendent of Police B B Bakshi told PTI. The boy Rahul Madershah, kidnapped from Basti on Sunday, has since been released.

"The police has concrete evidence against Tripathi of harbouring criminals and, therefore, he has been sacked from the council of ministers," Singh told reporters here.

Singh said in Mirzapur later that investigations are on against some more more members of the council of ministers for their alleged links with criminals. "Anyone found guilty in the ongoing investigations would be sacked from the ministry immediately," he added.

District police chief B B Bakshi told PTI that the kidnappers revealed that Tripathi had arranged for their shelter in the State capital.

He said though the House on Patel Marg in the Cantonment area, where the kidnappers had taken shelter, belonged to builder Rajesh Agarwal, Tripathi was in its possession.

Agarwal was shot dead in Lucknow about four months back, the SSP said.

Acting on a tip off, the Special Task Force (STF) sleuths raided the house and nabbed the kidnappers, he said adding a country made pistol, a mobile phone and some stolen vehicles were also recovered from them.

Rahul later told newsmen that he was kidnapped while he was going to his school in Basti and was brought to Lucknow blindfolded.

He disclosed that the kidnappers talked of informing the minister but did not elaborate.

The district police chief also said the arrested persons were also involved in murder cases. (PTI)

PMO rejects Singhal’s claim

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: Prime Minister’s Office tonight rejected VHP president Ashok Singhal’s claim that Government has assured him that the acquired land in Ayodhya would be handed over to his organisation for construction of Ram temple.

"The Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has not given any such assurance to Singhal," a PMO spokesman said. Singhal had claimed at a news conference in Ayodhya that the Prime Minister had assured him that the acquired land in Ayodhya would be handed over to VHP for construction of the Ram temple. The Central Government would give VHP all the land, except the 80 feet by 40 feet area on which the disputed structure had existed before its demolition on December six, 1992, Singhal claimed. (PTI)

Probe Pak's links with Taliban: India

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: Observing that India was well aware of certain clandestine characteristics of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, New Delhi today sought proper investigation of reports on the nature of Islamabad’s close links with the Taliban at various levels in this regard.

"We know very well of Pakistan’s intricate web of contacts with Taliban groups and those connected with the Taliban regime," an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said in response to questions.

"These reports need to be properly investigated," she said adding New Delhi will be concerned about the outcome of these investigations and "hopes that Pakistan will cooperate".

Her remarks assume significance in the wake of reports of two Pakistani nuclear scientists conducting long conversations with Osama bin Laden on nuclear, chemical and biological weapons in August this year and two other Pakistani nuclear scientists taking sanctuary in Myanmar.

It is believed bin Laden has tried to obtain the materials and knowledge to make nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, but there is no evidence that he succeeded.

The two scientists, Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood and Abdul Majid, reportedly met bin Laden and three Al-Qaeda officials over two or three days at a compound in Kabul in August. (PTI)

Address concerns of Kashmiris, says Abdullah

NEW DELHI, Dec 11: Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Foreign Minister of the proposed Afghan interim authority today said the resolution of the Kashmir problem should address the concerns of the Kashmiri people.

"We would like to see the Kashmir problem solved where concerns of the Kashmiri people are met," Dr Abdullah Abdullah said on his arrival here.

"We want peace in the region so that the people live in peace," he added.

Earlier Dr Abdullah Abdullah arrived here today for talks with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh on the evolving political and security development in his country and to seek India’s help in the reconstruction programme.

"I have come here on the invitation of the External Affairs Minister to discuss the latest situation in Afghanistan and the post-conflict reconstruction of the war-ravaged country," Dr Abdullah Abdullah said in an interview to a private TV channel here.

On Afghanistan’s joining the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), he said the country was not a part of the SAARC. "We have not thought about it but will consider the proposal."

He praised the role of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani and others in formulation of the Bonn Agreement and assured that the interim Government in Afghanistan will continue to make it a success.

About the rights of Sikhs and minorities in Afghanistan, he said it was the duty of the Government in Kabul to protect the rights of Sikhs and their religious places.

He assured that they would continue to enjoy freedom and every fundamental right.

Dr Abdullah Abdullah arrived here in a special aircraft that took an Indian goodwill delegation, headed by special envoy on Afghanistan Satish K Lambah, to Kabul for talks with Afghan leaders.

During his stay, he will also meet his family members, wife and three children, who are staying here for some time.

Dr Abdullah Abdullah is the third Minister of the interim authority to visit India. Interior Minister Younis Qanooni was the first to visit here on December 7 followed by Mr Sadiq, son of Governor of Herat Ismail Khan. (UNI)

Govt may go for early adjournment of session

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: With the opposition stalling Parliament proceedings on the CAG report on defence deals, including procurement of caskets for Kargil martyrs, Government is reportedly contemplating sine die adjournment of the winter session.

As opposition prepares to chalk out tomorrow a strategy to corner the Government on the issue, ruling party sources said Government was faced with no option but to go for an early adjournment of the winter session in view of the impasse.

The sources said that at a meeting convened by Speaker GMC Balayogi, the opposition leaders had said that they were prepared to have a debate on the CAG report, the anti-terrorist bill as also other issues and that they would allow the House to function normally.

However, they retracted their stand later and said that their members were not prepared for any discussion, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Law Minister Arun Jaitley charged the opposition with disrupting Parliament and said that they would not stand anywhere if it (CAG report) is debated.

Giving a background on the entire issue, he said even though CAG report is not discussed in Parliament, the Government was prepared to do so but the "opposition has taken a stand that a discussion on this would not be acceptable". Making a strong defence of Fernandes, the Law Minister said "he (Fernandes) had voluntarily referred all matters during Kargil conflict to CAG and even though there was an urgency during the war time to get the best available....He felt that CAG must look into all purchases so that there is credibility, transparency and acceptability".

To a question that it was BJP which alongwith other opposition parties had sought the resignation of Rajiv Gandhi Government on Bofors issue on the basis of CAG report, he said "the objection in Bofors case was to kickbacks".

Elaborating further on this issue, he said "in 1989, the then Congress Government was not ready even for a debate in Parliament on Bofors whereas here is a Government which is ready for a debate".

To another question that some NDA partners had sought the resignation of Fernandes on this issue, Jaitley said "I refute the suggestion that NDA partners want Fernandes to step down".

Asked whether he questioned the CAG report concerning the defence procurement, he said "I am not refuting or confirming lapses in CAG".

In his daily briefing, BJP spokesman V K Malhotra brushed aside the opposition demand for resignation of Defence Minister George Fernandes on the CAG report saying "if ministers were to resign then many would have done so on the basis of CAG reports".

He accused the opposition of using this opportunity of CAG report on the defence deals to stall proceedings so that POTO is not taken up in the current session.

Earlier at a meeting of NDA and allies including TDP, it was felt that if the attitude of confrontation on the part of the opposition parties continued, the Government should bring out a full-page advertisement giving the background on the CAG report pertaining specially to the purchase of caskets for Kargil martyrs, the sources said.

An informal meeting of the NDA and allies convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan discussed how the current impasse be resolved. (PTI)

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