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Vajpayee
rules out meeting Musharraf From S D Rohmetra MOSCOW, Nov 7: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today declared that he has no intentions to meet Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf in New York despite appeals by various countries and made a veiled criticism of US and Western countries’ stand on Kashmir issue saying none has supported India as firmly on it like Russia while others adopted the policy of "Bandar-Bant" (discrimination). "Nobody has supported us on Kashmir issue as much as Russia. Others have just adopted the policy of `Bandar-Bant’ (discrimination),’’ Vajpayee said in his address to Indian community members in Russian capital before leaving for Washington. He termed his Russia visit as "highly successful" and said that President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit India next year to sustain the summit level Indo-Russian strategic dialogue. He expressed his ‘deep satisfaction’ at his talks with President Putin and other Russian leaders and said there was consensus in both the countries on closest bilateral ties. "Governments have changed in Russia and India but the love and friendship for each other remains in our hearts. Others simply can’t understand this phenomenon of Indo-Russian friendship," Vajpayee said. Vajpayee brushed aside fresh appeals by various countries including Russia to restart dialogue with Pakistan saying there was "no conducive atmosphere" to hold bilateral talks in the near future. Vajpayee, who yesterday held wide-ranging talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on issues including terrorism and Afghanistan, also said unless the "ground battle" starts in Afghanistan aerial bombings would not be effective. The Prime Minister said that India and Russia have taken some "significant decisions" in the area of security but declined to disclose them saying it would not be appropriate. Referring to Indo-Pak dialogue, the Prime Minister said "talks should not be for the sake of talks.... An exercise in public relations. We want that it should be concrete. In Agra they did not accept anything. They did not want to discuss Jammu and Kashmir. The world is clear about it." Asked whether he was not happy that the India-Russia joint declaration yesterday made no reference to the cross-border terrorism fomented by Islamabad, he said during the discussions with Putin the Kashmir issue was discussed in which cross-border terrorism also figured. "Putin accepts that cross border should be ended," he added. On US President George W Bush’s complaint about countries not doing enough in the fight against terrorism, Vajpayee said India had offered assistance to Washington and added "even whatever we have offered has not been utilised." Vajpayee said aerial bombings alone would not help tackle the problem in Afghanistan. Ruling out the possibility of talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in the near future despite appeals by various countries, he said "there is no conducive atmosphere for talks and till a proper climate is created there can be no talks." Asked if there was a possibility of his going to Islamabad in the light of Putin’s statement yesterday that India should continue the dialogue with Pakistan, Vajpayee said "everyone (international leaders) is also saying that it should be held in a conducive atmosphere." "You know Lahore led to Kargil. Even after Kandahar hijacking I invited him to Agra but the atmosphere was not good there. No proper result came out of there (Agra)," he said adding there should be a conducive atmosphere before the dialogue is resumed. But, he said, the violence in Jammu and Kashmir has gone up, cross-border incidents were on the rise and innocent lives were being lost. "There is no conducive atmosphere for talks and till a proper climate is created there can be no talks," the Prime Minister said adding he explained to Putin the situation. "When we tell world leaders, they understand us," he added. The Prime Minister also said during discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin he fully supported the expansion of the "six plus two" mechanism of the United Nations to find a solution to the Afghanistan problem and India’s inclusion in it. "For this he (Putin) will talk to other countries also," Vajpayee said adding Russia recognised the inadequacy of the "six-plus two" mechanism. He referred to Putin’s public remarks yesterday that India’s legitimate role in Afghan issue and the need to involve New Delhi in the wider international consultative process. When a reporter sought details of the "significant decisions" taken by India and Russia on the security area after he said it would not be appropriate to disclose the details, Vajpayee said "I did not use the word secret. But how can I tell you what we decided." To a question on Putin’s statement that India has agreed to rectify the "mistake" of its earlier decision to treat Russia as a "non-market" economy, he said "there is no contradiction between the two. It (Russia) will be treated like any other market economy." He said the rupee payment issue was different. He discussed the issue with Putin so that trade could be made in international currency. An arrangement has to be worked out, he added. On the issue of missiles and disarmament, the Prime Minister said the problem was not related to the current situation in Afghanistan. The US and Russia were themselves talking to each other about it and efforts were on towards disarmament. |
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No question of autonomy to J&K, says Advani NEW DELHI, Nov 7 : Union Home Minister L K Advani today ruled out restoration of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir and voiced concern over the recent influx of Hindus from Bangladesh. Chairing a meeting of the Consultative Committee on Home Affairs here, Advani said there was "no question of setting the clock back" in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, said the Centre was always prepared to consider further devolution of powers to the States in general, including Jammu and Kashmir. Sharing members’ concern over the recent influx of Hindus from Bangladesh after the new Government assumed office there, he said the Government was in close touch with West Bengal and the North Eastern States which are facing the brunt of the influx and was monitoring the situation. According to an official release, many members desired discussion on the recently-promulgated Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) before taking up the listed business. However, it was decided that the Committee would discuss the Ordinance at its next meeting scheduled on November 23. On the menace of terrorism afflicting the country, the Home Minister asserted that the country was capable of fighting it on its own strength and there was no question of seeking anybody’s help in this regard. On the US associating Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, Advani said logically it may not be objectionable. But the world should realise that it is Pakistan which is aiding and abetting terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and of late in the hinterland through its intelligence agency ISI, he said. The Home Minister said New Delhi had been drawing attention of the developed nations towards the devastating repercussions of the growing menace of terrorism. But it was only after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US that the world felt its impact and what tragedy it brings to common man, he said. He said a notable success had been achieved in identifying and neutralising ISI modules and terrorist networks not only in Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern States but also in the hinterland of the country. When some members raised the issue of doubtful activities of some madrassas in border areas of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and elsewhere, the general consensus was that madrassas as a whole should not be condemned and their activities be brought more into the mainstream. Responding to a question regarding detention of police personnel for alleged violation of human rights while fighting terrorism, Advani reiterated that such cases be considered for giving relief within the ambit of the Constitution. Meanwhile, under attack from opposition parties for his remarks made in Amritsar about their stand on Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), Home Minister L K Advani today spoke of consensus on the proposed law but maintained that those opposing it would wittingly or unwittingly make terrorists "happy." "No terrorist organisation will like POTO (Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance). Those who ensure its defeat (in Parliament) should realise that, wittingly or unwittingly, they will only make the terrorists happy," Advani told the editors’ conference on social sector issues here. Similar remarks by Advani at the national executive of BJP in Amritsar last week came under fire from the opposition parties, including Congress which dubbed the Home Minister’s utterances as "fanatical." In an apparent softening of stand, Advani today said he would convene a meeting of the consultative committee attached to Home Ministry on November 23 in a bid to work out a consensus on POTO. He said he would request Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan to bring forth the ordinance "in the second or third week of the session" which begins on November 19. At today’s meeting of the consultative committee, many opposition members demanded that POTO be taken up for discussion by them. Saying every person had the right to say that a particular portion of the ordinance was not correct, Advani said "I am sure, Parliament or political parties would be willing to change it, if it is necessary." Asked about BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy’s statement that the Home Minister had not made remarks suggesting that the defeat of the ordinance would help the terrorists, Advani brushed it aside saying "I know that". A controversy was also created within BJP over what Advani had actually said at the national executive in Amritsar with Law Minister Arun Jaitley in course of the meeting quoting Advani as having made the remark but Krishnamurthy denied. Meanwhile, Krishnamurthy today met Advani and later talking to reporters sought to put a lid on the reported controversial remark by Advani. "Leave it. Enough dust has been kicked up," he said when asked to comment on Advani’s remarks. (PTI) |
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Kashmir to figure in
Vajpayee-Bush talks Excelsior Correspondent WASHINGTON, Nov 7: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee arrived here tonight for wide-ranging discussions with President George W Bush and other leaders with the focus on the campaign against terrorism. The Prime Minister flies from Moscow on the second leg of his three-nation tour. He will meet Bush on November 9 when the two leaders are expected to discuss the developments in Afghanistan, post-conflict situation and the ongoing US-led action in Taliban-held areas. Meanwhile, the US said the Kashmir issue would figure during the summit talks between Bush and Vajpayee on Friday even as it favoured a sustained dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad in moving towards finding a solution to the vexed issue. US Assistant Secretary of State Christian Rocca when asked by reporters on the eve of Vajpayee’s visit whether the Kashmir issue would figure at the summit, said "in general terms, my guess is yes." The US was obviously interested in "resurrecting" the Indo-Pak dialogue and that it had been talking about it for a long time, she pointed out. Rocca said it was up to India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir problem as "it is not something we can do." A sustained dialogue would be a good step towards "moving towards a resolution of this issue," Rocca said. Asked whether Bush would advocate a Vajpayee-Musharraf meeting during his parleys with them, Rocca said "to my knowledge there are no plans for a Vajpayee-Musharraf meeting. In general we support a dialogue—a high-level—dialogue between India and Pakistan. Bush is due to meet Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in New York on Saturday. To a query how Washington looked at Pakistan sponsored cross-border terrorism, she said "our reply invariably is we urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint." The Prime Minister’s meetings with President Bush and other leaders would be excellent opportunities for the US to forge ahead significantly in its relationship with India, she said. The two leaders would also exchange views on reconstruction in Afghanistan and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. Vajpayee would have significant meetings with leaders of two Chambers of the US Congress, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the House International Relations Committee and the Congressional caucus on India and Indian-Americans. Meanwhile, in a preview of Vajpayee’s visit to the US Lalit Mansingh told the Washington Times that India was hoping to be allowed to buy artillery-locating radar, jet fighter-bombers and other weapons. The war on terrorism, the paper said, is only temporarily overshadowing a US strategic shift towards India that began under the Clinton administration. The visit is important, said Mansingh, not just in the light of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington but in terms of the "new relationship" in recent years between the two countries." The Bush administration, he said, "is likely to go further than the previous administration." At the same time, a State Department official was quoted by the paper as saying that India was upset at the fact that the US had intensified cooperation with Pakistan and lifted sanctions on a country that it believed sponsored terrorism in Kashmir. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the State Department had been instructed to firmly ask India during Vajpayee’s visit not to provoke Pakistan over Kashmir. (with agencies). |
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Security beefed up at
Vaishnodevi shrine Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is fully prepared to meet any eventuality and threat perception of Jaish -e- Mohammed (JeM) a dreaded terrorist outfit of Azhar Mehmood. This was stated by Inspector General of CRPF (Operations), Mr S C Kuckreja while talking to media persons at Group Centre Bantalab near here today. Responding to a question regarding the Azhar Mehmood’s threat to attack the Kot Bhalwal Jail and get the militants freed from there, he said"We are prepared to tackle them", and added "if they come they will not return alive".(Aaenge to bach kay kahan jaenge.) He said likewise the CRPF is fully geared up and alert to meet the challenge of Fidayeen groups (suicide squads). In this regard a contingency plan has been devised, he added. He said the measures are being taken to prepare and motivate the officers and jawans to meet this new trend of militancy arising out of attacks by suicide squads. He said after working out the contingencies we prioritize them beforehand and the reserve troops action accordingly to repulse the attack successfully. He, however, maintained that there is no special training as such for repulsing the Fidayeen attack but the mental alertness of force is required. If a jawan is mentally alert he can cause the obstacles and as a security man I should be prepared for worst, so for this threat is concerned, he added. He said adequate security measures have been taken and force has been deployed in good strength to provide security to Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. The Quick Reaction Teams of the Force have been deployed en-route to the Vaishno Devi Shrine and at Bhawan to provide security to pilgrims, he added. Mr Kuckreja asserted that his officers and jawans are ready to face any challenge of militancy and will discharge their duties in a befitting and professional manner. Giving credit to his jawans and officers for the smooth conduct of Amarnath yatra this year, the IGP said 12 battalions of CRPF were deployed in escorting the pilgrims from Jammu to Banihal and back. Besides the force, he said is guarding many vital installations in the State including the VIPs, jails and high ranking officers of the State Police. Claiming that not a single case of human rights violation has been leveled against his force , he said our personnel are trained from beginning how to avert the human rights violation. Even our rotational training stresses on this, he added. Regarding the operational achievements of his force, the IGP disclosed that during this year upto October 42 militants were killed by his force compared to 37 in last year. He informed that a large quantity of arms and ammunition which include 41 AK rifles, 1973 rounds of AK ammunition , 88 grenades, four IED bombs and seven wireless sets were recovered by the force. Claiming that recruitment of surrendered militants has proved to be very useful for the force in apprehending the militants, he maintained that we welcome any body if he chooses to enter the mainstream. He said besides the normal operation duties the CRPF has been carrying the civic action programmes viz medical camps, distribution of study and sports material to needy children, repair of school buildings, construction of toilets and lavatories for the use of villagers. He said that an amount of Rs five lakh for the year 1998-99, Rs 25 lakh for 1999-2000 and Rs 25 lakh for the financial year 2001 have been allocated for the operational sector. Mr Kuckreja said that whenever people need any type of help and assistance , they can approach any CRPF camp unit. He assured that required help will be provided. He said this sector has conducted many recruitment camps and recruited many youth from J&K state during the last four years including 624 surrendered militants from the state. He refuted totally that the CRPF jawans are committing the suicides due to the stress and strain in the force and said that in maximum cases it has been found that the social stigma has been the main cause of such acts by the jawans. Regarding the Bhadarwah episode of July where a jawan committed suicide, he said that the jawan who had returned after a long holiday from his home committed suicide within 48 hours after joining the duty. The investigations conducted later revealed that he was not physically fit for marriage. He maintained that there is not much stress to the jawans due to duty than that of society and cited the breaking of joint family system as one of the cause of this frustration. However, to counter this trend the CRPF has launched the stress management programmes and opened the counseling cell for such jawans, he said. |
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Alliance close to Mazar-e-Sharief, captures Sholgera ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: The Northern Alliance in Afghanistan today claimed to be close to the strategic northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif after capturing an important district after heavy US bombing had weakened Taliban defences. The Alliance forces entered Sholgera district and some of its units were just 14 km south of Mazar-e-Sharif amidst reports that Taliban fighters were preparing a counter-attack. There was no independent confirmation of the claim of the Northern Alliance which had taken control of three other districts south of Sholgera earlier. The US, which has stepped up its bombing of Taliban frontlines to encourage Northern Alliance offensive, continued pounding Taliban positions in Kabul and near Afghanistan’s northeastern border with Tajikistan. Taliban claimed that 10 civilians were killed in US bombing raids in eastern Afghanistan overnight. In Washington, a senior US military official said American forces dropped two 15,000-pound "daisy cutter" bombs — the largest in the country’s arsenal — on Taliban forces in Afghanistan in the past week. The Blu-82 bomb is so big it is loaded on a pallet and pushed out of the back of a C-130 transport plane, Marine Corps General Peter Pace, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said more American special operation troops were on their way into Afghanistan to help coordinate the American and Northern Alliance strikes against Taliban forces. He said the coordination among different factions within the Northern Alliance were improving "and I know for a fact that in a number of cases the coordination is quite good." Rumsfeld said US air strikes in Afghanistan have intensified with the doubling of US special forces on the ground and the Pentagon looks to add bases for strike aircraft in Tajikistan. "With respect to the air campaign, there is no question but that the better targeting information we have, the better the effect is on the ground, and the air campaign has been going along quite well," he said. Rumsfeld said he felt the United States would take "months, not years" to defeat the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, the network led by Osama bin Laden that has been blamed for the September 11 terrorist attacks on Washington and New York. Continuing their reprisals against any rebels they capture, the Taliban today executed a nephew of Abdul Haq, a veteran of the Afghan war with the Soviet Union who himself was captured and hanged by the militia last month. Haq and his nephew Izzatullah had slipped into Afghanistan last month to muster support among ethnic Pashtuns for an uprising against Taliban. Izzatullah, 22, who had escaped when Taliban had ambushed Haq, was caught and hanged this week, according to his cousin Mohammad Yusuf. Meanwhile, Taliban Ambassador to Pakistan Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, who was yesterday directed by Islamabad to ‘limit’ his activities and was ‘barred’ from holding daily media briefings, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry here. "We have asked Zaeef to observe diplomatic norms," Foreign office spokesman said.(PTI) |
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Troops kill girl in
Kupwara Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 7: Even as unidentified gunmen killed a civilian at Baramulla and a girl was killed in security forces’ firing in Kupwara, six militants died in different gunbattles in Kashmir valley today. Militants also gunned down a BSF soldier at Kulgam. Informed sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that, on a specific information, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 29 Bn, RR 22 Bn and SOG Baramulla conducted a search operation at Trumgund, near Haigam, in Sopore area today. During the operation, exchange of gunfire took place between militants and security forces. Three unidentified militants got killed. Three AK-56 rifles and a wireless set were recovered from the site of encounter. Militants killed in action are believed to be members of Hizbul Mujahideen. However, a Defence spokesman described them as members of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. He said that two soldiers sustained injuries in the operation. Within half-an-hour, another encounter took place between militants and security forces at Amar Garh in Sopore area. Troops of RR 22 Bn and SOG Baramulla participated in the operation. In the hour-long gunbattle, security forces eliminated two unidentified militants. They too were believed to be cadres of Hizbul Mujahideen. Two AK-56 rifles were recovered from the spot. Third encounter of the day occurred between militants and SOG/RR 22 Bn at Manseer, in Sopore area. Troops killed one unidentified militant and the operation was going on when reports last came in. SOG’s constable Jalil Ahmed Khan (IRP 6th Bn) sustained injuries. He was rushed to the capital city and admitted at SMHS Hospital. Sources said that an unidentified hitman fired upon a civilian, Ghulam Rasool Khan, outside his house at Khanpora, Baramulla, when he was going to a shop to buy a candle this evening. With critical injuries, he was rushed to hospital where he breathed his last. Officials said that Khan was a labour with no political, militant or counter-insurgent connections. Kupwara protest Reports available from Kupwara said that troops of 21 Para fired several shots without any reason and provocation during a patrol at Lassipora village in Lolab valley. A large number of people were present at a marriage ceremony when the shootout occurred. A girl, namely Haneefa D/o Sonaullah Ganai sustained critical injuries and later died at hospital. However, official bulletins claimed that the girl died in an encounter between militants and security forces in which one soldier sustained injuries. Residents insisted that there was neither any attack on security forces nor was question of any soldier’s getting injured. A large number of people came out on streets and, while shouting slogans, demanded severe action against the troops responsible for the "unwarranted and unjustified murder of the young girl". Sources in south Kashmir said that a soldier was gunned down by militants when he was going towards a urinal near his camp at Yaripora, Kulgam. He was identified as Mahesh Chander of BSF 52 Bn. |
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Terrorism, fundamentalism linked: Karan NEW DELHI, Nov 7: The Indian sub-continent will see a growth of religious fundamentalism in the next few years in view of the present fluid political situation in the region, former Union Minister Karan Singh has warned. "There has been a growth of religious intolerance in the world particularly in the sub-continent and terrorism and fundamentalism are closely inter-linked," Dr Singh said at a valedictory function of the eighth IAVE Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on "volunteering for humanism in the new millennium" here last evening. Dr Singh observed that with the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington and subsequent war in Afghanistan, fundamentalism in the sub-continent would see a further rise. The function was organised by the international Association for Voluntary Effort and People’s Institute for development and training. The Former Minister said it was heartening to see how the New Yorkers reacted after the terror struck their city. "People were volunteering to rescue all those trapped inside, provided all kinds of support to the injured and rallied behind their Government in the hour of crisis," he added. Dr Singh wondered how Indians would have reacted in a similar situation. Asked to elaborate, Dr Singh told UNI that people in the country would have panicked in such an eventuality. "Indians tend to panic in crisis. We should learn from how the Americans behaved after such devastating attack," he added. Dr Singh said religion had always played a civilizing role in the history of mankind yet it was used by a few to spread hatred, violence and war against each other. He also stressed the need for reviving the true spirit of religion and urged the intelligentsia to shed their indifference towards it. "It is only when the scholars and the learned people turn their back towards religion, the fundamentalists and fanatics take over." Dr Singh said the path of ‘Dharma’ and humanism were similar and the route to achieve salvation was through serving the humanity. "Dharma means not only salvation of oneself, but also the welfare of the people. One cannot attain spiritual heights unless he does something for the welfare of the people," he noted. The former minister said the world was struggling with violence, bloodshed and terrorism and precariously poised between a diminishing past and an uncertain future. "In this situation, the role of voluntary organisations assumes unprecedented importance." Dr Singh noted that the role and function of the voluntary organisations were being put to test in the present scenario and also as 2001 is the international year for voluntary organisations. "Voluntary organisation is the foundation of all civilised society. India has a long tradition of voluntary organisations since the vedic times," he said. Dr Singh said women, children, old aged, and mentally and physically challenged people were the most vulnerable sections of society and much was needed to be done for them. (UNI) |
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| Arms recovery from ultras enough to equip
3 army divisions Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Even as Pakistan has ‘offered’ support to the United State in latter’s war against terrorism, its support to the terrorist activities in the Jammu and Kashmir is going unabated. "About 55 percent increase in Pakistan sponsored terrorist violence in J&K in the current year as against the corresponding period the last year is a clear indication that our neighbour has been providing every possible help to terrorists involved in executing heinous crimes in the State", a Jammu Police spokesman said today. He said most startling is quantity of the recovery of arms and ammunition. Recovery of arms/ammunition and explosive material from militants since January 1990 till date is enough to equip more than three army divisions, he added. Enumerating militancy related details, the spokesman said that foreign terrorists dominated outfits executed 3882 incidents of violence this year as against 2503 reported during the corresponding period of last year with a view to cause colossal damage to the life and property of people in the State. These incidents included explosions, hurling of hand grenades, rocket attacks, random firing, arson, abductions, hanging etc. Out of 3882 violent incidents, 931 were directed against police and security forces. The spokesman said that 939 innocent civilians have lost their lives and 1765 sustained injuries in the militant violence this year. During the corresponding period of last year, the militants killed 752 civilians and caused injuries to 905 civilians. Out of 939 civilian killed this year, 512 have fallen to militants’ bullets in random firing, 153 have been killed after abduction, 70 lost their lives in explosions and 47 civilians died in hand grenade attacks. The number of injured is almost double as compared to last year. The spokesman said that target oriented operations against the militants conducted by police/security forces have inflicted heavy casualties on Pak sponsored ultras. The anti-militancy operations have led to the elimination of 1606 militants this year as against 1306 militants killed during the corresponding period of last year. 73 of militants have also surrendered to the authorities this year. 8 incidents of group clashes between militants have taken place this year resulting in the death of 4 militants and 2 civilians. He said that 515 police and security forces personnel have sacrificed their lives in the proxy war during the first ten months of the current year. They include 117 officers and jawans of the state police, 53 SPOs, 11 VDC members and the rest are security forces personnel. In addition, 1209 police/security forces personnel have sustained injuries during operations and encounters with militants. The enemy, the spokesman said, has continuously been trying to weaken our economy by striking at our public and private assets. Though the magnitude of damage is not that much as it was in the early years of militancy because of extensive as well as intensive security cover. He revealed that in keeping with their wicked plan, militants have set ablaze 42 Government buildings, 24 business establishments, 5 religious places, 275 houses of majority community, 32 houses of minority community and 44 cow sheds this year. On the recovery front, the spokesman said that the arms/ ammunition and explosive recovered from militants during search operations and encounters since January 1990 till October 2001 are enough to equip more than three divisions of army. The recovery includes 22897 rifles of AK series with 46661 AK magazines and 30 lakhs rounds followed by 9018 pistols/revolvers with 8622 magazines and 1.86 lakh rounds, 985 UMGs with 1299 magazines and 1.20 lakh rounds, 75 LMG/SLRs with 31 magazines, 323 sniper rifles with 43000 rounds, 57 carbines with 16 magazines, 142 303 rifles with 6029 rounds, 923 RPGs, 63 GPMGs and 32 magazines and 24 rounds of telescope rifle. In addition, 3965 rockets, 705 rocket launchers and 2110 rocket boosters have also been recovered during the period. The recovery during the period also includes a huge quantity of material. So far 29 tones of explosive material including RDX, 4425 IEDs, 43978 grenades/hand grenades, 52660 detonators, 5166 anti-personal mines and 476 anti-tank mines have been recovered during searches, raids and operations with the cooperation and intelligence back-up of people. In the meantime 3313 wireless sets, 510 binoculars and 15759 metres of cordex wire have also been recovered from militants, according to the police spokesman. |
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Bombing ‘nest’ exposes JK ultras nexus NEW DELHI, Nov 7: The recent destruction of a Harkat-ul-Mujahedeen "nest" in Kabul by American bombardment support the Indian claim that Kashmiri militants were part of the "big terrorist ring" which attacked the World Trade Centre on September 11, a German news journal has reported. "The destruction of a guerilla nest in the Middle of Kabul shows the line of relations going from Afghanistan to Pakistan and from Pakistan to Kashmir," the daily ‘Neue Zurcher Zeitung’ said. "This supports the Indian claim about the terrorist chain and that the Kashmiri militants were part of the big terrorist ring which attacked the World Trade Centre on September 11," it said. Several militant outfits in Kashmir, including women’s organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat, had termed Pakistan’s support to US bombardment in Afghanistan as a "betrayal" and had warned groups operating in the State about the "nefarious designs" of Islamabad and its intelligence agency, ISI. The militant outfits had also called for a bandh in the Valley to protest Pakistan’s support. Quoting Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi’s reported statement on who could give information about Kashmiri militant camps in Kabul to the US, the German journal said "for Ashraf Jehangir, it can be no agency other than Pakistan" who could have provided the inputs. The journal said, for India, it was Pakistan "which conducted interaction between the Kashmir terrorists and the Afghan guerillas" and New Delhi had expressed apprehension about the "integrity of Pakistan as a partner in fighting terrorism". The bombardment by US warplanes in Kabul late last month had destroyed a Harkat camp in a residential locality in which at least 35 militants, "including high-ranking commanders", were killed. "Pakistani religious circles declared that the majority of the victims belonged to the group - Harkat-ul-Mujahedin," it said. The heavily-armed Harkat-ul Mujahideen group went from Pakistan to Afghanistan to fight with the Al-Qaeda against the international coalition that launched campaign targetting terrorist outfits. The ISI was fully aware of their activities and did nothing to prevent them from crossing over to the war-ravaged country. (PTI/UNI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: The State Government today issued transfer and posting orders of four private secretaries in Civil Secretariat with immediate effect. Mr Inderjeet Kesar, Principal Private Secretary to Principal Secretary and Secretary to Government Agriculture Production Department has been transferred and posted as Principal Private Secretary to Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce Department in place of Mr Latif Ahmed who has been posted as Private Secretary to Principal Secretary and Secretary to Government, Agriculture Production Department. Mr H R Sharma, Private Secretary to Commissioner Secretary Government Public Sector Undertakings, Finance Department has been transferred and posted as Private Secretary to Commissioner Secretary Government Information and Transport Department in place of Mr Ghulam Nabi who has been adjusted as Private Secretary to Commissioner and Secretary to Government Public Sector Undertakings, Finance Department. |
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Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Nov 7: The Government, in partial modification of its earlier order, has posted Mr. A.R. Parray as Commissioner/Secretary to Government ARI and Trainings Department. He will also hold the charge of the office of Chairman J&K Special Tribunal in addition to his new assignment till further orders, an official spokesman said. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: A Pakistani terrorist was killed and his associate escaped in an encounter at Mangota in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri this morning while the ultras attacked Thathri police station in Doda district with grenades last night. According to official reports, army jawans noticed two terrorists moving in village Mangota near Saji Bala in Thanna Mandi area at 0100 hours. Alert troops encountered the militants immediately. An hour long exchange of firing resulted into killing of one terrorist. Another ultra managed to escape under cover of darkness. Slain terrorist has been identified as Abu Abdullah Uqaab, hailing from Pakistan and affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. One AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 70 rounds, two hand grenades, a bayonet, one pouch and some incriminating documents were recovered from the possession of Uqaab. Security forces continued searches in Mangota forests to track down the fleeing terrorist but couldn’t get him. Meanwhile, unidentified terrorist(s) lobbed grenades on Thathri police station in Doda district at 2350 hours last night. One of the grenade missed the target while another fell in the police station building causing damage to a Gypsy No. 267 JKC, parked inside. Police personnel from the police station retaliated. However, the terrorist(s) couldn’t be traced. No casualties were reported in grenade attack, the reports said. Today evening, Pakistan army fired few mortar shells in Bhawani area of Nowshera sector in Rajouri. Indian side replied the shelling. Exchange of firing and shelling lasted about 35 minutes in which no loss of life or damage was reported on Indian side, the reports said. Shelling in Nowshera sector has almost become a routine. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: The State Government today issued promotion and transfer orders of Executive Engineers electrical as Superintending Engineers in the pay scale of Rs 12,000-16,500. Mr Brij Bhushan Lal Harkar, Executive Engineer, Electrical Purchase Circle Jammu has been promoted and posted as Superintending Engineer, Electrical Purchase Circle, Jammu in place of Mr R L Gadoo who has been transferred and posted as S E, Electric Planning and Design Circle Jammu vice Mr S K Duloo. Mr A H Shah Executive Engineer has been promoted and posted as Superintending Engineer Systems and Operations Circle Srinagar against an available post. Mr G R Bhat Executive Engineer has been promoted and posted as Superintending Engineer, Power Development Corporation against the available vacancy. Mr S K Duloo, Superintending Engineer, Electric Planning and Designs Circle Jammu has been transferred and posted as SE Electric Maintenance and R E Circle Batote vice Mr K B Sharma, Superintending Engineer, Electrical Maintenance R E Circle Batote who has been posted as Superintending Engineer Electrical Maintenance and R E Circle Jammu. |
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Qayyum for ban on outfits in Pak ISLAMABAD, Nov 7: Former President of Pakistan occupied Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan has called for a ban on militant outfits in Pakistan accusing them of harbouring criminal elements who are engaged in terrorism in Kashmir. "The fact is that a lot of criminal elements are in the folds of jihadi organisations and they are engaged in terrorism in Kashmir," said Khan, who has also served as the Prime Minister of PoK. The cause of Kashmiris has suffered a setback due to terrorism. Militant organisations are busy collecting funds in the name of Kashmir liberation, he said. "There is no concept of terrorism in Islam, the world is squeezing and time demands that people should live in a friendly atmosphere," The Pakistan Observer’ newspaper today quoted Khan as saying. Addressing members of the Lahore Bar Association yesterday, Khan, leader of PoK’s Muslim Conference, said after the Soviets had left Afghanistan, almost all Commanders except Prime Minister Gulbudin Hekmatyar had offered to fight in Kashmir, which he turned down. The report said Khan’s speech was objected to by some members of the audience who charged him with being a US agent and toeing the American line on the Kashmir issue.(PTI) |
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