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Army takes
complete control of Galar from BSF From Sanjeev Pargal GALAR POST (SAMBA SECTOR), Dec 25: With a war like situation prevailing in this sector, army today took complete control of the forward and most affected Galar village from the Border Security Force (BSF) and destroyed three enemy posts in retaliation to six army and BSF jawans’ killing during last three days. With no immediate end in sight to a ‘limited war’ being fought by the Indo-Pak troops in Benglar, the entire population of about a dozen villages packed off their goods and migrated to Samba town. The villages wore a deserted look and the eerie silence was broken only by the sound of mortar shelling and artillery firing frequently. As fear of the war spread, the people have started leaving their houses from several other adjoining villages. An unending queue of the trolleys, transporting the migrating people and their luggage, could be seen leading to Samba town from the forward villages. Camouflaged army vehicles moving at a fast speed towards the International Border, trucks rushing enforcement to army posts, sound of mortar shells, artillery firing and other heavy fire arms, locked houses, barren fields and people carrying their luggage deserting the villages on whatever conveyance available (or even on foot) clearly indicated the kind of situation prevailing and developing in this sector. A senior army officer, who didn’t want to be named, told a visiting EXCELSIOR correspondent at Galar post, amidst continued shelling and firing, that three Pakistan army pickets of Bhairo Nath, Murli Marorh and Jangu Chak were completely destroyed in the retaliatory firing by Indian army this morning. A full-fledged Pakistani post of Suchetgarh Tanda, which was being used by the enemy troops to target civilian installations in Ben and Glar, was blasted by the troops last mid-night. Two-storeyed Pakistani post was seen burning till this morning and was reportedly reduced to ashes. Six to eight Pakistani soldiers were believed to be killed in Suchetgarh Tanda post while five to seven others were reported killed in three other posts, destroyed by army. "Exact casualties on Pakistan side was, however, anybody’s guess but definitely it was far more than ours", Defence sources said, adding only one jawan was killed on our side today Indian side have so far suffered six fatal casualties—three BSF jawans and three army soldiers during last three days of border skirmishes. Three BSF jawans were killed in Glar on Sunday while two army jawans were killed yesterday. Another soldier was killed in the forward village of Karol Krishna in Hiranagar sector this morning. Brigadier J J Singh, meanwhile, inter-acted with the troops this afternoon in one of the forward posts at Glar, located right on the International Border and watched the burning Pakistani posts. He boosted morale of the army soldiers, fighting enemy troops with bravery and giving an effective reply to Pakistan army. There was no let up to the shelling and firing for third day today in this sector. Heavy exchange of mortar shelling continued throughout the last night and was going on till this afternoon. A mortar shell, fired by Pakistan army fell in the abandoned house of Balwant Singh in Galar, just about 100 meters away from Galar post where EXCELSIOR correspondent and lensman were covering the war at 1230 hours today. The shell exploded with a bang and the house of Balwant Singh caught fire within seconds. Three army soldiers, braving the fire, dived inside the house of Balwant Singh, which had been locked by the family before fleeing and opened the chains of four cattle, saving them from death, which was otherwise certain in the next two minutes. Thirteen houses in Galar had been completely damaged in the shelling from across the border while about 25 other houses had marks of bullets and shell splinters all over. A mortar shell was lying unexploded in the house of Darshan Kumar. An army jawan explained that the shell fell on sand after piercing through a wall of the house and didn’t explode. The explosive device would be neutralised later, he said. Meanwhile, an army officer admitted that they have taken over the command of Glar and other forward areas in Samba sector from the BSF following intensified shelling from across the border. "All forward locations and villages are being manned by army with the assistance of BSF as the latter are well versed with topography of the area and enemy’s strategies", he said. He added that this might be a temporary phase and the BSF would again take over their responsibilities on the IB once the situation improves. According to fleeing people and the migrants camping in a Government school at Samba, the situation in Glar was worse than 1971 war. "Only 14 bombs had fallen in Galar and surrounding villages in 1971 war", recalled 72-years old Bagga Ram while sitting all alone behind a boundary wall of an abandoned house in village Ben. "And during last three days, more than 100 mortar shells have landed in Ben and Galar", he said. "Only difference this time was that our troops were not moving ahead while in 1971 that had captured Shakargarh, about eight kms from the Zero Line within 36 hours", Bagga (a former small contractor), who had stayed in Shakargarh for three days, recalled. Meanwhile, the ongoing border skirmishes in Samba sector, today spread to adjoining Hiranagar sector where heavy exchange of firing was reported in the wee hours of this morning. Intense firing was reported from about a dozen posts. An army jawan, Rakesh Kumar, guarding a forward post of Karol Krishna in Hiranagar was killed in the firing. Women and children of Dulme Chak left the village this morning for a safer area. Only elderly male were left in the village. Reports said that people from some other forward villages in Hiranagar have also packed up their luggage and were in the process of migrating if the situation deteriorates. ‘Pak will lose Narowal in just 2 days’ An army officer, interviewed by EXCELSIOR in a forward post at Galar, was firmly of the view that Indian army was capable of capturing Narowal district of Pakistan, about 12 kms from the Zero Line in front of Samba sector within two to three days if ‘we go for a full-fledged war’. "On our part, we are ready. We are here in full battle-dress and ready to go within seconds after getting a green signal from New Delhi", he said on the request of anonymity. Quoting what now is a history, he said that Pak army had failed to withstand the might of Indian army in 1971 for even 24 hours and fled away. "Consequences of a war would be more deadlier for Pakistan this time", he warned. |
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War against terrorism in decisive phase: Vajpayee From Sanjeev Pargal GALAR POST (SAMBA SECTOR), Dec 25: With a war like situation prevailing in this sector, army today took complete control of the forward and most affected Galar village from the Border Security Force (BSF) and destroyed three enemy posts in retaliation to six army and BSF jawans’ killing during last three days. With no immediate end in sight to a ‘limited war’ being fought by the Indo-Pak troops in Benglar, the entire population of about a dozen villages packed off their goods and migrated to Samba town. The villages wore a deserted look and the eerie silence was broken only by the sound of mortar shelling and artillery firing frequently. As fear of the war spread, the people have started leaving their houses from several other adjoining villages. An unending queue of the trolleys, transporting the migrating people and their luggage, could be seen leading to Samba town from the forward villages. Camouflaged army vehicles moving at a fast speed towards the International Border, trucks rushing enforcement to army posts, sound of mortar shells, artillery firing and other heavy fire arms, locked houses, barren fields and people carrying their luggage deserting the villages on whatever conveyance available (or even on foot) clearly indicated the kind of situation prevailing and developing in this sector. A senior army officer, who didn’t want to be named, told a visiting EXCELSIOR correspondent at Galar post, amidst continued shelling and firing, that three Pakistan army pickets of Bhairo Nath, Murli Marorh and Jangu Chak were completely destroyed in the retaliatory firing by Indian army this morning. A full-fledged Pakistani post of Suchetgarh Tanda, which was being used by the enemy troops to target civilian installations in Ben and Glar, was blasted by the troops last mid-night. Two-storeyed Pakistani post was seen burning till this morning and was reportedly reduced to ashes. Six to eight Pakistani soldiers were believed to be killed in Suchetgarh Tanda post while five to seven others were reported killed in three other posts, destroyed by army. "Exact casualties on Pakistan side was, however, anybody’s guess but definitely it was far more than ours", Defence sources said, adding only one jawan was killed on our side today Indian side have so far suffered six fatal casualties—three BSF jawans and three army soldiers during last three days of border skirmishes. Three BSF jawans were killed in Glar on Sunday while two army jawans were killed yesterday. Another soldier was killed in the forward village of Karol Krishna in Hiranagar sector this morning. Brigadier J J Singh, meanwhile, inter-acted with the troops this afternoon in one of the forward posts at Glar, located right on the International Border and watched the burning Pakistani posts. He boosted morale of the army soldiers, fighting enemy troops with bravery and giving an effective reply to Pakistan army. There was no let up to the shelling and firing for third day today in this sector. Heavy exchange of mortar shelling continued throughout the last night and was going on till this afternoon. A mortar shell, fired by Pakistan army fell in the abandoned house of Balwant Singh in Galar, just about 100 meters away from Galar post where EXCELSIOR correspondent and lensman were covering the war at 1230 hours today. The shell exploded with a bang and the house of Balwant Singh caught fire within seconds. Three army soldiers, braving the fire, dived inside the house of Balwant Singh, which had been locked by the family before fleeing and opened the chains of four cattle, saving them from death, which was otherwise certain in the next two minutes. Thirteen houses in Galar had been completely damaged in the shelling from across the border while about 25 other houses had marks of bullets and shell splinters all over. A mortar shell was lying unexploded in the house of Darshan Kumar. An army jawan explained that the shell fell on sand after piercing through a wall of the house and didn’t explode. The explosive device would be neutralised later, he said. Meanwhile, an army officer admitted that they have taken over the command of Glar and other forward areas in Samba sector from the BSF following intensified shelling from across the border. "All forward locations and villages are being manned by army with the assistance of BSF as the latter are well versed with topography of the area and enemy’s strategies", he said. He added that this might be a temporary phase and the BSF would again take over their responsibilities on the IB once the situation improves. According to fleeing people and the migrants camping in a Government school at Samba, the situation in Glar was worse than 1971 war. "Only 14 bombs had fallen in Galar and surrounding villages in 1971 war", recalled 72-years old Bagga Ram while sitting all alone behind a boundary wall of an abandoned house in village Ben. "And during last three days, more than 100 mortar shells have landed in Ben and Galar", he said. "Only difference this time was that our troops were not moving ahead while in 1971 that had captured Shakargarh, about eight kms from the Zero Line within 36 hours", Bagga (a former small contractor), who had stayed in Shakargarh for three days, recalled. Meanwhile, the ongoing border skirmishes in Samba sector, today spread to adjoining Hiranagar sector where heavy exchange of firing was reported in the wee hours of this morning. Intense firing was reported from about a dozen posts. An army jawan, Rakesh Kumar, guarding a forward post of Karol Krishna in Hiranagar was killed in the firing. Women and children of Dulme Chak left the village this morning for a safer area. Only elderly male were left in the village. Reports said that people from some other forward villages in Hiranagar have also packed up their luggage and were in the process of migrating if the situation deteriorates. NEW DELHI, Dec 25 : Taking a tough posture, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today reiterated that the war against terrorism had entered a decisive phase and declared that the country will breathe easy only after the scourge was finished. "Terrorism will soon end in Jammu and Kashmir," Mr Vajpayee said while addressing a rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha on his 77th birthday at his residence this evening. India was facing a new challenge as a "big change" had occurred in the country following the December 13 terrorist attack on the Parliament House, he said. "The bullet marks at the Parliament House and the bodies of five Pakistani nationals are sufficient proofs that Islamabad is spreading terrorism in India," the Prime Minister remarked. Though India was strongly in favour of peace, the country was prepared to face any challenge including an imposed war by Pakistan, he said. Squarely blaming Pakistan for sponsoring cross-border terrorism in India, Mr Vajpayee said the international community fully supported India in its fight against the menace. The world community was taking all possible steps to end terrorism, he added. Denouncing the statements by Pakistan after the attack, he said the neighbouring country had "cheated" India on several occasions in the past. Referring to the military build-up along the border, Mr Vajpayee said he had a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart V Putin, who expressed concern over the mounting tension between the two countries. Recalling India’s steps against terrorism, including recalling of High Commisioner V K Nambiar from Pakistan, Mr Vajpayee said, "we have also asked Pakistan to take certain measures like arresting those involved in the terrorists attack on Parliament." It was a matter of regret that Pakistan instead of initiating measures in this direction, accused Indian intelligence agencies for engineering attack on Parliament. "No country in the world had agreed to the Pakistan’s statement," he said. On the other hand, almost all nations had endorsed India’s view point, Mr Vajpayee added. Mr Vajpayee said several countries had expressed concern over the escalating border tension between the two countries. "What will happen if a war between India and Pakistan takes place," the Prime Minsiter said these countries keep asking. "If a war is imposed on us, we will face it,’ he said and added that India had taken diplomatic steps. "We will take steps keeping in view the situation." "This should be the final war against terrorism," Mr Vajpayee said. "We should not raise issues such as Pakistan should be taken back since India had already accepted the two nation theory," he replied when asked about slogans raised by some people. "We want peace with our neighbour and it cannot be one sided," he remarked. Praising the Yuva Morcha’s new initiative of raising one rupee each from the public, Mr Vajpayee said the programme taken up by the youth was an important one. The Yuva Moracha has launched a programme to raise a rupee from everyone to raise a fund of Rs one crore for the terrorist-affected people. (UNI) |
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Terms attack on Parliament
as terrorism Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 25: Terming attacks on Parliament and Jammu and Kashmir Assembly as naked exhibition of terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party (JKDLP) chief Hashim Qureshi said today that he considers the whole of the State as one entity and favoured independence from both India and Pakistan. "I am clear and unequivocal and consider the whole of Jammu and Kashmir - right from Gilgit in Pakistan occupied Kashmir to Lakhanpur, the last boundary point of the State -as one entity and want to see it free, sovereign and dignified State, Qureshi told a news conference - the first after he was released on bail by a Sessions Court on December 15. Qureshi who hijacked Indian Airlines plane "Ganga" to Pakistan in 1971, is facing charges under sections 365, 392, 435, 120-BCRPC and Enemy Agents Ordinance Act. He , however, regrets for the deed he did about 30 years ago. Qureshi regretted that the intellectuals, nationalists and men with moral responsibility had chosen to remain silent spectators of the ongoing bloodshed in Kashmir. In the name of region, the terror, loot, arson and discrimination had been let loose in Kashmir, he said, adding that during the past 12 years, Kashmir has seen nothing but destruction and desolation. "Political leaders have only self aggrandizement and no commitment to the cause of ameliorating the lot of the people of the State", he said Opposing those who want merger of Kashmir with Pakistan, he said, "I am not among those who plead for coming out of the slavery of someone and passing into the slavery of the other. I have nothing to do with the people who consider Kashmir as the Jagir (property) of one sect or one religion or one fraternity or one caste". Advocating independent Kashmir, Qureshi said he is a supporter of a free, sovereign and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir where every citizens enjoys equal rights. He would tour each and every corner of the State to garner support for it, he added. Answering questions Qureshi termed the attacks on Parliament and Jammu and Kashmir Legislature as naked exhibition of terrorism. "With regard to the gun I have said it so often and I repeat today that the gun is at the root of all destruction and still there were some who think that through the gun, they can achieve their objective", he said. He regretted hijacking of the Indian Airlines Fokker Friendship "Ganga" in 1971 saying that was a violent incident. I am against violence of all kinds and I regret that it was a violent incident. I am against violence of all types as it has no role to play." Asked whether the hijacking was masterminded by Indian Intelligence Organizations to precipitate the war, Qureshi said that Maqbool Butt had owned the responsibility in a statement before the court. Maqbool Butt was the leader and he had accepted the responsibility. Where does Indian Intelligence agencies come, he asked. Qureshi asked fellow Kashmiris to learn a lesson from Afghanistan as the condition in that country and in the whole of the sub-continent had left no doubt that the gun is the real cause of wholesale destruction. He said that the global strategies had changed drastically after the event of September 11. The gun culture in Afghanistan invited wrath of Americans and the world community as no responsible Government would allow the rights and liberties of the people to be vandalized, he said. However, he said "the gun may be serving the purpose, whatever it is, of Delhi and Islamabad but for the Kashmiris it brings nothing but large scale destruction. Kashmir, the land of saints has been turned into a battlefield so whosoever is killed here is a Kashmiri." He said that forests have been denuded of lofty trees, lakes have dried up, ecology is in ruins, education system in chaos and sense of responsibility has deserted the Government functionaries. This is all what gun has given to Kashmiris, he said. He counselled Kashmiris that no solution to the Kashmir issue was possible as long as hatred and misgivings remained between people of India and Pakistan. He also told Kashmiris that both India and Pakistan would not give up even an inch of their territory come what may in the present context. People of Jammu and Kashmir need to unite for independence as both countries may then agree to independence of the State. Qureshi regretted that there was nothing of the sort of a welfare association for the journalists and mediapersons in Kashmir while they were working under difficult circumstances. He announced seed money of rupees 25,000 for starting an association of this kind. |
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Grenade attack on Lone’s car in Doda Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Dec 25: Terrorists this evening lobbed a grenade on the car of Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Gani Lone near Gujjars hostel in Doda town but failed to hit the target. Official sources said the grenade was lobbed by the terrorists at 1840 hours, aiming the car of Lone, which had been parked near Gujjars hostel. Lone was meeting some people in Dak Bungalow, just few meters away from the scene of grenade attack. The grenade fell about 25 meters away from Lone’s car and exploded with a bang killing a cattle on the spot. The car didn’t suffer any damage. Police and para-military personnel rushed to the spot immediately after the blast and sealed entire area surrounding Gujjars hostel. They launched a search operation for the terrorists but couldn’t get them. The operation was on. Meanwhile, in a fierce encounter, a hardcore terrorist of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) was eliminated by the security forces at Jabar, about one kilometer north of Mahakund in Gool area today. SP Ramban Karnail Singh said that on a tiff about the presence of some terrorists in forest area of Jabar, security forces launched search operation in the early morning. While the search was in progress, the security forces noticed movement of the terrorists. The alert troops engaged the terrorists with effective and heavy volume of fire. In the ensuing encounter which lasted for about one hour, one terrorist was eliminated and a jawan of Special Task Force (STF) got injured. The killed terrorist has been identified as Mohd Ali, code named Jamat Jul of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) outfit. One AK-47 rifle, 2 magazine, one wireless set, one detonator, one hand grenade and 50 rounds of AK were recovered from the slain terrorist. The injured STF constable has been identified as Bharat Bhushan. He had been hospitalised. |
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500 LeT, JeM ultras active in Valley SRINAGAR, Dec 25: Gazi Baba, the most wanted accused in the December 13 terror attack on Parliament, and his close confidant Tariq are still at large, Inspector General of Police K Rajinder Kumar said here today. Police have fanned out "all sources" to locate Gazi Baba, a Pakistani national, Mr Kumar told UNI. Security forces and intelligence agencies have also mobilised their resources to arrest Gazi Baba and Tariq, who arranged meeting between Baba, Afzal and the terrorists who attacked Parliament. "Militants operating in the Valley are given a particular category the most wanted are in ‘A’ category. The anti-insurgency machinery of the forces are always in their search." He said Baba and Tariq were listed militants and the police had been after them for quite some time. But the December 13 had intensified efforts. The IGP said: "We have been raiding suspected hideouts of Baba and Tariq but sofar no success has been achieved, but that they would be in the net soon." It was Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel who arrested Afzal and two others following a tip off that they transported arms and ammunition and militants to Delhi from here in fruit trucks. Afzal told State police that one of the five terrorists killed in the retaliatory action by security forces during the attack was Mohammad alias Baba who was among the four hijackers on Indian Airlines plane from Kathmandu to Kandahar in 1999. Baba has also told Afzal that he killed Rupan Katyal, one of the passengers in the flight, when he tried to show some resistance. Mr Kumar said 450 to 500 militants belonging to Pakistan based Lashker-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad were active in the Kashmir Valley alone. He said 40 to 60 of them will be in the capital city of Srinagar and its outskirts. "Those in Srinagar are just using the hideouts," he said. Others across the valley were attacking security forces and indulging in other killings. He said most of the militants belonging to these organsations were foreigners. (UNI) |
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Lack of funds from Pak causes trouble for Hurriyat NEW DELHI, Dec 25: Curbing of funds by some groups in Pakistan to Hurriyat Conference has worsened the growing infighting within the amalgam with some of the leaders making franatic calls to Islamabad for the release of funds, intelligence sources said here today. They said that some of the "moderate leaders" of the 23-party conglomerate had made franatic calls to their party workers across asking them to impress upon "authorities" to release of funds immediately. However, under the Pakistan ISI’s new gameplan, some of the militant outfits have been asked to rein in Hurriyat leaders by publically asking for the accounts of funds allegedly misused by them. This was followed by a series of allegations and counter allegations amid which the militant outfit levelled severe charges against Lone. Hurriyat insiders said that now some of the moderate leaders were getting in touch with the representatives across the border to clear the allegations and ensure free flow of funds from there (Pakistan). The Hurriyat insiders said that some of the hard liners within the amalgam had also recommended blocking of funds to the moderate leadership in the conglomerate by doubting their sincerity towards the so-called "Kashmir cause". Piqued by this, the moderate leadership within the amalgam was now conveying to "deciding authorities" that funds used by hardline leaders were being used to broaden their own public image rather than helping the poor and needy Kashmiris. The moderate leadership has objected to construction of a mosque in north Kashmir, which they claim, has been built with the money by a Hurriyat leader that was meant for needy Kashmiri people. Much to the worry of the amalgam leadership, now even some other overseas organisations other than those in Pakistan have also started asking for records from the Hurriyat leaders about the utilisation of money, which was meant for disbursement among the needy persons, the insiders said, adding none of them had been able to give a clear picture so far. The insiders said some organisations have even threatened to stop all remittances and expose them if they failed to give the expenditure account. The Hurriyat Conference leaders are believed to have contacted some of these organisations over phone asking for review of their stand but with little success, the insiders said. (PTI) |
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Loaded trolleys, walking
people from border head towards Samba From Sanjeev Pargal SAMBA, Dec 25: For 82 years old Premi Devi, the migration from her house in the forward village of Chakla Camp in Galar area of Samba sector has become a routine. She had to leave her house and take shelter in the town here for sixth time today. Sitting in a room of Government girls higher secondary school (GHSS), Samba alongwith her seven other family members, Premi Devi could easily recall that she was leaving her house for sixth time to take shelter in the town due to the clashes between Indo-Pak troops. "I was about 28 when I first migrated alongwith my husband in 1947. When I returned after the war was over I thought it would be my last migration but I was not so lucky. Again, I had to migrate in 1965, 1971, 1986 and 1998 due to Indo-Pak war and routine clashes", she said, sipping a cup of tea arranged for her by the volunteers (all local youths) of Samba. Infact, this was the story of most of the approximated 350 families (the number was swelling with every passing hour), who had taken shelter in GHSS Samba. The migrants belonged to about a dozen forward villages of Ben and Galar, about eight kms from here and located right on the International Border. And, the people of Samba town had always been courteous to help the border migrants. People were sending food packets, milk and other items to GHSS for the migrants. Over a 100 local youths had voluntarily gathered in the school premises to arrange and serve food to the people. "I felt no different in my house and sitting here. These people are very helpful", says another old woman, Saro Devi, who was putting up in the school since yesterday morning. With the number of migrants increasing every hour as more and more people were deserting the forward villages and heading towards the town, the problem of accommodating the people was also rising. Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Samba, Ashok Sharma, who yesterday had a narrow escape in Pak shelling at Galar, said the authorities were making accommodation arrangements for the migrants. Some other Government school buildings are being thrown open for the people. Every half an hour, a trolley loaded with people and their luggage was entering the town from the border villages, says a social worker Ravi Khajuria, engaged in making accommodation and food arrangements for the migrants. There were some people who even couldn’t afford a trolley and were walking their way from the border to Samba. "A trolley operator was charging Rs 600 per family and their luggage", discloses a migrant Dhani Ram, adding ‘a number of people didn’t have this much of amount to reach the safer areas’. This correspondent saw majority of the houses locked in Ben, Galar and other villages in their vicinity. Only cattle could be seen moving from one house to another as they had been left behind by the people. In some houses, an old man was seen sitting in the sunshine, perhaps, as a guardian to some goods, left by his fleeing family members. According to the people of Ben and Galar, they hadn’t been able to cultivate their crops for last two to three years due to continued shelling and firing by Pakistan army. "Pakistan frequently shelled our village ever since the BSF started fencing work. Due to lack of cultivation coupled with Government’s refusal of help, we have been finding it very difficult to meet our both ends", asserted a border village Omkar Nath while carrying a trunk on his head and moving from village Sarorhi to Samba. According to the villages, atleast 5000 families have so far deserted their houses in the border villages of Samba. A good number of families have taken shelter in the house of their relatives in and around Samba or in Jammu, Kathua and Pathankot while others were camping in Government accommodation here, asserts Naresh Kumar, a Samba youth, who was monitoring the migration and guiding the migrants about the places of accommodation for them. And, there was no end to the migration as trolleys continued to transport the people. Authorities here were worried that if the trend (of migration) continued and more villagers from the forward areas leave their houses it would become difficult to accommodate them. "Presently, the Government schools are observing winter vacations and their buildings can be used to accommodate the migrants. However, the schools will re-open on January 2 and the problem of accommodation will arise", observes a worried civil officer while supervising arrangements at GHSS Samba. |
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Major powers adopting double standards, says Fernandes SIACHEN GLACIER, Dec 25: Lashing out at major powers for adopting double standards in their fight against terrorism, Defence Minister George Fernandes today said certain partners within the global coalition owe an explanation to India, which has been waging a relentless battle against cross-border terrorism for long. Though the UN Security Council resolution makes it mandatory for all member States to act against those countries which harbour and finance terrorism, India’s plea for steps to combat cross-border terrorism remains unanswered, he said. "This is something, which calls for explanation by the entire global coalition (against terrorism)," Fernandes said while addressing airmen on the conclusion of his day-long trip to the highest battlefield in the world. "You cannot have one law for mighty nations and a different law for the less mighty ones," he said. Fernandes said just as September 11 was a "defining moment" for US, the most powerful country in terms of military and economic strength to launch a fight against terrorism, the day of December 13 when Parliament was attacked had become a similar moment for India. For the first time, the world also recognised the implications of terrorism after the terrorist strike in US, he said. Stating that India has suffered terrorism for long time, he said terrorism the country was facing in Jammu and Kashmir was entirely "foreign transported. "It is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism," the Defence Minister asserted. Asserting that India had no doubt that the attack on the Parliament House was a "sponsored terrorism", Fernandes said "there are enough evidence to suggest that the terrorists involved in the December 13 strike were trained and funded by Pakistan. "No one has been able to disprove that they were not Pakistan nationals," he said. Stating that the aim of terrorists was to liquidate the entire leadership of the country, Fernandes asked "what would have happened had the terrorists succeeded in their evil designs." Pakistan was aware of the serious nature of the December 13 attack and that is why it had amassed troops on the border, the Defence Minister said, adding India has positioned its forces and "will be taking appropriate steps to strengthen its position along western borders." He said India was fighting with determination to eliminate terrorism sponsored by a neighbouring country but it was not going to be an easy task. "This time we took the issue far more seriously than we have taken earlier and we are prepared to face the challenge," the minister said. (PTI) |
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3 shells explodes in Londi Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 25: Three Indian army jawans were killed on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border as the ongoing skirmishes in Samba sector spread to Hiranagar today. Army jawan Rakesh Kumar was killed in Karol Karishna post of Hiranagar sector in Kathua district early today while another jawan Laxman Gowde of 11 M Li was killed in Kopra village of Sabjian in Mandi sector of Poonch district this evening, official sources said. Another jawan Sukhbir Singh of 99 Field Regiment was killed in Akhnoor sector. Sukhbir hailed from Taran Taran, Punjab. Killing of Sukhbir was, however, attributed to accidental firing by the army sources. Meanwhile, three powerful mortar shell explosions rocked Londi village in Hiranagar sector tonight causing a fresh wave of panic among the people. The shells, fired by Pakistan army, landed in a field in Londi village at 2005 hours and exploded. There was no civilian population close to the field and, therefore, the shells didn’t cause any casualties or damage. About 836 families migrated from Dulme Chak, Londi and adjoining villages to safer areas during the day today, official sources said. The migration started following heavy firing by Pakistan army last night and early this morning. Deputy Commissioner Kathua B D Sharma and SP Ahmed Pervez Mirza camped in Hiranagar and ordered opening of the Government school buildings for the migrant families. Meanwhile, a civilian was injured in Pakistan firing at village Mala Bela in Pargwal island of Akhnoor tehsil today. He has been identified as Jagatlar Singh, an ex-serviceman son of Brita Singh of Pargwal. He has been admitted in Akhnoor hospital. A truck was also damaged in Pak firing in the same area. |
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‘Pak won't allow extremists to derail country’ ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 : Asserting that Pakistan is a "responsible" state of 140 million people with nuclear capabilities, President Pervez Musharraf today said he would not allow any bigoted extremist to derail his country which was ready to face both internal and external challenges. In a significant speech coming days after countries like the US and Britain had asked him to rein in fundamentalist and terrorist outfits in the wake of a similar Indian demand, Musharraf said, "no bigoted extremist will be allowed to derail us." He was speaking at a function to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi which was televised all over the country. Without directly referring to the tension between India and Pakistan over the involvement of Pakistan-based militant groups in the recent terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament, he said, "we confront an external and internal challenge. But let me assure my countrymen, that your armed forces are fully prepared to and capable of defeating all challenges." During his speech, he made a direct reference to India once while repeating Jinnah’s interview to a foreign journalist in which the Pakistan founder leader had said the two countries could come to peaceful settlement of their vital differences and disputes, provided India shed its superiority complex and dealt with Pakistan on the equal footing. He said there was no need for any despondency as Pakistan was a "responsible state" of 140 million people with nuclear capabilities. (PTI) |
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ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 : Under pressure from the United States to act tough against terrorist organisations functioning from its soil, Pakistan today detained Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar in his house in the Punjab province. The detention was confirmed by Major Gen Rashid Qureshi, Director General Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISRP). The move is also seen as the Military Government’s step to de-escalate tension between India and Pakistan. India has been demanding stern action against the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the two terrorist organisations held responsible by New Delhi for the December 13 suicide attack on its Parliament. Maulana Azhar was one of the three terrorists released by India in exchange of passengers of the Indian Airlines flight IC-814, which was hijacked to Kandahar in December 1999. (UNI) |
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