 |
Army toll
rises to 4 in Surankot Excelsior Correspondent POONCH/RAJOURI, July 10: Eight militants and two army jawans including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) were killed in three encounters in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district today while death toll of army in yesterday’s encounter at Kacharwara, Surankot went up to four killed and three injured. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that army jawans on the LoC noticed a major infiltration attempt, backed by Pakistani troops, along Panjni nullah in Balakot sector of Mendhar tehsil at 2300 hours last night. Troops lit up the area and challenged militants. Heavily armed militants opened firing on army personnel, who fired back. Exchange of firing was also joined by Pakistan army, which made all attempts to push the militants into Indian territory. Four militants and two army soldiers including a JCO were killed in the three hour long fierce fighting on the LoC. Army jawans succeeded in beating back the intrusion attempt. Four to five militants fled back to Pakistan taking cover of darkness and Pak firing. Bodies of three militants were recovered from the scene of encounter this morning while body of one militant, who was trying to escape in an injured condition, was lying right on the LoC and couldn’t be lifted due to continued firing from Pakistan side. A JCO and a Havildar also sacrificed their lives while thwarting the infiltration attempt. Of four killed militants, only one has been identified so far as Rizwan son of Munir Hussain, a resident of Islamabad. Recovery made from the encounter site included three AK-56 rifles with 11 magazines, one pistol with one magazines, one UBGL, four IEDs, five hand grenade, two remote control devices, a medicines kit and food items. Another encounter took place between army and Poonch Police with militants in general area of Kasbrari in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch this afternoon. A dhok where the militants had taken shelter was identified by police with the help of civilians. Immediately thereafter, army and police launched a joint search operation in the area at 1100 hours, stormed the dhok and gunned down all three militants, hiding inside. In this operation, no casualty was reported on army or police side. Two Ak-56 rifles with 10 magazines and 229 rounds, one pistol with two magazines and eight rounds, three pouches and medicines were recovered from the dhok, which was smashed during the encounter. Identity of slain militants hasn’t been established so far but the trio were suspected to be foreign mercenaries from Pakistan. They belonged to Al Badr outfit. Meanwhile, death toll on army side in yesterday’s operation at Kacharwara, Surankot has risen to four. Three other jawans were injured. Deceased army personnel have been identified as Naib Subedar Ravinder Singh Rathore, Havildar Ram Singh, Sepoy Darbara Singh and Sepoy Narendera Singh. Their bodies were sent to the their native villages this morning. Three injured jawans were undergoing treatment in an army hospital. Two civilians, who were also injured in the exchange of firing, have been admitted in a local hospital. As reported five hardcore Lashkar militants were killed by army in Kacharwara yesterday afternoon. Another militant was gunned down by army in Sheena forest area of Sabjian today. One pistol and a wireless set were recovered from him. |
|
No decision on fresh
registration Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, July 10: With State Government making no shift in its stand regarding the restoration of fresh registrations at Jammu, the number of stranded pilgrims has considerably swelled with arrival of hundreds of yatris daily from rest of the country. The Geeta Bhawan and Aggarwal Dharam Sabha are packed with these pilgrims. Besides a large number of Sadhus are taking refuge on the foot path in front of Ranbereshwar Temple and Fly Over. The complete chaos and confusion prevailed in the city as no body from administration has bothered to guide these hapless pilgrims. Now fed up with constant demonstrations and road blockades, these Yatris are in a quandary what to do. Waiting anxiously for a nod from the Government regarding opening of fresh registration, these pilgrims are making rounds of every office daily but to no avail, alleges Mr Subash a stranded Yatri from Jaipur, Rajasthan who is waiting for the registration here since July 5. Terming the State Government’s policy total discriminatory, he said "we have to seek visas for visiting a religious place in our own country which is totally shameful." He while highlighting the plight of stranded pilgrims said many of them who are waiting for the registration from a week have fallen short of money. But no responsible officer wants to meet them or hear their plight. "We were told in the morning that our enrollment will be made at 1100 hours today but no body turned up till 1800 hours in the evening", said Mr Suresh Soni, another pilgrim from Jaipur, who is also here for last six days waiting for registration to open so that he could have the darshan of Holy Cave. Suresh said he and other members of the group have been taking meals at the Langer installed by Shiv Sena in the stadium and had these free langers not been here many stranded yatris might have died of starvation. When asked why did not they made the advance registrations in their home State, Mr Sham Kumar Sharma another pilgrim from Jaipur said that no registration counter was opened in the entire Rajasthan State and the people had to visit Delhi for making advance registration which besides time consuming was also inconvenient. Expressing his serious concern over the plight of the hapless yatris , Mr Vipin Hindu, president Jammu district Shiv Sena (Bal Thakeray) warned that his Party will launch agitation in case the Government does not make any shift in its policy. He demanded that all the stranded pilgrims be allowed to have the pilgrimage of Baba Amarnath immediately. Dr Rama Kant Dubey, president J&K VHP while making a dig at Government said the figures given by it regarding the Yatris who have reached the Kashmir valley so far are totally confusing and misleading. He demanded that the Government should furnish the details that how many pilgrims have been registered by it at different counters in the country. BJP president Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal also visited MA Stadium today to see the arrangements for the Amarnath pilgrims. Meanwhile, the 9th batch of 3,018 pilgrims left the Base Camp at MA Stadium for their onwards sojourn this morning in a cavalcade of 176 vehicles including two motor cycles. With the departure of this batch the total number of yatris who have performed the darshan in the Holy Cave has risen to 31,599. This was disclosed at an officers meeting held here today. The Deputy Inspector General Police, Jammu, Dr S P Vaid presided over the meeting which among others was attended by Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Mr R K Goyal, SSP Jammu, Mr R R Swain and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu. While reviewing the security, Dr Vaid said that only registered pilgrims are being permitted to proceed for the pilgrimage and the vehicles bearing security slips will be allowed to accompany the Yatra he added. The meeting also reviewed the arrangements for sanitation, drinking water, power supply etc for the yatris presently staying in different places in Jammu City. A demonstration was held in front of the main gate of M A Stadium by some yatris and Shiv Sainiks in protest against Government’s refusal to allow the unregistered pilgrims to proceed further. According to reports six trucks carrying material for langer left for Nunwan with out seeking security slip but they were stopped at Dansal and not allowed to go further from there by the security men. Later these pilgrims who were joined by Shiv Sainiks staged a demonstration at outer gate of M A Stadium for half an hour shouting slogans against the administration. Our Srinagar Correspondent adds that State Government has made elaborate medicare arrangements for Baba Amarnath pilgrims by setting up, 30 medical camps at different places from Banihal to the Holy Cave via Pahalgam and Baltal. Besides three mobile teams have also been set up for facilities of yatris. Sixteen medical camps functioning round the clock have been set up by the Health and Medical Education Department, Kashmir Division at Upper Manda, Lower Manda, Qazigund, Khanbal, Mattan, Seer , Nunwan, Frislin, Pissu Top and Zojipal via Pahalgam track. Similarly, seven medical camps have been set up at Nunar, Kangan, Gund, Kullan, Sonamarg, Sangam, Brarimarg and Neelgrath via Baltal track. Besides the Department has set up 30 bedded hospital at Pahalgam which is working round the clock. Fifty persons comprising of 13 doctors including surgeons, dental surgeons, lady doctors and 37 other para medical staff drawn from health institutions have been engaged in this hospital. Likewise a 10 bedded medical camp one each at Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni have also been established for the facilities of pilgrims. At Mahaguns Top and Holy Cave two bedded medical camps have also been set up to meet the medical requirements of the yatris. Seven member medical camp has been deployed at the Holy Cave and Mahaguns Top. Besides 16 ambulances have been put into service. Of these , eight ambulances are stationed at Pahalgam, three at Chandanwari, three at Baltal and one each at Kangan and Gund. The Department of Drugs and Food Control Organisation, Kashmir under the directives of Health Minister, Mr Mian Altaf has set up fair price medical shops at Pahalgam, Nunwan, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni, Holy Cave, Sangam and Baltal. |
|
Hurriyat calls
shutdown on Martyrs’ Day Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, July 10: Even as a section of the separatist Hurriyat leaders are jubilant over the Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi’s invitation to them over a cup of tea, in the July 14 reception being organised in General Pervez Musharraf’s honour, major constituent JKLF has dismissed the invitation as "an insult". Informed sources today disclosed to EXCELSIOR that serious differences have surfaced in the separatist camp over the controversial issue of attending a tea party with General Musharraf at the Pakistan High Commissioner’s New Delhi residence on July 14 next. JKLF chief Yaseen Malik is understood to have asked his colleagues not to demonstrate any enthusiasm vis-a-vis Qazi’s invitation. Currently in London, Malik is returning to his home in a few days — most possibly on July 14 itself when Pakistan President is scheduled to reach New Delhi. According to these sources, prior to the Hurriyat’s acceptance of the invitation Yaseen Malik has decided not to participate in the tea party. After his telephonic conversation with his lieutenants, JKLF discussed the issue in an emergency meeting here today which was presided over by acting chairman Bashir Ahmed Bhat. Top JKLF (Yaseen) leaders Javed Ahmed Mir, Ghulam Rasool Dar, Mohammad Saleen Nanhaji, Tahir Ahmed Mir, Javed Ahmed Zargar, Mohammad Zaman Mir, Sheikh Khalid Ahmed, Mohammad Iqbal Gandroo, Manzoor Ahmed Sofi, Khursheed Ahmed Dar and Wajahat Qureshi attended the meeting. A major constituent of the Hurriyat, JKLF has thus decided to stay away from the tea party and instead scorn Pakistan over proving "obsequous to India". A JKLF statement bemoaned that Pakistan had ditched the Kashmir struggle and shown no regard to 80,000 Kashmiris who, it claimed, had already died for seeking freedom and stressing on tripartite talks. It remarked that inviting Hurriyat leaders on a cup of tea was (Pakistan’s) "insult" to Kashmir’s freedom struggle. Sources said that JKLF was planning a big reception for Malik, who will be returning after three-month-long stay in United States of America and England. However, its problem is that some pro-Pakistan activists of the Hurriyat are making arrangements of "infiltration" into the rally for turning the same into yet another show of "Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan". Meanwhile, in a statement this evening, Hurriyat called for a shutdown on July 13 — Martyrs Day__ and said that all commercial establishments, transport, educational institutions, Government and private offices would remain closed on Friday. It said that the shutdown would be in memory of the martyrs of July 13, 1931 "and all those who have been sacrifing their lives for Kashmir’s freedom struggle till date". It said that the shutdown is all the more significant in view of the Pak-India talks being initiated on July 14. The statement said that until the "real representatives of the Kashmiris" were involved with the process, it would yield nothing. It reiterated that the Kashmir dispute was the primary issue and all other matters had secondary importance. |
|
Police says killers could
be three Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, July 10: Police today said that parents of PGI Medical Superintendent Dr Anil Gupta, who were murdered in their Trikuta Nagar residence on Sunday, had received threatening calls on telephone from an unknown woman about four months back. Deceased Dr Uttam Chand Gupta had reported the issue of threatening calls to DIG Jammu-Kathua range Dr S P Vaid, who, in turn, had directed Trikuta Nagar police station for detailed investigations. Police sources confirmed that a case was registered in this connection and one Sub Inspector was sent to Dr Gupta’s house. "The Sub Inspector, who had investigated the case, was now posted in Srinagar. He has been directed to report here immediately as he could explain the investigations he had carried out in threatening calls case", a police officer said. He didn’t rule out the possibility of the ‘telephone warnings’ having something to do with the brutal murder of Dr Uttam Chand Gupta, an Ayurvedic practitioner and his wife Kamla Devi Gupta. "Since the old couple was living all alone in the house, there was no one to explain as to who could be behind the threatening calls", the officer said. He disclosed that case diary (of threatening calls) had pointed out the needle of suspicion towards a tenant of the couple, who had been ousted from the house due to some differences. However, police was not in a position to identify the tenant. Present location of the tenant in question was also not known. Police said a minor theft had also been reported from the house of Gupta couple sometime back. Servant of Dr U C Gupta’s son-in-law, who had come to the house on fateful day to deliver cheese, has told police that two middle-aged persons (sitting in the house at that time) looked well-to-do people. Again, these two persons had reportedly come to the house to take first floor on rent. Circumstantial evidences and preliminary investigations by police indicated that killer could be three in number. "The assailants had clearly come to the house with the intention of killing. No other motive could be attached to their visit", police said. They said the murder was committed in a very brutal and barbaric manner which showed that accused were revengeful and had no other motive like dacoity for intruding into the house. "In case of a dacoity, the couple would have been killed in one room simultaneously". In this case, police said, Dr Gupta appeared to have been attacked twice on his head and face before his throat was slit with a heavy sharp-edged weapon. The woman was killed in the second room as she might have tried to mediate to save her husband. Assailants were not barbaric on the woman as her throat had been simply slit to ensure her death. She had no other marks of injuries. According to investigating officers, the killers had either brought clothes with them or changed their clothes in the house. While inflicting injuries on Dr Gupta, the killers would have definitely got blood stains on their clothes. "Killers won’t have escaped in the same clothes. They had definitely changed clothes in the house and took away the clothes, they were wearing at the time of killings, with them. They (the killers) appeared to be very professionals and had come with complete planning to execute the killings", the officer said. He said police teams of Trikuta Nagar police station were working round-the-clock to work out the blind and most mysterious murder in the City. |
|
Documents, stamps seized Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, July 10: Police have arrested a youth, who was earlier running a private academy at Kali Bari, for running a racket of fake certificates in the town. A large number of fake certificates were recovered from the accused. SP Kathua Manohar Singh told newsmen that a special police team headed by DySP Headquarters M H Malik and comprising Sub Inspector Pardeep Sharma had been set up for investigations into the sale of fake certificates following reports of their sale in town and other areas. After a fortnight long investigations, Singh said, police apprehended a youth Raj Kumar son of Shiv Ram, a resident of village Nanka Chak in Samba tehsil, who was earlier running an unrecognised private academy under the name of Saraswati Vidyalaya at Kali Bari. Accused had closed down the Academy last year as it wasn’t recognised by Board of School Education. After closing the school, Raj Kumar started selling fake certificates of 8th and 9th classes among gullible youths charging an amount ranging between Rs 3000 to Rs 5000. Accused confessed having printed a total of 300 fake certificates. Of 300, he had already sold 180 certificates among aspirants in different parts of the district. Rest of the certificates have been seized by police. Accused told police that he used to get forged the signatures of Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Kathua himself. He had also managed a fake stamp of ZEO. However, police didn’t rule out the involvement of some employees of Education Department in the racket. Investigations on this aspect were being carried out by police and some more arrests were expected shortly. A case against the accused has been registered under FIR No. 173/2001 and Sections 420, 467 and 468 RPC at Kathua police station. Meanwhile, a Hiranagar police station party headed by SI Ashwani Kumar Sharma have arrested 13 absconders against whom warrants under Section 512 CrPC were pending. Arrested persons included Krishan Singh of Nanak Nagar, Ram Pal of Amritsar, Ashok Kumar of Haryana, Vijay Kumar of Samba, Daya Krishan of New Plot, Parkash Chand of Punjab, Parmod Singh of Tikri, Udhampur, Kewal Krishan of Canal Road, Ashok Kumar of Miragarh, Samba, Joginder Pal of Bano Chak, Gurdaspur, Ajit Singh of Mehtar, Batala, Mohd Younus Shah of Kerbera, Banihal and Gurmeet Singh of Rajpura, Punjab. |
|
Summit failure may be more taxing for Musharraf WASHINGTON, July 10: A failed Agra summit has the potential to do much more damage to Pakistan’s military junta and its leader General Pervez Musharraf than Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, says a leading US think-tank, the Henry L Stimson Centre. The failure of the summit would be more damaging to Musharraf, compounding his poor international standing while it would raise questions in India about Mr Vajpayee’s surprise invitation to the Pakistani military leader, said the Centre in its assessment of the fallout of the summit beginning in Agra on July 15. Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pervez Musharraf both need to have a successful summit or at least avoid a negative one, the Centre said in its report circulated to US law makers and the media. Musharraf like Vajpayee is quite capable of taking bold risks if one went by his biography, the report said but raised questions about the military establishment in Pakistan falling in line with him. The dynamic Pakistani generals who take over the responsiblities of governance usually are shy at subsequent risk taking, having no domestic mandate to pursue major course corrections,’’ it said. Whether the present Pakistani military ruler will be any different from his predecessors? the answer to this question would be the outcome of the Agra summit,’’ the Stimson Centre said. The report said both Musharraf and his senior military officers, now in power for the last two years, are well acquainted with the dreadful state of Pakistan’s economy and what it portends for the country’s future as well as for the armed forces. The solutions to these ills cannot be found in continued, deep enmity with India or in association with groups, the report said hinting at Pakistan’s encouragement to cross-border terrorism in active collaboration with the Taliban regime. The US think-tank recommended that both the countries should agree on the natural gas pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistan which has potential for mutual economic benefit while also improving prospects for regional security. The gas pipeline project could help the energy starved western states of India and benefit the economic growth of all parties as long as all act responsibly, said the report. Large sums of money, needed from the international community to make the pipeline a reality, is unlikely to be forthcoming without meaningful guarantees of responsible behaviour, it added. If economic projects mandate and improve the health of economies in regions of nuclear danger, they deserve US support it said. The institute also expressed the hope that the summit would address the issues relating to nuclear risk reduction and warned that early stages of competition are always the most dangerous. The Stimson report recalled the bold steps taken by Prime Minister Vajpayee to undertake the bus journey to Lahore for a summit meeting. During his last summit journey in 1999, Mr Vajpayee had assured the people of Pakistan of India’s deep desire for lasting peace and friendship. He had also made it clear that a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan was in India’s interest and there need be no doubts about India’s intentions in this regard. But even as this message was dawning on the people of Pakistan, two brigades of the Pakistani Army and Mujaheddin were preparing to scale the heights above Kargil in an effort to seize and hold India’s side of the Line of Control, it noted. Mr Vajpayee has again extended a surprise invitation to the Pakistani General (who masterminded the Kargil invasion). The key questions overhanging this summit are whether Mr Musharraf is now ready to chart a new course for Pakistan’s betterment and whether he can deliver, the report stated. (UNI) |
|
Terrorism, firing should be discussed: RSS NAGPUR, July 10: The RSS today said it would like Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharraf to discuss cross border terrorism, firing along the Line of Control, withdrawal of troops from Siachin and opening of Indian diplomatic centre at Karachi during the Agra summit. ‘However, Kashmir can not be an issue for discussion during the summit,’ RSS spokesman M G Vaidya said, adding it is an opportunity for Pakistan to resolve the contentious issues through peaceful negotiations. ‘We are bound by the historic 1972 Simla Agreement which clearly says there will be no third party intervention to resolve the Kashmir issue and only bilateral talks and the agreement will remain a basis of agenda for talks irrespective of change of guards in either countries’, he told reporters. "Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India legally and constitutionally and both Houses of Parliament have approved it in 1994", Vaidya said. RSS was against turning the Line of Control into International Border, he said in reply to a question. Vaidya said people should not expect too much from the summit. ‘It is a well known fact that army in Pakistan has always played a vital role in that country. And since President Pervez Musharraf is also the Pakistan Army Chief, he is in an advantageous position.’ About the role of Hurriyat Conference in the talks, Vaidya said ‘they committed a blunder by not talking to Centre’s interlocutor K C Pant’. To a query regarding Pakistan’s invitation to Hurriyat leaders for an official reception, Vaidya said the opposition parties, who met on Monday, had decided to boycott the Pakistan embassy function if Hurriyat was attending it. He said the atmosphere and reaction of people in Pakistan about the Agra summit may be the same as what had been during Vajpayee’s bus ride to Lahore. ‘He was not allowed to go up to Lahore, indeed it was a bus ride up to Wagha on the Indian border’, Vaidya added. ‘Neither people nor army was happy with the Indian initiative that time’, the RSS spokesman said. ‘Whichever ruler of Pakistan initiated peace talks, may it be Prime Ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto or Nawaz Sharif, later on faced stiff opposition within Pakistan and were eventually thrown out of power. It is absolutely their internal matter’, he added. Vaidya observed that there has been perceptible reduction in Pakistan sponsored violence in Jammu and Kashmir after May 31 when the invitation was extended to Gen Musharraf. RSS struck a cord of discontent on the other important issues and did not approve of Centre’s action like taking a soft stand against Bangladesh on the killing of BSF jawans and allowing private sector involvement in defence production. (PTI) |
|
Army Lt, 2 militants killed in Doda Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, July 10: An Army Lieutenant and two militants including a ‘commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit were killed in separate incidents across Udhampur and Doda districts overnight. Official reports here said that Lt Manpreet Singh was killed in an accidental fire in Mahore area of this district late last night. Manpreet Singh was leading a patrol party in Mahore last night when his weapon went off accidentally. Singh was seriously injured and died while being shifted to hospital. His body was sent to his house today after completion of legal formalities. Meanwhile, troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Special Task Force (STF) Doda carried out a joint search operation in Bhagwa area of Doda this morning and eliminated a hardcore militant after over one hour long encounter. Army or STF didn’t suffer any casualty in the operation. Slain militant has been identified as Firdous Ahmed, hailing from Kastigarh area of Doda. One AK-56 rifle, three magazines and 90 rounds were recovered from the possession of Firdous Ahmed, who was working as an ‘area commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen for Bhagwa, SSP Doda Ashkoor Wani said. Killing of Firdous Ahmed was a big setback to Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in Doda district, the reports said. Two associates of Firdous reportedly managed to escape during the encounter and were being chased by police. Another militant was killed by army and STF in Marmat area of Doda district last night. Identified as Malik Amzad Hussain son of Malik Mushtaq Hussain, a resident of Rasoolpura, Sialkot, Pakistan, the militant was killed in half an hour long exchange of firing. One AK-47 rifle, three magazines and a wireless set were recovered from the encounter site. Mushtaq was wanted in a series of killings in Doda district. |
|
Pakistan to reciprocate Indian visa gesture ISLAMABAD, July 10: Pakistan today said it would like to reciprocate to India’s visa relaxations ahead of the Agra summit but insisted that the Musharraf-Vajpayee summit should focus on Kashmir and not on "peripheral" issues such as visas. Reacting to India’s visa announcement, Interior Ministry Secretary Tasneem Noorani said here Islamabad would reciprocate if India relaxed visa rules for its nationals. Noorani, however, said Pakistan is interested in discussing Kashmir issue, which is the "core" problem between the two countries and "all the other issues are peripheral". He said the visa issue is not relevant for Pakistan "so if India announced any relaxation we would reciprocate in the same manner". In a path-breaking step ahead of the Agra summit, India had yesterday announced unilateral easing of travel restrictions for Pakistani nationals to visit the country and decided to issue visas at Attari checkpost in Punjab besides Munabao in Rajasthan and designated points along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also directed that the steps regarding visa relaxations be implemented within three months. At present, visas for Pakistani nationals, averaging 350 a day, are being issued at the Indian High Commission here. The Indian announcement was third such measure aimed at introducing Confidence Building Measures between the two countries. Pakistan, however, is yet to come out with a concrete response to the measures. India first announced the release of 229 Pakistani civilian prisoners besides offering scholarships for Pakistani students and a reduction of tariffs on 50 products. Islamabad responded by releasing globetrotting Indian cyclist Vikas Singh, arrested for entering the country without a visa. But Pakistan’s new trade policy, announced yesterday, made no reference to India. The Indian proposal to send Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to Islamabad to discuss security and nuclear related issues was accorded a cold response here, with officials saying that such issues could be discussed at the summit or after it. (PTI) |
|
|
MUZAFFARABAD, PAKISTAN, July 10: cTop leaders of Islamic militant groups today vowed to intensify fighting against Indian troops in Kashmir and warned Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf against any compromise on the issue. "Pakistan, India talks are a conspiracy to harm jehad (holy war) for Kashmir," Hafiz Saeed, leader of a key guerrila group, Lashkar-e-Toiba, told his supporters here. "The jehad will continue... Those who will try to stop it, will themselves perish," he said. Leaders of several key rebel groups attended the meeting organised by Lashkar-e-Toiba. The warning came ahead of Pakistan President’s July 14-16 visit to India. (AP) |
|
OIC promises funds for Hurriyat Conference soon NEW DELHI, July 10: The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) has promised financial assistance for "relief and rehabilitation of people" in Jammu and Kashmir, former Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said here today. "Such a financial assistance was our long standing demand and the OIC’s contact group will meet in September this year to finalise the quantam of assistance for people of the State," Mirwaiz told PTI here. He said the Foreign Ministers of OIC, at a recent meeting in Mali, had spoken in favour of such a grant for relief and rehabilitation of people, who have suffered during decade-long violence. The Mirwaiz hoped that the contact group of OIC at its September meeting in New York, will take a favourite decision in this regard. The former Hurriyat chairman said that the amalgam, which enjoys an observer status at OIC, had asked for special quota for Kashmiri students in technical colleges of OIC member countries. "This would help in channelising the talent of the youth of the State," he said. About the overall scenario at the OIC, the Mirwaiz said "almost every country was supportive of our stand for right for self-determination." India has, however, rejected OIC’s right to intervene in the Kashmir issue. The Mirwaiz said the OIC also resolved that some mechanism should be evolved by India and Pakistan for involvement of Kashmiri people in the final resolution of the Kashmir issue. The former Hurriyat chairman also met Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdus Sattar and presented to him the case of the 23-party conglomerate. "The Foreign Minister assured Hurriyat Conference that Islamabad will continue to give moral and political support to the people of Kashmir," Umer said. He claimed the alleged human rights violation in Jammu and Kashmir also figured in the meeting of OIC and all member countries expressed their concern about the issue. OIC had sought permission from the Indian authorities for a visit by its delegation to Kashmir, which was, however, turned down by New Delhi. About the opening of two border posts in Jammu and Kashmir for better visa facilities, the Mirwaiz said "this could be termed as one of the Confidence Building Measures but not a solution to the Kashmir problem." (PTI) |
|
Lashkar militant killed in Kupwara Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, July10: In a joint operation this evening, Special Operations Group (SOG) and security forces eliminated a militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba while as three of his associates are holed up in a fierce gunbattle. Official sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that SOG Kupwara and troops of 14-Rajput raided a militant hideout at Manigah in Kupwara district at 7.50 p.m this evening. Four militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba were trapped under a rock. They engaged troops in a fierce gunbattle while firing dozens of rifle grenades. One militant died and his dead body and weapon were recovered. He was identified as Irshad Bhai of Muzaffarabad, PoK. Reports from Kupwara said that the three holed up militants were making desperate attempts to escape in the barren hilly terrain which has little vegetative cover. Sources said late last night a counter-insurgent source of Army, Muzaffar Ahmed Ganai of Ganasthan, Sumbal, sustained gunshot wounds in his foot when his pistol misfired. The Army source had reportedly consumed charas. Militants fired on a patrol of security forces at Seer in Tral. Nobody was injured. A Jaish-e-Mohammad spokesman has claimed the attack and said that militants of his outfit left three soldiers injured. At Littar, in Pulwama district, militants caused an IED blast late last night. There was no damage. |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, July 10: A police constable Sher Mohd, who was beaten-up by people alongwith one SPO in Narwal late Sunday night, succumbed to his head injuries in KHN hospital late this evening. Sher Mohd was put on artificial respiratory system in the hospital yesterday morning in view of his extremely critical condition. Body of the cop will be handed over to his family in Maheen Charkan, Bari Barahamana, tomorrow after post-mortem. SPO Ashok Kumar, who was also injured in the attack, was responding to treatment. A tailor-master, his wife and another persons had already been arrested by police in connection with the attack. The case of attempt to murder on them now would be converted into murder, police said. |
|
Pilgrim killed, 6 injured in highway mishap Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, July 10: A Vaishnodevi pilgrim from Abohar, Punjab was killed and six others were injured when their TATA Sumo No PB05G skidded off the road at Nanas causeway in Ghagwal area of Hiranagar tonight. A passenger bus No. 754 JK02, to whom the Sumo operator was trying to overtake, also skidded off the road but its passengers survived with minor injuries. One person was killed and six others were injured, a woman critically. All of them were travelling in Sumo and were returning to Abohar after Mata Vaishnodevi pilgrimage. Deceased has been identified as Bhajan Lal of Abohar. A team of doctors headed by CMO Dr Krishna were attending upon the injured in Samba hospital. |
|
|
|
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |
