Massive hunt on for fleeing mercenary
Militants movement in Akhnoor shocks people

From Nishikant Khajuria

SAMAH (AKHNOOR), May 14: Though security forces have succeeded in eliminating two foreign mercenaries after a fierce day-long encounter, here yesterday, the third one who managed to escape breaking the cordon laid by local police, is yet to be traced.

Forces have launched a major combing operation in the area to nab the absconding ultra, who has reportedly sustained a bullet injury during the run away.

Sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service and searches were being conducted in the entire area adjoining to the site of encounter. Nakas have been laid on link roads to the village and an alert has been sounded in Akhnoor and its surrounding areas to nab the escapee. A large quantity of arms and ammunition including two AK-47 rifles have been recovered from possession of the slain militants.

As reported, an Army Major and three Special Operation Group (SOG) cops were killed while two foreign mercenaries (not three as reported yesterday by police) were eliminated in a day long fierce encounter, here yesterday.

Meanwhile, an eerie calm prevails in this tiny hamlet that witnessed bloodiest ever gun battle between security forces and dreaded foreign mercenaries.

Presence of militants and their movement in the area has come as a shock to the locals who are still finding it hard to believe that Pak sponsored marauders of death have made inroads in their otherwise peaceful village. "Since the eruption of militancy in the State, we had never even heard of militants’ movement in our village despite being a border area," said an elderly villager Tilak Ram.

This is for the first time that presence of militants has been spotted in this border village which is barely 14 kilometers away from the Akhnoor town and 42 kms from Jammu.

It is believed that this group of militants had sneaked into Indian territory through Kali Dhar and were heading towards upper reaches in Reasi.

Fear lurked on the faces of the denizens as militants might strike the village and target the patriotic villagers who informed police and security forces about their presence. "Till yesterday morning, we had no fear in moving freely in the entire village and its adjoining areas even during night hours, however, after this ugly incident, no one will dare to come out of his house in dark," said Madan Lal.

The site of encounter presented a post-storm like scene. Almost completely damaged house of Dharam Chand and gutted belongings of the family members spoke intensity of the day long gun-battle.

Countless bullet marks on the damaged walls and ceiling were testimony to the fact that a heavy exchange of fire had taken place while blood stained pieces of electronic goods were seen scattered in the entire house.

However, despite all this destruction in the fierce gun battle, the sanctity of the ‘stone gods’ was still intact, as santcum-sanctrom was completely safe.

Bullet ridden bodies of both the slain militants, apparently foreigners, (most probably Pakistanis) and in the age group of 24 to 26, were still lying in open in the compound of Dharm Chand’s house.

A digital watch of ‘Casio’ tied on the right wrist of one of the slain militants, was still functional and displaying correct time when this correspondent visited the site.

According to eyewitness accounts, the militants fled from the house of Dil Mohd Gujjar in Samah Karhkoli breaking the cordon laid by local police party, and ran towards the house of 80-year old ex-serviceman Dharam Chand.

"All of a sudden, two gun wielding youth, clad in Salwar Kurta, appeared on the scene and asked us to run away before entering the house," Mangu, a kin of Dharam Chand, told EXCELSIOR.

The eyewitnesses also blamed local police for the heavy casualties inflicted by the militants during the encounter. They asserted that had the Akhnoor police exhibited professionalism and not acted in a hasty manner, all the militants would have been eliminated and no casualty amongst security forces as well as civilians taken place.

Advocate gunned down
DC Anantnag survives attempt on life

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 14: Deputy Commissioner Anantnag G A Fakir and his escort had a providential escape when militants engineered a mine explosion under his vehicle at Seer Bazaar on Anantnag-Pahalgam road this evening.

The Deputy Commissioner was on an official visit to Seer Bazaar, his native village, when the IED explosion took place at 1645 hours. His bullet-proof vehicle skidded off the road following explosion.

Fakir, his PSO, driver and radio operator survived narrowly in the blast. Local people gathered at the spot and shouted anti-militant slogans for targeting Fakir’s vehicle.

Militants shot dead an Advocate Mohd Abdullah Yetoo at Mehmoodabad near Dooru in Anantnag district this afternoon. The Advocate was on way to his chamber for private practice when the militants struck.

Yetoo sustained serious injuries in the militants’ attack and was rushed to hospital where he breathed his last.

Militants lobbed a grenade in Baramulla Chowk this afternoon targeting a security forces vehicle. Grenade missed the intended target and exploded on roadside causing injuries to a degree college Baramulla lecturer Farooq Ahmed Lone.

Militants opened firing on a Road Opening Party (ROP) of 54 BSF at Palhalan in Pattan this morning. BSF jawans retaliated forcing the militants to flee. Militants also caused a mine blast at Chak Arsalla Khan in Bandipore targeting a camp of counter-insurgents but failed to cause any casualty or damage.

A sweeper of Srinagar Municipality Meeraj-ud-Din Sheikh son of Lala Sheikh R/o Hawal was beaten to death by police in Lal Bazaar police station custody. He had been arrested in connection with a minor theft case.

Sources said the sweeper was beaten in custody leading to failure of his vital organ system and his subsequent death.

People today held a massive demonstration in Lal Bazaar area of downtown against the custodial death of sweeper. Demonstrators were cane-charged by police.

ST realises whopping Rs 387 cr revenue

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, May 14: The Sales Tax Department surpassing all the previous records has realized a record revenue of Rs 387.48 crores in 2000-01 registering an increase of 41.59 percent over the collections of 1999-2000.

This was revealed at the review meeting of the Sales Tax Department held here today under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Mr Abdul Rahim Rather. The meeting which continued for the full day long to take stock of the performance of Jammu division of the Department was attended to by Finance Commissioner, Planning and Development, Mr K B Pillai, Sales Tax Commissioner, Mr A R Mubarki, Special Secretary, Finance, Mr K M Wani and senior functionaries of the department of Jammu division.

The Finance Minister while expressing happiness over the spectacular achievement said that this unparalled increase in the collections is clearly attributable to the dedicated and determined efforts of the functionaries of the department. The officers, he said under the able guidance of the Sales Tax Commissioner had worked like a team and made strenuous efforts to increase the collections. Functionaries connected with various wings of the department performed to the best of their ability, sincerity and with a missionary zeal. They deserve the highest appreciation.

He said that the State Cabinet which considered the State’s budget for 2000-01 appreciated the efforts of the department in increasing the revenue and the department also received appreciations during discussions in the budget session of the State Legislature.

The Finance Minister said that we value this performance and expressed the hope that the tempo will not only be maintained but each and every functionary will make the best of his efforts to improve the last year’s performance and help in more generation of revenues this year. He said the Sales Tax Department which has now the privilege of highest tax collecting agency in the State has to give a lead to other revenue earning institutions. They have a very crucial role. The revenue realized, he said is spent on the development works and execution of welfare schemes for the poor, backward and less privileged strata of the society. As such, all of us have to join hands to mop up more resources for this State.

The Finance Minister referred to the first meeting he had with the senior officers of the department after assuming the charge of Finance Department last year and said that at that time he had set two important goals for the functionaries. One was to increase the revenue and the other was to restore the lost credibility of the Department. He expressed satisfaction that we have come a long way in realization of both these goals and not only the revenues have registered considerable increase but the credibility of the department too has been established. He, however, cautioned the officers against any complacency and said we have still to make much headway to achieve the cherished goal. The transparency and accountability, he said should receive the highest priority in the department. The officer, he said, should be politer and considerate but firm in their dealings.

The Finance Minister said that the vigorous drive launched last year to recover arrears would continue unabated and it should be ensured that every realizable penny is collected. He also called for recovery of current arrears also and emphasized that there has to be no room for the current dues to go into arrears.

The review of the functioning of Jammu division revealed that the total collections made during 2000-01 were Rs 281.93 crores reflecting an increase of Rs 77.00 crores over the collections of 1999-2000.

The meeting was told that the sales tax check post Lakhanpur realized over Rs 2.68 crores as security from the unregistered dealers and penalty on account of fake and false documents and goods not accompanied by documents. The check post also collected passenger tax, of Rs 1.89 crores as advance tax Rs 52 lakhs as composite tax and Rs 49 lakhs as entry tax.

The Appeals Wing of the department, the meeting was told has decided 466 cases during this year. Of these some of the cases were pending for about last two decades. As many as 952 cases pertaining to the periods 1989-81 to 1999-2000 were pending at the onset of the financial year. Of these 341 cases have been decided, 125 appeals instituted during the year 2000-01 were decided.

The vigilance and inspections wing of the department conducted numerous raids and frequent inspections during the period realised penalty and security to the tune of Rs 66.37 lakhs during the year.

The recovery wing of the department, the meeting was told continued its recovery drive unabated. Besides persuations, other provisions as provided under law were also made use of to speed up the recovery process. This had a salutary effect and considerable increase was effected in recoveries. The wing succeeded in sending a clear and loud message to the defaulters that the department is firm in effecting recoveries and will see that every recoverable penny is recovered.

Referring to the problems of the accommodation to the department the Finance Minister said that work on excise and sales tax complex has been speeded up and efforts are on to have the complex completed in the next six months. This besides providing accommodation under one roof to the various wings of the department will provide congenial working atmosphere to the employees of the department.

PM to induct Ajit Singh in Cabinet

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, May 14: The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, is understood to have decided to induct Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader, Mr Ajit Singh, into the Union Cabinet.

This follows the willingness-indeed, keenness-of Mr Ajit Singh to finalise, in the next few days, an alliance with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh. Both sides have for obvious reasons decided not to permit a massive publicity, at this stage, in support of the alliance.

Reason: A section of the Jat community in UP, particularly in the State’s western part, continues to brand the BJP as a "communal" organisation. Significantly, in a departure from his anti-BJP stand, Mr Ajit Singh has already argued that the concept of communalism and secular ideology "does not matter in today’s politics".

"What is communal and what is secular", he posed in an interview. And his significant observation in reply to a question: "Earlier, Mamata Banerjee was communal and now she has become secular. AGP (Asom Gana Parishad) was secular and has now become communal".

A senior BJP leader told EXCELSIOR that the Prime Minister cannot be faulted for his exercise, clearly aimed at increasing the strength of the NDA Government in the Lok Sabha. This, it was pointed out, had become all the more important to counter the "dismal" performance of the NDA in the recently-held Assembly polls.

Mr Ajit Singh has realised that the political foes of the Vajpayee Government will find it pretty difficult to dislodge it in the foreseeable future. Hence, his greater inclination to enter the Vajpayee Cabinet. And the Prime Minister will, automatically, get the support of two Rashtriya Lok Dal members in the Lok Sabha by accommodating Mr Ajit Singh in his Ministry.

Mr Vajpayee, who has planned to expand the Union Council of Ministers after his visit to Malaysia, is also likely to induct the BJP MP, Mr Karia Munda, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rebel leader, Mr Nagmani, into the Government. On present indications, Mr Vajpayee may reshuffle his Cabinet by the first week of June.

Mr Munda, who was not allowed by his party to take over as Chief Minister of Jharkhand, has received indications vis-à-vis the Prime Minister’s idea in support of his entry into the Union Ministry.

Mr Nagmani expects a sweet puff from the Prime Minister. Why and what for? An answer to this question is not far to seek. Mr Nagmani and Mr Ranjan Yadav had played a crucial role in splitting Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal. The Nagmani faction has decided to support the NDA in the Lok Sabha.

Yet another person likely to be rewarded for his "loyalty" to the Vajpayee Government is Mr Ajit Kumar Panja. Mr Panja’s rift with the Trinamul Congress supremo, Ms Mamata Banerjee has improved the former’s chances of returning to the Union Council of Ministers.

Malaysia for peaceful settlement of Kashmir

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14: Malaysia today asserted that it was oppossed to any kind of terrorism and favoured a peaceful settlement of the vexed Kashmir issue.

"Malaysia is opposed to both state terrorism and terrorism of any kind," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed told reporters after having wide-ranging talks on bilaterial, regional and international issues with his counterpart Atal Behari Vajpayee.

To a question on his country’s stand on Kashmir, he said "we want a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue".

To another question about Malaysia extending support to India on its entry into the UN Security Council as a permanent member, he said this was something which " we have not yet decided".

Mohmmad was replying to questions for a minute before he left Deteran Perdane, Putrajya, the newly built Prime Minister’s Office, where the talks were held.

Describing the talks as "very frank", constructive and productive", Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said the US national missile defence system figured during the parleys.

Replying to a question, Albar said that his country made its position clear that was "negative" and was of the view that it wanted a total nuclear ban and reduction of arsenal. It was averse to anything that would add to military strength and wanted a world free from tensions, he said.

Asked what was India’s response to the US’s NMD, Albar said Malaysia was told that it was willing to discuss the matter and it was a question of "wait and see".

To a question about the lowering of import duty on palm oil, which India would be getting in a swap for the rail project, the Malaysian Prime Minister said he was assured that New Delhi would look into it.

Vajpayee’s talks with his counterpart lasted an hour followed by delegation level talks and signing of two agreements and five Memoranda of Understanding including the one under which Indian Railway Construction Company would undertake a 1.8 billion US dollar project in Malaysia to get palm oil in return.

Albar expressed the hope that his visit would further enhance the "good relations" that existed between the countries. The talks encompassed economic, political, social and cultural ties between them, he said.

"We have agreed to work together in matters pertaining to World Trade Organisation (WTO), which will meet in Doha", he said, adding this was necessary to protect the interests of developing countries especially issues related to investment, labour and environment.

Albar said currently the balance of trade between two countries was heavily in favour of Malaysia and that was the reason it decided to award the 1.8 billion dollar rail project to India. "We hope this would reduce the imbalance," he said. Under the rail project, Ircon will connect Northern Ipoh town with Padang Besar district in northern zone.

Replying to a question on the defence cooperation, Albar said the two countries met this year after a gap of four years.

Top defence personnel of the two countries have been visiting each other and there had been some training facilities as well, he said, adding that the joint working commission had a meeting last year after eight years. (PTI)

Pant sends reply to Shah’s clarifications

NEW DELHI, May 14: The Centre’s interlocutor on talks with Kashmiri groups, K C Pant, has sent his reply to the clarifications sought by senior Kashmiri secessionist leader Shabir Shah, informed sources said here today.

The sources told PTI that an "emissary" of Pant had left for Srinagar with the letter which would be handed over to Shah, president of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP).

However, the contents of the letter were not immediately known, but sources maintained that "all clarifications" sought by Shah had been replied to.

Earlier this month, a two-member JKDFP team comrpising Saleem Geelani, spokesman and chief organiser of the party, and Maulana Abdullah Tari, secretary general, handed a letter to Pant seeking clarifications on the Centre’s move.

The party had made it clear that it would take the next step after receiving a "right response" to four issues raised by it for "clarifications" from Pant.

The clarifications were sought on whether talks would be held with Pakistan, even though at a later stage, agenda of talks and whether the Centre considered the Kashmir issue as a law and order problem or a dispute which needs to be resolved.

JKDFP also sought to know whether the Government was serious about holding talks with groups like National Conference and Congress and whether the Government planned to hold talks with the Kashmiri militant groups.

Meanwhile, in Srinagar a three-member team carrying with them the reply of Centre’s chief negotiator Mr K C Pant to Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chief Shabir Ahmad Shah’s letter arrived here today from New Delhi.

The team headed by Mr Naresh Kumar will hand over the reply to Mr Shah tomorrow at the DFP headquarter.

Mr Shah, the only separatist leader who has responded positively to Mr Pant’s offer of talks on Kashmir, however has sought some clarification first.

In his reply to talks offer, Mr Shah had sent a three-page letter to Mr Pant through a two-member team recently.

Mr Shah, who has spent nearly 25 years in prison had said there was no harm in talking to the Centre provided simultaneous discussions were held with Pakistan too.

However, some pro-Pakistani outfits warned Mr Shah for talking to the Centre.

A grenade was lobbed by the activists of lesser-known militant outfit Al-Hamas on the headquarters of the DFP at Rajbagh recently. However, the grenade hit the board of the party and exploded on the roadside without causing any damage. (UNI)

Advani to attend Unified Hqrs meet in Srinagar

NEW DELHI, May 14: Home Minister L K Advani will visit Srinagar on May 19 to attend a meeting of the Unified Headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir and get an assessment of the ground situation there from top commanders of security forces, official sources said today.

Advani is likely to be accompanied by Defence Minister Jaswant Singh, they said.

The visit assumes significance as it comes just over a fortnight ahead of the expiry of the cease-fire this month-end.

The suggestion that Advani and Singh attend a meeting of the Unified Headquarters had been given by J and K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, the sources said adding the two ministers were unlikely to go to any other place other than Srinagar during their daylong visit to the State.

The sources said the meeting would review the scenario after Centre’s appointment of K C Pant to hold talks with leaders in J and K representing all shades of opinion.

Pant is likely to pay a visit to Srinagar two days after review meeting of the Unified Headquarters, they said.

Several Kashmiri leader including former J and K Chief Minister Mir Qasim have held preliminary talks with Pant. (PTI)

NDA brushes aside suggestions on poll outcome

NEW DELHI, May 14: Putting up a brave front following the rout of two of its allies, the NDA tonight brushed aside suggestion that the outcome of the Assembly polls would adversely affect the stability of the coalition at the Centre.

"Had the result gone decisively in favour of the Third Front, it could have affected the NDA comprising partners which were earlier part of such a Front," highly-placed NDA sources said.

Parties like Telugu Desam and DMK, which were part of the United Front, could have thought of moving out of NDA if the Third Front had been strengthened, they said, adding that this had not happened to the benefit of the existing set up at the Centre.

The Assembly election results showed that the polity continued to be bipolar with Congress being the main adversary of ruling NDA, they said.

The results were "on expected lines" since the NDA was not expected to perform well in these states due to various factors, the sources said.

On the result of Shahjehanpur Lok Sabha bye election in Uttar Pradesh, the sources said it would have been a matter of concern to BJP had the seat been won by the Congress which had held it.

They felt a "weak" BJP candidate was among the reasons for not winning the seat. (PTI)

BSF begins fencing on Jammu border

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 14: Border Security Force ( BSF) has started barbed wire fencing along the International Border (IB) in Jammu sector.

A BSF spokesman said that the alignment work for about 10 kilometers has already been completed. Further, the bulk of the civil work for putting up the fence has been completed with respect to 13 and a half kilometers, he said.

The spokesman said that the fencing is being done within the International Border with a view to effectively check the infiltration of militants and smugglers.

The fencing, the spokesman said is being done in the most sensitive areas of the border. " We are hopeful of completing the fencing along the entire International Border by 2003. There has been no inconvenience caused to the local population during the process of fencing", the spokesman further said.

The issue of fencing was raised by Pakistani delegation in the recently held bi-annual conference at Jallandhar and it was categorically stated by the Indian delegation that the fencing along the border was being done well within the Indian area and that the work on the fencing will continue, no matter how Pakistan wishes to respond to this, the spokesman said.

The spokesman clarified that the report appearing in a section of the press stating that the fencing work has been suspended was not based on facts, the spokesman added.

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