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Vehicle
blown up with IED Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, May 25: Two days after withdrawal of cease-fire by the Centre Government, the militants today launched a major counter offensive against security forces blasting a vehicle of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) that killed five jawans and critically wounded two others in Gorikund area of Sudhmahadev. The blast, triggered by militants of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Shakeel Ansari group with a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED), completely damaged a mini-truck of CRPF 68 battalion at 0615 hours today. Official reports reaching here said the CRPF truck escorted by a Flying Squad was on way from Gorikund to Chenani. The militants detonated an IED, planted by them on roadside, with a remote control device from atop a hill. While the Flying Squad Gypsy survived the impact of explosion, the CRPF truck was blasted. Five CRPF jawans including driver of the truck were killed on spot while two others were seriously injured. Reports said the truck jumped atleast 10 feet and then rolled down into a nullah. CRPF 68 battalion Commandant Anil Duggal and SSP Udhampur Deepak Kumar alongwith a posse of CRPF rushed to the site of explosion and laid a cordon around hilly area of Gorikund. In the meantime, army and police personnel also reached the village and rushed the victims to hospital where five of them were declared dead. Two injured were airlifted here and admitted in the Military Hospital. Their condition was stated to be critical. Deceased CRPF jawans have been identified as Tara Chand, head constable and driver of the truck, head constable Shankar Ram, Lance Naik A K Nath, R P Sharma and Zail Singh, both constables. The injured were Manoj Kumar and Arvinder Singh, both constables. Bodies of the blast victims have been sent to their houses. Reports said the militants were watching movement of security forces vehicle from atop a hill after planting about 10 kg weight powerful IED on the road. They blasted the IED with a remote control device, hitting intended target accurately, and fled away. A massive search operation has been launched by security forces and CRPF in Gorikund heights to eliminate the militants involved in explosion. Several suspects have been rounded up by local police for questioning in connection with the blast but no formal arrest has been made so far. Meanwhile, Hizbul Mujahideen’s Shakeel Ansari group late this evening owned responsibility for the blast. A militant, claiming to be spokesman of Ansari group, rang up local mediamen here and claimed responsibility saying ‘the Hizb wants to show to the Centre Government that cease-fire or no cease-fire has no meaning for them’. Police sources too confirmed the hand of Ansari group behind CRPF jawans’ killings on the ground that outfit has its presence in Sudhmahadev and Chenani area. Shakeel Ansari, whose brother Farooq Ansari was gunned down by army in Marmat, Doda last year, himself belongs to a remote village of Chenani. Last month, a civilian was killed and four others were seriously injured after militants fired rockets on a CRPF camp in Sudhmahadev. Rockets failed to hit the target and fell on a house. A number of encounters between CRPF and militants had also taken place in Sudhmahadev. Sources said these incidents were an indication that Pakistan-backed militants were fast spreading their area of operation in the entire Udhampur district. Militants, active in Sudhmahadev and Chenani, were mostly the activists of Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. Prominent leaders of Udhampur have condemned the explosion. They included Ramanand Baria, Som Raj, Balak Ram, Mohd Shaffi, Bharat Bushan and Ms Madhu Verma. |
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Hurriyat stands nowhere in proposed talks: Farooq By Gopal Sharma JAMMU, May 25: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that Hurriyat Conference has no role in the proposed talks between the Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and the Pak Army ruler Gen Parvez Musharaf. Dr Abdullah told after inaugurating a bridge near Airport that ceasefire announcement by Indian Prime Minister was really a bold step while the invitation to General Musharraf is yet another great move by Mr Vajpayee. This demonstrated to the world, India’s keenness to herald peace in the region and force friendship with its neighbour. But it is unfortunate that Indian initiative of ceasefire was not responded positively, he maintained. In response to a question, Dr Abdullah said that talks between Vajpayee and Musharraf is a good beginning in resolving issues but there is no need of third party mediation. The people and the countries interested to be mediators have learnt that India does not want a mediator. It is clear that India and Pakistan have to resolve issues bilaterally. He clarified that nobody has a role in talks between the two countries. "Though the problems could not be solved in a solitary meeting, yet the opportunity will prove to be an ice-breaker," he said adding that dialogue would be a continued process. Responding to yet another question about Centre’s decision to invite Pak General, Dr Abdullah said Islamabad’s Military ruler had been asking for talks every time so, India decided to hold a dialogue. The ball is now lying in the Pak court. "Let us see how they behave," he added. Replying to another question he said Hurriyat stands no where and it has been sidelined with proposed talks. Pak guns were nourishing them and once these are silenced, Hurriyat would be decimated. However, he pointed out that effective steps are needed to be taken to stop innocent killings in the State. Dr Abdullah pointed out that while borders turned calm the hinterland was full of militants and the graph of killing of innocent people continued to swell. In this war against militancy, security forces would have to play their important role. Its responsibility will also increase after cease-fire is over. " We had hoped that Pak will control militant outfits but they failed to do so, therefore, the bold decision of ceasefire had to be reviewed. " On peace talks by K C Pant he said that this process would continue. Commenting on his claims of early elections, Dr Abdullah said that he has asked his party men to get ready for the forthcoming elections like a true general who gives a call for a war. He however, did not give any time frame for the same, claiming that he will not open his cards. He, however, maintained that elections may be held any time in near future. Referring to the allegations at the time of announcement of polls to Panchayats by him that these polls were aimed at scuttling peace process, Dr Abdullah said that there was nothing like that. There are many elements who are in habit of carrying on disinformation campaign but we should not bother for them. |
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Pak political parties back Musharraf’s Indian visit ISLAMABAD, May 25: Pakistan’s embattled political parties have backed military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf’s decision to respond positively to India’s invitation for talks but sounded sceptical about the outcome. "There is no harm in Gen Musharraf visiting New Delhi. Let us see what he ultimately gains out of his visit", Chairman of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, (ARD) Nawabzada Nasurullah Khan said. The ARD alliance parties include former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and deposed Premier Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (PML). Stating that India’s invitation to Musharraf was loaded with "inherent contradictions", he said on the one hand Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has invited Musharraf for talks on the other the Government has called off ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir. "We should, however, wait and see what Musharraf achieves in his talks with India," he said, adding that "I do not think any major breakthrough will be achieved during the visit mainly due to the rigid stand taken by the Indian Government over the Kashmir issue". PPP senior vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Faheem said all disputes between Pakistan and India should be settled through talks. PML(N) chairman Raja Zafarul Haq said the Indian offer had put Pakistan to a test and now everybody would be curious to know whether Islamabad holds talks with New Delhi on its own or also involves the Hurriyat Conference which "mounted pressure on India" to hold talks with Pakistan. Stating that talks without inclusion of the Hurriyat would send "wrong signals" to Kashmiris, he said Pakistan should come up with a response to the Indian invitation which matched with the conglomerate’s "gestures". As for the India Government’s decision to end the ceasefire, the PML(M) leader said, "there was already no ceasefire and thus it would make little difference to the situation if New Delhi has decided not to extend it." Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khan said that Indian invitation was a good offer and Pakistan should respond to it "appropriately". He said Pakistan should ensure that no compromise should be made on the Kashmir issue. Pakistan’s Awami National Party (ANP) said all issues including the Kashmir issue should be resolved between the two countries in the spirit of Shimla agreement, which is a binding document. "We should not forget the two neighbours had held dialogue in 1965 and 1971 in Tashkent and Shimla for a settlement of the problem," he said adding Musharraf must avail this opportunity and visit India. (PTI) |
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Pallanwalla remains a
ghost town From Avtar Bhat PALLANWALLA, (Akhnoor) May 25: A total calm prevailed on this side of Line of Actual Control (LoC) in Chhamb Sector but the migrants, putting up in different camps of Akhnoor for last about two years, were reluctant to return to their homes on the ground that trouble could erupt anytime. The Chhamb sector of LoC that had been a hot bed for border skirmishes between the Indian and Pak troops previously had forced migration of people from the surrounding villages. Though with announcement of cease-fire by India, which was reciprocated by Pakistan with maximum restraint on LoC, the guns fell silent, the fear-stalked people, who have seen many of their family members and friends getting killed in mortar shelling have refused to return till complete normalcy was restored. No incident of mortar shelling or major firing took place in this belt during the period of cease fire where unprovoked shelling by Pak troops had caused lot of destruction and devastation after the outbreak of Kargil war. Though cease fire had generated high hopes among the border people who are passing the refugees life in the various camps set up over 20 kilometers from their homes and hearths for over last two years now, yet the exercise proved futile as these migrants could not return to their homes due to the persisting fear psychosis among them. Again a hope has been generated among these hapless people of over a dozen hamlets falling on this side of LoC in Chhamb Sector including mini township of Palanwalla with the Centre’s invitation to Pak Military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharaf for talks to New Delhi. Talking to the visiting correspondent, the people showed optimism that invitation of Pervez Musharaf to talks will yield tangible results and create a way for normalisation of relations between the two nations. They, however, maintained that extension or calling off cease fire makes no difference for them till they can not return to their homes and hearths and lead a peaceful life as before. Though these migrants are craving to return to their homes at an earliest but fear of Pak shelling which has snatched their peace of mind still haunts them. Presently all the border villages in Chhamb Sector right from Palanwalla township look deserted with no hustle and bustle which used to be there during the days of normalcy. The buses ply upto Palanwalla but without passengers as local people who have since bid good bye to their villages are putting up as refugees at Devipura, Ramnagar, Naiwala and Thandi Choi camps for safety of their life and limb. The tiny township of Palanwalla which was a hub of business after Jourian and Khour towns on this side of LoC is a ghost town now with all houses and shops lying deserted. Among over 100 shops in this border town lying on both sides of the road baring two or three all are closed. The two Government schools HSS and Middle School Palanwalla which once used to remain overcrowded with students are also lying closed giving the impression that life never existed in this township. Same is the fate of the Government Dispensary the concrete building of which is being used by birds as nests. Hundreds kanals of agriculture land falling in this belt right from Khounda to Panchtoot, Palatan and Milan Di Khoi have turned barren as no crops were cultivated here for over last two years due to the routine shelling by Pak troops in past which also claimed many civilians lives besides damaging property. At Palanwalla a cluster of shops are a testimony to what extent the shelling from across the border has created havoc here. The splinters of Pak shells which hit the town have ripped apart this shopping complex making deep holes in the building and shutters. Though all people from Palanwalla have shifted to Devipur camp near Akhnoor, in some families one or two members are staying back to look after their cattle whom they could not shift to the camps due to shortage of fodder and water there. The same is the condition in the villages of Panchtoot, Palatan, Milan Di Khoi, Badwal, Gigadiyal, Hamirpur and Milan Di Khoi which have been deserted by their inhabitants. The fear of Pak shelling haunts us every time and we apprehend that it is difficult to migrate from here in case of any eventuality, said Balwan Singh exservicemen from Palanwalla. "I have never seen this though I served the Indian Army upto 1981 and fought 1965 and 1971 wars". "We had many expectations after Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee took as Prime Minister of India he said, adding, people thought that he is the leader who can solve the problem, but he too could not prove upto our expectations,". The Government of India should take a drastic step and also did not hesitate in declaring war with Pak to teach her a lesson, he said. Pakistan which has been stabbing us in back over last 12 years can not fight the war even for a week with India, he said and added that Government of India should not show any leniency towards her now. These were the views of all the migrants living in different camps from this belt. "We got no benefit from the six month long cease fire as we could not cultivate our land nor return to our villages," said Joginder Singh of Panchtoot. The Government should settle the issue once for all as how long people will bear this he said, adding you call it a life we die hundred times a day. However Mr Sham Lal Verma of Palanwalla said inviting Pak military ruler Mr Parvez Musharaf for talks the Centre has taken a bold step. But in case the Pakistan rejects the proposal for peaceful solution then we should not hesitate in teaching that country a lesson once for all. |
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DC Jammu’s
stamps seized Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 25: Arnia police have arrested a person, who was engaged in selling fake certificates including state subjects to innocent people of rural areas. A number of fictitious certificates and fake stamps of several officers including Additional DC Jammu were recovered from the possession of accused. He has been identified as Lokinder Lal son of Anant Ram, a resident of Ward No. 6, RS Pura. Police sources said they had been receiving complaints from some people regarding sale of fake state subjects, election registration certificates and ration cards. Police investigated the case, developed an information and finally laid a trap for the accused this morning. The trap party led by SHO Arnia Inspector Zahid Wani and assisted by Sub Inspector Deepak Jasrotia succeeded in arresting Lokinder Lal red handed while selling fake certificates to two villagers of Arnia. Lokinder was subjected to interrogation during the day. He confessed his involvement in the racket and took police to his house in RS Pura from where a number of fake certificated, both filled and blank, were recovered by police. Besides certificates, the police party also recovered fake stamps of four officers—Additional DC Jammu, Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO), RS Pura, Tehsildar RS Pura and Chief Electoral Registration Officer, RS Pura. Police said interrogation of Lokinder Lal was on and some more clues were expected of him. Police was trying to ascertain the identity of his other associates. A case against Lokinder has been registered at Arnia police station under FIR No. 31/2001 and Sections 467, 468, 471 and 472 RPC. |
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Two way talks on Kashmir: Pant NEW DELHI, May 25 : Centre’s interlocutor on Kashmir K C Pant today said that two processes, one of bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan and the other of talks with the people of Jammu and Kashmir are contemplated simultaneously to bring about peace in the region. "It is pretty clear that Kashmir issue will be discussed bilaterally by India and Pakistan while we carry out parleys with people in the state," Pant told reporters when asked whether the Commission headed by him had lost relevance. Asked whether the Kashmiri Pundits would be invited for talks, Pant said "in the first round, we invited elected representatives and some groups from the state and in the second we will be inviting other groups to arrive at a solution to the problem." Pant said the new move by the centre of starting negotiations with Pakistan was not going to affect the dialogue process with the Kashmiri separatist leaders. Brushing off speculation that the calling off of ceasefire would adversely affect the parleys initiated by him, Pant said "the unilateral ceasefire was called off after giving a considerate thought." Pant refused to react to any questions on Hurriyat and said "they are yet to reply to my invitation formally." About the Task Forces being set up to provide employment oppurtunities in the state, Pant said "after all unemployment is one of the major causes of unrest in the state which needs to be addressed." About his visit to the Valley, Pant said "it will be soon ....I think by the month-end." Pant said the road to peace was not without serious obstacles and one such hurdle was continued violence against the innocent people of the state. "The Government expects that all right-thinking people in the state will join hands and march purposefully in quest of peace which has eluded them for the last 12 years," he said. Pant, currently Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, defended the decision of calling off the ceasefire and said "the non-initiation of combat operations against the militants in the state was not being honoured by terrorists who chose the occasion to target civilians." Pant is expected to hold talks with Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah and former Chief Minister of the state G M Shah besides some other groups in Jammu and Ladakh. (PTI) |
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India extends formal invitation to Musharraf NEW DELHI, May 25: India’s acting High Commissioner Sudhir Vyas today handed over to Pakistan Foreign Office, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajapyee’s invitation to military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf for talks here. Vyas called on Pakistani Foreign Secretary Inamul Haq in Islamabad this morning and handed over the letter inviting Musharraf and Begum Musharraf to visit India. In his letter to Musharraf, text of which was released today, Vajpayee said "India has, through dialogue, consistently endeavoured to build a friendship of durable peace, stability and cooperative friendship with Pakistan. "Our common enemy is poverty. For the welfare of our peoples, there is no other recourse but a pursuit of the path of reconciliation of engaging in productive dialogue and by building trust and confidence. "I invite you to walk this high road with us", Vajpayee said. Vajpayee said when he had visited Lahore in February 1999 with the objective of beginning a new chapter in bilateral relations, he had recorded at the Minar-e-Pakistan that a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan was in India’s interest. "That remains our conviction," the Prime Minister said in his letter. "We have to pick up the threads again, including renewing the composite dialogue, so that we can put in place a stable structure of cooperation and address all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir," he said. Vajpayee said "I have the pleasure to extend a most cordial invitation to Begum Musharraf and you to visit India at your convenience. Please accept, excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration," he said. Dates for the visit would be worked out through diplomatic channels, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters here. (PTI) |
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Leading jeweller’s son, another held for theft Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 25: City police have arrested son of a prominent jeweller and his associate red-handed while trying to lift a Maruti car and stealing money from ‘safe’ of a Pir Baba’s Ziarat in Pir Mitha area. Cash stolen from the Ziarat was recovered from their possession. A City police official identified the arrested thieves as Sandeep Kumar Gondhi, 24, son of a leading jeweller Rattan Lal Gondhi, a resident of Pir Mitha and Shabir Ahmed, 15, son of Jammal Din Hajam, a resident of village Sakandu in Gool tehsil of Udhampur district, presently putting up in Pir Mitha. The official told EXCELSIOR that two cops of Pir Mitha police station, who were on night patrol duty in Pir Mitha, noticed movement around a Maruti car No. HR38 5915, parked close to Pir Baba’s Ziarat. They saw two boys trying to break screens of the car with a view to lift it. On seeing the cops, the boys tried to escape from the spot. However, cops chased and apprehended both of them. They were taken to Pir Mitha police station and subjected to questioning, where they confessed their crime. Duo also told police that before trying to lift the car, they had broken locks of the ‘safe’ of Pir Baba’s Ziarat. However, they couldn’t find much amount in the ‘safe’. Only small currency notes were found in the safe which they equally distributed among themselves. Police visited the Ziarat and found the ‘safe’ broken. A City police party headed by Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ashok Sharma also rushed to the spot for investigations. A case against the thieves has been registered under FIR No. 25 of 2001 and Sections 379 and 411 RPC. Further investigations in the case have been assigned to SHO Pir Mitha police station. |
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Justice Sema appointed J&K High Court Judge Excelsior Correspodnent Srinagar, May 25: Mr. Justice H. K. Sema, acting Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, has been appointed as Judge, High Court of Jammu and Kashmir. Mr. Justice Sema has been asked to assume the charge of his office by 7th of June, 2001. Mr. Justice Sema, one of the senior most judges of the country, was appointed as judge of Gauhati High Court on 24th May, 1989. |
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IAF copter makes crash landing SRINAGAR, May 25: An Indian Air Force helicopter crash-landed in Badgam district of central Kashmir today but all its three occupants, including the pilot, escaped unhurt. Mi-35 helicopter developed a technical snag immediately after taking off forcing the pilot to make a forced landing in an open field at Kandoora-Beerwah, 25 kms from here, official sources said. The pilot and two other crew members escaped unhurt, they said. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 25: Commissioner cum Secretary Government Transport and Information, Mr M A Ganai today took over additional charge as Transport Commissioner. Mr M K Mohanty (IPS) has been asked to report General Department for further orders of his posting. Meanwhile, the Government has ordered the cancellation of attachment of Mr Bomesh Sharma I/C ARTO Udhampur / Doda issued by the Transport Commissioner vide his No. TC /JK / Estt/ 2001/4046-48 dated May 23. |
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NEW DELHI, May 25: Pakistan has indicated that the acceptance of India’s invitation for talks will not be made conditional to the inclusion of the Hurriyat Conference. Pakistan military spokesman Maj Gen Rashid Qureshi, who is also Gen Pervez Musharraf’s press advisor, told the BBC (Urdu) last night that he would not be able to say anything about the inclusion of the Hurriyat Conference before receiving a formal invitation for talks from India. On being asked if Pakistan would respond to the invitation, the Major General evaded a direct reply, saying it would not be proper to say anything about the matter at this juncture. He, however, insisted that the Hurriyat Conference was the sole representative of the people of Kashmir and its leaders should be allowed to visit Pakistan. There has been a shift in the Pakistan’s Kashmir policy since the Army ruler seized power in a bloodless coup on October twelve, 1999. Earlier, Pakistan had stuck to the UN resolution which gave the people of Kashmir only two options— a merger either with India or Pakistan— any suggestion to involve Kashmiris in the talks was considered a conspiracy against Pakistan. However, hard-liners in Pakistan were not happy with Gen Musharraf’s shift in the Kashmir policy. (UNI) |
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ISLAMABAD, May 25: Even as India invited military ruler Pervez Musharraf for talks, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) today announced that its chief and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto planned to visit New Delhi later this year to promote peace efforts in the region. A statement issued by PPP on her behalf here said Bhutto welcomed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s invitation to Musharraf for talks. Stating that PPP supported the process of dialogue between the two countries, Bhutto, however, said she had little hopes of any breakthrough. "General Musharraf is a military dictator. History proved that dictators go to war and democrats build peace." "Now that the General has announced plans to visit India, Bhutto will also visit New Delhi sometime this year," the statement said. Bhutto had planned to visit New Delhi in May 1999 but the trip was postponed due to Kargil conflict. (PTI) |
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ISLAMABAD, May 25: Unlike some militant groups, Pakistan-based Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) today welcomed India’s invitation to military ruler General Pervez Musharraf for talks but said it had no illusion that the summit would help in resolving the Kashmir problem. "Kashmir issue can not be resolved without the participation of the Kashmiri leadership. This was evident from the history as bilateral meeting at Tashkent, Shimla and Lahore failed to resolve the problem," he told PTI from Rawalpindi. "However, with all reservations we welcome the Indian invitation to General Musharraf," he said. Meanwhile, PoK President Mohammad Ibrahim Khan termed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s invitation to Musharraf as a "positive development" that could help the two countries reach a peaceful settlement to the Kashmir issue, according to state-run APP news agency. In another development, PoK Cabinet headed by Sultan Mahmood Choudhary passed a resolution welcoming the Indo-Pak summit but criticised New Delhi’s decision to call off the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, May 25: Pakistan troops opened firing on a group of people, who were catching fish in a ditch on the International Border in Londi area of Hiranagar sector this morning. Official sources said the civilians took shelter behind trees following indiscriminate firing by enemy troops. However, no one was injured in the firing which continued for about half an hour. |
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