 |
20
civilians wounded in Bandipore blast From Ahmed Ali Fayaz SRINAGAR, June 14: Immediately after six-month-long unilateral cease-fire, security forces and Police have intensified their pressure on pro-Pakistan militants in Kashmir valley. Booking a number of Hurriyat activists for criminal prosecution and killing a group of six Lashkar-e-Toiba militants inside a mosque at Shangus, Anantnag, are being viewed here as a major shift in the Government’s policy vis-a-vis insurgency. Having launched a major offensive against militants — who enjoyed a field day during the ceasefire — security forces and Police have eliminated over 70 militants in different operations while as the number of civilians, Policemen and security forces personnel killed by militants has dipped fast. Official sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that troops of Border Security Force (BSF) 35 Bn intercepted a group of infiltrators in Chak Wali Gali, in Gurez sector, near Line of Control today. Troops laid the ambush as they were expecting infiltration by a group of Hizbul Mujahideen militants. In the 3-hour-long gunbattle, troops killed five militants of the group while as two to four militants are suspected to have escaped. Identities of the militants killed in the encounter were not available immediately. However, almost all of them are believed to be Kashmiris.Two AK-56 rifles, six Chinese pistols, one UBGL, one RPG and three hand grenades have been recovered from the site of encounter. Sources claimed that BSF did not suffer any damage. Earlier today, on the basis of a specific information, troops of 10-Madras conducted a search operation at Hangarnar, in Kandi area of Kupwara district. During the operation, a fierce encounter took place between a group of militants and security forces in which 5 militants and 2 soldiers got killed. One soldier sustained injuries. One militant has been eliminated in a separate encounter at Ringbala, in Machil area of Kupwara, near LoC. He has been identified as Fayaz Talib of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. Reports from Budgam said that troops of BSF 171 Bn eliminated a Gujjar militant at Chanagund, in the upper Budgam belt of Chadoura. He has been identified as Akbar Kataria S/o Wazir Kataria who was allegedly responsible for several political killings, including the murder of a teacher at in Chadoura area. Reports from Baramulla said that during last night, gunmen barged into the house of a cab driver, Afroz Ahmed Malik S/o Khizar Mohammad Malik, at Warpora, Sopore, and shot him dead. It appeared that militants suspected him as an informer of security forces as some militants had been killed in an encounter by troops recently. In Sopore again, unidentified gunmen fired upon Naseema D/o Mohammad Ramzan Bhat at her village of Tarzoo. She sustained injuries in her legs and was rushed to a hospital. During last night, a farmer namely Sajjad Ahmed Mir S/o Abdul Khaliq Mir of Dangarpora Pattan, sustained a gunshot wound when he was irrigating his land. It was not clear as to who fired. 20 injured in Bandipore blast Informed sources in north Kashmir said that militants lobbed a hand grenade at the crowded old Bus-stand, at Bandipora this afternoon. It exploded on road and as many as 20 civilians sustained splinter injuries. Twelve of them were rushed to three Srinagar hospitals. Three civilians, injured critically in the blast and admitted at a hospital here, have been identified as Ayyaz Ahmed Mir S/o Assadullah Mir R/o Quil Muqam, Khizar Mohammad S/o Abdul Jabbar R/o Ward No: 2 Bandipore and Mushtaq Ahmed S/o Sona-ullah R/o Malangam. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the blast. IED-laiden auto seized Here in the capital city, Police claimed to have seized three-wheeler, No: JK01E-6081, which had been parked near Broadview Hotel, 100 metres from Civil Secretariat, in Shaheed Gunj locality. Its driver, Abur Rauf Shah S/o Abdus Samad Shah of Bemina colony told Police that an unidentified person had boarded the auto at Municipality gate and asked him to drive towards Broadway Hotel. However, at Neelam Cinema chowk, the auto was diverted towards Broadview Hotel and the stranger went in. He did not return. Two IEDs, weighing one Kg each, were claimed to have been recovered from the three-wheeler. Police claimed that militants seemed to be planning a strike in close vicinity of the Civil Secretariat. Late this evening, militants fired a rifle grenade on the Transit Camp of 31 Sub Area in Batwara area, near headquarters of Army’s 15 Corps. It exploded on the convoy ground but failed to cause any damage. |
|
Ten AK rifles, other arms
seized Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, June 14: Nine militants including eight foreign mercenaries of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit were gunned down by army in two separate operations across this border district today. A Lance Naik was also killed in the operation. Official sources said eight dreaded militants, all of them being foreign mercenaries from Pakistan and Afghanistan, were shot dead after a two hour long encounter by army and police jawans in Shahpur area of Budhal late this evening. A hideout of the militants, where they had taken shelter since last evening, was stormed by troops of Budhal Brigade and Rajouri police at 1900 hours this evening after confirming a tip off given by local people about militants’ presence. The raid took militants by surprise and they opened heavy firing in confusion in a bid to escape. Troops retaliated and eliminated all eight militants in the hideout by 2100 hours. Lance Naik Lakhbir Singh laid down his life in the operation. Troops had recovered dead bodies of all eight militants. All of them were foreign mercenaries from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Nine AK-56 rifles with ammunition were recovered from the hideout, where the militants were gunned down by army jawans. Besides arms and ammunition, two letter pads and literature of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit were also recovered from the spot. Slain militants were later identified as Abu Jindal, Abu Bakar, Abu Dunjana, Abu Makaj, Abu Harera, Abu Aftab, Abu Bakri and Abu Lohar. Jindal was a ‘district commander’ of LeT. Sources said army continued massive searches in Shahpur and adjoining Kangota forests following reports that some more militants were hiding there. Searches were expected to be intensified tomorrow morning for the remaining foreign mercenaries. Police party in the operation was supervised by DIG Rajouri-Poonch SS Bijral. Killing of eight militants in a single operation was a biggest achievement of Budhal Brigade in the current month. Killings have delivered a major setback to Lashkar outfit in Budhal belt, the sources said. Another encounter took place between army and militants at village Sarola in Gambhir area of Manjakot this morning in which one ultra was eliminated. He couldn’t be identified. One AK rifle, three magazines, one wireless set and a pouch were recovered from the possession of slain ultra, who was suspected to have his affiliation with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. According to sources, troops across the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri have intensified their operations after the withdrawal of cease-fire last month. On an average five to six militants were being killed daily by army. Sources said local police and Special Operations Group (SOG) were actively assisting army in all the operations. A number of successful operations had, infact, been carried out on the information of police. |
|
RR jawan dies in Doda, 2
houses burnt Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, June 14: A hardcore foreign mercenary, Qari Hamzala and one army jawan were killed while another soldier was seriously injured in a fierce nine hour long encounter at Duberna in hilly Marwah area of Kishtwar tehsil in Doda district this morning. Two residential quarters of civilians were burnt in the exchange of firing. Official sources told EXCELSIOR here on telephone from Doda that troops of 11 Rashtriya Rifles, assisted by Special Task Force (STF) Kishtwar, started a search operation in Duberna forests of Marwah at about 1500 hours yesterday after getting a tip off about Hamzla’s presence in the area. Hamzala, a Pakistani, was operating in Marwah for last more than five years and was involved in a series of subversive activities. He was on hit list of security forces for the past quite sometime. Sources said Qari Hamzala and his associates deserted the forest area and forcibly entered into people’s houses after seeing the approaching columns of Rashtriya Rifles and STF. This he did to ensure his escape as troops were not expected to open firing on civilians that could have resulted into casualties. Army and police continued a cordon around the village and by 2300 hours succeeded in evacuating civilians from two houses of Mohd Sultan and Ali Malik where Hamzla and his associates were hiding. Later, a fierce exchange of gun-fighting started between the two sides. At 0000 hours, army and STF jawans succeeded in eliminating Qari Hamzala, one of the most wanted militant in Doda district. Seeing their ‘commander’ dead, two body-guards of Hamzla fled away from the houses taking cover of darkness. An army jawan of 11 Rashtriya Rifles identified as Manzoor Ahmed, who was seriously injured in the encounter, died on way to hospital. Another jawan Tantar Singh was wounded and has been hospitalised. Two houses of Mohd Sultan and Ali Malik, where the militants had taken shelter, were extensively damaged in the exchange of firing. However, the house inmates survived unhurt as they had been evicted successfully by army personnel. One AK-56 rifle with two magazines, one wireless set and a hand grenade were recovered from the possession of Hamzala, who was working as a ‘company commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in Marwah, wanted in a series of killings, kidnappings, activities of extortions and attacks on security forces. Killing of Hamzala was a big blow to Hizbul outfit in Doda, the sources said. Meanwhile, a patrol party of army and STF was ambushed by the militants at village Panchi in Prem Nagar area of Thathri in Doda district this morning. Militants opened firing and launched grenade attacks on the patrol party, which retaliated. Security jawans repulsed the militants attack. Numbering between four to six, the militants fled away leaving behind one hand grenade and one magazine of AK-56, which was recovered by police. |
|
HM ultra’s wife being
arrested Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, June 14: Allegations of rape levelled by two women against a DySP and a police constable at village Khaner in Basantgarh area have been found ‘totally baseless’ by the doctors, who conducted medical examination of the women. Police investigations, meanwhile, revealed that rape charges were levelled by women at the behest of a known Hizbul Mujahideen militant Mohd Khalik to defame and demoralise DySP S K Pathak and his team, which had been doing a commendable job in Basantgarh area against the militants. A police spokesman told EXCELSIOR that one of the woman Sajjad Begum, who alleged that she was raped, was none other than the wife of Mohd Khalik, an ‘area commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. Khalik had joined the ranks of Hizbul Mujahideen in October 1999 and was operating in Basantgarh, Gool and Gulabgarh areas of Udhampur district. The spokesman said it was Khalik at whose behest his wife Sajjad Begum and another woman Saira Begum wife of Mohd Sadiq levelled the allegations of rape against DySP and a police constable while appearing before Tehsildar Ramnagar S K Kapoor yesterday. However, the Tehsildar took no chance and immediately referred both the women to sub district hospital in Ramnagar for medical examination. Medical examination of the women confirmed that they didn’t had sex for last about one week. Medical report was scheduled to be submitted to SHO Ramnagar police station G N Mir tomorrow morning by hospital authorities. One of the doctor, however, confirmed to EXCELSIOR correspondent on telephone in Udhampur that women hadn’t been raped. The police spokesman said the allegation emanated from the fact that DySP Pathak alongwith his team had virtually cleared Basantgarh area of the militants during last two-three months. No militancy-related incidents was reported from the area in the recent time. Few days back, Basantgarh police had hired the house of one Tirath Ram in Khaner village for setting up a picket of STF there to further check the militant activities. This panicked a group of militants supporters and they got the house burnt before STF jawans could shift there. According to spokesman, the people were called by police for questioning in connection with the burning of house. To demoralise the force, the women alleged rape by cops after their questioning. He said police was planning to register a case against both women after medical report is officially available with the police. Another case was expected to be registered in the burning of house. |
|
Govt to involve NGOs in rehabilitating militancy victims Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 14 : The Jammu and Kashmir Council for Rehabilitation of Militancy Victims will be broad-based to ensure participation of NGOs, social activists and philanthropists in its functioning. A mechanism for the purpose will be evolved shortly with a view to intensify the activities of the council. This was stated by the Chief Secretary, Mr. Ashok Jaitly while addressing the valedictory session of the 3-day workshop on rehabilitation of people with psychological disorders in J&K State, here last evening. The workshop, first of its kind in the State, was organized by the Rehabilitation Council in collaboration with Social and Preventive Medicine Department, Government Medical College, Srinagar. A large number of psychologists, psychiatrists, representatives of NGOs, medicos, ICDS functionaries, social activists and senior officers participated in the deliberations. These included 11 experts in trauma stress management from AIIMS, PGI, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. The Chief Secretary emphasised that the council should be a focal point in rehabilitation of militancy victims. He asked the council to prepare project report for setting up at least one special school for orphans and psychologically disturbed and handicapped children in the State. He said, if required, funds could be arranged even from outside the country institutions like UNICEF and World Bank for this humanitarian cause. He directed the Health Department to formulate projects for seeking support from funding agencies. Mr. Jaitly announced that district level facilities will be created for psychiatric disease management. He called upon the NGOs and students to create awareness among the people about preventive and curative aspects of mental disorders as they can do a lot in this critical area. Referring to the plan of action drawn up during the workshop, the Chief Secretary assured all possible support of the State government to put it into action despite resource constraints. He said funds will be mobilized and made available for early implementation of the draft action plan in the State with focus in the Valley as entire population has been affected, including the migrants, who had to leave their homes and hearths during the last 12 years of militancy. The Chief Secretary underlined the role of electronic and print media, particularly the local press, in creating awareness about social and human problems. He said while the fourth estate is welcome to criticise us on any account but at least it should come up in a big way to help creating awareness and supplement the efforts of the people and government initiated in this direction. Mr. Jaitly asked the doctors to shun the tendency of serving in urban centres only, saying that they should go to the rural and far-flung areas where their services are required the most. He reminded of the oath they had taken at the time of entering this noble profession and appealed them to help the suffering humanity with a missionary zeal. He said it is very difficult to understand and calculate the trauma the people have undergone and the social fabric disturbed, which requires a lot of research work to quantify it. He said the health care aspect of psychological disorders can be curable, but not the damage caused to the social fabric, adding that society as a whole, has to address this problem. Appreciating the council for taking the initiative to organize an important and well-attended workshop, the Chief Secretary said that opportunity has come for all of us, particularly our youth, to do something for the affected people. Psychological disorders are a human problem in any society indeed, but in our case it has another dimension of violence and militancy, he added. He dwelt on sociological aspects of it and said Jammu and Kashmir was a peaceful State with lowest crime rate and to restore its past glory, everyone of us has to contribute and help the traumatized section of the people. The Executive Director, State Rehabilitation Council, Dr. G. M. Untoo gave a resume of the aims and objects of organizing the workshop and subjects covered during its working sessions. Dr. Manju Mehta, Ms Mahanooryar Khan, Ms Alka Nizami and Mr. A. R. Hanjoor, leading experts in the field, also expressed their views on the occasion. The Principal Secretary, Social Welfare, Mr. N. R. Gupta was also present at the function. |
|
Pant welcomes all peace initiatives on Kashmir NEW DELHI, June 14: Centre’s interlocutor on Kashmir K C Pant today said all positive initiatives towards resolving the Kashmir problem were "welcome" and hoped that the peace process of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would lead to lasting peace in the region. Pant was replying to questions from reporters about the recent steps taken by Pakistan which were indicative of softening of its stand. "I welcome all such steps which are aimed at finding a lasting solution to Kashmir problem," Pant told reporters after meeting CPI leader A B Bardhan. Pant has been holding series of meeting with leaders of political parties in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to brief them about his recent visit to the State besides discussing the Kashmir problem with them. "I have briefed him about the development in dialogue process and also on the feelings of the cross section of people whom I met during my stay in the State," Pant said. Emerging after the 45-minute long meeting, Bardhan told reporters that his party was extending all support to the peace initiative in Kashmir. Asked about the forthcoming visit of Pakistani military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf and his summit talks with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Bardhan said "I am optimistic about the parleys and the best outcome of the talks would be if the doors for further dialogue between the two countries were opened." However, Bardhan made it clear that solution to the Kashmir issue should not be expected overnight. When asked about media reports that CPI supported Pakistan’s claim that Kashmir was a dispute between the two countries, Bardhan said "we have clarified yesterday only. If any newspaper decides to misquote me, I cannot help it." Pant also met Abani Roy of RSP yesterday in the same connection. Earlier, Pant held a series of meetings with Raghuvansh Prasad, leader of Rashtriya Janata Dal in Lok Sabha, and apprised him of the situation in the State. He also met Chandra Vijay Singh of Loktantrik Congress Party and Capt Jain Narain Nishad of Lok Jan Shakti. Earlier this week, the Government interlocutor had met a Congress delegation. (PTI) |
|
‘Pak must
reciprocate Kashmiri’s act’ Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 14: Blasted over his "irresolute assertions" in a section of media, senior Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, today clarified that he had lambasted militants over their anti-India rhetoric well before General Pervez Musharraf did last week. Former Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, known for his staunch pro-Pakistan stance, claimed in a Press release that he had silenced a youngman two years when he had shouted the slogan : Burn India, Burn India", at a public meeting in Sopore. According to an interview carried by Pakistani magazine "Newsline", Geelani has lately said that Kashmiris were not in war with India. His purported assertion was that India as a nation was not the Kashmiris’ enemy. Some newspapers scolded Geelani over the statement and described his "fluctuating stand" as "sheer political hypocricy". An editorial alleged that Geelani’s turnaround was only to appease Gen Musharraf in consonance with the latter’s snub on Jehadi groups and India-bashers in Pakistan Geelani sought to clarify that he had given the interview to the Pakistani magazine two months before Gen Musharraf’s statement. He described it as a "handiwork of Indian intelligence agencies" that his statement was being blown out of text. He argued that Kashmiris’ support to foreign militants was justified even by Indian standards as it was this country which had exported guerrillas to East Pakistan in 1971. Meanwhile, according to a Hurriyat Press release, Geelani visited several localities in Tral area and convinced his audiences that Indo-Pakistan talks on Kashmir were futile untill Kashmiris were associated with the peace process. As per the statement, Geelani was pessimistic as the Kashmir dispute had been placed in a long list of eight points in the Indian agenda of talks with the Pakistani head of the Government. In his speeches, Geelani underscored that Kashmiri leadership had always stressed on Pakistan’s involvement with the talks on Kashmir. "It’s now Pakistan’s turn to reciprocate the act", he said while emphasising that seeking an unrealistic solution could prove counterproductive to both the countries. Close on the heels of the Hurriyat announcement that the separatist conglomerate would suspend its struggle in the backdrop of Vajpayee-Musharraf talks, Geelani has called for "protest demonstrations" against security forces in Kashmir valley on Friday. Meanwhile, vice chairman of Islamic Students League, Jamil Ahmed War, was arrested by Police alongwith five other party colleagues when they were in a meeting at Hotel Standard, Amirakadal, late tonight. A Police official said that the separatist activists and "criminal elements" would be tackled with an iron hand and nobody would be allowed to disrupt peace in Kashmir. |
|
Intellectuals, politicians suggest ‘soft’ LoC NEW DELHI, June 14: As all eyes are focussed on the coming Indo-Pak summit, some intellectuals and politicians here today suggested that the Line of Control (LoC) be converted into a "soft border", even as diverse views were expressed on the real cause of the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. Participating in a discussion organised by the Indian Council of Social Science and Research (ICSSR), they said people of the State should be given a fair chance to elect their representatives as "almost all the previous elections have been rigged." "There has been political blackmail of the people by the ruling cliques sponsored and imposed by the masters sitting in the North and the south Block," said Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party president Bhim Singh. Stating that the electoral process in the State had always remained under the shadow of the power that be in Delhi, he said "there is urgent need for holding free and fair polls for the State assembly under the independent and international observers." He also advocated "soft border" policy to allow "peaceful movement of people of Jammu and Kashmir across the LoC to other part of the State." Former bureaucrat S Chatwal endorsed the view and suggested that a bus service be started between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad (capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). Stating that Jammu and Kashmir had never had good governance since 1947 and "Kashmiris were never allowed to be part of India," he said the issue could be resolved only if both New Delhi and Islamabad were sincere. Former Secretary in the Jammu and Kashmir Government Mehmood-ur Rehman said the State had fallen "victim to an international conspiracy." Supporting the "soft border" policy, he said "there have to be adjustments here and there but no compromise on the geographical configuration." On the references to plebiscite, he said it was a "farce" in terms of legality. He also denied that all elections in the State had been rigged or the Central funds had been misused. (PTI) |
|
Probe holds Dipendra ‘solely’ responsible for massacre KATHMANDU, June 14: The official probe into Nepal’s palace massacre tonight held an intoxicated crown prince Dipendra "solely" responsible for the killing of king Birendra, queen Aishwariya and seven other royals and said he spoke to his girlfriend Devyani Rana thrice on mobile phone shortly before the shooting spree. The two-member probe panel set up by king Gyanendra, in its report made public, said a "drunk" Dipendra in army fatigues fired indiscriminately at the royal family members who were relaxing in the billiard room of Narayanhiti palace after dinner on June 1, echoing the eyewitness and other accounts which most Nepalese refuse to buy. The panel, headed by Chief Justice Keshab Prasad Upadhyaya, did not say whether Dipendra, who later died in hospital, had shot himself as claimed by an eyewitness and some royal relatives. The report, released by Parliament Speaker Taranath Ranabhat, a member of the panel, at a televised press conference, said Dipendra shot his father king Birendra first, then his mother followed by the other royals. Coming in the backdrop of heightened security across Nepal rocked by widespread violence in the wake of the massacre, the report said Dipendra had "consumed alcohol and smoked cigarettes laced with opium before he walked into the billiard room and gunned the royals." Before carrying out the killings, Dipendra had made three calls from his mobile telephone to Devyani whom he wanted to marry but his mother was said to be opposed to it. In his last call to Devyani, Dipendra told her "I am now about to sleep. Good night. We will talk tomorrow." The weapons used by Dipendra including a nine mm sub-machine gun, a 12 bore French gun, 5.56 calibre rifle were displayed at the press conference attended by nearly 300 local and foreign journalists. The report did not give indication to the motive behind the killings. The 200-page report said Devyani in her telephonic tape-recorded interview to Nepal’s envoy to India B B Thapa spoke of "a close relationship with Dipendra." The taped conservation was used as evidence by the panel. Her parents told the committee that there was contact between Dipendra and Devyani. However, Devyani, in her twenties, refused to disclose the details of her conversation with Dipendra saying that "they were matters concerning her personal affair and she did not want to say anything about them," it said. The report said during the visit of the site, the team found brain tissues, a few teeth and jaws, red ‘tika’, two ear pins, broken pieces of red glass bangles and blood stains to be scattered here and there at the place where the queen was shot. It said that no cartridge cases were found at the massacre site other than those used by Dipendra. Giving details of the report, Ranabhat said that the crown prince came for the traditional Friday night dinner at 1930 hours after drinking his "favourite Grouse whiskey". He then asked an aide for cigarettes laced with opium and an unidentified black substance. He was intoxicated, swaying from side to side and was taken to his quarters in the palace in a drunken state by his bodyguard, his brother Nirajan, prince Paras and another relative, he said. Dipendra then made a call on his mobile phone to Devyani in Kathmandu. She, in turn within minutes, telephoned some aides of Dipendra telling them that the crown prince’s speech sounded slurred and asked "is he somewhat unwell ?". The aides then went looking for the crown prince and found him sprawled on the ground and trying to take his clothes on the upper part of the body. They helped him in the process and after that he proceeded to the bathroom, it said. After coming out of the bathroom, he ordered the aides to retire in their respective rooms, the report quoted an orderly as saying. He later came down in army fatigues to the billiards room and began his killings spree starting with his father king Birendra who was standing near the east end of the billiards room talking to others. The report said that all this while, Dipendra moved in and out of billiards room, firing indiscriminately killing the queen, his sister princess Shruti, brother Nirajan, his uncle Dhirendra, the king’s cousin prince Jayanti, the king’s sisters princess Sharada and princess Shanti and the king’s brother-in-law Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah. The report was made public soon after it was submitted to king Gyanendra who had ordered the probe on June 4 in the wake of large-scale violence by protesters demanding an impartial probe into palace massacre. During the investigation, the panel relied on statement of over 100 people including eyewitnesses, royal palace staff, firearms and forensic experts and doctors. The report also coincided with final rituals of Dipendra who died in hospital two days after the massacre of gunshot wounds which he is alleged to have been received. (PTI) |
|
Militants’ bid to recruit boys foiled SRINAGAR, June 14: Army foiled an attempt by militants to recruit young boys for arms training in Pakistan occupied Kashmir with the arrest of two link-men and rescued 12 teenagers from their clutches, a defence spokesman said today. He said working on a tip-off that young boys were being recruited for arms training, the Army managed to apprehend two of them, Asim Hassan Malik and Ismail Hussain of Achhabal and Mazbug villages of Sopore town of Baramulla district. Interrogation of the boys resulted in the arrest of two key-linkmen, Bashir Ahmad Kundoo and Shabir Ahmad Nazar, who confessed to having received Rs 5,000 per boy for the purpose from the militants. They also disclosed that they had got LeT (Lashker-e-Toiba) engraved on the arms of a few boys. The boys were reunited to their families at a function in Sopore yesterday, he said adding steps would be taken to prevent militants from luring young boys into terrorism. (PTI) |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 14: Two militants were killed in an encounter with army in general area of Mahore in Udhampur district this evening. The militants were killed during exchange of firing at 2000 hours this evening. They hadn’t been identified so far. Two AK rifles with five magazines, 90 rounds, four grenades and Indian currency worth Rs 1000 was recovered from the encounter site. |
|
Militants’ bid to recruit boys foiled SRINAGAR, June 14: Army foiled an attempt by militants to recruit young boys for arms training in Pakistan occupied Kashmir with the arrest of two link-men and rescued 12 teenagers from their clutches, a defence spokesman said today. He said working on a tip-off that young boys were being recruited for arms training, the Army managed to apprehend two of them, Asim Hassan Malik and Ismail Hussain of Achhabal and Mazbug villages of Sopore town of Baramulla district. Interrogation of the boys resulted in the arrest of two key-linkmen, Bashir Ahmad Kundoo and Shabir Ahmad Nazar, who confessed to having received Rs 5,000 per boy for the purpose from the militants. They also disclosed that they had got LeT (Lashker-e-Toiba) engraved on the arms of a few boys. The boys were reunited to their families at a function in Sopore yesterday, he said adding steps would be taken to prevent militants from luring young boys into terrorism. (PTI) |
|
Hurriyat executive to meet again SRINAGAR, June 14: The Hurriyat Conference executive has decided to meet again having failed to arrive at a consensus regarding the approach to be adopted on the proposed Indo-Pak summit at its marathon meeting yesterday, a Hurriyat spokesman said today. The seven-member executive, the highest decision-making body of Hurriyat, needed time to adopt a strategy on the matter and would be meeting again shortly, he said. Asked when the meeting would be held again, he said no date had been fixed but it would meet shortly. The spokesman denied reports about differences among the Hurriyat leaders and said the meeting went off peacefully with discussions continuing over the agenda till late evening. However, the members decided not to reveal the proceedings of the meeting to the media, he said. (PTI) |
|
Vajpayee to be discharged by June 19 MUMBAI, Jun 14: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, recovering steadily at the Breach Candy hospital here after the right knee joint replacement surgery, was likely to be discharged by June 19, a PMI spokesperson said tonight. Vajpayee, who was undergoing intensified physiotherapy sessions and responding well to treatment, was likely to be discharged from the hospital either on June 18 or 19, he said. The Prime Minister today performed walking exercises thrice with support of a walker in the corridor of the seventh floor, hospital sources said. He has resumed normal diet and was in cheerful mood, browsing through routine official files and watching television and reading newspapers, the sources added. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan called on Vajpayee this evening and enquired about his health. He was carrying a video cassette comprising episodes of the game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, according to BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha. UP Chief Minister Rajnath Singh and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh also called on the Prime Minister to wish him speedy recovery. The Prime Minister’s Office here continued to receive e-mail messages, cards and bouquets wishing him good health. A group of Muslim clergy, attached to Haji Ali Dargah, had yesterday met Vajpayee and presented him with a ‘chaddar’, a green silken sheet with gold inlaid work. Vajpayee’s foster daughter, Namita, had paid a visit to the dargah three days ago to offer prayers for his speedy recovery, Lodha said. (PTI) |
|
|
|
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |