Drugs worth Rs 1.5 lakh seized
3 hospital staffers held for links with militants

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, May 27: District police have smashed a nexus among employees of civil hospital Poonch and Pakistan-sponsored militants. Three hospital employees and a civilian, engaged in supply of life saving drugs to the militants for treatment of injured ultras, have been arrested by police and drugs worth Rs 1.50 lakh recovered from their possession.

SSP Poonch Dr Kamal Saini told EXCELSIOR that district police had been receiving reports about life saving drugs reaching the hands of militants, which had helped many injured ultras to get a fresh lease of life. An in-depth investigation was started to break the nexus.

Finally, a Poonch police station party headed by SHO B L Sharma today succeeded in apprehending three hospital employees red-handed while smuggling and supplying a huge quantity of drugs to a courier of the militants.

All three employees and courier were arrested by the police and consignment of drugs, which included supply of civil and army hospitals, were recovered from their possession.

Arrested persons have been identified as Ashok Kumar son of Chuni Lal, a store-keeper, Kulwant Singh, a Nursing Orderly and Harbhajan Singh, a Medical Assistant, all posted in the district hospital of Poonch and Lal Hussain, a resident of Hari Marhot, who was acting as a conduit between hospital staff and militants.

According to SSP Poonch, drugs worth Rs 1.50 lakh which included all life saving drugs (required for removing bullets, surgeries, pain killers and dressing material) and other items were recovered from the possession of hospital employees and courier.

The drugs, when seized, were bearing stamps of hospital supply. Some of them had the marking of defence supply. Police sources said they were trying to ascertain as to how the defence supply drugs managed to reach the hands of civil hospital staff.

Arrested employees of hospital and militants’ courier were being interrogated by police to gather more clues on their links with Pakistan-backed ultras. A case against them has also been registered at Poonch police station for further investigations.

Police said the employees were carrying out clandestine smuggling of drugs from the hospital for the militants for past quite sometime. This way they had given a fresh lease of life to several injured and ill militants of Pakistani outfits, who were engaged in killing many innocent civilians.

Police didn’t rule out the involvement of senior hospital authorities in pilferage of medicines. "Police wouldn’t hesitate from taking action against hospital authorities if their name figured during questioning of arrested employees", the sources said.

Describing the nexus among Government hospital employees and the militants ‘a very dangerous trend in militancy’, the sources said its smashing could go a long way in delivering a setback to militancy.

People turn violent; teargassed
People protest against Police bid to ‘kill’ Sikh family

SRINAGAR, May 27 : Police lobbed tear gas shells and used batons here today to disperse stone-pelting demonstrators protesting the alleged "secret mission of police" to kill a Sikh family in the area.

Police used force to recover a police vehicle captured by the residents last night when a police party went there to recover a kidnaped girl from a house in Aloochibagh area, Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, B Srinavasan, told reporters here.

He said the Police Party proceeded towards the spot today to recover the vehicle after negotiations with prominent residents of the area. But the mob hurled stones forcing the police to charge with batons.

"The crowd turned more violent and started pelting stones at the police and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel forcing police to fire teargas to disperse the mob’’, the City Police chief said.

Two BSF personnel and some policemen were injured in stone pelting, Srinavasan said.

He said the vehicle was also retrieved from the spot.

He denied the allegations of the locals that police went there to kill a Sikh family saying "police party proceeded to Aloochibagh under proper authority of the court".

The policemen were in uniform and carried only one AK rifle for the safety of the entire police party, he said, adding the legal action into the matter has been initiated.

However, residents alleged that a group of nine people in a vehicle came around 11.30 pm last night to the area and knocked the door of Roshan Singh.

Ichpal Singh, son of Roshan Singh, told newsmen that Policemen in civil dress came to their house and knocked the door. Fearing trouble, he said "we did not respond and the policemen jumped into the compound after sealing the boundary wall and started abusing the family".

Singh said the Policemen shuttled from one door to another. He and his family members raised alarm which brought the neighbors out to their rescue.

He alleged the Police party was carrying petrol and kerosene and tried to set on fire their house but as the residents came out they did not do so.

Denying the allegations, the SSP said on May 26 night, a police party of one Head Constable, five constables and two lady constables had gone to the area to recover a girl kidnaped from Lalbazar area on May 24 following an FIR lodged by one Syed Hussain alleging that his sister Nazhut had been kidnapped by one Mehrajuddin Bhat.

He said the house was identified by the complainant with the charge that his sister had been illegally confined there.

The police party asked the house inmates to open the door. Instead, the inmates raised hue and cry and gathered people of the area and attacked the police party, Srinavasan said. The women constables were beaten up, he said.

However, a BSF patrol reached the spot and rescued the policemen. But the police vehicle could not be retrieved, Srinavasan said.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference and Shabir Shah led-JKDFP in separate statements accused the State Government of "using its forces to kill a Sikh family" at Aloochibagh and "sabotage" peace efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.

Former Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who visited Aloochibagh, said "the shameful act was done to drive out minorities from the valley and blame majority community for this".

Shah said police had gone to Aloochibagh during the dead of night "to harass the inmates of a Sikh house and tried to set ablaze the house".

Meanwhile, All India Sikh Students Federation, Kashmir unit, has demanded a probe by an impartial body into the incident.(PTI)

Pant visiting J&K today

NEW DELHI, May 27: To carry forward peace process in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government’s interlocutor on Kashmir K C Pant will visit Srinagar tomorrow on a six-day tour to the state to assess the ground situation besides holding talks with certain secessionist and other groups.

Pant, nominated by the Centre as its interlocutor on April five, will stay in the Kashmir valley for four days.

During his stay in the Valley, he would gather the first hand information about worsening economy due to militancy in the State.

Pant’s visit comes despite no response from Hurriyat Conference to his invitation.

Pant, who is Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, has defended the Government’s 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.

He will also visit Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh region. The delegations from this Himalayan region, during their meeting with him here, have demanded a separate Union Territory status for Ladakh.

During the last leg of his tour, Pant will meet people of the State, including migrants in Jammu, to discuss the problems faced by them.

At present, Jammu is housing nearly two lakh migrants from the Kashmir valley, who left their homes in early1990's with the onset of militancy.

In a bid to give a fillip to the Information Technology and providing employment to the youths of the State, Pant will also meet industrialists, small time businessmen to discuss the socio-economic problems of the State.

Pant has already set up two task forces to find ways of setting up industries in the State.

He will also hold meeting with the State Government officials, including those from the State police, Army and other para military forces, to discuss the security situation in the State especially after the Centre withdrew its six-month long ceasefire recently. (PTI)

Proposal to extend Delhi-Lahore bus

NEW DELHI, May 27: As the Governments of India and Pakistan are renewing attempts to "walk the high road" of "reconciliation" in the spirit of the Lahore declaration, moves are afoot to strengthen a symbol of friendship which the two nations had established in 1999.

The twice-a-week Delhi-Lahore bus service, launched with much fanfare by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on February 22, 1999, has emerged as a major favourite with the people of both the countries encouraging the two Governments to consider extending the service to four days a week.

"There is a lot of rush for bookings for the bus," Delhi Transport Minister Pervez Hashmi told PTI. "In view of this, there is a proposal to increase the frequency of this bus service," he added.

Stating that the rush for bookings had increased manyfold on both sides of the border, Hashmi said it was also a major revenue earner for Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

At present, DTC runs a bus each on Wednesdays and Saturdays every week while the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) plies the same number on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The AC bus with several other facilities travels about 800 kms via Wagah border and takes about 14 hours. The service has particularly been preferred because of the low fare of Rs 800.

Coincidentally, the move comes as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has invited Pakistani military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf to India for talks to revive the Lahore spirit.

Hashmi said the new step was being considered after a proposal from Pakistan in this direction. "There is good response from travellers from both India and Pakistan and Governments and all trips have advance booking," he said, adding the Governments of both the countries were interested in increasing the frequency.

The DTC, at its board meeting this week, decided to buy four new AC buses at the cost of Rs 1.64 crore. "These are to be fitted with modern communication systems and other facilities for the passengers," said a DTC official.

There is also a proposal to raise the tariff of the Delhi-Lahore bus service from the present Rs 800 to Rs 1200. "This proposal has also come from Pakistan," Hashmi said, adding a decision on this will be taken in a day or two. (PTI)

Cycle seat IED, arms recovered
Notorious ISI guide Billa shot dead in Kanachak

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 27: Police last night shot dead a notorious guide of Al Jehad outfit in an encounter in a forward village of Kanachak. Slain guide, hailing from Pakistan, was instrumental in the infiltration of several militant groups from Kanachak sector including the one which had attacked Kanachak police station recently.

Police sources said the guide identified as Aslam Parvez alias Billa son of Mohd Saddiqui, a resident of Hafipora in Sialkot district of Pakistan was arrested after a hot chase by the members of Village Defence Committee (VDC) Suhagni on May 25 night.

Billa was doing a recce on the infiltration route before bringing yet another group of militants from across the border. His movement was noticed by the VDC members, who chased and apprehended the ultra. VDC handed over the militant to Kanachak police yesterday morning.

Sources said the guide was quizzed by police throughout the day yesterday during which he made some sensational disclosures. He reportedly told police that he was operating in Kanachak sector for last more than one year and was well versed with infiltration routes.

He confessed having brought several militant groups from Pakistan through this sector for their onward journey to Udhampur and Doda hills using Bhalwal and Nagrota forests. He told police that a big militants’ group that attacked Kanachak police station last week was also brought to this side by him.

According to sources, the militant, a blacksmith by profession, disclosed that he had smuggled a consignment of arms and ammunition with him and dumped it in a forward area of Kanachak. A police party led by Kanachak police station SHO Arvind Kotwal took the militant for recovery.

Sources said during the process of recovery, Billa took a pistol from the field and opened firing on cops. In retaliatory firing by police, the militant was killed.

Recovery made from the field included one IED, fitted in a cycle seat, 22 detonators, one pistol with six magazines, ammunition and cordex wire. The militants’ guide had planned to plant the cycle seat IED in a crowded area after purchasing a bicycle from Jammu. Cycle blast would have caused a number of casualties, they said.

"Elimination of Billa was a major success for police as he was involved in infiltration of the militants. His killing will put brakes on fresh infiltration from the areas", the sources added.

They said Billa was a close confidant of a hardcore Pakistani militant, code named as Goga, who was incharge of militants’ launching pad opposite Kanachak sector.

Special Report
Pak Govt gets ready for new system

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, May 27: Come July 1, 2001, Pakistan will have an interest-free banking and trade system. The whole world knows that the Islamic Republic of Pakistan continues to be cash-strapped and neck-deep in debt. But nothing can be done to prevent a thing which, to quote Gen Parvez Musharraf, is ordained in the ‘holy book’, the Koran.

Hence, all the more reason for the exercise launched by Pakistan’s military ruler to Islamise economy. The 1,400-year-old system the military Government is required to adopt for the whole of Pakistan.

Under the December 1999 judgement of the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court, the Musharraf regime is required to switch over to the new form of banking and trading by July 1, 2001. Reports from Islamabad clearly talk of the military Government’s predicament.

The dilemma, according to these reports, is on account of the court verdict and mounting pressure from the powerful religious lobby. Islamic fundamentalists, who have already terrorized moderates, are for the introduction of Islamic laws in all spheres of life. And if the demand, in this connection, is not accepted, extremist religious groups will, as threatened by them on more than one occasion, will lay siege to Islamabad.

The military Government, while taking note of the threats from these groups, has also anticipated some kind of trouble within the country’s Armed Forces in the event of the Musharraf camp being found attaching little importance to the perception and commitment of hard-liners in the Pak Army for instance.

It is, obviously, in this context that the top functionaries of the military regime, particularly, Mr Mahmood Ahmed, Religious Affairs Minister, have been forced to reiterate the promise of implementing the Supreme Court’s judgement within the stipulated period. It is a different matter if functionaries in banks and trading centres will have to undertake a tortuous drill after the introduction of an interest-free economy. What then if each one of them is forced to re-write the rules of economics?

Following the court directive, the Musharraf Government set up a number of committees to recommend ways and means to switch over to the new system with the minimum possible adverse impact on the economy. Curiously, these committees have not made much progress so far.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait claim to follow the system of interest-free economy. But many Muslims elsewhere have serious doubts if it conforms with what is laid down in Shariat. Dr Farruk Saleem, well-known writer on economic topics in the Pakistani media, has been quoted as saying: "To the best of my knowledge no country has formulated a genuine interest-free institution. Some of the Islamic countries that claim to have introduced a riba-free (interest-free) economy have merely changed the nomenclature".

It may be recalled that Pakistan experimented with the system in a limited way during the tenure of Zen Zia-ul-Haq. He did order banks to stop the interest system. But the banks replaced ‘interest’ with other terms. This suited all, including the religious zealots patronised by Gen Zia.

It was Gen. Zia who constituted a new Islamic court, known as the Federal Shariat Court. It declared in 1992 that accepting interest in any form was un-Islamic. The issue was subsequently taken to Pakistan’s highest appellate court. And in 1999, it upheld the Shariat Court’s verdict. The court directed the Government to make serious efforts to relive Pakistan of the burden of foreign debt "as soon as possible" and to renegotiate existing loans.

The Pakistan’s Government’s internal debt is 1.7 trillion Pakistan rupee. This is besides the external debt, estimated at 35 billion dollars. Islamabad has clarified that interest-free economy would not affect external loans. This notwithstanding, everyone is still groping in the dark as to what would happen if Islamabad goes ahead and introduces an interest-free economy.

4 militants killed in Valley encounters
Militants disarm 11 guards of NC activist in Kupwara

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 27: Even as security forces have eliminated four militants in different operations in Kashmir valley since last evening, militants disarmed Police guards of a National Conference (NC) activist and decamped with seven rifles in Kupwara district.

Official sources told EXCELSIOR that last evening a group of 14 heavily-armed militants in Army uniform appeared at Hanjipora village, in Trehgam area of Kupwara, and conducted a search at the house of a ‘protected’ NC Halqa President, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat. Fortunately, Bhat was not present at his home. While as six of his Police guards were absent, five were present on duty. All of them were disarmed. Later, the militants took along with them four SPO guards and asked them to file in at the bank of Kehmil nullah. As the militants were about to open fire, a local militant prevailed upon them and the kidnapped SPOs were let off. Militants decamped with seven .303 rifles and one Self-loading rifle (SLR).

Head constable Ali Mohammad alongwith constables Feroz Ahmed, Ghulam Rasool, Hilal Ahmed, Ex-serviceman Mohammad Yusuf and SPOs Ghulam Nabi, Bashir Ahmed, Abdur Rasheed, Bashir Ahmed, Abdul Qayoom and Shams-ud-din were supposed to guard the house and person of the militant-turned-NC activist. SP Kupwara G M Dar said that nine of the guards have been arrested under Sec 30 of Police Act (showing cowardice) while as more more were still untraced. He said that an inquiry had been constituted and action under rules would be taken against the delinquent officials.

According to eyewitnesses, one of the militants was sporting the rank of a Major while as another had the rank of a captain on his uniform. It was only after they escaped that it became clear that they were not Army personnel but militants in disguise. The disarmed and detained Policemen revealed to officials that the militants walked into the protected premises while saying that a local Hizbul Mujahideen militant, Farooq, had his wireless set at the NC activist’s house which was to be recovered. They tactfully disarmed the guards and later decamped with their weapons.

This afternoon, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 24 Bn picked up an SPO-turned-fugitive, namely Fayaz Ahmed Dar of Pazipora Payeen with a tip-off according to which he had full knowledge about the militants who had disarmed the Police guards. Dar led the troops to a forest cover in Zab Geeripora (Magam, Handwara). Troops threw cordon around a hideout but about 30 militants emerged from the jungle and cordoned the troops as well as five militants. A gunbattle between militants and security forces began at 1400 hours but no details about any casualties were available till late tonight.

Earlier, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 6th Bn and SOG Kupwara raided a militant hideout at Harkarpora, Vilgam. A group of five militants opened heavy fire and managed to escape. Troops retaliated and the encounter continued for half-an-hour. Later a critically injured militant, namely Mohammad Hussain Rather S/O Ghulam Nabi Rather, succumbed. His dead body was recovered this morning.

Reports from Budgam said that early this morning, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 2nd Bn, raided a militant hideout at War-sangam village, near Soibug. During the operation, militants opened fire and one unidentified militant got killed in the encounter. Two civilians, namely Lateef Ahmed Bhat S/O Ahad Bhat and Mohammad Yusuf Bhat S/O Ghulam Mohammad Bhat sustained injuries in crossfiring. Two soldiers, namely Gurnam Singh and Jagtar Singh, besides an SPO, Asgar Ali, also sustained injuries.

Late last evening, militants fired upon a civilian, namely Nazir Ahmed Thokar S/O Qasim Thokar of Chondapora (Budgam) and he escaped with gunshot wounds.

Reports from Tral, in south Kashmir, said that troops of Rashtriya Rifles, BSF 34 Bn and BSF 124 Bn raided a militant hideout at Bathnor, Tral, early this morning. During the operation, troops destroyed the house of Mukhti widow of Sullah Khan and eliminated two militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad in a fierce encounter. They were identified as Abdur Rasheed Bhat S/O Abdul Gani Bhat R/O Laam (Tral) and Rana Amjad Ali S/O Rana Maqsood Ali R/O Daryawallah, Pakistan. Two AK-56 rifles were recovered from the spot.

Reports from Kupwara said that an IED blast at Bugna village on LoC in Keran sector. Two soldiers of 4-Sikh sustained injuries. They were identified as lance naik Ajmer Singh and Sepoy Gurnam Singh.

Pak decries Indian refusal to Mushrraf, Hurriyat talks

ISLAMABAD, May 27: Even as it prepares its response to India’s invitation to Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf for talks, Pakistan today said refusal to allow Hurriyat Conference leaders to meet the military ruler during his visit to New Delhi would have "negative impact" on efforts to solve the Kashmir issue.

Musharraf, during his visit to India, planned to meet the executive council members of Hurriyat Conference and "any denial of their meeting with the Pakistan delegation will have negative impact on the efforts to solve the Kashmir issue," Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar was quoted by official news agency APP as saying.

He said Pakistani authorities have so far met Hurriyat leaders individully but had no opportunity to meet them as a delegation.

Sattar said Kashmir was likely to figure prominently at the proposed summit meeting between Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He said the dates of Musharraf’s visit to India have not been finalised yet "but there will not be unnecessary delay in Pakistan’s response to the letter of invitation sent by Vajpayee."

Sattar denied Pakistan planned to settle the Kashmir issue ignoring the Kahsmiri people and their leadership.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister said India invited Gen Musharraf "due to pressure" from the world community.

He claimed it was a "singular success" of the military Government to make India "unconditionally accept" Pakistan’s offer for talks on Kashmir and other issues.

"We have reinvigorated the Kashmir issue, made India to come to accept Pakistan’s stance for dialogue on the vital issue. This is our success that India has accepted unconditionally Pakistan’s offer for talks as India has been linking such dialogue with conditions in the past," Sattar said.

Sattar claimed Kashmir "was not integral part of India" and it was "not a territorial dispute" between the neighbours but an issue of the right of self-determination of Kashmir.

Asked whether the summit meeting in New Delhi would be held against the backdrop of Lahore Declaration, he said Pakistan and India have concluded several agreements since 1947.

India, he said, wanted to talk on "selective matters" but "Pakistan’s stand is clear and we are against selectivity."

Sattar also said that there would not be any discussion with India on confidence-building measures during the forthcoming talks. (PTI)

CWC meet on May 28

NEW DELHI, May 27: Buoyed by its success in the recent assembly polls in five States, Congress is expected to focus attention on Uttar Pradesh at its working committee meeting here tomorrow.

The party’s apex policy making body is also meeting for the first time after the plenary session in Bangalore nearly two months ago, when Congress president Sonia Gandhi had declared a war on the "corrupt, communal and shameless" BJP-led Government in the wake of the Tehelka expose.

Though the meeting was formally convened to review the assembly polls, party sources indicated that the leadership might take the opportunity to discuss the strategy for assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, which is the home state of the Nehru-Gandhi family.

The AICC has constituted a high-level coordination committee headed by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh to finetune electoral strategy for Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress fortunes have dwindled over the past decade.

The AICC has already dismissed reports of a likely replacement of UPCC president Sri Prakash Jaiswal and hinted that steps would be taken to strengthen the organisation in the State soon after the CWC meeting.

Sonia Gandhi is being urged by a host of leaders including Jaiswal to lead the campaign in Uttar Pradesh. Suggestions are also being made to utilise the services of party Chief Ministers by entrusting each of them with the responsibility of certain constituencies in the State.

Congress had narrowly lost the recent Lok Sabha by-election from Shahjahanpur to Samajwadi Party in a four-cornered contest where the BJP finished fourth and BSP third. The by-election was held due to the death of senior leader Jitendra Prasada.

BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy has challenged the Congress for the "real test" in the assembly elections of UP.

A day before the CWC meeting, Gandhi wrote to the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics favouring framing of rules for a code of conduct for Parliamentarians, which would lay down acts of omission and commission that constituted unethical conduct. (PTI)

"Continuation of NDA Govt in best interest of country"

MANDI, May 27: Himachal Vikas Congress supremo Sukh Ram today said the continuation of the Vajpayee Government at the Centre was in the best interest of the nation and expressed confidence that NDA Government would complete its full five year term.

Addressing a rally at the Seri pavilion here, he said, Vajpayee Government had launched various programmes for the uplift of all sections of the society, especially the farmers and the poor and the entire country would suffer if anyone tried to destabilise the Government.

He said after the former Prime Ministers, Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, he had highest regards for Vajpayee, who had taken personal interest in development of Himachal and got the work on 2051 mw Parvati and 800 mw Koldam project started.

Sukh Ram criticised Chief Minister P K Dhumal for hike and water and power tariff and setting of three more cement plants in the State. He said that these cement plants only caused pollution and had very little scope of employment generation.

He also criticised former Chief Minister V B Singh for perpetuating feudal rule and ruining the economy of the State. (PTI)

Preparations for temple construction almost complete: VHP

LUCKNOW, May 27: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today said the preparations for the building of Ram temple at Ayodhya were almost complete and the construction could begin any day after March 12, 2002, the deadline set by the "Dharam Sansad" at the Mahakumbh.

Speaking at a function on the occasion of 75th birth anniversary of the VHP international president Ashok Singhal, general secretary of the Parishad Dr Praveen Bhai Togaria said "no force on the earth can stop temple construction".

He cautioned the secular forces not to come in the way of temple construction.

The VHP leader charged the Christian missionaries with indulging in forcible religious conversions and said they would not be allowed to do so.

Speaking on the occasion, former BJP member of Lok Sabha Ram Bilas Vedanti said the BJP-led Government at the Centre should openly come out in favour of the temple construction.

Though Singhal could not come to the meeting due to ill health, several VHP functionary attended the function. (PTI)

Iran welcomes India’s invitation to Pakistan

DUBAI, May 27 : Iran today welcomed India’s invitation to Pakistani military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf and said it hoped the resumption of talks between the two countries would contribute to peace in the region.

"The resumption of talks between India and Pakistan would contribute to the sustainable peace between the two neighbours and would help both states settle their differences through peaceful ways," Irna News Agency quoted Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi as saying.(PTI)

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