Minor girl murdered by father, step mother

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 6: A step mother may go awry. But it sounds inhuman and most barbaric that a real father could be main conspirator to liquidate his own minor daughter.

In a gory incident of its kind, a father murdered his five year old daughter mothered by his expired wife after entering into a conspiracy with his second spouse. The incident took place in Pir Mitha locality of the city this afternoon.

The deceased has been identified as Anjali, daughter of Krishan Kumar of House Number, EP 1018, near Pahalwan Di Hatti at Pir Mitha.

Police has arrested both the accused, Krishan Kumar and his second wife Reetu Devi and charged under Section 302/34 RPC and started investigation into the case.

The child was given a barbaric thrashing by her parents and inflicted severe head injury. She was removed to Government Medical College Hospital by some neighbours where she succumbed to her injuries.

According to SP City Mr Sheetal Singh, Krishan Kumar is a Selection Grade Constable in J&K Police and posted in IRP 5th Battalion at Poonch. He has three children, including two twins— Anjali and Lovely from his first wife.

Krishan Kumar has two more children from Reetu (both female). Ironically, this was also the second marriage of Reetu who has two children from her first marriage. Her first marriage children were staying with their grand mother (Nani- Reetu’s mother).

As per police, Anjali was suffering from diarrohea for the last five days but Krishan Kumar did not consult any doctor or got her admitted in hospital. Yesterday, her condition further deteriorated and she started vomiting frequently. However, instead of getting her admitted in hospital, Krishan Kumar and his second wife Reetu started beating up Anjali.

Hearing Anjali’s cries, some neighbours rushed to their house and got her free from her parents. Inflicted with a severe head injury, she was immediately removed to GMC Hospital where she died after a few minutes of her admission.

After conducting post-mortem, the body was handed over to Krishan Kumar’s brother for the last rites.

Mr Ramesh Awasti, uncle of Anjali’s mother told visiting EXCELSIOR Correspondent that Krishan Kumar and his second wife Reetu Devi were in the habit of torturing both the minor girls since death of their mother. "After the death of Anjali and Lovely’s mother, we took brother of these girls to our home", he said, adding but we continued to hear about the hostile treatment being meted out to these minor girls. He informed that even the matter was also brought into the notice of police number of times.

This Correspondent saw fear writ large on the face of Lovely, who was the witness to the brutal death of her sister at the hands of her parents. One can gauge the mental condition of Lovely who had such a traumatic experience at such a tender age. She too was later admitted in the SMGS Hospital to overcome from the shock.

3 nabbed, five at large
Militant killed, another hurt in Koteranka encounter

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 6: Security forces gunned down a dreaded militant, wounded another and apprehended three others, while’s five were still at large when a group of about a dozen militants was spotted in Koteranka area of Rajouri sector late last night.

Giving details of the incident, a Defence spokesman told EXCELSIOR that the dreaded militant was eliminated in a well planned and coordinated operation in this sector when the group was tracking down and moving across Kashmir valley.

The slain militant has been identified as Zulfikar, a resident of Mahore tehsil and owing allegiance to pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen.

The spokesman said that prior to the encounter, the group had split into two smaller groups, but one of the group was effectively trapped by the security forces who had been following their movement very closely. Besides the killed militant, his another associate—Munir was injured in the encounter and was later apprehended, the spokesman said.

He said that three young members of the group were arrested unarmed. They have been identified as Abdul Khayum, son of Abdul Qureshi of Chanan, Zafar Iqbal, son of Abdul Latif of Dandi, Bhaderwah and Gulzar Ahmad, son of Abdul Rashid of Kothi, Doda. They were reportedly recruited recently into the militant ranks and were in the age group of 18 to 21 years.

The spokesman said that the remaining five militants, who comprised the other group and had taken a different direction, were still at large. The operation in the area was still in progress and efforts were being made to spot the remaining militants, the spokesman said.

He said that from the slain militant and that injured in the encounter, the security forces recovered two pistols, some grenades and huge quantity of arms and ammunition from their possession.

The spokesman said that the troops showed extra-ordinary restraint to avoid the killing of the three unarmed militants who were newly recruited into the ranks. It was further assessed that the hiding group mainly consisted of new recruits, who were being escorted by Pakistani militants and trained guides to go across the Line of Control (LoC) for arms training in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The spokesman further said that the unarmed young boys, who were sofar apprehended, will be restored to their parents at the earliest.

Govt offices re-opening tomorrow
High alert sounded in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, May 6: In view of recent suicide attacks by foreign mercenaries belonging to Pakistan based Lashker-e-Toiba, security forces have been put on high alert in Srinagar, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, where the State Government resumes functioning from Tuesday after working for six months at the winter capital Jammu.

The Civil Secretariat, seat of J and K Government, and other offices are opening in Srinagar under the bi-annual "Darbar move", an exercise under which the State Government functions for six months each at Jammu and Srinagar.

In the wake of upsurge in activities of militants, all arrangements for the safety and security of the Government offices and employees have been finalised, official sources said.

For over a decade now, militants have been targeting the Civil Secretariat and other offices killing several employees and injuring many others in a desperate bid to gain publicity.

To keep the militants at bay, the security arrangements have been tightened further and round-the-clock vigil and sanitization of the areas close to the Government installations has been ordered, the sources said.

Meanwhile, at a high level meeting here yesterday, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mumtaaz Afzal reviewed the arrangements of Darbar move.

The sources said militants in their bid to step up violence, may target Government installations with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) or carry out suicide attacks.

They said irrespective of the ceasefire, infiltration of militants from Pakistan has continued throughout the winter.

Though infiltration decreases during winter months, as the mountain passes are covered with snow, this year there was less snowfall which might have been a contributing factor, they said.

Besides Pakistani and Afghan nationals, infiltrators also included Kashmiris who have returned after receiving training in arms and other subversive activities from across the border, they said.

The security forces have set up fresh observation posts to keep a watch on suspected persons and additional barricades have been erected at startegic places, the sources said. (PTI)

Peace process a gamble: Gill

NEW DELHI, May 6: Decrying the Government’s peace initiative in Jammu and Kashmir as a "gamble" which "is destined to fail", former supercop K P S Gill has said a peace process must reject the very prospect of compromises with all forces that choose violence as an instrument of policy.

"The meaning of democracy has been distorted beyond measure in India. The idea that everybody including terrorists and mass murderers must be 'accommodated' in the political process and kept happy within a democracy appears to be the thrust of the politics of `consensus’ that has been the unique product of a succession of corrupt and craven regimes," he writes in an article.

Gill, who as Director General of Punjab Police played a key role in wiping out militancy in the state, says "on the face of it, the present 'peace initiative' in Kashmir does not appear to be `reality based’ in any meaningful sense, or to have any concrete strategic foundations.

"It is, by and large, in the nature of a 'fishing expedition’ in the absence of a consistent or coherent policy to force a breakthrough in J and K."

"A random element has been introduced to destabilise established equations in the hope that it may set in motion a positive chain that could, in the uncertain future, produce desired results," Gill writes in the article published in the coming edition of 'Faultlines’ magazine, brought out by the Institute of Conflict Management.

The article had been co-authored by Ajai Sahni of the institute.

Stating that there could be a "legitimate" peace process in Kashmir which is "not only possible but necessary", the former Punjab Police chief asserts, "it must, however, reject the very prospect of compromises with all forces that choose violence and terrorism as instruments of policy.

"Such a process can only be framed within the provisions of constitutional governance and of law."

Stressing that an "unrealistic pursuit of peace can only defer violence", Gill says "The notion of ‘peace at all costs’ is self-destructive, and negotiations based on false premises and projections and on unrealistic or divergent assessments of realities on the ground, inevitably result in greater escalation - though they may produce a temporary and deceptive lull."

"Nothing is going to change unless it is demonstrated beyond a shadow of doubt that violence will not profit those who seek to use terror as an instrument of policy," he says while expressing doubts over any positive outcome of the peace process.

Flaying the "political realism of appeasement" by each incumbent regime, he notes the peace initiative has been "unambiguously, even violently, rejected by most of the terrorist groupings operating from Pakistan." (PTI)

Contractor, woodpoacher, militant killed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 6: One militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba, a woodpoacher and a contractor have been killed in different incidents of violence across Kashmir valley since last evening.

Official sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that last evening some militants kidnapped a contractor, Ghulam Hassan Dar S/o Habibullah Dar of Kunzar, in Tangmarg area and later shot him dead. His bullet-riddled dead body was recovered today from Kreshhama village. Sources said that in the past Dar had been associated with Congress and later he had shifted to Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s J&K Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It could not be ascertained immediately whether he was killed for his mainstream political connections or any other reasons.

Sources said that the slaughtered dead body of one Rayees Ahmed Khan S/o Saifullah Khan R/o Uchhar, Magam (Handwara) was found near a pond in same area this evening. Reports said that Khan was a known woodpoacher who had gone for tree-felling. He seemed to have been killed with his own axe.

Troops of Rashtriya Rifles 18 Bn, 32 Bn and SOG Lalpora had an encounter with militants at Potshai forest area, in Lolab valley of Kupwara district. One militant died in the encounter. He has been identified as Abu Zahoor of Lashkar-e-Toiba.

This afternoon, militants ambushed a patrol of Rashtriya Rifles 28th Bn at Brendob, Shalakoot (Panzla) in Rafeeabad area of Baramulla district. Two RR personnel sustained injuries in the encounter. All the militants managed to escape without suffering any damage.

Reports from south Kashmir said that during last night, militants attacked a camp of BSF 124 Bn at Khashipora, Tral. Troops retaliated and militants withdrew without causing or suffering any damage.

Fardeen Khan remanded to NCB custody

MUMBAI, May 6: Bollywood’s latest heart-throb Fardeen Khan, arrested on charge of possessing cocaine, was remanded to Narcotics Control Bureau’s custody till May 18 by a special judge here today.

Two drug traffickers, Nasir Abdul Karim Shaikh and Tony Gomes, held along with Fardeen last night were also remanded to NCB custody till May 18.

Defence counsel Ayaz Khan filed a bail petition seeking liberty for the actor. Judge M S Keny listed the matter for hearing on May 8.

Fardeen came to the designated judge’s residence at Bellevu in South Mumbai sporting dark sun glasses and wearing denim trousers. His father was present when he along with two drug traffickers were remanded to NCB custody.

Public prosecutor Usha Sisodia, seeking their remand, said altogether nine grams of cocaine was seized from Fardeen’s car early yesterday.

The actor wanted to buy one gram of cocaine for personal consumption from Nasir but was not able to complete the deal as ncb sleuths swooped on them, the court was told.

Nasir had disclosed during interrogation that Tony Gomes was the main supplier of drugs. Later, Tony was also nabbed by ncb.

All the three were arrested for offences under Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act.

Fardeen admitted during interrogation that he used to take cocaine regularly to remain fresh because of hectic shooting schedules. He also admitted to have purchased the drug from Nasir.

Nasir disclosed that he used to supply drugs to bollywood personalities. NCB was still interrogating him, the court was told.

The prosecutor said the main supplier of the drug, Tony Gomes, was still to be grilled and details about how he procured the drug was to be gathered.

Mediapersons and photographers converged in the compound of the building where the judge resides. Onlookers also gathered to have a glimpse of the actor.

Fardeen was picked up for interrogation by NCB officers yesterday and grilled the whole day. He was put under formal arrest last night.

According to NCB, Fardeen had gone to HSBC Bank’s ATM centre in sub-urban Juhu to withdraw money. Nasir came in a taxi and got into the actor’s vehicle. They struck a deal but could not complete the transaction because the actor’s ATM card got stuck in the machine when the NCB slueths arrived. (PTI)

6 ISI agents nabbed
Bid to kill Tehelka chief foiled

NEW DELHI, May 6: Police today arrested six hirelings of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) which plotted to assassinate Tarun Tejpal, Editor-in-Chief of internet media company tehelka.Com whose expose into corruption in defence deals set off a political storm.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of special personnel led by Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma arrested the six Bhupinder Tyagi alias Avdesh Tyagi, Raj Kumar alias Kapoore, Dinesh Tyagi alias Titoo, Rakesh alias Lara, Anil and Ombir at around 1630 hours at Jahangirpuri locality of north west Delhi on their arrival from Nepal in a Tata Safari vehicle, Special Commissioner (Intelligence) S Ramakrishnan told reporters here.

The six arrested were part of a "hit-team" which was to intercept the vehicles of Tejpal and his colleague Anirudh Bahl and fire at them from close, he said.

"The idea was that the killing of Tejpal and Bahl would be attributed to persons who had come to adverse notice on account of the expose in March and discredit the Government and also bring about political instability," the Special Commissioner remarked.

Bhupinder confessed during interrogation that the "hit team" was waiting for reinforcements from Beerganj in Nepal comprising Naresh Yadav, Subhash Yadav, Vinod Pandey, Ramesh Rai and Hare Ram Singh, according to Ramakrishnan.

"Under the meticulously hatched plan by an "ISI official" code named `Jain’, the hitmen were to travel in two stolen vehicles and intercept the vehicle of Tejpal in Delhi and thereafter open fire," Ramakrishnan said.

As part of the plan, Ramesh Rai alias Sahi, went to Beerganj in Nepal for establishing a hideout. Rai married a Nepalese girl and took a house there and later other associates like Rajesh Yadav, Subhash Pandey and Hare Ram Singh also shifted to Beerganj, Ramakrishnan said.

Police have recovered two AK-47 rifles with four magazines and 200 rounds, two pistols with four magazines and 100 rounds, one bullet proof jacket, counterfeit currency Rs 25,000 of Rs 500 denomination, Tata Safari vechicle, photographs of Tejpal and Bahl and layout plan of the residence and office of the two journalists, two mobile phones, Ramakrishnan said.

He said the city police had inputs from various central agencies that ISI had plotted to kill Tejpal to foment "contempt and disaffection" towards the Government in India and a Bihar-based mafia Bhupinder Tyagi alias 'Modi’, having a base in Nepal, was assigned to execute the plan.

Lately, Bhupinder had visited Delhi and was found to be using the Tata Safari No DL-8C F-5815, the vehicle impounded by police yesterday, he said.

The ISI official had promised Rs ten lakh to Bhupinder and was assured he would also be allowed to retain the arms to be used for the operation.

Tyagi, a resident of Bulanddshahr in UP, told police that he had started his career as a criminal in 1993 when he assaulted one Dharam Pal and a case of attempt to murder was registered against him in Hardwar, he said.

A case has been registered with Lodhi Colony Police Station against the six who were produced before the court of Metropolitan Magistrate M C Gupta and remanded to police custody till May 19, police sources said. (PTI)

On board smuggling racket busted

MUMBAI, May 6: In a crackdown on smugglers-carriers of electronic goods, Customs officials today busted a gang operating on board international flights in the Hongkong-Delhi -Mumbai sector and recovered sophisticated mobile phones and adapters collectively valued at Rs 30.74 lakh in local market.

The Customs officers of the Air Intelligence unit at the city’s Sahar Airport also unearthed a new modus operandi of the smugglers, under which contraband goods were handed over by international passengers to gang members who boarded the international flights as domestic passengers, a Customs release said here.

The officials recovered the contraband, including 179 cellphones, from two domestic passengers, who had travelled by Air India flight No. AI-319 from Hongkong, it said.

The duo, who had walked through green channel, during interrogation disclosed that the goods were handed over to them on board the flight by an international passenger.

The persons, both residents of Andheri in Northwest Mumbai, were travelling under fictitious names, the release said, adding the international passenger was also arrested.

‘They have admitted handing over/taking over of contraband on board the flight, possession, surreptitious carrying and smuggling of contraband to India,’ the release said. (PTI)

Youth abducted, shot dead in Mahore

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, May 6: Militants kidnapped a youth from his house from Chasana area last night and shot him dead after severe torture in the nearby jungle in Mahore tehsil of district Udhampur.

Reports reaching here said that a group of five to six militants forced their entry to the house of one Avtar Singh at Chhajru Morha in Chasana area of Mahore at around 10 PM. The ultras abused the family members and kidnapped Avtar’s son—Surinder Singh at gun point.

The victim was taken to some unknown destination. The family members reported the matter to nearby security force camp in Chasana. The securitymen, assisted by villagers today launched search for the kidnapped youth in the morning. His tortured and bullet ridden body was recovered from nearby jungle during mid-day.

The body was removed to nearby Primary Health Centre for post-mortem and later handed over to the family for last rites. The police registered a case in this connection. It was believed that villager was killed for being alleged police informer.

In yet another incident, some militants attacked a security force party in Sangaldan area of Ramban last evening. The incident occurred when a security force party was returning to its camp from a nearby village after conducting search operation.

The militants opened fire with automatic weapons. The jawans took position and retaliated the attack. After brief encounter the militants escaped. A militant who reportedly sustained bullet injury also managed to flee with the support of his associates.

Traders call for bandh tomorrow

SRINAGAR, May 6: A representative body of Kashmiri traders has given a call for bandh on Tuesday to protest the alleged "discrimination against Valley in the supply of power".

"The residents of the Valley are being deprived of even basic facilities like supply of power, that too during onset of summer, and on the other hand no stone is left unturned to fulfill the demands of the people of the other two regions of the state", a spokesman of the Kashmir Traders and Manufactures Federation (KTMF) said in a statement.

The prevailing power schedule, which provides for a nine-hour intermittent power supply, has grievously hit the already vulnerable industry of the Valley, not to mention the general inconvenience it causes to the society as a whole, the spokesman said.

Kashmir Press, a represenative body of local newspapers, also indicated it might also join the strike to protest the continued power crisis which had badly affected functioning of the press.

In a separate statement, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry also charged the Government with failing to provide adequate power supply to Kashmir. (PTI)

MiG-21 crashes, pilot killed

NEW DELHI, May 6: A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed while taking part in the ongoing military exercises over the deserts of Rajasthan, killing its pilot.

"A MiG-21 aircraft, operating from Suratgarh (Rajasthan) crashed during the military exercises, killing the pilot flying officer Ajay Sharma," an IAF spokesman said.

The mishap occurred in Bikaner district of the State. An inquiry has been ordered.

The five-day exercise, codenamed "Poorna Vijay" (complete victory) and aimed at training troops to face future battle scenarios in the backdrop of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, began yesterday in Rajasthan with more than 50,000 troops and 120 IAF aircraft taking part.

The IAF aircraft taking part include the MiG series and Jaguar fighters, transport planes and helicopters including the newly inducted Mi-17 V attack helicopters. The topline fighters, Sukhois and Mirage-2000, have not been drafted for the exercise, the largest in 13 years.

During the mock fight, IAF fighters will launch deep penetration strikes at "enemy positions" besides providing air cover to ground troops.

The exercise are to end with a massive firepower demonstration by IAF aircraft at the Pokhran test ranges.

The IAF lost six MiG-series aircraft in crashes between January one and April 15 this year. In the last three financial years (1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-2001), 54 MiG-series aircraft were lost in crashes, killing 25 pilots (18 lost in each year).

In 1999-2000, 22 fighter planes crashed including 13 MiG-21, 3 MiG-27, one MiG-23, one MiG-29 and four Jaguars.

During 2000-2001, 18 aircraft were lost including 12 MiG-21 and three each of MiG-23 and MiG-27 class. (UNI)

No bar on Jaya: Seshan

CHENNAI, May 6: Former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan today said there was "no bar" on AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha returning as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the event of her party or alliance securing a majority in the polls to the State Assembly.

"There is nothing in the constitution which bars a person from becoming Chief Minister if that person’s party secures an absolute majority or plurality and elects him or her as its leader’, he said while speaking at a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Reporters’ Guild.

Asked about her being disqualifed from contesting the elections by Returning Officers (RO’s) of constituencies from where she had filed nomination papers, he said ‘conviction is not a disqualification from contesting’. (PTI)

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