Governor asks secessionist leaders to understand realities
India reserves right of military action: LG Nanavatty

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct.31: Terming terrorism as serious challenge before security of the country, GoC-in-C of the Northern Command, Lt General R K Nanavatty said that Pakistan has imposed covert war on India in the guise of freedom struggle to assimilate the region.

He warned Pakistan that India reserved the right to take military action against its army and terrorist groups if they continued to carry out "hostile acts" against the country like sabotage and infiltration.

In an unusually combative address at a seminar here, Lt Nanavatty, GOC-in-C of Northern Command, said the "blatant aggression" being witnessed now in Jammu and Kashmir was not "entirely dissimilar" to that in August 1965 when India was compelled to undertake limited conventional operations against Pakistan in the Hajipur Bulge.

"We are committed to restraint along the Line of Control and the international boundary in J and K. If, however, the Pakistan Army or terrorists assisted by the Pakistan Army, continue to carry out hostile acts to include sabotage, infiltration, raids or intrusions in violation of the Shimla agreement, we reserve the right to take military action against Pakistani military and /or terrorist targets as deemed appropriate," the General said in what he called as a "message for the Pakistan army opposite Northern Command".

"The nuclearisation of the sub-continent may have altered the situation but space still exists for limited conventional war.

"Whilst every effort must be made-politically, diplomatically and economically— to deter Pakistan, we must remain prepared to exercise the military option," GOC-in-C of the Northern Command, said in his key note address at a seminar on" Jammu and Kashmir: The Way Ahead."

In an unusually forthright speech, he said Pakistan must be made to realise that it could only persist with its gross interference in India’s internal affairs at its "own peril".

"Not long ago the blatant aggression that we are witness today would have been cause enough to go to war. In August 1965, the situation was not entirely dissimilar and we were compelled to undertake limited conventional operations in the Hajipir bulge," he said.

Gen Nanavatty said " our military response will be deliberate and carefully calibrated. Our policies cannot be driven solely by the logic of the asymmetrical situations existing between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the Middle East or the more recent U.S-led coalition against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"We will have to wait and watch to see how the U.S-led ‘global war on terror’ unfolds. Whatever the outcome, we will have to continue to fight our own battles," he said.

Maintaining that the nation had the moral obligation to protect its sovereignty and integrity, the Army Commander said the "reclamation" of Pak-occupied Kashmir and the Northern Areas, however, was quite another matter.

"It is achievable but would demand extraordinary synergy of political, diplomatic, economic, intelligence and military effort together with an uncharacteristic single-mindedness of purpose," he added.

He said the real challenge before India today was to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir by first persuading Pakistan to desist from continuing the covert war and its support to terrorism in J and K.

"We are committed to restraint along the Line of Control and the International Boundary in J and K. If, however, the Pakistan Army or terrorists assisted by the Pakistan Army, continue to carry out hostile acts to include sabotage, infiltration, raids or intrusions in violations of the Simla Agreement, we reserve the right to take military action against Pakistani military and/or terrorist targets as deemed appropriate," Gen. Nanavatty said.

Gen. Nanavatty said as India tries to persuade Pakistan from pursuing its perilous subversive course against India there was no reason why New Delhi should not embark vigorously on the task of restoration of normalcy in the state.

Speaking on the role of the media, he said it should demonstrate objectivity, shun sensationalism, challenge motivated reports and respect the army’s need for confidentiality of operational information.

Earlier the seminar was inaugurated by the Governor, Mr Girish Chander Sexena.

Addressing at the seminar on " Jammu & Kashmir- the way ahead" organised by the Department of Political Science in Jammu University today, the Governor asked secessionist leaders to understand the ground realities and geopolitical factors connected with State of Jammu & Kashmir and said that realistic parameters for solution permit the moves which are realistic and achievable. In this context he asked separatist leaders to see the yearning of people for peace in Kashmir.

Taking the Pakistani dimension of the Kashmir problem, Mr. Saxena said that Pakistan made an issue of Kashmir by engineering the 1947 tribal invasion planned and backed by its army. Thereafter, it has kept on raising the issue on international fora. "Under the circumstances, I do not see how Jammu and Kashmir can be considered disputed territory or as a core issue between India and Pakistan", he added.

The core issue is actually the fundamentals and basic thrust of the total relationships between the two countries which have been characterized by mutual mistrust, tension and a degree of hostility, he added. The Governor said that Kashmir is a manifestation of this state of relationship marred by sustained and compulsive hostility of Pakistan and not its primary cause, though some connected problems required to be resolved in accordance with the Simla Agreement and in the spirit of the Lahore Declaration.

Mr. Saxena added that on the political front, problems arise sharply on subjective perceptions of the history of events and developments relating to the entire original State comprising Kashmir valley, Jammu region and Ladakh, as also Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and northern areas.

Mr. Saxena added that Pakistan, its army and agencies including ISI and terrorist Jahadi outfits based in and operating from Pakistan have been actively involved in abetting terrorism in our state and we have been exercising utmost restraint to avoid a major conflict, particularly in view of the nuclear factor . Unlike India which views its nuclear capability on as deterrence and is committed to 'non first use' of nuclear weapons, Pakistan views its nuclear capability as a deterrance, as an equalizer, vis-à-vis a conventionally stronger India, as a shield against retaliation and as a diplomatic tool to project the picture of Kashmir as a nuclear flash point mostly for 'western ears', he added.

Mr. Saxena said, "We have the problem of regional polarization which sometimes tends to acquire communal overtones because of the demographic complexion of the population. Regional polarization springs from a sense among people of being dominated or discriminated against, as also from the fact that people in different regions or even sub-regions have different grievances, hopes and fears and their aspirations sometimes clash with each other. That is why it is difficult to seek solutions to some of the political problems of the State as a whole in accordance with the wishes of the people. We can, therefore, only ascertain and take into account the wishes of concerned sections and try to reconcile and accommodate their wishes to a reasonable and practicable extent. Mr. K.C. Pant's exercise could make further headway in this connection".

Mr. Saxena Questioned whether the massive cross-border terrorism and proxy war that our State has witnessed since 1990 and the Kargil intrusion of 1999 were not blatant breaches of the Simla Agreement and whether all the Constitutional and political development and the democratic process and elections in the State during the last five decades can be dismissed as exercises in which the people or their elected representatives did not have opportunities to express wishes.

Militants to strike harder in J&K

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Oct 31: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has informed the Union Home Ministry that 3,000 to 5,000 Kashmiris are, at present, in the training camps of Pakistan.

A note from the J&K Police has made a pointed reference to the ‘hidden agenda’ of Pakistan’s military regime to push the Kashmiri militants into Kashmir in the coming days to convince Washington that the on-going stir in the Valley is "purely an indigenous freedom struggle".

A Ministerial source told EXCELSIOR that the Farooq Abdullah Government had received "classified" inputs vis-à-vis Islamabad’s plan to increase the number of Kashmiri militants in the Valley by ensuring the passage of 3,000 to 5,000 Kashmiri ultras into the Valley from across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border in J&K in the coming days.

The note has also made a reference to the "latest message from across the border", which suggests that if more than 50,000 trained jihadi cadres of the Taliban were uprooted, Pakistan will not hesitate to send them to Kashmir "simply because the ISI is committed to giving India the pin-pricks in Kashmir".

The Ministerial source divulged that the note prepared by the J&K Police top brass also talked about the continuing infiltration into the troubled State from across the border. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also been informed that more than 3,000 militants and subversives "are presently based in camps across Poonch and Rajouri sectors of Jammu division" awaiting an opportunity to trek into the Indian territory.

The note has quoted some captured infiltrators as having revealed that at a time when Pakistan’s military ruler, Gen. Parvez Musharraf, is upping his Kashmir ante to divert people from anti-US protests, militants based in different areas in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Srinagar, Badgam, Kupwara, Uri, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama sectors in the Valley and in Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu region, are poised to strike harder in the next few weeks.

This, official circles point out, will require Indian security forces in J&K to join the shooting match, rather than crying "foul" on the phone line to Washington every time a grenade is lobbed at a vital civil or defence installation in the Valley or elsewhere in the State.

The situation is totally different from what it was prior to the commencement of America’s war on Afghanistan. Political tempers are boiling over on both sides of the Line of Control, with the Indo-Pakistan rhetoric degenerating into street language.

According to a set of observers, the ‘soft’ line of the Minister for External Affairs, Mr Jaswant Singh, over Kashmir had ended up in the Line of Control become "a line of no-control". And these observers cannot be faulted as they recall that during the cease-fire extended on every festival from Ramzan to Republic Day until the Agra fiasco, the militants had consolidated and killed more civilians and soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir than in the preceding months.

And by the time the Army was allowed to shoot back, the militants had become bold and strong enough to hit prize targets like the J&K Assembly building and Air Force stations.

The Government of India’s fresh orders to the security forces to be in a state of preparedness have also been necessitated by a few radio intercepts that precisely warned: "There will be more fidayeen attacks if Indian troops attempted to crush the freedom movement in Kashmir".

Hurriyat selling Kashmiri people: Farooq

NEW DELHI, Oct 31: In a hard hitting statement against Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said Kashmiris should beware of the "so-called bunch of seven people" whom he accused of "selling" the people of the State to Pakistan.

"Hurriyat Conference has been taking money from not only anti-nationals but also from people who are anti-Kashmiri. An open example of it is the recent threat by a militant outfit to one of the so-called executive members of the Hurriyat asking him to return the money," Abdullah, who was here to attend the Chief Ministers Conference on Tourism, told PTI.

Recently, a militant organisation, Al-Badar, had threatened senior Hurriyat Executive Committee leader Abdul Gani Lone asking him to return the money that he "owed" to the outfit.

"I have been regularly saying that this bunch of seven jokers has been ruining the fate of Kashmiris and only serving as an extension of Pakistan High Commission," Abdullah said.

Stating that the number of Pakistan sympathisers had come down to a trickle in the State, the Chief Minister said the new "development should serve as a warning to them that Islamabad has never been serious about Kashmiris."

He said immediately after the militants tightened their rein against Hurriyat leaders, its chairman along with another senior executive rushed here to request Pakistan High Commission for exerting pressure on militant outfits to stop their anti-Hurriyat statements.

The two Hurriyat leaders camping in the Capital were its chairman Abdul Gani Bhat and former chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.

The Chief Minister said that such allegations against the Hurriyat leaders were not new as its leaders had been facing charges of swindling of money earlier also.

"During the Charar-e-Sharief incident one of its old leaders was heckled by people for misappropriating money meant for rebuilding the holy shrine," Abdullah said.

Terming the statements of Hurriyat Conference as "empty vessels making more noise", the Chief Minister said "during all these years they have only brought misfortune to the state and nothing more."

He said the Hurriyat Conference, which did not even properly represent a "Mohalla" (a ward) in the State, should come forward and participate in the elections and "prove their credentials."

Abdullah said "they have been drumming up support from international quarters on Kashmir issue but the day is not far when people will start chasing them out of the streets of the Valley."

"This violence has claimed somebody’s kith or kin but what have these so-called representatives lost in all these years. These people have seen an economic upliftment with their wards well settled abroad." (PTI)

Group of 20 ultras, 3 civilians untraced
Commandos kill 3 terrorists in Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH/RAJOURI, Oct 31: ‘Ghatak commandos’ of Poonch Brigade and police eliminated three terrorists at Bandi Kamba Khan in Jandrola area of Mandi sector in Poonch this evening while a group of over 20 terrorists, which had sneaked into Indian territory through Nowshera sector on Monday night, was cornered by security forces in Taryath forests.

Defence sources in Poonch said ‘Ghatak commandos’ of four different battalions of Poonch Brigade, assisted by Poonch Police carried out an operation at Bandi Kamba Khan this afternoon after getting an information of terrorists’ movement.

The operation, which was launched at 1630 hours, ended at 1800 hours with the killing of all three terrorists. It couldn’t be ascertained immediately as to whether the terrorists were infiltrators or exfiltrators. Bandi Kamba Khan, where the encounter took place, was only a couple of kilometers away from the Line of Control (LoC).

Infact, the sources said, the group of three terrorists was observed by local people in Bandi Kamba Khan on Monday evening. Troops were following the group since then. It was only this afternoon that the terrorists were spotted by army. Within few minutes, commandos were rushed to the spot, who eliminated all three terrorists.

Identity of the terrorists couldn’t be established so far but, according to sources, trio looked like Pakistanis. Three AK-56 rifles with magazines and ammunition, one wireless set and three grenades were recovered from their possession.

Commandos didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

Meanwhile, army and police parties continued a massive hunt for a group of over 20 terrorists, who infiltrated through the LoC in Nowshera sector on Monday night. One terrorist of the group identified as Khadim Hussain was killed by troops yesterday morning while his associates had escaped into surrounding forests.

Sources said the group was again spotted early today in Taryath forest area of Nowshera sector. Army and police parties have surrounded the forest area and were making all out efforts to eliminate the terrorists. However, a breakthrough remained elusive when reports last came in this evening.

Army and police were taking extra precautions in the operations as three civilians of Chingus were being held hostage by the terrorists since yesterday morning. The civilians were reportedly kidnapped by the terrorists for using them as guides.

The group was stated to be affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit of Azhar Masood. A couple of terrorists in the group were Afghanis while all others were Pakistanis.

Senior army and police officers were leading the operations.

Cop injured in explosion
4 civilians kidnapped in Mahore, one killed

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 31: The terrorists gunned down a civilian and kidnapped four others in two separate incidents in Udhyanpur village of Doda and Mahore tehsil of Udhampur district overnight.

Official reports here said that a group of seven to eight terrorists struck in a remote village of Mahore last mid-night and kidnapped four civilians from different houses. Armed with sophisticated weapons, the terrorists reportedly beat-up family members of the hostages, who tried to resist the kidnappings.

The terrorists took the civilians, all of whom belonged to minority community, to an adjoining forest area. Identity of the kidnapped civilians couldn’t be gathered immediately as a police party from Mahore, which got an information of terrorists strike this morning, reached the village late this evening after trekking through the hilly areas for several hours.

Later, security forces also left for village to launch a search operation for the terrorists and rescue the hostages. Till tonight, there had been no report of any encounter with the terrorists. Situation was stated to be tense in village from where the civilians were kidnapped.

Meanwhile, another group of the terrorists struck at village Beli in Udhyanpur area of Doda last night and kidnapped a civilian Lal Din son of Sabir Ali from his house.

The ultras took away hostage to a forest area of Udhyanpur, where he was shot dead. Body of deceased was recovered by police from the forests this morning and handed over to his family members after post-mortem.

Reasons behind killing of Lal Din couldn’t be ascertained. Local police was investigating the case.

A police constable of JKAP identified as Aurangzeb was injured in an IED blast at Gool this evening. He has been admitted in Ramban hospital in serious condition.

Meanwhile, shops owned by minority community remained closed in Udhyanpur and parts of Doda town this morning to protest killing of civilian.

In another incident, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Mahore police, in a joint operation,today busted a hideout of the terrorists and recovered a large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives. However, no arrest could be made as the terrorists, using the hideout, escaped before BSF and police raid.

The hideout, which was being used by atleast six terrorists, was smashed in the operation. It belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.

BSF jawans also busted another hideout of the same outfit in Kalakot area of Rajouri and recovered one wireless set, two detonators and some ammunition.

Soldier killed, 7 injured in Pak shelling
Border skirmishes intensify in Uri, Gurez

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 31: One soldier of army got killed and seven others sustained injuries when Pakistani troops directed heavy gunfire on LoC in Uri sector last evening. Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged fire in Gurez and Karnah sectors of north Kashmir as well. However, nothing was available about the damage caused, if any. Meanwhile, militants struck of an army patrol in Lolab valley of Kupwara, killing another soldier.

Senior Defence sources told EXCELSIOR that, without any provocation, Pakistani troops directed heavy gunfire at Khoja Bandi, Lari and adjacent places in Uri sector last evening and today as well. One soldier of 4 Raj Rifles got killed and three more sustained injuries. However, Police sources said that seven soldiers and a porter sustained injuries. Silikot, Batkot, Sowra, Hathlanga and other border villages in Hajipir sub sector remained disturbed as Indian troops retaliated and silenced the guns across. Defence sources claimed that firing of Pakistani troops was intended to facilitate the infiltration of militant groups into Kashmir at Laosar, on LoC.

Sources said that exchange of heavy gunfire and artillery shelling took place in Kanzal area of Gurez sector and also in Tangdar area of Karnah sector. Preliminary reports did not indicate any damage or loss of life. Reports from border areas said that the people in panic sought shelter in RCC bunkers at several places and normal civilian movement remained disrupted to a large extent.

Meanwhile, official sources in north Kashmir added that militants ambushed a patrol of Rashtriya Rifles 32 Bn at Gujjarpatti, Nagbal, in Lolab. A soldier, identified as Khem Bahadur Thapa sustained critical injuries and succumbed later this afternoon. Militants managed to escape even as troops retaliated the gunfire. Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen outfit has claimed that its militants left six troops killed in the attack. Officials insisted that only one soldier died.

Reports from south Kashmir said that security forces and militants exchanged gunfire at Mominabad village of Anantnag district this evening. However, according to preliminary reports, there was no damage or loss of life. Militants managed to escape.

Bank looted

Official sources said that four masked gunmen, wielding automatic pistols, appeared at Red Cross Road Branch of the state Cooperative Bank, near the old KMDA bus-yard and decamped with cash worth Rs 7,85,119 on gunpoint. On Tuesday, gunmen had similarly looted cash worth Rs 1.50 Lakh from a Cooperative Bank branch at the apple-rich Zainapora village in Shopian area.

B K Nehru dead

NEW DELHI, Oct 31: B K Nehru, one of India’s most distinguished civil servants of the post-independent India who held several coveted posts including Ambassador to the United States, died at Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh today.

He was 92. He is survived by his wife Shobha and three sons Ashok, Aditya and Anil. The cremation will take place here tomorrow.

A grand nephew of the late Motilal Nehru and the first cousin of Indira Gandhi, Brij Kumar Nehru graduated from the Allahabad University and went to London School of Economics.

Nehru joined the then ICS in 1934 and rose to become the Secretary of Economic Affairs at the Centre in 1957.

He distinguished himself as a Diplomat having been Ambassador to the US and the High Commissioner in UK. Earlier, in recognition of his knowledge of economic affairs, he was made a Commissioner General (Economic Affairs) in a specially-created post in the Indian Embassy in the US with Ambassadorial rank.

Nehru was appointed Governor of Assam in 1968 and became the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 1982. He also served one term as Governor in Gujarat.

He was with the United Nations for a long time and remained a friend of the Kennedy family.

He had written a number of books including an autobiographical "Nice Guys Finish Second" in which he blames the legendary V K Krishna Menon for his failure to make it to the UN Secretary General after Dag Hammerjkold died in an aircrash in the 1960s.

Despite his close links with the Nehru-Gandhi family, Nehru was friendly with the late Prime Minister Morarji Desai and would first visit his residence before going to Indira Gandhi’s house.

In Washington, Nehru won over the Kennedys and Lyndon Johnson with his elegant ways.

In his autobiography, Nehru described Atal Bihari Vajpayee as "one of the most attractive people whom I had the good fortune to meet.... With impeccable manners, broad vision and master of the Hindi language."

On the fateful Jammu and Kashmir elections in 1983, he said Indira Gandhi had decided to get rid of the then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah even before the State went to the poll. "One reason she gave to me...... Was that he was unreliable, he said `mummy mummy’ to her and promised to do exactly as she wanted and then did exactly the opposite."

Nehru wanted to write another book "What Was Left Behind" but this dream remained unfulfilled. (PTI)

Ultras plan to strike in Delhi foiled

NEW DELHI, Oct 31: Delhi Police have thwarted a plan by militants to strike in the Capital by arresting two of them, including a Pakistani national, from posh Lodhi road area of the Capital and recovered some arms and explosives from them.

Masad Ali alias Arshad Khan of Multan district of Pakistan and Miraj of Kolkata were arrested after a brief encounter late last night, police sources told PTI, adding nobody was injured in the incident.

A pistol and two grenades besides a scooter were recovered from the two, they said.

The militants were nabbed when they came to meet each other in Lodhi Garden parking at around 11 pm, they said, on sighting the police, the militants fired one round but nobody was injured.

Although their allegiance has not been ascertained yet, it is suspected that the two belong to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami outfits.

The two are being interrogated to get details about their plans and contacts in the capital.

The two are believed to have four more Pakistani associates, including a woman, in the capital, the sources said, adding they are believed to possess more arms and explosives.

A hunt has been launched to nab them and in this connection raids were conducted at several places in the capital, the sources said.

On a tip off that militants were trying to set up a base in the Capital and launch strikes and that two of them would be meeting outside Lodhi Garden a trap was laid and policemen in civil clothes deployed.

At around 11 pm, one of the militant came on a silver coloured scooter without a number plate and stopped in the parking lot of garden.

Another militant came from opposite direction, they said, adding that as they met policemen swooped on them. (PTI)

Gupta takes over as Power Commissioner

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Chief Engineer Systems and Operations, Mr H S Gupta has taken over as additional charge of Power Development Commissioner from Mr Vinod Sharma who has attained the age of superannuation .

Mr Sharma, who retired as Power Development Commissioner after rendering 37 years of services, handed over the charge to Mr Gupta this afternoon.

PM ridicules Musharraf's remark

SOMNATH (GUJARAT), Oct 31: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today asked Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who had recently made some bellicose statements, not to be under any illusion about India’s unity and strength and made it clear that another partition of the country will not be allowed.

Maintaining that India has kept patience despite such statements, he said "we have faith in our armed forces and scientists and are prepared to meet any eventuality. We are quite capable of defending the territorial integrity of the country."

The Prime Minister was speaking at a function to commemorate the 50 years of rebuilding of the famous Somnath temple here. Earlier he worshipped at the temple.

Vajpayee also asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and another partition of the country will not be allowed.

Apparently referring to Musharraf’s remarks that he was not wearing bangles to convey a message of strength to India, Vajpayee said "some people are under illusion when they see our sisters wearing bangles.

"We don’t speak this language. But in Punjab where bangles are popular people also wear "kada" (steel bangles) along with other bangles. When the level of speech stoops to bangles, it is not a sign of manliness," he said.

Stating that India was strong, united and prosperous enough today to face any challenge, Vajpayee, without naming anyone, said "nobody should be under any illusion".

Vajpayee made a reference to the menace of terrorism and said Somnath temple was a saga of constant struggle and national pride.(PTI)

Pak bans use of mosques for ‘jihad’ call

ISLAMABAD, Oct 31: Acting tough against threats of indefinite nation-wide strikes by pro-Taliban religious outfits protesting Islamabad’s cooperation with US-led military strikes against Afghanistan, Pakistan today banned the use of public address systems in mosques for purposes other than ‘Azan’ (prayer) and sermon.

Some religious groups leaders have used the public address systems during sermons at certain mosques to call for "jihad".

A Cabinet meeting presided over by President Pervez Musharraf, took "strong notice of misuse of loud speakers in certain mosques" and directed the interior ministry and provincial Governmets to strictly implement the ban on use of microphone in the mosques," an official statement here said.

However, the loudspeakers could be used only for ‘Azan’ and ‘Khutba-e-Juma’ (Friday sermon), it said.

The statement said Government would not allow anybody to "sow discord and create disharmony through inflammatory and derogatory speeches inciting people against any religion or sect."

"No one will be allowed to preach sectarian hatred," it said, three days after unidentified gunmen shot dead 18 Christians in a church during service in Punjab province.

Mosques all over Pakistan use loud speakers during the prayer timings.

Amid threats of indefinite strikes by the pro-Taliban religious parties beginning from the second week of next month, Musharraf asked his officials not to allow anyone to challenge the writ of the Government and ordered them to firmly put down violence.

Meanwhile, flying of hand gliders has been banned within Islamabad district.

Officials said there was anxiety among the security officials that hand gliders could be used for lawnkhing suicide attacks on official buildings and top Government functionaries.

Before the Cabinet meeting, Mushararf presided over a high-level meeting of police and army officials to review law and order situation in the light of Oct 27 attack on the church in Punjab and told the officials that Government would not tolerate any attempt aimed at disrupting civic life on any pretext. (PTI)

No universal response to terror: Gill

NEW DELHI, Oct 31:When confronting terrorism there cannot be an universal response as each society places its own constraints and therefore it has to be an appropriate response based on the place, says Punjab’s former supercop K P S Gill.

"Ever since I engaged in combating militancy, I’ve interacted with western intelligence agencies. They knew what motivated terrorists and where the funds came from. But at the diplomatic level, those countries said there was no proof," Mr Gill told a distinguished international gathering here this afternoon at a seminar on ‘The Global Threat of Terror: Ideological, Political and Material Linkages’.

"You will not find proof unless you look for it. Two former heads of the Inter-Services Intelligence were accredited (Pakistani) Ambassadors to Germany. This puts a question mark on the ability of developed nations to combat extremism," he added.

The former officer of the Indian Police Service termed terrorism as the one of the most confusing phenomena to have erupted in recent years.

"I have seen societies in terror. The problem ultimately boils down to violence itself. Violence has been with society ever since it was created. The first step should be removal of terror from people’s minds. After the AK47 came to Punjab, village after village was ravaged.

"The September 11 assault on the World Trade Centre took place at a time when the number of people within the buildings was not at the day’s maximum. Was the timing accidental or deliberate? supposing the toll had been in the region of 50-60,000 what would have been the U S response? these questions belong to the realm of conjecture," Mr Gill added.(UNI)

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