9 militants among 15 killed in Valley
4 soldiers killed in Anantnag Fidayeen strike

From Ahmed Ali Fayaz

SRINAGAR, Nov 4: Within a day of its being branded as a terrorist organisation by the United States of America, Pakistan-based pan-Islamist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba left four Indian soldiers killed and six more wounded in a suicide strike, at Dyalgam village of Anantnag, in south Kashmir. Security forces have killed one of the Lashkar’s death squad members as also eight more militants in Kashmir valley, since last evening.

While the official electronic media was busy in trumpeting that America had finally branded two major militant groups— Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad— as "international terrorist organisations", Lashkar launched a deadly attack on a formation of Rashtriya Rifles 36 Bn at Dyalgam village, in Anantnag, late last night. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that one or two militants, in combat uniform, sneaked into the premises at around 2200 hours last night and fired indiscriminately in all directions. They also lobbed a number of hand grenades and took position to inflict severe damage on the security forces. Ten soldiers sustained injuries. Four of them succumbed and others were still battling for life at hospital. In night-long retaliation, troops killed one militant while as his accomplice is believed to have escaped.

Four soldiers, killed in the attack, have been identified as Jagdish Singh, Subhash Kumar, Satinder Singh and Nandkant Suha. Troops eliminated the unidentified militant while destroying the cowshed of a Kashmiri Pandit migrant, Bansi Lal. The RR formation is camping at Batpora Dyalgam in a cluster of houses deserted by Kashmiri Pandits in 1990.

Lashkar-e-Toiba spokesman, Abu Usama, told some Srinagar-based journalists on telephone that three militants of his organisation trooped into the RR camp late last night, killing a number of soldiers. He identified the militant as Abu Hashim, Abu Salim and Abu Omar and claimed that only the latter was a Pakistani national. According to him, Abu Hashim and Abu Salim were native Kashmiris and one of them "attained martyrdom". He claimed that two militants of the group had escaped, reached back to their hideout and spoken to him in the forenoon today.

Lashkar has remarkably increased the frequency of its suicide attacks on security forces in Jammu & Kashmir since last fortnight. It made a day-time attempt on Awantipore base of Indian Air Force on October 22, killing one-odd junior official. However, all the four militants of the group were killed by security forces that day. Of the 42 suicide strikes in Jammu and Kashmir since July 13, 1999, Lashkar has claimed as many as 37 till date. Jaish-e-Mohammad has carried out four and Al-Badar Mujahideen just one. While as four of such attacks were reported in 1999 and 17 in 2000, as many as 21 have been carried out in the current year, till date.

Informed sources said that, on a specific information, troops of 15 JAK LI, Rashtriya Rifles 29 Bn and SOG Baramulla swooped on a militant hideout at Ratnipora, close to the Army formation at Ziran, in Tangmarg. As per the tip off, a group of five militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad were present in the village. During the operation, an encounter took place between the holed up militants and security forces. Three unidentified militants got killed. Three AK-56 rifles and a wireless set were recovered from the spot. The operation, in search of two more militants, was in progress when reports last came in tonight.

On another specific information, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 21 Bn eliminated two unidentified militants at Turkapora Lachhipora, in Zachaldara area of Handwara, early this morning. A Defence spokesman claimed that both the militants killed in the gunbattle were members of Al-Badar outfit. One soldier has sustained injuries in the clash. Residential house of Ghulam Rasool Tantray has gutted and a civilian, Ashiq Hussain Dar, has also sustained injuries in the operation.

Sources said that a chance encounter took place between militants and troops of 11 Sikh LI in Katwari area of Machhil sector, close to LoC. In the gunbattle, troops torched the hutment and both the militants died on spot. One of them was charred beyond recognition.

Another encounter took place between militants and security forces at Kaimoh village, in Kulgam area of Anantnag district, during last night. Official sources said that a Hizbul Mujahideen militant, Dildar Ahmed Shah S/o Shabir Shah R/o Rampora Kulgam, got killed.

Reports from Budgam said that unidentified gunmen have shot dead a civilian, Gulzar Ahmed Pir S/o Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Pir R/o Gund-e-Dalwachh, at Hamchipora village in Khag-Beerwah belt.

Reports from Tral said that unidentified persons kidnapped a civilian, Nazir Ahmed Bhat alias Nazir Gasha of Badipora Dadsar and later hanged him to death at Keegam near Chursu. Police said the incident may not be essentially a militancy-related event.

Tangdar shelling

Reports available from south Kashmir said that early this morning, Pakistani troops directed heavy gunfire on Amrohi village, close to LoC. Residential houses of Hafeezullah Mir S/o Habibullah Mir and Manzoor Ahmed Mir S/o Mohammad Abdullah Mir suffered damage as both were hit in the shelling. However, according to these reports, there was no casualty. However, a Defence spokesman claimed that Indian troops retaliated in Saira Gali and Tung Gali. It was not immediately clear whether there was any damage to the opposite side.

Differences crop up in Hurriyat

NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Close on the heels of a militant organisation threatening a senior Hurriyat leader to hand over the money he owed to the outfit, serious differences have surfaced within the Hurriyat Conference over the utilisation of funds being allegedly received by them from overseas.

Hurriyat insiders said the threat of "Al-Burq" militant outfit to senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone asking him to hand over Rs 4.5 crore back to the organisation had sparked off a debate within the amalgam about even previous financial benefits received from abroad.

The insiders said at least two senior leaders of the amalgam had heated exchanges over the finances received from overseas, majority of them from Pakistani organisations.

Much to the worry of the amalgam leadership, now even these overseas organisations have started asking for records from the Hurriyat leaders about the utilisation of money, which was meant for disbursement among the needy persons, the insiders said, adding none of them had been able to give a clear picture so far.

The insiders said some organisations have even threatened to stop all remittances and expose them if they failed to give the expenditure account.

The Hurriyat Conference leaders are believed to have contacted some of these organisations over phone asking for review of their stand but with little success, the insiders said.

Hurriyat leaders visited the Pakistan High Commission here during their stay to sort out the matter with the help of "authorities having soft-corner for the amalgam."

About the alleged firing at the residence of Lone, the insiders said other leaders of the amalgam kept away from his press conference in Srinagar on Friday as the theory floated by him was not finding any takers within the amalgam.

Meanwhile, another worry dogging the Hurriyat leaders was the constant threats they were getting from militant organisations about their behaviour and stand vis-a-vis us-led air strikes on Afghanistan.

Recently, Al-Badr flashed a warning to a former chairman of the Hurriyat Conference threatening him to refrain from criticising the Taliban or "face the music".

Hurriyat Conference chairman Abdul Gani Bhat has also been exerting pressure on some of the militant outfits through Pakistan’s ISI to stop these threats.

JKLF chairman Yaseen Malik, who is away in the United States for medical treatment, was also receiving virtually "zero" support because some of his supporters in America including Ghulam Nabi Fai, an anti-India lobbyist there, have indulged in a vanishing trick since the September 11 attacks.

These worries have been accentuated by sharp attacks by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, who said that Hurriyat leaders were a "bunch of jokers" who were "selling people of Kashmir for their own vested interests."

Surprisingly, there was not a word of reaction from Hurriyat Conference to his criticism. (PTI)

Jaish fidayeen gunned down near Hiranagar

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Nov 4: A fidayeen of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit was killed in an encounter with police in a nursery near Tarnah river between Rajbagh and Hiranagar area of this district late last night.

The fidayeen, who was wearing a combat dress, was shot dead after an hour long hide and seek battle inside the nursery at 2300 hours last night, police said. He has been identified as Bashir Ahmed alias Abu Katal son of Atta Mohd, a resident of village Chang in Sialkot district of Lahore, Pakistan.

The fidayeen was noticed by a group of local people while moving towards a nursery near Tarnah river, falling under joint jurisdiction of Hiranagar and Rajbagh police stations, at about 2130 hours last night.

People became doubtful as the man wearing Indian army uniform was moving all along carrying a pithu. They sounded police. Police parties led by DySP Border Shiv Kumar Chouhan, SHO Hiranagar Rajinder Khajuria and SHO Rajbagh Sagar Singh rushed to the spot and laid a cordon around the nursery, where the terrorist had taken shelter after observing movement of the security personnel.

A hide and seek battle continued between police and the lone ultra for about an hour with latter making a desperate attempt to escape. However, he was spotted behind a thick cluster of bushes and finally gunned down.

No casualties were reported on police side in the gun-battle. A revolver with 18 rounds and some Indian currency was recovered from slain terrorist. An identity card was also found in his possession, which revealed that he was a fidayeen of Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit. Card also carried his name.

The fidayeen, according to police, was heading towards Udhampur to carry out a suicide attack on a vital installation.

According to police, Pakistan army, initially, pushed a lone fidayeen to check security checks. More fidayeens were to follow if he would have succeeded in reaching his hideout, they said.

3 terrorists, civilian killed; 4 hurt in Doda

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR/DODA, Nov 4: Three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists and a civilian were killed and four security personnel including three army soldiers were injured in two operations across these two districts today.

Official sources said the jawans of 26 Rashtriya Rifles, STF and ITBP carried out a search operation at Kilotran in Gandoh area of Doda district at 0700 hours today. Operation was launched on a specific information that three terrorists, all local activists of Hizbul Mujahideen, were hiding in the village.

The terrorists took positions inside their hideout and opened firing with AK-56 rifles on the approaching columns of security personnel. Within few minutes of encounter, army and police killed two terrorist while their associate continued to fight for about 40 minutes before being eliminated.

Two slain terrorists were identified as Safdar Ali Bhat son of Jaan Mohd Bhat R/o Kilotran and Mohd Amin son of Noor Mohd R/o Chang, Gandoh. Identity of third terrorist could not be ascertained. Two AK-56 rifles, five magazines and a wireless set were recovered from the scene of encounter.

Three army jawans and a Special Police Officer (SPO) were injured in exchange of firing with the terrorists. They were evacuated from the firing site and shifted to a hospital. All of them had sustained bullet wounds.

Meanwhile, another encounter took place between troops of 38 Rashtriya Rifles and the terrorists at Neeram village in Gulabgarh area of Udhampur district this afternoon. Encounter lasted over one and a half hour.

A civilian Lal Singh son of Dewan Chand R/o Saar, was trapped in the cross-firing and got killed. As troops tried to save the civilian, the terrorists escaped without suffering any casualty. Body of civilian was handed over to his family after post-mortem this evening.

Trifurcation dangerous: Omar

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Nov 4: The Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr Omar Abdullah, has warned that division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir into Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh will serve as the "first step" towards handing over Kashmir to Pakistan.

Rejecting the suggestion advanced by some people in support of breaking his home State into three regions, Mr Omar Abdullah said that trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir State would be "dangerous and damaging".

"It will only reinforce the two nation theory that Hindus and Muslims cannot live together", he said in a media interview. He regretted: "Unfortunately, some petty-minded politicians in Jammu cannot see this. They are also pushed into this thinking by people who talk about taking into account the public opinion in Kashmir".

Mr Omar Abdullah, in his blistering attack on Pakistan’s military ruler, General Parvez Musharraf, posed: When he (Gen. Musharraf) talks of people’s opinion, why does he talk of only Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh? Mr Omar Abdullah’s demand: Gen. Musharraf must also include Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Yet another demand voiced by Mr Omar Abdullah: Pak military ruler must talk of the part of Jammu and Kashmir that was "gifted" to China under a Sino-Pak agreement. Mr Abdullah sought to highlight the "fact" that the successive Governments in Pakistan never allowed public opinion in PoK to come to the fore.

Dispute over PoK notwithstanding, none in the occupied territory, as claimed by Mr Omar Abdullah, can question its "final accession" to Pakistan. "Parties that do not toes the established Pakistani line are not allowed to fight elections", he said. "Ask JKLF: they cannot fight elections because they do no believe in PoK’s accession to Pakistan", he stated, adding: "We, on the other hand, are even today telling the Hurriyat, ‘Come, fight the elections; let’s see how much support there is for your line of thinking".

That Mr Omar Abdullah chose to enjoy his call-a-spade-a-spade style became amply clear when he took on Pakistan. He lambasted Pakistan for advising India to show restraint, despite the fact that India "is suffering due to the lack of restraint" by Pakistan. "India has restrained itself since Independence and even after Kargil", he emphasized.

And he angrily posed: "How many countries can be so when their territorial integrity is challenged and soldiers killed?" On the stalled Indo-Pak dialogue, Mr Omar Abdullah said: "Keep talking, people tell us. But what would be the sum and substance of such talks? We’ve had a round in Agra, and the situation on the ground got worse".

Mr Abdullah’s standpoint: To facilitate dialogue, Pakistan should have reduced violence. And he regretted: "Instead, Gen. Parvez Musharraf is constantly talking about his Kashmir agenda, Kashmir plan, Kashmir programme…. If you talk of India only in the context of this agenda, if you are unwilling to make progress in other areas, what will be the focus for the next meeting?"

Mr Omar Abdullah also emphasized: "Such statements give us no reason to talk to Pakistan. Particularly today, when its attention is primarily focused on Afghanistan. We don’t want to be used by Pakistan to lower the pressure on Musharraf". On the war against terrorism, he let it be known that it had to be fought on more than one front. "First and foremost, we should tackle militants coming from across the border. We must secure our borders".

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) president and former Prime Minister, Ms Benazir Bhutto, has, at the same time, made a pointed reference to the role of non-Kashmiris in Kashmir and asserted that while the Kashmiri ‘movement’ was for self-determination, the attempt by non-Kashmiris was to dominate the Kashmiri ‘movement’. "This they did in Afghanistan by taking control of the Taliban. International abhorrence of terrorism will come into play where the non-Kashmiris are concerned", she explained in a media interview.

Ms Benazir has been quoted as having emphasized that the "indigenous Kashmiri struggle will continue to be recognised". She also asserted: "It is already enshrined in the United Nations Security Council Resolutions. Having said that, it’s still important for India and Pakistan, as two nuclear-capable powers, to manage their conflict. India and Pakistan do not see eye to eye on the settlement".

On the question of dialogue with Kashmir’s All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Ms Benazir Bhutto has said: "I am unaware of what New Delhi is prepared to offer the APHC leaders, which it has invited for talks. Without prejudice to their differing views, India and Pakistan can take confidence-building measures to create a stable South Asia free from regional tension".

Even opponents now ready to discuss autonomy: Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 4: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has termed as major achievement of his Government the building of public opinion in India for restoration of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir saying even the most vociferous opponents of the demand have now realised that there was no escape from considering it.

In an interview with Doordarshan here, Dr. Abdullah said it was a matter of satisfaction for him that the principal party in the ruling alliance at the Centre known for its anti autonomy stance has now realised that neither the Article 370, guaranteeing special status to the State, can be abrogated nor was there any escape from granting autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir if people had to be carried along. He said that was why after initially rejecting the demand doors for dialogue on the issue had been opened by the Union Government. "The dialogue will continue and Inshaallah we will succeed in our objective’, he said.

The Chief Minister noted with a sense of satisfaction that the intellectuals of the country were increasingly supporting the demand for restoration of autonomy to the State. He said this was possible only when the Government could successfully put its point of view across before the people of the country. The efforts have resulted in building public opinion on the issue. He said there were some misconceptions within and outside the State that were being removed.

He said some quarters in Jammu and Ladakh felt that autonomy was meant only for Muslims of Kashmir. Likewise, he said, some opponents of the demand say that after the restoration of autonomy visa system for entry into the State would come into force. He said both these apprehensions were misplaced, adding the autonomy was meant for the whole of the State and its people and there was no question of imposing visa regime for entry into the State.

About a question on militancy, Dr Abdullah said everybody knew where its roots lie. He said after failing in all its designs including wars to wrest Kashmir, Pakistan turned to proxy war and terrorism. He said militants from different countries were being indoctrinated, trained, armed and pushed into the State to spread terror. He described suicide attacks as a very serious development in militancy and said these have earlier been carried out in Middle East and were now tried here and recently exported to the United States too.

Calling upon Pakistan to desist from violence and confrontation, the Chief Minister said India would never part with Kashmir. He said peace and amity was in the best interest of both countries and for the development of the region as a whole. He said in his opinion the Line of Control should be converted into an International Border with autonomy given to both sides and free movement of people and trade between India and Pakistan ensured.

Asked about his call for attacks on militant training camps across the LoC, Dr. Abdullah said on the basis of experience he knew that Pakistan would not stop terrorism and so it was necessary to uproot it where it is grown. He said dialogue was the only way to resolve problems but the neighbouring country does not understand the language of peace and cooperation. He said after the war against terror in Afghanistan was over the world must take cognizance of terrorism in Kashmir.

In reply to a question about the problems faced by people in the Valley during winter particularly due to shortage of power, the Chief Minister said he has taken up the matter with the Centre following which the State would now get an additional supply of 300 MWs. This, he said, would improve the situation and daily power curtailment would now be reduced to 5 hours only. He said during the fasting month of holy Ramadan, gas turbine would also be put to use if required. He said at least one of his ministerial colleagues would on rotation remain in the Valley to address peoples’ grievances. He said he would himself spend most of the winter in Srinagar. Besides, the divisional administration was always there, he said adding his advisor too would be camped in Srinagar to redress public grievances.

Dr Abdullah said the problem of unemployment had been taken up with the Union Government and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr KC Pant had called industrialists of the country to explore job opportunities for the youth of the State. He said for the first time recruitment of local youth was made in army, airforce and navy. He said his Government provided jobs to about 100,000 people but there was still a large number of educated and trained youth without employment. He said the Centre was providing liberal financial assistance but more was required to win the hearts of the people. He said the demand for upgrading the Srinagar airport into an international airport has not been met yet. Likewise, he said the software technology park set up in the Valley has not been provided connectivity till date.

The Chief Minister asked his advisor, Mr. Shafi Shaida, to have a building plan prepared by the Government architect for Writers’ Guild for which the Government has already allotted land. He said the plan should take into account requirements of at least 40 years from now.

Poonch encounters toll 52 in a week
16 more terrorists on way to Afghanistan shot dead

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Nov 4: After killing 20 terrorists on Friday and apprehending 17 others on Saturday, troops of Poonch Brigade and other Rashtriya Rifles, assisted by Poonch Police, today gunned down 16 more terrorists, all exfiltrators, who were heading towards Afghanistan via Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to join ‘jehad’ against the United States alongside Taliban.

Ten terrorists were killed in Loran area of Mandi sector, about a kilometer short of the Line of Control (LoC) while six others were eliminated in Shahpur area of Poonch sector, army and police sources said here.

A jubilant Garrison Commander of Poonch Brigade tonight congratulated Intelligence network of army, civil and police for tremendous successes for last three days. A total of 52 terrorists have been eliminated by Poonch Brigade in last one week. Police parties in both operations were supervised by SSP Poonch Dr Kamal Saini.

The first encounter took place at forward village of Androi near Sultan Pathri in Loran area of Mandi sector this morning. The encounter followed after troops and cops observed the group of exfiltrators moving through the dense forests towards LoC.

On being asked to surrender, the terrorists took positions deep inside a forest and started firing. However, they couldn’t withstand the effective retaliatory firing by army jawans of Rashtriya Rifles. All 10 terrorists of the group were killed after about two hour long gun-battle.

Three AK-56 rifles, three magazines, 40 rounds, five hand grenades, one bag, two pouches, two jackets and Rs 190 of Indian currency were recovered from the slain terrorists, who belonged to Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen outfits.

Security forces had confirmed reports that the slain exfiltrators were heading for Afghanistan to join Taliban’s ‘jehad’ call against the United States.

Another group of the exfiltrators was trapped by the jawans of Poonch Brigade and Poonch police at Karnatian in Shahpur area of Poonch this evening. The group comprised 12 to 14 terrorists, who too were heading for PoK for onward journey to Afghanistan.

Six terrorists of the group were killed by the security personnel till late this evening while others fled deep inside the forests. Entire area has been surrounded by army and police and efforts were on to eliminate the remaining ultras, the sources said.

Four AK rifles, one pistol and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, who belonged to Lashkar-e-Islami (LeI) outfit.

In both operations, army or police didn’t suffer any casualty. Identity of the slain terrorists hasn’t been established so far. While six ultras killed in Shahpur were believed to be Pakistanis, five of 10 terrorists gunned down in Loran looked like Kashmiris, the sources said.

Prior to these encounter, four such exfiltration attempt in which the terrorists were heading to Afghanistan, have been foiled by the security personnel in Poonch district.

Bhutto gets passport

ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: The Pakistan Government has issued a passport to self-exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was living in Dubai without the travel document for the past one month, the ‘Frontier Post’ reported today.

"The passport controversy ends on Monday as the visa counselor in Dubai, UAE had issued the same to Benazir Bhutto," an official was quoted by newspaper.

Ms Bhutto, life chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), was declared an offender in a case against her in an accountability court during the last days of the Nawaz Sharif Government and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

The authorities in Pakistan took one month to decide about the issuance of passport to her. Ms Bhutto’s passport had expired and the PPP leader had applied for its renewal in the Pakistani Consul General’s Office in Dubai. (UNI)

‘90 pc militant groups fake’

NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Stating that 90 per cent of militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir were "fake", former Pakistan’s ISI chief has said leaders of fundamentalist parties in Pakistan were only amassing wealth and would "jump out of the bus" if they were sent to Afghanistan for fighting, media reports said.

"Ninety per cent of the organisations engaged in Jehad (armed crusade) in Kashmir were fake," quoting ex-ISI chief Javed Ashraf Qazi, ‘The Friday Times’ said in its nuggets section.

Qazi said leaders like Maulana Fazalur Rehman and Maulana Samiul Haq were "interested only in amassing funds and advancing their political ends."

"If they were sent to Afghanistan to fight they would jump out of the bus and run away," he said.

Taking a dig at Taliban, the former intelligence chief said "in the past the Taliban were warned many times that because of them Pakistan was being labelled a terrorist state but they did not listen." (PTI)

Army rescues 40 labourers in Zojila

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 4:Nearly 40 labourers trapped under a snow avalanche at Zojila on Srinagar-Leh highway were rescued by the army today.

The highway had been closed for traffic because of about eight feet of snowfall during the past 48 hours.

Official sources said that a group of more than 40 labourers on their way to Srinagar from Goomri were caught in a snow storm at Zojila. However, three labourers managed to reach a nearby army camp to inform them about the mishap.

The army with the help of helicopters rescued all those trapped under the avalanche.

Meanwhile, about 2-10 feet of snowfall has piled up on the highway between Sonamarg and Drass resulting in the closure of the 434-km-long road link between Srinagar-Leh.

This road is the only link between Srinagar and Leh for six months during the winters.

Two young IAS officers steer Sheikh-ul-Aalam’s district to IT revolution
Budgam: The district with its own newsletter, website

Excelsior Special Correspondent

BUDGAM, Nov 4: When the young IIT graduate, Sandeep Naik, came here as District Development Commissioner in 1994, the first thing he did was memorable: He removed his predecessor’s hooka from the DC’s office and instead installed a computer. Within days, he set up a "private office" at the DC’s residence. He trained some junior assistants and men of his planning section and within months Budgam became Jammu & Kashmir’s first district which had complete information — on everything from the date of release of detenus to the annual action plan— on its own computer system. His successor, G A Pir, carried it all ahead and set up software training centres.

In 1999-2001 period, another young IAS officer, Rohit Kansal, took over as DC and it was his maiden appointment on the key position. Kansal went in for a major diversification and steered Budgam to a revolution in education and Information Technology. Last fortnight, when the state Government elevated him to the more prestigious posting of DC Jammu, people in Budgam realised it as the Government’s appreciation of another young IAS officer’s talent and diligence. The officer in early thirties, left Budgam but not before winning it the prestige of the state’s first district with its own newsletter and website. Ironically, Budgam is also the state’s only district with no degree college.

It was Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah who launched the inaugural issue of "Budgam Newsline", published by Deputy Commissioner’s office. While appreciating the efforts put into

chronicling the achievements of the district, Chief Minister expressed hope that it would be a regular feature highlighting Budgam’s developments in every sphere.

US split on President Bush’s anti-terror effort at home

WASHINGTON, Nov 4: Americans are evenly split on whether the Bush administration has a well-thought-out plan for dealing with bioterrorism at home, and confidence in the US military strategy for fighting terrorism abroad has slipped slightly, according to a new poll published.

The Newsweek magazine poll published yesterday found Americans were split 46 per cent to 46 percent on whether the administration had a well-considered plan for fighting bioterrorism and other terror threats to the United States.

Confidence in the US military strategy overseas, while remaining high, dropped to 72 percent from 75 percent the week before and 78 percent two weeks earlier, the poll found.

The findings followed a difficult week for the Bush administration, which faced criticism over its handling of anthrax attacks that have killed four people in the United States and talk that it was loosing the public relations battle in its war with the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan.

Americans continued to give President George W Bush high marks for his performance since the Sept 11 attacks on the United States, with 85 per cent saying he had done a good job, the survey showed.

Fifty-six per cent of those questioned said the US military action was going as well as US officials reported, but 33 per cent said it was not.

The number of people who believe a large-scale ground operation will be necessary to accomplish US goals has risen to 40 per cent, virtually equal to the 41 percent who think the United States can achieve its aims with special forces alone.

The newsweek poll was based on telephone interviews with 1,001 adults Nov 1-2 and had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points. (REUTERS)

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