Complete bandh in Jammu, Kathua

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 5: A complete bandh was observed in Jammu city and its outskirts today on the separate calls given by Congress (I), Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Front, All Parties Statehood Movement and Confederation of Jammu Lawyers in protest against regional discrimination coinciding with re-opening of Civil Secretariat.

All the shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed for the day with thin attendance reported in most of the Government offices on the opening day of Darbar Move in winter capital.

The public transport also remained off the roads and people had to trek a long distance to reach their respective destinations. However, the bandh call had no impact on private transport, as people on two-wheelers and cars were seen moving around. No commercial vehicle plied from the General Bus Stand with traffic on Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar National Highways also remaining off till evening.

The vehicles which were plying on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway had to follow the bye-pass routes to reach to their destinations. The buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) were also remained off the road.

There was no incident of violence as businessmen in every nook and corner of Jammu and its outskirts closed their respective establishments on their own in protest against the regional discriminations and no incident of forceful bandh came into light. Bandh organisors had to make very little efforts to enforce bandh, which was spontaneous.

It may be mentioned here that Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tax Payers Association and some other trade bodies had opposed the bandh call.

In the early hours of the day, separate rallies were taken out by different political parties, supporting the bandh call, from different areas. The rallyist were shouting slogans against Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah for discrimination with the Jammu region on all fronts.

The security was tightened in and around Civil Secretariat keeping in view bandh. A heavy posse of security personnel was deployed at Kachi Chawani Chowk and Shalamar Chowk to restrict rallyist from moving towards Civil Secretariat.

As soon as rallyist reached at Kachi Chawani and Shalamar Chowk they were stopped by the heavy contingent of police and were not allowed to move further. Even at these two places no violent incident took place and rallyist returned back without entering into violent action with security personnel.

Bandh was also observed in Kathua and R S Pura.

Reports from Kathua said that complete bandh was also observed in Kathua district and its sub-towns like Hiranagar, Chadwal and Lakhanpur. Traffic on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway was totally off the road and none of the commercial vehicle was seen plying.

All the educational institutions remained closed and thin attendance was reported in Government offices due to non-availability of transportation.

Early in the day, activists of Bharatiya Janata party, Congress and Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist Front sat on dharna in the district headquarters of Kathua. The activists of BJP staged dharna under the leadership of Mr Ranjeet Singh Jasrotia, Congress under Rattan Chand, Naresh Sharma and Pushpa Bajotra.

In Lakhanpur, barring shops of activists of National Conference all the shops and business establishments remained closed throughout the day.

President of State BJP Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal said that despite opposition from some quarters complete bandh was observed in Jammu with no violent incident taking place.

He described those against the bandh as touts of Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and said that to appease Chief Minister they gave statement against bandh.

J&K Pradesh Congress Committee said that a number of party workers were arrested by the police on the directions of State Government while they were marching towards party headquarter.

President of PCC Mohammad Shafi Qureshi said that National Conference is responsible for the present mess in the State and accused it of suppressing the party activists who were protesting in a peaceful and democratic way.

A handout of Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist Front said that bandh was successful as all business establishments and educational institutions remained closed. The unprecedented bandh has proved that the efforts of Government and divisional administration through their touts to sabotage the bandh has miserably failed.

All Parties Statehood Movement extended thanks to people of the Jammu for observing complete bandh in protest against the regional discrimination. The Movement reiterated the demand for Jammu statehood and said that it is the only viable solution to present turmoil in the State and regional disparity.

Strategy on terrorism to be unveiled
Vajpayee-Putin talks today

From S D Rohmetra

MOSCOW, Nov. 5: India and Russia will unveil tomorrow a comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism as a global phenomenon that is also expected to deal with countries that harbour terrorists and foment cross-border terrorism even as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said the scourge should be fought by "widest possible" international cooperation.

The Moscow declaration on international terrorism to be signed here after summit talks between Vajpayee and Russian President Vladimir Putin is also likely to touch upon the current US military campaign in Afghanistan and underscore the need for establishing a broad-based multi-ethnic Government chosen by the people of the war-ravaged nation.

Vajpayee, who arrived here today from St. Petersburg, will hold one-to-one talks with Putin at the Kremlin tomorrow followed by delegation-level parleys and the signing of the Moscow declaration.

Addressing a group of Russian intellectuals and indologists in St Petersburg on the second day of his visit before he flew in here, the Prime Minister cautioned that religious terrorism has emerged as the "new menace" and the "main danger" to peace and stability in the new century.

"When terrorism feeds on religious extremism, its destructive power incerases manifold," he said.

Vajpayee also told the distinguished audience that while Russia has faced the threat of terrorism in the caucus, India had to put up with the problem in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in the country for the past decade.

Giving a broad overview of the historic declaration forming part of the current global campaign, Russian deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov told newspersons on board the Prime Minister’s special aircraft that the two countries have identical positions on bilateral, international and regional issues including international terrorism and the situation in Afghanistan and these would be expressed in the declaration.

Vajpayee warned the world against the twin menaces of terrorism and religious extremism and asked intellectuals and men and women of ideas to lead the fight against these evils.

"Intellectuals and men and women of ideas can and, indeed, have an important responsibility in contributing greatly in the global fight against these twin menaces,"he said.

He reiterated that both India, in Jammu and Kashmir, and Russia, in Chechnya, had been facing the menace of terrorism for more than two decades.

The September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States had only highlighted the evil face of this new menace , he said.

He said intellectuals, teachers and scholars, in whose minds ideas dwell , play a crucial role in influencing the peoples’minds against terrorism and religious extremism.

Describing St Petersburg as a ‘city of timeless beauty and inspiring history’, the Prime Minister said it immortalised by the poetry of Pushkin and the prose of Dostoevsky.

He said the city aroused ‘the most refined feelings and thoughts among the prodigious artists, musicians, and intellectuals’.

Recalling the 900-day siege of the city by Nazi forces during the Second World War, he said it would for ever remain a string saga in the history of humanity’s resistance to inhumanity.

The Prime Minsiter’s visit is expected to infuse greater depth and content to Indo-Russian relationship and consolidate the positive trends that emerged from Putin’s visit to India in October last year.

The visit would impart a "new impulse" and further accelerate the enhanced tempo in bilateral relations, deepen political understanding and expand the range of economic interactions, Indian Ambassador K Raghunath said.

He said the trip further cements the tradition of high level exchange of visit and reaffirms the strong bonds of friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries.

The two sides would sign an agreement between EXIM Bank and Vnesheconombank for extension of credit line of 10 million US dollars.

A memorandum of intention would be firmed up between the Russian Emergencies Ministry and the Ministry of Science and Technology on development of cooperation in the field of emergency, prevention and response.

Two protocols would be signed by Gujarat and Hyderabad with Astrakhan region and city of Khazan respectively for enhancing bilateral ties.

A joint statement on strategic issues and another on bilateral and international issues would also be signed during the visit. Two sides would announce the establishment of the Indo-Russian imminent persons group.

Children sing Hindi invocation

Excelsior Correspondent

ST PETERSBURG, Nov 5 : Prime Minister Atal BehariVajpayee today had a pleasant surprise when a group of Russian school children sang a Hindi invocation when he visited the famous Russian state museum here.

The children recited a locally composed prayer song‘Ishwar Tere Naam’ after he went around the museum where he unveiled for the first time the 19th century painter Alexei Soltikov’s works on his impressions of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s palace.

The Prime Minister wanted to know the Indian languages the Russian children were being taught.

Later, during an interaction with intellectuals and indologists, a question was put to him on democracy in India and how it could be adopted in Russia. There was also a query on the Constitution Review Commission in India.

Vajpayee explained to them the democratic process and what the Commission was doing and how its recommendations could be considered for future Governments.

Breakthrough in Devinder Sharma's killing
Hamzad Ansari figures as mastermind

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Nov 5: As the family of SDPO Devinder Sharma observed his tenth day today, police said they have made a breakthrough in his killing by identifying four top terrorists, who planned and executed an IED explosion that killed the police official on October 27 afternoon at Katli in Billawar tehsil.

The killing was masterminded by Hamzad Ansari, the younger brother of Shakeel Ansari, who was presently operating as ‘divisional commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen for Jammu province. Hamzad had stepped into militancy after his elder brother Farooq Ansari was eliminated by army in Marmat hills of Doda.

Alongwith Hamzad, three other top terrorists, who were instrumental in setting off the IED blasting SDPO’s vehicle killing Devinder and his driver Gurcharan Singh, have been identified as Imzad Ahmed, Shabir Ahmed and Mohd Gaznabi, all Pakistan-trained ultras, hailing from Dudu, Basantgarh in Udhampur district.

Top police officials, investigating the case, said they have received specific inputs from intelligence agencies that Hamzad and three other terrorists were still putting up in the hideouts, established by them in the upper reaches of Lohai Malhar. An operation was on to nab them, they said.

While Hamzad and his associates were still at large, police have picked-up and detained their three harbourers, who had helped them in planting the IED. Arrested supporters of the terrorists included Siraj-ud-Din, Ayub Khan and Ghulam Abbas, all residents of Lohai Malhar.

Police officials, quoting from preliminary investigations of the case, told EXCELSIOR that Hamzad Ansari was specially inducted into Lohai Malhar area by his brother, Shakeel Ansari (reportedly after receiving instructions from the ISI) to step-up subversive activities in Billawar, Bani and Basohli tehsils.

Before being made incharge of three Kathua district, Hamzad used to operate from Swain Dhar in Dudu and control the area of Dudu, Basantgarh and parts of Gool and Gulabgarh, the officials said.

They said the investigations indicated that weapons snatched from three Village Defence Committee (VDC) members by Hamzad Ansari’s men in Lohai Malhar two days before the DySP’s killing was a ploy to trap police officials.

Three 303 guns were of no use for the terrorists, who were in possession of sophisticated weapons like machine guns, Pika guns and assault rifles, the investigators said, adding that they looted the guns to make it an incident.

As DySP Devinder Sharma reached Lohai Malhar for investigations, the local activists of Hamzad Ansari kept a vigil. Sharma had a night halt at Lohai Malhar and on his return journey next afternoon (October 27) fell in a booby trap, laid by Hamzad Ansari group.

A wireless message of Hamzad to his group leaders, intercepted by an operational group of police barely a couple of hours after the incident, revealed that a very powerful IED was planted on the road by Shabir Ahmed and Mohd Gaznabi and activated by Hamzad himself when the DySP’s vehicle crossed over it at Katli village.

However, in his message Hamzad briefed his self-styled commander that they have killed DySP of SOG Benam Tosh. According to the investigating officials, the terrorists were of the view that it was Benam Tosh camping in Lohai Malhar and passed on his name in the message.

According to the officials, three terrorists—Imzad Ahmed, Shabir Ahmed and Mohd Gaznabi, who were involved in the killing of DySP were part of a group of five terrorists, who had infiltrated into Indian territory from Hiranagar sector on September 25 morning.

This group of five terrorists was deputed by the ISI for Hamzad Ansari to resume the militant activities in Billawar-Basohli belt of Kathua. On way to Billawar forests, this group of the ultras had kidnapped two brothers—Madan Singh and Raj Singh from village Ghati in Kathua.

The brothers were taken to Panjtirthi forest area, where they were shot dead on receiving instructions from Hamzad Ansari, who received group in the forests and took them to his group’s hideouts.

In addition to this group of five terrorists, two more group of almost similar strength have also been kept at the disposal of Hamzad Ansari. Hamzad now reportedly had over 20 dreaded terrorists, all trained in Pakistan, with him.

Till latest reports, Hamzad hadn’t left his hideouts in Lohai Malhar but could do so if army was inducted into the upper reaches to launch a search operation, the officials said.

Meanwhile, three local harbourers of Hamzad Ansari including Siraj Din, Ayub Khan and Ghulam Abbaz have made some important disclosures in police custody. They have also confessed their links with a college student-turned-Hizbul ultra, Mohd Ashraf of Khaned, who alongwith his four associates including a woman, were arrested by Kathua police last month after the killing of two brothers.

Siraj Din’s sister, whose identity couldn’t be gathered immediately, has also figured as a ‘key link’ in the killing of Devinder Sharma. She was absconding from the house the day of blast. Police didn’t rule out her involvement in the IED explosion but hastened to say that ‘it would be premature to indict her till she was taken into custody’.

It may be recalled that another woman Shamshad Begum wife of Mohd Abbas R/o Khaned, Billawar was among five harbourers of the militants arrested earlier by police. She used to help the militants reach their hideouts by moving ahead of the group alongwith a wireless set and conveying information of security forces movement.

Protests in Billawar

A massive demonstration was held in Billawar town this afternoon in protest against the withdrawal of SOG team from Lohai Malhar, which was hunting for the militants involved in the killing of Devinder Sharma. Sarpanchs and Panchs also joined the protest.

Demonstrators also shouted slogans against a National Conference leader, who allegedly pressurised police to withdraw the SOG team headed by DySP Benam Tosh from Billawar. They threatened to take to streets if the SOG team was no re-deployed in Billawar.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Khalid Najib Suhrawardhy accompanied by senior police officers was flying to Lohai Malhar tomorrow to take stock of the situation.

People of a particular community in Lohai Malhar alleged that they were beaten-up by the SOG team while searching for the militants.

US jets pound key Taliban cities
36 dead in bombing attacks

KABUL, Nov 5 : At least 36 civilians were killed in new US bombing raids over Afghanistan, Taliban officials and the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) said today.

One raid targeted Keshendeh district, about 80 kilometers South of Mazar-i-Sharif, which has become a battleground between the opposition Northern Alliance and the Taliban militia.

Taliban Education Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, a senior spokesman for the Islamic regime, said 18 civilians were killed in an attack on a village near the front lines in Northern Balkh province.

He said another eight died when US jets pounded the old road near the battle lines north of the capital Kabul.

The Pakistan-based AIP, quoting Taliban sources, said US bomb hit a house in Keshendeh town, killing six people from the minority Hazara community — Shiite Muslims who oppose the Sunni-dominated Taliban.

It was not immediately clear whether the attacks described by Muttaqi and AIP were the same or whether they were separate incidents.

Abdul Hanan Hemat, the Chief of the Taliban’s Bakhter News Agency, said another five civilians were killed in Daman district 15 kilometres Southeast of Kandahar, the Taliban’s stronghold in the South of the country.

AIP said US gunships also staged new raids on Kabul, killing three civilians and injuring six others.

It said a Taliban base at Reshkhor to the South of the capital and another on the Northern fringes of the city were targeted.

Taliban said US scored a direct hit on a Kabul hotel used by their soldiers but they did not give any casualty figure. Local people were quoted as saying that rockets hit the Baghi Bala Hotel at the main approach road to it.

Northern Alliance said its troops were preparing to launch a multi-pronged attack on Taliban positions in and around Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif.

Iran’s official new agency Irna quoted Kandahar Governor as saying that several American "spies" and Special Force troops have been captured by Taliban.

"The Americans were arrested because either they were spies or because they were part of recent commando attack on Southern Afghanistan," Mullah Mohammed Hasan Rehmani told Irna without giving the date of their arrest. The claim could not be confirmed independently.

A Pentagon spokesperson Lt Col Catherine Abbott said over the last 24 hours US warplanes struck eight target areas inside Afghanistan including Al-Qaeda and Taliban facilities located near Mazar-e-Sharif, Kunduz, Taloquan and Bagram.

In London, key European leaders reaffirmed their support for the US-led war on terrorism at a hastily planned informal summit last night.

After eight national leaders and the European Union’s foreign policy supreme had two hours of talks over dinner hosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Downing Street said the talks had been "very useful" and there had been "absolute solidarity" on the combined strategy pursued by the US-led coalition. (AFP/PTI)

Lashkar, Jaish to focus on non-Muslim zones
Fidayeen strikes being shifted to Jammu

From Ahmed Ali Fayaz

SRINAGAR, Nov 5: Pakistan-based pan-Islamist guerrilla groups, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad are planning major suicide strikes in the winter capital of Jammu, Udhampur and other non-Muslim zones of Jammu region. Specially motivated cadres are believed to have been already pushed in for the purpose.

Well-placed official sources, who have interrogated a number of the recently infiltrated militants, disclosed to EXCELSIOR that Lashkar, Jaish and even Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami outfits were planning a great deal of trouble in the Hindu-dominated localities. All the three organisations are said to be preparing for closing down their offices in Pakistan. After a couple of weeks, they will be operating full time from Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Mirpur and other areas bordering Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu and Kathua districts.

Headquarters of Indian Army’s Northern Command at Udhampur, 16 Corps headquarters at Nagrota, Civil Secretariat at Jammu, DGP’s office, Chief Minister’s residence and Jammu Airport besides the crowded Railway Station, are figuring at top of the militants’ hit-list. Sources said that Jaish-e-Mohammad has had its Harkat-ul-Ansar days links in Jammu. While as some key functionaries of two groups managed to escape from jail, Jaish’s founder Maulana Azhar Masood was set free in exchange for passengers of an Indian Airlines flight which had been hijacked to Kandahar from Kathmandu, in December 1999.

In all, Lashkar, Jaish and Al-Badar outfits have conducted as many as 42 suicide strikes in Jammu and Kashmir since the killing of a DIG and three other BSF personnel at Bandipore on July 13, 1999. Only 9 strikes have taken place in Jammu region as compared to 33 in Kashmir. Though the Lashkar Fidayeen struck on Jammu Railway Station, killing 5 security forces personnel and 7 civilians on August 7th 2001, and twice in Doda and Udhampur districts, Poonch district with 6 sneak attacks has been their most favourite target.

In Poonch district, all the five suicide strikes had failed as only one soldier could be killed once. However, Lashkar’s masterstroke came on August 24 this year when all the Fidayeen escaped while killing 7 J&K Police personnel at a Police station.

In Kashmir region, 11 suicide strikes have taken place in the Capital city of Srinagar. In addition to striking at the state Legislature complex, killing 24 civilians and 12 Police/paramilitary personnel on October 1, 2001, militants struck at headquarters of 15 Corps, killing seven personnel including the Defence PRO Maj P Purushottam, on November 3, 1999. Militants also struck on headquarters of Special Operations Group (SOG) Srinagar on December 27, 1999. Eleven personnel and a civilian had died in the clash, which also claimed three militants.

Militants have also carried out 7 suicide strikes in Kupwara, 5 in Budgam (including an attempt on Srinagar Airport in which 4 CRPF personnel, 2 civilians and 6 Fidayeen died on January 16, 2001), 5 in Baramulla, 3 in Anantnag and 2 in Pulwama. The last one failed at Awantipore base of Indian Air Force as all the four Fidayeen got killed while killing only one unarmed junior official.

The Fidayeen strikes have had a psychological impact in the beginning but security forces and Police now claim that the threat of such an attack is not looming large on the soldier’s mind these days. "The attack on Assembly proved disastrous for militants as it left 24 civilians killed though only 24 civilians died in 41 other such strikes", said a senior Police official. "As against 48 civilians and 60 militants, just 128 soldiers and Policemen have got killed in 42 Fidayeen strikes", said another official while making a point that quantitatively the suicide strikes have been a failure for militants. He described it as a positive sign that, despite deep indoctrination, Kashmiri cadres were not joining the Fidayeen ranks.

Nevertheless, it is a disturbing factor for security forces that against 4 in 1999 and 17 in 2000, as many as 21 Fidayeen strikes have occurred in the current year. Of the 42 strikes, Lashkar has claimed 37, Jaish just four while as Al-Badar carried out one-odd at Potshai (Kupwara) on December 26, 2000.

IED blast

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 5: Even as no militancy-related casualty was reported from anywhere in Kashmir valley today, militants caused an IED blast at Rampora outskirts of Baramulla town today.

While a Handwara-bound vehicle of the convoy of RR 21 Bn became the target, it suffered minor damage as two of its tyres burst. A horse-cart driver Bilal Ahmed Bala S/O Gafar R/O Armpora sustained injuries and his horse died on spot.

IAS officer clarifies remarks
Samoon suspended, Bhat given additional charge

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 5: The State Government today ordered suspension of a senior IAS officer Asgar Ali Samoon, Director of Food and Supplies Kashmir even as the officers today clarified that he had only lamented deteriorating functioning of Food and Supplies Departments over the years.

Suspension order of Samoon was issued this afternoon within a couple of hours after the re-opening of Civil Secretariat in winter capital.

Manzoor Ahmed Bhat, Director Rural Development Kashmir has been given additional charge of Directorate of Food and Supplies Kashmir in place of Samoon.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, during his inter-action with media persons at Civil Secretary, had announced that Samoon would be placed under suspension.

As reported earlier, Mr Samoon had levelled allegations against the administrative reshuffle which took place on October 23 in a radio interview, subsequently published by Excelsior. The young IAS officer, hailing from border area of Gurez alleged that State Government had ordered the administrative reshuffle in extremely dubious circumstances. Bidding and bargaining of incumbents for key postings, was a marked feature of the reshuffle, he had remarked.

Taking strong exception of his statement, the Chief Minister today announced his suspension.

Mr Samoon, on the other hand, clarified that he had highlighted the areas where immediate attention was needed to improve the functioning of the department in the background of un-certainty created due to sudden and simultaneous transfer of various officers of Food and Supplies Department and other connected departments.

He said that he undertook improvement in the public distribution system as well as availability of essential commodities in the Valley and expressed his concern over acute delays in winter dumping of stocks to border areas like Karnah, Keran, Machail, Gurez and Ladakh region to avoid public criticism which has probably not received adequate attention of media.

3 civilians, terrorist, jawan killed in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 5: Three civilians and a terrorist were killed in separate incidents across Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts over-night while Pakistan army resorted to heavy shelling on Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector and International Border in Kanachak. A BSF jawan was killed in shelling.

Official sources said three terrorists intercepted a civilian, who was working in his fields, close to LoC at village Kaslian in Poonch district this morning. Numbering three, the terrorists took civilian to a forest and shot him dead.

He has been identified as Mohd Din son of Nek Mohd, a resident of Kaslian. His bullet riddled body was recovered by a team of security forces, which had gone to the forests to search him after getting a report from his family members.

The terrorists, however, couldn’t be traced. Body of civilian was handed over to his family. Sources couldn’t say as to why the civilian was killed by the terrorists.

Another civilian was shot dead by the terrorists near his house at village Sankari in Kot Dhara area of Rajouri. He has been identified as Talib Hussain son of Dil Mohd of Sankari.

Talib Hussain was dragged out of his house, taken to a field about 200 meters from his house and gunned down. All three ultras involved in killing managed to escape.

Another civilian Imtiyaz Ahmed son of Mohd Sadiq Wani was killed by the ultras in his house at village Tilgora in Gandoh area of Doda last night. He was killed on spot in firing by one of the two terrorists, who intruded into his house.

A police party from Gandoh visited the house early today for investigations.

Army jawans spotted a group of four terrorists at Nerian forest in Sabjian area of Poonch this afternoon and engaged them in an encounter. As it was raining heavily in Nerian, three terrorists managed to give a slip to the security forces while their fourth associate was killed.

Trekker dogs couldn’t spot the fleeing terrorists due to rains. Operation was called off by army at 1900 hours today and will be resumed tomorrow morning. One AK rifle with ammunition was recovered from slain terrorist.

A BSF jawan Akhilesh Kumar was killed in heavy firing by Pakistan troops in forward area of Amb Malyal in Kanachak sector early this morning. Pak army continued heavy firing in Kanachak, Akhnoor, Pargwal, RS Pura and Samba sectors since last evening.

Firing was effectively replied by Indian side at all the place.

Heavy mortar shelling was also reported from Lucknow and Kanji posts in Lam and Ashoka post in Janghar area of Nowshera sector today. Shelling started at 0700 hours and continued till 1100 hours. It was replied by army from this side.

No casualties were reported on either side in shelling.

Army today recovered 80 kg RDX from Udhyanpur area of Doda.

SC notices to J&K AG

NEW DELHI, Nov 5: The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Advocate General of Jammu and Kashmir on a petition seeking inclusion of migrant Kashmiri Pandits in the category of people living Below Poverty Line.

The first notice — returnable by November 21 — was issued by a bench comprising Justices B N Kirpal and K G Balakrishnan during resumed hearing of a petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) alleging starvation deaths in Orissa and elsewhere when godowns of the Food Corporation of India were overflowing.

The first petition has been filed by Panthers Party president Bhim Singh and will come up for hearing on November 21 alongwith the main petition by the PUCL.

Meanwhile, the petitioner organisation today filed a status report on the implementation by various States of central work and food-related schemes.

The report says that when this petition was filed in July, buffer stock stood at around 45. 77 million tonnes as against the requirement of 16.8 million tonnes.

The stock now, as per the report, stands at about 65 million tonnes and — when the kharif crop is harvested — it will rise to 80 million tonnes. The report says that during pendency of the case, while buffer stocks have been rising, a large number of starvation deaths have occurred.

It further says that the compliance report filed by the states —persuant to the court’s order — reveal a dismal state of affairs. Many of the schemes are not being implemented at all. (UNI)

IMW helped in arrest of Jammu cheats

NEW DELHI, Nov 5: A couple accused of cheating about 500 hundred small investors of more than Rs 15 lakhs in Jammu has fallen into the police dragnet, thanks to the television series "India’s Most Wanted’.

With this, Mr Manoj Raghuvanshi who is the executive producer of the programme telecast weekly on Zee TV said 47 criminals had been arrested during the telecast of 72 episodes of the series.

Surinder Singh and Surjit Kaur were arrested in Navi Mumbai following a lead received within hours of the telecast of the episode last night.

Mr M A Anjum, Senior Superintendent of Police, Crime and Railways, Jammu, said a police team would go to Navi Mumbai tomorrow to take custody of the two arrested persons.

The couple had taken large sums from unsuspecting investors by promising them large interest. (UNI)

Move offices re-open in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 5: Civil secretariat and other moving offices reopened in the winter capital here today. These were closed in Srinagar on October 29.

Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah arrived the Secretariat at sharp 10 a.m and inspected ceremonial guard of honour by a smartly attired contingent of Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Ministers, top officials and employees of the Secretariat greeted the Chief Minister on his arrival. He enquired from the employees about their welfare and arrangements like lodging etc.

Later, Dr Abdullah conferred with his ministerial colleagues and senior officers separately and discussed the overall situation prevailing in the State.

5,000 Pak Mujahideen join Taliban

ISLAMABAD, Nov 5: More than 5,000 Pakistani Mujahideen have joined the Taliban regime since the beginning of the United States military operation against the Afghanistan Government, the Russian news agency Ria Novosti has said.

The Novosti report quoted the Pakistan-based Dawn as saying that despite the Pakistan’s vow to arrest anyone who infiltrates into Afghanistan, an 800-strong unit of Pakistani fighters, allegedly, activists of the Tehrik-Nafaz-Shariat-Muhammadi Religious Party, crossed the border this weekend to join the Taliban force.

The fundamentalists used trucks to cross the Ghani Pass and arrived in the city of Asadabad, the capital of the Kunar province in Eastern Afghanistan, the paper said.

According to the paper, about 10,000 armed "volunteers" are currently deployed in the Bajaur territory, the Pakistani federally administered tribal areas.

The largest Tehrik-Nafaz-Shariat-Muhammadi’s units arrived in the Kunar from the Bajaur on Thursday and Friday, numbering more than 2,000 men, the paper added. (UNI)

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