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Demand for
referendum in J&K rejected NEW DELHI, July 12: External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh today described Kashmir as the "core of Indian nationhood" and rejected outright Pakistan’s demand for a referendum in Jammu and Kashmir. "The question of referendum (in J and K) simply does not arise," he said at a crowded press conference ahead of the Vajpayee-Musharraf summit. Rediculing Pakistan’s demand for self determination he said the UN resolution could not be enforced. He also said India would not propose a "moratorium" on Kashmir to Pakistan as it was not shy of discussing the issue and expressed willingness to discuss the ‘no war pact’ provided it covered proxy war and cross-border terrorism etc. Commenting on Gen Pervez Musharraf’s repeated assertion that Kashmir was the "core issue" the minister said "it is not." "It is at the core of Indian nationhood. Jammu and Kashmir is a part of article one and schedule one of the Indian Constitution. How can I negotiate the Constitution." He said no one had ever questioned the accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India. This was not even raised by the UN. In fact UN Secretary General Kofi Annan also admitted this fact during his recent visit to India. The minister said the Government was not having any set proposals on Jammu and Kashmir for discussions with Pakistan. The issue would be discussed under a composite dialogue on all issues including Jammu and Kashmir, confidence-building measures, Siachen Glacier etc. Referring to the Government’s unilateral confidence-building measures, the minister said it had also proposed to discuss with Pakistan security-related issues—both conventional and nuclear. "We are desirous in engaging Pakistan in developing CBMs in nuclear and conventional fields." While the Directors General of Military Operations could discuss conventional arms issues, experts would examine in totality nuclear issues. Asked if Pakistan expressed helplessness in controlling cross-border terrorism, the minister said the issue would be taken up at the summit so that Pakistan recognised and addressed the issue. There was no reason for India to give up efforts to combat terrorism. "We will continue to combat terrorism as we have been doing. India cannot compromise on cross-border terrorism." On the issue of Prisoners of War, Mr Jaswant Singh said the matter could not be referred to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the Geneva Convention stipulated that the countries should accept the presence of PoWs in its jails. Unfortunately the Government of Pakistan had not confirmed such presence, he added. The issue had been discussed during the Lahore Summit and the two sides had agreed to depute a minister to visit the jails. "It is a humanitarian issue about which we are concerned. We will take up the matter," he added. Singh said "it is our expectation that Pakistan will address itself to the issue of cross-border terrorism. If Pakistan declines, it is no reason why India should give up and compromise on the issue. We are particularly serious about it." He expressed confidence that India and Pakistan would address the "totality of relations" between the two countries at the summit. "There is no element of tension in this regard," he said. The Minister said India was very clear that it favoured a composite dialogue with Pakistan and referred to the eight confidence building measures including on trade issues, Siachen, terrorism, narcotics and Jammu and Kashmir. "This (composite dialogue) has been our priority and it is clear. It is upto Pakistan to have their priority," he said. To a question, Singh said the DGMOs of the two countries would meet after the Agra summit since they did not have enough time to make preparations for their meeting. Asked to comment of the situation along the Line of Control and Siachen, he said the DGMOs would discuss these issues when they meet. Singh dismissed Pakistan’s comments that India’s CBMs, including easing of visa restrictions, were peripheral saying "people cannot be peripheral." He said it was India’s firm view that people of the two neighbouring countries should be encouraged to travel to each other’s country. Singh said Pakistan had accepted the composite dialogue process and it should not be abandoned. He said India has proposed CBMs on both conventional and nuclear warfare, which the DGMOs would discuss. The Minister disagreed with a question on the Government’s stand that it would not talk to Pakistan unless cross-border terrorism was stopped. India had never said it would not talk to Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir. The question of promotion of cross border terrorism and targeting of innocents was part of the Kashmir problem, he said adding "time does not stand still." He said "India has always said the process of dialogue should continue and we believe and will continue to endeavour because for peace there is no other alternative." On the proposed Iran-India gas pipeline, he refuted a suggestion that it was a trilateral issue. It was a bilateral issue between India and Iran and it was not subject to Pakistan’s veto or concurrence. On the possibility of a no-war pact between the two countries, Singh said India had proposed it as early as 1947 and subsequently both the countries had been proposing either a no-war pact or no-aggression pact at various points in time. He said the Prime Minister has said he would not be averse to a no-war pact and indeed would welcome it. But, he said, a no-war pact should be comprehensive to include issues like cross-border terrorism and proxy war. Without these issues, it could not be called comprehensive. Peace is not possible in the face of conflict and war. Asked whether there could be any progress in the summit in view of the position taken by both the countries, he said "I am not at all pessimistic." To another question as to what was the minimum and maximum he expected from the summit, he said it was for the two heads of Government to decide what it should be. Singh also rejected any outside mediation to resolve the bilateral differences between India and Pakistan saying this would run the risk of their agenda being imposed on the two countries. "This will complicate the matter and destabilise rather than solving it." To a question on Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, he said India will not stand in the way of it coming into force. Expanding on India’s approach towards Pakistan, he said it had been its constant endeavour to continue the process of dialogue and reconciliation to ensure lasting peace in the region. The Minister said all due conventions and protocols will be observed during the ceremonial ceremony when Gen Musharraf arrives at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Referring to the summit schedule on Saturday at Agra, Singh said Vajpayee and Musharraf will have a one-to-one meeting before the start of the delegation-level talks. (Agencies) |
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Unified Headquarters
replaced Excelsior Special Correspondent JAMMU, July 13: In a major step to contain Pakistan-sponsored militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Security Council has been constituted which would be headed by Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and will replace Unified Headquarters. Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that Army’s Northern Command chief would be the Advisor of Chief Minister in his new capacity as State Security Council head. Earlier, the Chief Minister had two Advisors—Corps Commander of Jammu and Corps Commander of Srinagar. Principal Secretary Home Mr C Phunsog, Director General of Police (DGP) Mr A K Suri, Chief of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) for J&K will be the members of the State Security Council. Joint Secretary Home in Government of India and Incharge Kashmir Affairs will also be a member of the Council. Governor Mr Girish Chander Saxena would be the special invitee in the Council meeting, the sources said. They said the State Security Council, which has been set up with immediate effect, would be assisted at regional level by a committee known as Intelligence and Operation Group. The Intelligence and Operation Group would be headed in Jammu by Corps Commander with DGP, IGP Jammu, Chief of RAW and IB as its members. Similarly, the Group in Srinagar would be headed by Corps Commander and will have DGP besides IGP Srinagar, Chief of RAW and IB as its members. The State Security Council has been constituted to have effective co-ordination among various security agencies dealing with Pakistan-backed militants in the State, the sources said. The Council will replace Unified Headquarters, whose last meeting was held here this morning. Meanwhile, Unified Headquarters meeting, held at Nagrota, reviewed law and order situation and military civic action projects in the State. Meeting was chaired by Corps Commander of 16 Corps and was attended among others by Principal Secretary Home Mr C Phunsog, DGP Mr A K Suri and senior civil, police and military officers. Besides general review of security scenario, the meeting also deliberated upon the peaceful conduct of ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage. The meeting decided to further intensify the security arrangements for Amarnath pilgrims in view of increased threat perceptions from the militants side. It also reviewed the situation prevailing on Line of Control (LoC), International Border (IB) and general areas of the State. The meeting took some important decisions to contain militants both on the borders and interior areas. A handout said army was organising a number of projects for development and upliftment of Jammu region like making a model village at Palma, a hospital at Gandoh and development of water supply and electrification schemes. |
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People block highway with
dead body Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, July 12: Rashtriya Rifles and Special Task Force (STF) Doda eliminated three militants including two hardcore ultras hailing from Kishtwar in an encounter this morning at Kotla Dhar in Dessa area of Doda district. Meanwhile, people blocked Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Banihal this morning while protesting against the killing of a civilian and injuries to another in yesterday’s encounter between army and militants. Official sources said troops of 10 Rashtriya Rifles and STF Doda sealed Kotla Dhar in Dessa area at 0600 hours today after an information was received about the presence of militants in a forest area. Security personnel continued searches in the forests for about three hours before they established a contact with Lashkar militants and asked them to surrender. The militants fled deep into the forests from where they resorted to heavy volume of firing on approaching columns of RR and STF. Army jawans retaliated and gunned down all three foreign mercenaries after about two hours long exchange of firing. No casualty was reported on security forces side in the operation. Slain militants have been identified as Mohd Yasin son of Mohd Akbar Zargar and Tala Gujjar, both residents of Sigdi, Bhatta in Kishtwar and Abu Hamza, a Pakistani. Three AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 130 rounds, two pouches, batteries and a number of incriminating documents were recovered from the encounter site. Bodies of two local militants were handed over to their families today afternoon. Sources said all three militants were involved in a series of militant activities across Doda district during last about two years. They were wanted to police in the incidents of killings and kidnappings. ‘Killing of three top militants has a big setback to Lashkar outfit’, they said. According to sources, a set of documents recovered from the possession of killed ultras was being de-coded by security forces to get some information. Documents had been written in Urdu using some code words. Meanwhile, a large number of people marched to Chambalwas on Jammu-Srinagar national highway from Ambkoot at 0800 hours today alongwith dead body of Mohd Rafiq and blocked traffic. Rafiq had died in yesterday’s cross-firing between army and militants at Ambkoot in which two militants and a soldier were also killed. DIG Udhampur-Doda, who was camping at Banihal and SP Ramban reached the highway and had negotiations with local people. After about two hours of protest, people lifted the blockade of national highway and buried the body of Rafiq. Another civilian Mohi-ud-Din, who was injured in the encounter, was still admitted in the hospital in serious condition. |
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Fierce fighting in
Manjakot, Mendhar Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, July 12: In a fierce gun-fighting, two militants, two army soldiers and two women (a mother and her daughter) were killed and another civilian was seriously injured in Gambhir Mugalan village in Manjakot area last night. Another fierce encounter led to the killing of three militant in Mogiban area of Mendhar this evening. Official sources said a patrol party of army was fired upon by the militants in Gambhir Mugalan at 2000 hours last night. Militants attacked army team soon after it came out of their picket for night patrolling. The attack was launched from a hill. Army jawans fired back. A heavy exchange of firing started between both the sides. Enforcement of army and police also rushed to the scene of encounter. Heavy firing continued till 2230 hours in which two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit were gunned down. Two army jawans also sacrificed their lives while fighting bravely with the militants. Reports said that a shell also fell in a house during cross-firing leading to death of a woman and her daughter. However, official sources denied that that women were killed in the exchange of firing. They said the women got killed when they walked over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted by the militants about two kms away from the encounter site. Deceased women have been identified as Raseela Begum wife of Mohd Azam and her minor daughter Rabia Kousar. A civilian, who was injured in the firing, has been identified as Mohd Amin son of Bagga, a resident of Gambhir Mugalan. He has been admitted in the district hospital. Raseela Begum happened to be the daughter-in-law of Ahmed Din, a BJP district president, who was shot dead by the militants last year. Two army jawans killed in the operation were identified as Rifleman Manoj Singh and Rifleman Vikas Singh. Slain militants included Abu Hafiz Sajjad and Bahadur Khan, both hailing from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Sajjad was affiliated with Jaish and Bahadur with Hizbul outfit. Two AK rifles, three hand grenades, one radio set and three pouches were recovered from the possession of slain militants. Meanwhile, a large number of people including women and children gathered at Manjakot at 0800 hours today and held a massive demonstration against the killings of a woman and her minor daughter. Mob shouted slogans against security forces alleging that a shell fired by them on civilians’ houses resulted into the killings of civilians. People blocked road for more than three hours. Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Asfandyar Khan, MLA M S Tariq, SP Rajesh Kumar and DySP rushed to Manjakot and persuaded people to lift their dharna. Later, bodies of woman-daughter were buried by the people amidst tension in Gambhir Mugalan. Authorities assured full compensation to the kins of woman-daughter. SHO Manjakot Mohd Yusuf Chowdhary was asked by the authorities to hold an inquiry into the killings. Another encounter took place between security forces and militants at village Saloni in Mogiban area of Mendhar tehsil this evening. One of the slain militant has been identified as Abu Bilia while identity of two other militants couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Two AK-47 rifles with two magazines and one pistol was recovered from their possession. Last night, militants fired rockets on a police picket at Chowdhary Narh, near here. Police jawans retaliated and repulsed the militants’ attack. No casualty was reported on either side in the exchange of firing that lasted about one hour. DySP Headquarters reached Chowdhary Narh alongwith additional force to launch a search operation against the militants. However, they remained untraced. |
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3 militants, 3
soldiers, 2 civilians killed in Valley Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, July 12: Even as militants killed a shopkeeper in Baramulla and a woman died in a grenade attack at Maisuma, security forces foiled a major infiltration bid in Tulel sector, killing at least two militants. Three soldiers, including a Lieutenant, also died in the encounter. Defence sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that troops of 2-Dogra intercepted a fresh group of infiltrating militants at Hanjikoot, in Tulel sector, close to LoC. Fierce exchange of gunfire took place and at least two militants died on spot. Over a dozen militants managed to escape, while killing three soldiers. They were identified as Lt Ashok Kumar, naib subedar Kishori Lal and lance naik Satish Kumar. Even after suffering damage, troops expanded the combing operation in a vast area. Unconfirmed reports, late tonight, said that four militants and four Army personnel, including a Major, died in the clash. Sources said that troops and SOG Kupwara eliminated a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant, Abu Zakaria, in an encounter at Batapora, Haihama, in Kupwara district. Late this evening, unidentified gunmen appeared at Azad Gunj locality of Baramulla town and shot dead a former militant, Rafeeq Ahmed Sofi S/o Ali Mohammad Sofi, who was now working as a shopkeeper. Officials said that he had links with security forces. An unidentified dead body was fished out from Jhelum river at Boniyar, in Baramulla-Uri area. This evening, a grenade exploded in the hand of a counter-insurgent, Javed Ahmed Teli S/o Abdur Rehman Teli of Pattan, at Parimpora outskirts of the capital city. With critical injuries, he was rushed to hospital. A woman, namely Jana wife of Khizar Mohammad, who had sustained critical injuries in a rifle grenade blast at Maisuma last evening, succumbed today. She had sustained injuries, alongwith another woman, Aisha, when militants fired a rifle grenade in Maisuma which hit residential house of one Mohammad Ashraf Khan. In an explosion at Eidgah, Bandipore, four BSF 20 Bn personnel sustained injuries today. Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen has reportedly claimed responsibility. |
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Kashmiris want exit
from violence; but they don’t believe India, Pak
rulers From Ahmed Ali Fayaz SRINAGAR, July 12: This time round there is no manifestation of mass enthusiasm vis-a-vis Indo-Pak bonhomie in the Valley. And there are reasons behind this atmosphere of scepticism. Kashmiris have seen the two hostile nations coming closer and, within days, the fabric of understanding tearing apart—often disastrously. "The Kashmir issue is jinxed from day one. Pakistan botched up the solution when even a Plebiscite Commissioner had been appointed for Kashmir in 1957. Nehru died when Sheikh Abdullah was on a significant mission in Pakistan. Shastri became casualty during Tashkent summit. And, this same General Musharraf destroyed the Lahore spirit with his Kargil expedition in 1999. The euphoria has always been short-lived", says Basharat, a Kashmir University research scholar. Kargil, in fact, has been the last blow. Quite a number of Srinagar shopkeepers sounded apprehensive of "something worse". "There are vested interests in both countries. Politicians, bureaucrats, so-called human rights activists, self-styled conflict managers and even Media have been thriving on Kashmir’s turmoil and blood. Vajpayee has, till date, prevailed upon Shiv Sena and RSS. General Musharraf is a promising, intelligent ruler. But, it has to be seen how far he squeezes the Jehadis in his own country", remarked a well-educated retailer in Lalchowk. "Rest assure, there will a big massacre in Kashmir or Jammu even during the summit", he added with a degree of cynicism. Yet another cautioned that war would be imminent if the talks failed. Even Head of the Sociology Department at Kashmir University, Dr Bashir Ahmed Dabla, asserted that Kashmiris were apprehensive of a terrible follow up. "People are decidedly for an exit (from violence) but they feel that failure of talks could be disastrous for not only Kashmir but the entire sub-continent", said he. He pointed out that the current peace process was happening at a time when Pakistan-sponsored militants’ subversive activities as well as the counter-insurgency operations of Indian security forces were at its peak. Dr Dabla suggested that there was tremendous enthusiasm among Kashmiris vis-a-vis Musharraf’s visit but nobody was optimistic of a real breakthrough. He did not agree with some politicians’ nihilism that Indo-Pakistan dialogue has invariably failed in the past. "It’s first time that talks are being held in the backdrop of 12-year-long turbulence. Any comparison will be misplaced", he asserted. KU’s HoD Political Science, Dr Noor Ahmed Baba, however, said that even a breakthrough in the fields of trade and culture could augur well for the political dimension of the vexed Kashmir dispute. Nevertheless, he has his own apprehensions. "Musharraf has responded to the Indian invitation at a time when had been expressing himself as receptive to reason and rationale. Every other day, he was heard saying that he was ready to talk to India anywhere, anytime", Dr Baba said and observed that until both the countries compromised their respective divergent stance on Kashmir, mere talks would yield nothing. He is still optimistic that, in spite of all differences on Kashmir, Vajpayee and Musharraf would agree on a host of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). Salah-ud-din’s announcement of the termination of Hizbul Mujahideen’s cease-fire, within a fortnight from Pakistani soil last year these days, is another dampener. Kashmiris are witnessing the Agra Summit amid Lashkar-e-Toiba’s threat that it would ensure failure of Indo-Pak friendship. Earlier, from November to May, there was also no positive response to India’s unilateral cease-fire from the Jehadi camp. An average Kashmiri is dreaming of peace today but he feels that neither India nor Pakistan was sincere in the new initiative. "They (India and Pakistan) are playing a political chess and America is the umpire", remarked Nisar Ahmed, a carpet exporter who has visited Pakistan twice in the last 10 years. He still added that opening of Srinagar-Rawalpindi Road would mean "90% solution of the Kashmir problem". Virulent propaganda, he said, was "90% responsible for the Kashmir trouble". "Kashmiris have great dreams about the life and system in Pakistan. Their eyes will open in a day if they visit that country. All the militants from Pakistan come with one-odd anguish: That nobody is allowed in Kashmir to perform Namaz at a mosque. Let them all come and open their eyes", said he. But editor of leading Urdu daily, Srinagar Times, Sofi Ghulam Mohammad is optimistic of a positive outcome even at this embryonic stage of the peace process. He insisted that there was "silent enthusiasm" among all Kashmiris and Vajpayee’s indication of opening Srinagar-Rawalpindi Road had sent a wave of relief and joy throughout the two parts of Jammu & Kashmir on either side of LoC. "For Kashmiris, it is all incredible. A Large number of people do ask me whether Vajpayee would really mean it. They ask me why Musharraf does not reciprocate immediately", said Sofi, who has visited Pakistan and Pak-administered Kashmir three times. "Ground realities in India and Pakistan are changing fast. Both the heads of Governments are under severe home compulsions to wriggle out of the Kashmir tangle. I have personally observed that average Pakistani is tired of Kashmir. Yesterday, he had one refrain: Kashmir banega Pakistan. Today, he is talking of trade and development" Sofi added while making point that by dishing out his CBMs Vajpayee had played "to the gallery of the people of Pakistan" and thus Musharraf was "bound to reciprocate more". 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Accused reveals name
of 3 PC activists Excelsior Special Correspondent BUDGAM, July 12: Budgam District Police today claimed to have solved the June 8 grenade blast of Chrar-e-Sharif in which seven devotees had died and 40 others sustained injuries at the shrine of the 14th century saint, Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani. Two main accused in Police custody revealed the names of three prominant activists of Mr Abdul Gani Lone’s Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) and claimed that they had masterminded and directed the grenade attack on Station House Officer (SHO) Chrar-e-Sharif, Imtiyaz Ahmed Dar. DIG Srinagar-Budgam K Rajendra revealed at a Press conference that Budgam Police had achieved breakthrough in the Chrar-e-Sharif blast and arrested two main accused in the matter. He said that a special team, led by SP Budgam Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari, had almost completed the investigation and established that the main target of the grenade attack, on June 8 last at Chrar-e-Sharif shrine premises, was Inspector Imtiyaz Ahmed Dar. He said that three PC leaders had engineered the attack, given a hand grenade to one Shahnawaz Ahmed Dar alias Nuna Dob who passed it over to fellow villager, Shahnaz Hussain Baba alias Naza Mokur. Shahnaz, he said, hurled the grenade on a crowd of devotees in which SHO Imtiyaz Ahmed Dar was also present. In all, seven devotees got killed and 40 others sustained splinter injuries in the blast which took place on Friday following Prophet Mohammad’s birth anniversary. A congregation of 10,000 devotees were preparing for Friday afternoon prayers when the blast occurred and a section of Chrar-e-Sharif residents put the blame on Police. They attacked two visiting ministers and senior officials while claiming that they had seized the bullet-proof jacket of a Police man who, according to them, had received the grenade from SHO Chrar and thrown it on the assembly of devotees. While as Police registered an FIR and detained senior PC leader Dr Ghulam Mohammad Hubbi under Public Safety Act, Divisional Commissioner Khursheed Ahmed Ganai directed DC Budgam Rohit Kansal to conduct an inquiry. There was, however, no Government order for a judicial or executive inquiry. Pending DC’s inquiry, Police proceeded in the matter and arrested both Shahnawaz Ahmed Dar and Shahnaz Hussain Baba of Chrar-e-Sharif. Rajendra asserted that other accused in the case would be rounded up soon and the matter would be pushed to its logical conclusion. He claimed that Shahnaz Baba __ who was involved in the rape and murder of a woman namely Khati and had been recently released from Central Jail Srinagar __ had lobbed the grenade for a sum of Rs 500. Asked whose BP jacket people had seized on spot, DIG Rajendra revealed that he was Sub Inspector Mohammad Amin of Police Station Rajpora (Pulwama) who had gone to the shrine to pay his obeisance. Rajendra described the Hurriyat furore over the blast as a drama and unsuccessful attempt to cover up the criminals. He produced both the youths before media and televsion cameras who revealed a harrowing account of the incident. Shahnawaz Ahmed Dar said that he was doing graduation in Amar Singh College and he was a friend and old class fellow of Dr Hubbi’s son. "Mukhdoomi met me at Dr Hubbi’s Jawahar Nagar house and said that he would give me something which was to be passed over to Shahnaz Hussain Baba. On Thursday evening, I received a grenade from Makhdoomi and handed it over to Shahnaz. I also received Rs 500 from Gulzar and was promised next instalment of Rs 3000 after the blast", he said and claimed that, as per the orders of the three PC leaders, Shahnaz tossed the grenade towards the SHO. Shahnawaz Dar, however, pleaded that he acted under threat as the PC leaders, according to him, had threatened "elimination of my entire family" in case I failed to carry out the plan. Shahnaz Baba admitted that he received and lobbed the grenade. Both of them revealed that immediately after the blast, they intermingled with the demonstration and shouted slogans against Police. Thereafter, they spent a night at Chrar, another in Pulwama and two nights at Dr Hubbi’s Srinagar house. Shahnawaz Dar said that he ultimately went to SP Budgam and revealed to him in detail how the blast had occurred. He asked him to meet SHO Chrar who effected the arrest of Shanaz Dar. Meanwhile, Budgam Police also claimed to have solved the murder case of a school teacher, Mohammad Amin Dar of Badipora, Chadoura. DIG Srinagar and SP Budgam disclosed at the Press conference that two accused in the case, namely Abdul Ahad Bhat alias Sarwar of Sholipora Budgam and Mohammad Latif Rather of Badipora, have been arrested. They said that the third accused Akbar Katari alias Waseem Salfi of Raiyar, upper Budgam, had already been eliminated by security forces in an encounter at Chanagund while as the fourth accused, Abdur Rehman Wagay alias Badshah Khan of Sanzipora Budgam, was still at large. They claimed that he was an active militant of Hizbul Mujahideen. |
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Threat of fidayeen attack on Vajpayee, Musharraf NEW DELHI, July 12: The Delhi Police have received intelligence inputs of possible attacks by suicide squads (fidayeen) of various terrorist groups on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf to disrupt the historic Indo-Pak summit. Special Commissioner of Police (Security) R S Gupta told reporters today that the inputs came from various intelligence agencies ever since General Musharraf’s visit was finalised in May. "We have been receiving intelligence reports, for the past two months, of fidayeen-type attacks against the Prime Minister, other VVIPs and certain strategic installations. But after Gen Musharraf’s programme was finalised, we received additional inputs that the mischievous elements were bent on disrupting the summit," Mr Gupta said without identifying any specific militant outfit. "Intelligence reports cautioned against high level of threats to the Pakistani President and Indian Prime Minister from terrorist and fundamentalist elements who are not in favour of the summit. This calls for detailed, strong and meticulous security arrangements," he said. However, he exuded confidence that the Delhi Police was well-prepared to provide foolproof security to the foreign dignitary during his 24-hour-long stay in the Capital from Saturday. "We have made all efforts to provide a smooth and safe visit of Gen Musharraf and the force was capable of handling his various programmes without any hitch. The arrangements would be closely supervised by senior officers and nothing has been left to chance," said the official who would personally supervise the security of the Pakistani President and the Prime Minister while in Delhi. Security arrangements had been completed and personnel stationed at all the places Gen Musharraf is scheduled to visit. As per the itinerary, he will be arriving here at the technical area of the Delhi airport at 0820 hrs by the Presidential aircraft on Saturday and will leave for Agra at 0900 hrs on Sunday. During his stay, he would be accorded the salute at the inter-services guard of honour in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan, visit Rajghat, Neharwali Haveli at Daryaganj and the dargah of Hazart Nizamuddin Auliya. Security precautions are also being taken against possible protest demonstrations from Shiv Sena, All India Shia Organisation, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and certain other outfits opposed to the holding of the summit. Keeping in mind the shortage of police personnel, the Delhi Police have received additional forces from the central pool which include the Rapid Action Force, Central Reserve Police Force and other para-military forces. Furnishing details of the security arrangements, Mr Gupta said they would cover all venues of functions, the route and the airport. The arrangements would include deployment of uniformed officials as well as those in mufti, roof-top coverage and area patrolling. The technical teams would sanitise the relevant areas as sharpshooters of the National Security Guard (NSG) and quick response teams of Delhi Police would be deployed at all venues of the President’s engagements. The Delhi Police crack commandos and police control room gypsies would also be suitably inducted into the arrangements. Mounted police and female battalions would also be deployed. Medical and fire-fighting arrangements had also been kept on stand-by and hospitals were on the alert. A complete trial run of the security arrangements was carried out by Delhi Police and other security agencies in the capital today to check the personnel’s alertness. The arrangements by Delhi Police will form part of a multi-layer security planned for the visiting President with the 12,000-strong NSG personnel forming the main line of defence. Terrorist outfits such as the Lashkar-i-Toiba, which struck last year at the Red Fort here, have openly warned General Musharraf against getting too friendly towards New Delhi and said they would intensify attacks in Kashmir and other parts of India. Official sources told UNI that while local police in Delhi, Agra, Ajmer and Jaipur would constitute the outer ring of the President’s security, the NSG would form the second and the most vital ring. The inner line of the General’s security would be the responsibility of his personal security staff who are accompanying him from Islamabad. Backing the security team would be the Intelligence Bureau officials who would collect all possible clues and accordingly suggest improvisation and strengthening of the security net, wherever necessary. A series of meetings have been held between senior officials of various security agencies and intelligence units to work out the finer details. Before today also, several mock exercises had been carried out to ascertain the level of preparedness of the personnel responsible for providing the security from the time the President arrives at the high-security palam technical area close to Indira Gandhi international airport in the Capital on Saturday morning and till he leaves from Jaipur airport on Monday evening. Commandos from the 12,000-strong NSG would use their latest surveillance equipment to pre-empt any terrorist strike or carry out counter-strikes. They would be equipped with the most sophisticated weapons. The Special Protection Group (SPG), besides covering Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, could also be utilised as another security shield for Gen Musharraf. (UNI) |
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India proposes to open
Srinagar-Muzafarrabad, NEW DELHI, July 12: India today proposed opening up of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Jammu-Sialkot routes for easing travel between the two parts of Jammu and Kashmir. External Affairs Minsiter Jaswant Singh said at a press conference here that if these two routes became operational, it would ease problems of lakhs of people on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). Chiding Pakistan for describing these proposals as "peripheral," he said "I cannot subscribe to the theory that these are peripheral issues. For us people cannot be peripheral." India had proposed to open checkposts at the Attari and Munabao entry points for grant of visas. Asked what type of duocuments the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) would be required to carry for travelling to Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister said "they must present valid travel documents." About whether the opening of checkposts along the LoC was a move to legitimise the LoC as the International Border (IB) the Minister said "this was simply to facilitate freer travel for people." (UNI) |
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Jaswant disappointed over invitation to Hurriyat NEW DELHI, July 12: External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh today expressed disappointment over the invitation to Hurriyat Conference leaders for Pakistan High Commissioner’s reception in honour of President Pervez Musharraf but remained non-committal on the question of Ministers and top officials attending it. "Government will observe all due protocol expected for this event," he told a news conference when asked whether Union Ministers would boycott the reception in view of NDA’s decision to stay away. Asked to elaborate what he meant by protocol, Singh shot back "please ask the protocol officer". By extending the invitation to Hurriyat leaders "extraneous elements" were being brought up in the run-up to the Agra summit, he said. He said the Government has made its position clear on the question of Hurriyat leaders meeting Musharraf. "We cannot keep making it clear ad infinitum," he said. India has expressed strong reservations on the planned meeting and has described it as a "non-issue". To a question on the NDA stand of boycotting the reception, he said the NDA leaders took such a stand as the elected representatives of Jammu and Kashmir were not invited. Singh did not agree with a questioner that the controversy generated over the Hurriyat meeting had cast a shadow over the summit. "A shadow has been cast much more by the media," he said, adding "I have never seen any shadow." (PTI) |
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Heavy firing on border; jawan injured Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, July 12: With only two days to go for Vajpayee-Musharraf summit, Pakistan army stepped-up firing on the International Border this morning causing injuries to a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan. Albeit the firing on border has become a ‘routine affair’, last night’s firing in Kanachak sector was ‘intense’. Heavy fire arms were used by Pakistan army in the firing—both at Old and New Kanachak besides adjoining villages. Several bullets hit the houses or fell inside in the forward areas of Kanachak. Police personnel at Kanachak police station said they heard the sound of firing throughout the last night and early today from the building. "Firing was unprecedented and a new phenomenon. Firing of such a heavy magnitude hadn’t been reported from Kanachak during last two months", they said. A BSF jawan Bharat Singh of 121 battalion, who was manning a forward post in Old Kanachak sector, was seriously injured in Pakistani firing. He was immediately evacuated from the firing site by other BSF jawans and shifted to hospital. Reports said the firing was equally repulsed by Indian side at all places in Kanachak sector. No civilian casualty was reported in the firing. Other areas where heavy firing was reported overnight included Budhwar, Zero Point, Kote Kuba, Jabowal, Pindi, Pital Post, Suchetgarh, Kulian, Galar, Faqira Chak, Sangral, Korotona, Khurd, Khatmarian and Abdullian in Jammu district, Regal and Sada Chak in Kathua district. Firing in all these posts was heavy. Both sides used heavy fire arms. However, no casualty or loss of life was reported in these areas in the exchange of firing on either side. BSF sources said they couldn’t understand the sudden step-up of firing on the International Border that too at a time when leaders of both the countries were scheduled to hold peace talks. |
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NEW DELHI, July 12: After a meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Congress tonight announced that it would be attending the tea party being hosted by Pakistan High Commission in honour of President Pervez Musharraf contrary to earlier indications. "We will be attending the tea party but who will be going would be known by tomorrow", senior party leader Pranab Mukherjee told reporters emerging out of Prime Minister’s residence. Mukherjee was part of the five-member Congress delegation led by party president Sonia Gandhi which met Prime Minister Vajpayee about the forthcoming visit of Musharraf and exchanged views on the background and agenda of the summit. Asked if it would be a token representation by the party or else, Mukherjee quipped "what does it mean. Whether all the invitees from the party would be going or else would be known by tomorrow". When it was asked of the Government whether its representatives would be attending the tea party, the Congress delegation was told it will go by the protocol. The Prime Minister was assisted by Home Minister L K Advani, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and Brajesh Mishra, while senior Congress leaders Manmohan Singh, Madhavrao Scindia, Pranab Mukherjee and Natwar Singh accompanied Gandhi. The meeting was part of an exercise by Prime Minister to hold separate talks with leaders of political parties on the forthcoming summit between India and Pakistan before finalising the agenda. He said the party’s decision to attend the tea party has nothing to do with the NDA decision as "we have our independent decision. We never supported that Hurriyat be included in the talks". As far as talks with Pakistan is concerned "we have made it clear that there was no question of third party intervention in the bilateral talks", he said adding the party was ready to hold talks with anybody concerned with Kashmir issue anywhere. "Not only Hurriyat anybody who may be concerned with Kashmir, we are ready to talk anywhere", he said adding "if we are talking to Pakistan on the issue why not with Hurriyat who are Indian citizen". On talks with the Prime Minister, Mukherjee said they (Government) briefed Congress delegation about the background in which the summit was taking place and the outstanding issues, economic, political and nuclear to be discussed. On the specific agenda of the summit, he said, the Government said it would be decided by the two leader, Vajpayee and Musharraf but stated that all the major issues would be taken up during the summit. (PTI) |
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