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From S D Rohmetra NEW YORK, Nov 11: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today hit back strongly at Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf accusing him of pursuing a single campaign on Kashmir in UN General Assembly and declared that India would never part with Kashmir and would give a fitting reply to any evil designs from the neighbour. Speaking at a reception hoisted in his honour by the Indian American community, he said "there is only one issue on his mind.....How to wrest Kashmir. But he will never be able to get Kashmir as Kashmir is at the core of our nationhood." The rulers of Kashmir came along with us with the approval of their people. There have also been elections there in the last 54 years. How can anyone think of taking it away. Vajpayee’s comments came hours after Musharraf raked up the Kashmir issue in his speech in the General Assembly accusing India of committing atrocities in the border State. Referrring to media reports of the attack by some Kashmiri militants at the Red Fort, Vajpayee said "India is competent to give fitting reply" to any evil designs from across the border. Vajpayee said he was harsh on Musharraf saying he saw him on television yesterday and he got the impression that the Pakistani President was "trying to strengthen himself these days (Oh Apna Jamaraha Hain) on the Kashmir issue." Ridiculing General Musharraf for saying that terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir was a freedom struggle, Prime Minister said that Musharraf was also trying to raise a bogey on the issue and to cash in on it with other countries. In his address at the UN General Assembly yesterday, Gen Musharraf said that UN Security Council resolution on Kashmir "must be implemented and reiterated that Kashmir was the "core" issue between India and Pakistan. He also stated that he was ready to meet India Prime Minister anytime. Mr Vajpayee, making light of General Musharraf’s invitation for talks, said, what is the point of talking here. It is not necessary to talk on foreign soil and we can go and talk in Delhi. Referring to calls by various world leaders, asking India to exercise restraint, the Prime Minister said India has been follwing a policy of restraint. He specifically referred to a telephonic call from Canadian Prime Minister who told him that India should follow restraint. "I have been doing it. That is why there has been no war so far. In Lahore itself in 1999 Pakistan had conspired to do Kargil. But even then we had not crossed the Line of Control. Nor did we lose any land," he said adding in the past India had to give back some land the country had won. In Kargil, he said, "we did not give an inch of land." He said in the midst of Kargil war, then US President Bill Clinton called him to Washington when then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was there and told him "we will settle Kashmir". In a lighter vein, Vajpayee said he told Clinton not to spoil celebrations (of America’s Independence Day) and "I also did not want to spoil my night". When Pakistan decided to withdraw its intruders from Kargil they did not leave fully. "We told them unless you leave every inch of Kargil there cannot be peace and understanding." Referring to reports that Pakistan was asking Washington for the release of 28 F-16s held back by it, the Prime Minister asked "why is he asking for F-16s. What will you do with it." Referring to how politicians in the US reacted to the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the US, he said the entire political spectrum was fully behind the Government and there has so far been no criticism. But, he said, when Gujarat was devastated by the earthquake when people were rushing with aid to victims, the same evening political parties came down on the Government. Mr Vajpayee had arrived in the US on November seven, on the second leg of a three-nation trip. He is due to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London tomorrow on his way back home. |
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GoI assures additional
finance By Neeraj Rohmetra Jammu, Nov 11: While the State Government is all set to break its previous records of curtailments in the months to come in both the summer and winter capital, it seems to be little concerned about the issue of reforms in the power sector. This became evident from the fact that the State Government’s reluctance to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Goverment of India which was aimed to deal with problems in the power sector, with particular reference to the distribution. Reliable sources in the Ministry of Power revealed that so far 18 states had signed a similar MoU. The MoU is broadly a joint commitment of the State Government and Government of India to undertake reforms in a time bound manner. The States which have signed the MoU included Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Assam, Uttaranchal, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Kerela and Bihar. "Had the Jammu and Kashmir Government opted to undertake these reforms as mooted by the Indian Government, it would have gained on several fronts. The Union Government could have helped them make provisions of additional power from Central Generating Stations, development of new generating capacity through CPSUS and also was ready to offer other substantial support for enhancement of generating capacity in the State sector", sources remarked. Sources further added the border state, which has been reeling under financial crunch for the past years would have gained sufficient financial assitance. The Centre has assisted states which have signed the MoU by making provisions of additional financing by PFC in relaxation of standard requirements; assistance in getting finances from other sources such as World Bank, ADB, etc. Further, as a part of the Accelerated Power Development Programme (APDP) finance is provided with regard to projects involving renovation and mordernisation, uprating of old power plants; upgradation of transmission and distribution network including energy accounting and metereing. Dwelling upon possible reasons for not signing of agreement with the Central Government, top official sources remarked that the main impediments were the meeting of requirements, which besides others included constitutions of independent organisation like State Electricity Regulatory Commission, for ensuring a time-bound process. However, there was complete unanimity among the officials that the signing of MoU would enable the State to have more power and additional funds as well. While the Union Government, sources pointed out always admitted that there was need to tap the hydr-electric potential of the state, it had so far refused to provide counter-guarantee to the hydel power projects here in this State. At present, 57 projects for around 27,000 Mw capacity are having foreign developers and investment worth nearly Rs 15,000 crores had been already made in the private sector. So far eight projects had been identified by the Indian Government for extending counter - guarantee. These included Jegurupadu Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) of M/s GVK Industries in Andhra Pradesh, Dabhol CCGT of M/s Enron Power Company in Maharashtra, Visakhapatnam Thermal Power Project (TPP) of M/s Hinduja National Power Company in Andhra Pradesh, Bhadravati TPP of M/s Central India Power Company (CIPCO) in Maharashtra, Neyveli TPP of M/s ST-CMS Electric Company in Tamil Nadu, Mangalore TPP of Mangalore Power Company in Karnataka and Ib Valley TPP of M/s AES Ib Valley Corporation in Orissa. While the Central Government has been reluctant to provide counter guarantees of power projects in Jammu and Kashmir, it acknowledges the fact that it is one of the few states in the country that hold key in view of its massive hydro power potential. The Government of India has given very high priority to efforts aimed at exploiting the balance hydro-electric potential of each river basin in the country and particular emphasis is being laid on few state. Besides, this border state other states which could contribute substantially included Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim and North- East. Further, sources remarked that the budgetary support for Central Sector projects had also been substantially increased and efforts are being made to create a favourable environment. |
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From S D Rohmetra NEW YORK, Nov 11: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf suffered yet another blow when he failed to get his ideas on Kashmir endorsed by United States President George W Bush over a dinner meeting last night. Bush just repeated what he has been saying all along, that India and Pakistan should resume dialogue and that the US could only help in bringing them together for good and meaningful talks in Kashmir. A joint statement on the meeting said, "India and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir issue through diplomacy and dialogue in mutually acceptable ways that take into account the wishes of the people of Kashmir." This was more in line with the US stand than that of Pakistan. Gen Musharraf, however, did gain from the meeting otherwise. He received an assurance of a one billion dollar aid and lavish praise for his help in the fight against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network. He also secured endorsement of the Pakistani line that the opposition Northern Alliance in Afghanistan should not march into Kabul. Meanwhile, US President George W Bush offered to bring India and Pakistan together to have "good and meaningful" talks on Kashmir taking into account the wishes of the people of the state, even as he announced one billion dollars in US aid as an additional reward to Pakistan. Detested only months ago by the western democracies, Pakistan’s military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf continued to bask under the lavish praise being heaped on him after joining the America-led war against Afghanistan with Bush calling him a "strong leader" and Islamabad a "strong ally" after the two leaders met here last night over dinner. The meeting came a day after summit talks between Bush and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the White House in Washington on Friday. With Musharraf standing by his side, Bush told reporters, "we had a very good discussion on this subject (Kashmir), and I assured the Pakistan President that my country will do what we can to bring parties (India and Pakistan) together to have good, meaningful discussion on Kashmir so that we can come up with a solution." A joint statement on the first Bush-Musharraf talks issued shortly thereafter went a step further and referred to the two leaders agreeing that "India and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir issue through diplomacy and dialogue in mutually acceptable ways that take into account the wishes of the people of Kashmir." There was no immediate reaction to the US-Pak joint statement from the Indian side. The billion-dollar-aid announced by Bush is in addition to debt relief and financial assistance to Pakistan announced in the last few weeks. Bush also declared that Pakistan’s efforts in the US-led war on terrorism were bringing the nation back into the global fold. "Pakistan’s efforts against terror are benefitting the entire world and linking Pakistan more closely with the world," Bush said at the joint news conference. The Bush-Musharraf talks came a few hours after the latter resorted to a high-pitch anti-India rhetoric at the UN General Assembly session by raking up the Kashmir issue. Musharraf accused India of committing "state terrorism" in Jammu and Kashmir and asking New Delhi to "stop deceit" on the issue. He clubbed the issue with disputes in Palestine, Bosnia and Kosovo and said "lack of progress in resolution" of these disputes created a "sense of hopelessness" among the people of those regions. Enjoying his attention as a frontline state in the international campaign in Afghanistan, he told a press conference at the UN yesterday that "Pakistan remains ready for resumption of a dialogue with India and I look forward to restarting the process." Accusing India of having gone back on a settlement at the Agra summit, he said "one can’t clap with one hand". "You ask exactly the same question to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee", he told a questioner who wanted to know why the two countries were not talking to each other. He said it was upto Vajpayee and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, who have been invited to visit Pakistan, to make the visit. At the press conference when he was asked how hopeful he was of resumption of the dialogue with India, he said "you have to ask the question to the Indian side". Expanding on the new found warmth betwen Pakistan and the US in sharp contrast to attacks against Musharraf after his takeover in a coup, the US-Pak joint statement welcomed the revival of their "long-standing partnership" and expressed the conviction that this would constitute a vital element in the construction of a durable structure of peace, stability and enhanced prosperity at the regional level. Recognising Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in the global campaign against terrorism, Bush said Pakistan is a "great Islamic nation" and pledged to promote economic assistance to that country. He described Musharraf a "strong leader" and Islamabad a "strong ally". Bush also confirmed that he will extend support to enable Pakistan to respond to the economic challenges it confronts and additionally he undertook to consider ways to respond to its market access expectations. Meanwhile, A three-page joint statement issued after the talks also said that Bush praised Musharraf’s recent call to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. Bush and Musharraf shared concern over the threat to global stability posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. The need for a comprehensive approach to counter these threats, including enhanced non-proliferation measures at the global and regional level, was also stressed at the meeting. The two leaders while discussing a broad range of regional security issues decided to continue and expand defence consultations. Bush and Musharraf agreed that peace and stability in Afghanistan can be achieved through the institution of a broad-based, multi-ethnic, representative Government, established through consensus among Afghans, and evolved under the auspices of the UN. They also acknowledged that Afghanistan should enjoy friendly relations with all its neighbours and be a link between central and south Asia, and free from the scourge of terrorism and drugs. Both leaders agreed to continue their ongoing excellent cooperation and to pursue a coherent and coordinated diplomatic, political, military, economic, financial and humanitarian strategy to eliminate terrorism. Bush also stated that the campaign against terrorism is against those who perverted a "great religion in the service of evil." Earlier Musharraf alleged Indian "security forces killed over 75,000 Kashmiris "attributing these killings to foreign terrorists. It is time India must stop this deceit." Addressing the 56th session of UNGA, Musharraf said UN Resolutions on Kashmir have remained unimplemented and "the question is whether it is people asking for their rights in accordiance with the UN Resolutions are to be called terrorists or whether it is the countries refusing to implement UN Resolutions who are perpetrating state terrorism." "Now that the world has bonded itself to fight against terrorism, it is time for introspection. We owe it to posterity that in this dark hour we shed light on some dangerous and growing trends, misconceptions and misperception which, if not cleared, may lead the world into even greater disorder and disharmony," Musharraf said. He said Islam and Muslims in various parts of the world were being held responsible for the trails the world was facing. "This point of view is totally misplaced. Just as all religion teach peace and love for fellow beings, so does Islam place upon its adherents the obligation to do good, to be generous, merciful, kind and just to fellow beings. "Terrorism is not a Christian, Buddhist, Jewish or a Muslim’s belief. It is to be condemned no matter who is the perpetrator, be it an individual, a group or a state. Musharraf said a just and honourable solution for Kashmir and an end to the miseries of the people of Palestine are the major burning issues that have to be addressed "vigorously, boldly, imaginatively and urgently." "Unless we go to the root causes, cosmetics will only make matters worse," he said. The Pakistani President said "all forms of terror must be condemned, prevented and fought against, but in so doing the world must not trample upon the genuine rights, aspirations and urges of the people who are fighting for their liberation and are subjected to state terrorism." "In essence, therefore, to tackle the issue of terrorism in its entirety, we need to follow a three-pronged strategy of going for individual terrorists, moving against terrorist organizations and addressing disputes around the world in a just manner," he added. He said poverty and deprivation lead to frustration, making the masses vulnerable to exploitation by extremist organization. "It is the collective, moral responsibility of the developed world to address this issue squarely, through substantive economic uplift, poverty alleviation and social action programmes in the developing countries. "Economic imbalances have to be removed for a just, equitable and harmonious world order. A major step in this direction would be to reduce, if not eliminate, the debt burden, hanging as a millstone around the necks of the poor and the under developed," he said. (with Agencies) |
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From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Nov 11: The Government of India is divided on the question of making public a White Paper on the activities of the Pakistani ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence). In fact, White Paper, to quote the Minister for Home Affairs, Mr LK Advani, is "ready in draft form". "But there are certain reservations in the minds of those who are dealing with the ISI", Mr Advani admitted in a media interview. The Home Minister has also admitted that those having reservations say that the paper on the activities of the ISI "as to be comprehensive and not sketchy". "On the other hand, it may somewhat hamper out functioning", he said and added: "I would like to bring it out soon". Asked to comment on the impression that the Vajpayee Government’s record has not been all that impressive, Mr Advani was quoted as explaining: "I think that so far as security issues are concerned, the Government’s record has been very good. This pertains to both external and internal security. Right from becoming a nuclear power, to Kargil, to the handling of the ISI and the proxy war, the Government handling has been reasonably good". When asked to comment on the perception that he and the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, do not see eye to eye on many things as a number of the latter’s advisers want to marginalise him, Mr Advani stated: "I have come to the conclusion that whether it is print or electronic media, when there is no good copy, the issue becomes Vajpayeeji versus Advani. Though it has been my good fortune to work along with him for several decades now, so periodically if this provides good copy to my media friends I don’t mind it at all. And Vajpayeeji has his own style of puncturing these stories". Will POTO (Prevention Of Terrorism Ordinance) do for the BJP what Ayodhya did for it in the past? The Home Minister’s reply: "I wish issues of this nature, which have long-ranging security implications for the country were not viewed from narrow party and electoral angles. The Government certainly did not think like that. UP was not in our mind when we thought of POTO. In fact, we have been discussing the issue for nearly four years. But now when the entire world is concerned about terrorism, we would have been failing in our duty if we did not bring a law. How can it be related to any election? It is not fair". What would be the poll plank-POTO, Ayodhya or something else? In his reply, Mr Advani remarked: "Poll planks are spontaneous. If POTO is becoming important now, it is not because of us but the Congress". Strongly defending the provisions of POTO, the Home Minister stated that after the Sept attacks in America, there was a feeling in every country that laws in respect of terrorism ought to be stringent. "Every country went in for that. So much so, that a resolution was adopted by the United Nations Security Council that there should be stringent laws in respect of terrorism the world over", he said. While conceding the fact that the promulgation of POTO has set off heated discussion in political circles, Mr ID Swami, Minister of State for Home Affairs, has lambasted the Congress party for its "disappointing" stand against POTO. Mr Swami recalled that the Congress enacted the MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) when Mrs Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. TADA was enacted when Mr Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister. "Unfortunately, it is the same party that lost both those leaders to the acts of terrorists", he said and added: "It suddenly realises that provisions of POTO are draconian". At least three States in India, Mr Swami stated, had enacted equally tough, if not tougher, legislation to deal with the menace. Two of them are the Congress-ruled States, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The other is the TDP-ruled Andhra Pradesh. Mr Swami posed: "If this is not hypocrisy, what else is it? What other course is there for the Govt when threats to civil society acquire a virulent form beyond the control of the existing provisions of law"? Mr Swami’s verdict: "The POTO is meant to fight terrorism more effectively. The Opposition parties’ objections are completely irrational, their arguments hardly convincing and their motives look absolutely doubtful. They should willingly consider POTO in the context of the background the multifarious challenges faced by the nation in the management of its internal security". Mr Swami emphasised: "When extraordinary situations have been created by terrorists, extraordinary laws are needed to deal with them. TADA did not deal with the question relating to terrorist organisations. POTO has been precisely defined to deal with such extraordinary situations created by terrorists". |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 11: Stoutly defending promulgation of ‘much talked’ Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), Union Minister of Law and Company Affairs, Mr Arun Jaitley today lambasted oppositions parties for opposing this anti-terrorism ordinance just for the sake of opposition. Speaking at the inaugural session of the one day seminar on ‘Terrorism and Human Rights’ organised by the state unit of the Adhivakta Parishad, Mr Jaitley said, "those opposing this ordinance are actually trying to weaken the on-going war against menace of terrorism", "Today aim of terrorists is not to kill their opponents but they (terrorists) are hell bent to shatter basic human values and humanity", he said, adding "intense fighting against terrorism is not necessary for the integration of the country but also to protect human values and civil societies". He further said that entire world was now victim of the terrorism. "Menace of terrorism has engulfed entire world and no part of the world is safe from this menace", he said and added that it was crucial time to intensify war against terrorism. "Either you are with or against terrorism. There is no third alternative", he said Pointing towards September 11 incident, Mr Jaitley said, "India’s battle against terrorism did not start after these attacks but September 11 attack has woken up the world to the reality". "India has been among the worst victims of the terrorists attacks and has to wage its battle not as a soft state but as a determined nation with its security, investigative and legislative system well equipped to punish terrorists and eliminate terrorists", he asserted but regretted that opposition parties were not supporting Union Government in its hard stand against terrorism. "It is most unfortunate that despite being the worst victim of the terrorism, opposition parties of this country are not supporting government to enact strong law to deal terrorism", he said and accused the opposition of playing vote politics with the matter related to the security of the country. "Keeping in view the coming Assembly elections in the Uttar Pradesh opposition parties are opposing POTO", he said and criticised some political groups for adopting double standard. Allaying all apprehension point by point, Law Minister in his two hours marathon address, said, "POTO is a legislation which effectively deals with terrorists acts. It imposes punishment for terrorism, for abatement of terrorism, for harbouring terrorists and for being a member of a terrorist organisation". "Beside providing powers to deal with terrorism POTO provides several safe guards",he said and informed that acquisition of property with funds of terrorist organisations will need an approval of a designated authority or the special court. "Several actions taken under the ordinance will be reviewed by a review committee headed by a sitting or retired high court judge. The banned organisations can also move the review committee", he said, adding, "the ordinance has detailed procedures permitting interceptions which can be made for a limited period and need ratification of the review committee". Criticising some organisation for terming POTO as against freedom of press, Mr Jaitley clarified, "the section 3(8) of POTO merely requires that a person in possession of information which he knows or believes to be of material assistance in prevention of a terrorist offense, must unless their is reasonable cause otherwise disclose this to the police". He further said that this provision merely imposes an obligation on a citizen to give information relating to crime. "Publishing an interview of a terrorist is obviously not covered by this. Even this is not a new provision. There is an identical provision relating to IPC crimes under section 39 of the CrPC which imposes an obligation on very citizen to give information to the police of any offence covered under several provisions of the Indian Panel Code", he said and strongly denied the allegation that journalists have to disclose their sources under POTO. Launching a scathing attack on opposition for creating confusion among minorities regarding POTO, Mr Jaitley said that the Congress has promulgated all those draconian laws like MISA, DDA and TADA which were mis-used by the then Congress regimes. He, however, informed that members of majority community were worst victims of these laws. "Percentage of minority community was only 4.5 percent among those who were arrested under TADA", he said. Law Minister made it clear that protection of human rights are base of the democracy and it was duty of the every democratic elected Government to protect human rights of its citizens. "It is very difficult situation to protect human rights while fighting terrorism", he admitted but added that it was duty of the Government to protect human rights. Union Law Minister, however, regretted that some organisations have been supporting terrorists in the name of human rights. He said that human right activists have been working as Over Ground Workers of terrorists. "Under a deep rooted conspiracy human rights activists start vicious campaign against forces in the name of state terrorism", he said while lambasting so-called human rights activists and added that beside launching campaign against forces human rights activists also tried to legtimise heinous crime of terrorists. Former Director General of Punjab Police, Mr P C Dogra, who was chief guest in the function, said that defence personnel were not target of militants but they are also targets to adverse media campaign. He said that pathetic situation has been prevailing in the Punjab where officers, who has played effective role in containing militancy, are now facing the judicial trails and enquiries for showing acts of bravery. Mr G D Sharma, former Justice has presided over the function which was also addressed by Union Minister of State for Food Processing, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta. Prof K L Bhatia introduced the theme of the seminar. In the second session of the seminar, some resolutions were passed. In the resolutions the promulgation and implementation of POTO was supported. Seminar also concerned attempt on part of the State Government to change demographic character of the Jammu region. In another resolution seminar expressed concern over back-door entries in Government jobs and recruitment of sympathizers of terrorists in J&K Govt. |
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21 terrorists, CRPF jawan killed in Poonch, Doda Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 11: It was another successful day for army and police in the border district of Poonch today with 19 dreaded terrorists being eliminated in three operations. A CRPF jawan, who had come to his village on leave, was also killed in exchange of firing during one of the operations. Two ultras were killed in another operation in Bharat area of Doda today. Our Poonch correspondent reports: in one of the fiercest operation, troops of 19 Punjab under the command of Krishna Ghati Garrison eliminated eight terrorists, all Pakistanis of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, at village Khorian, about two and a half kilometer downhills of Krishna Ghati this afternoon. Official sources said the operation was carried out by army personnel on a specific information regarding movement of the terrorists. All eight terrorists of the group were trapped in an isolated dhok and asked to surrender. However, the ultras opened heavy firing with Pika gun and assault rifles, which was replied by troops. Initially, army jawans eliminated three ultras while five others deserted the hideout and fled to a forest area. Troops chased the fleeing terrorists and eliminated them. All eight terrorists in the group were killed. A CRPF jawan, who had come to his house in Khorian on leave, was caught in exchange of firing between army and the terrorists and was killed. His identity couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Sources said bodies of all eight slain terrorists have been recovered but couldn’t be identified. All of them were believed to be Pakistanis and activists of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. A Pika gun, four AK rifles and their ammunition and two wireless sets besides other weaponry was recovered from the scene of encounter. No casualties were reported on army side in the operation, the sources said. Another operation was planned and executed jointly by troops of Poonch Brigade and Poonch police at Bandi Kamba Khan in Jandrola area of Mandi sector this morning. The terrorists spotted in Bandi Kamba Khan were the infiltrators, who had crossed over into Indian side from the Line of Control (LoC) about two days back. They were looking for the hideouts when intercepted by army and police. A heavy exchange of firing between the two sides lasted over two and a half hours in which six terrorists were gunned down. Two to three ultras escaped during the encounter and were being traced by security personnel. Four AK rifles, eight magazines, 465 rounds, 12 hand grenades and 13 UBGL grenades were recovered from the spot. Killed ultras belonged to Tehreek-ul-Jehad (TuJ) outfit. Their identity hasn’t been established so far. Another group of five terrorists was liquidated by army and police in Jalian area of Mandi sector this morning. The group belonged to Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) outfit. Sources said the dead ultras were foreign mercenaries. Four AK rifles, pone pistol, 10 hand grenades and 20 UBGL grenades were recovered from the possession of slain terrorists. Army or police didn’t suffer any casualty in the operation. Garrison Commander of Poonch Brigade WJB Sturgeon and SSP Poonch Dr Kamal Saini supervised army and police teams respectively in the operations. Our Doda correspondent adds: Two militants were killed in an encounter with troops of 10 Rashtriya Rifles and STF Doda in Seel area of Bharat, about 16 kms from Doda this evening. A constable of STF and a Special Police Officer (SPO) were injured in the encounter and have been hospitalised, SP Doda Ashkoor Wani said. One of the slain ultra has been identified as Haq Nawaz of Doda. His associate was a foreign mercenary and couldn’t be identified. Both of them were Hizbul Mujahideen activists. One AK rifle, a Chinese pistol, four grenades, a wireless set and rounds of AK and pistol were recovered from the slain militants. |
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Two militants, two civilians killed Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 11: While as a 10-year-old boy, who had sustained burn injuries in the inferno at Tral last evening, has died at hospital, and unidentified gunmen have shot dead a civilian in Budgam, security forces have eliminated two militants in a gunbattle in Kupwara district. The 10-year-old boy, Ashaiq Hussain Ganai of Kachmulla, who had sustained 90% burn injuries in the devastating inferno at Tral last evening, has died at hospital. As already reported, 52 structures — including 40 shops — had gutted at bus-stand of Tral last evening after a group of six militants killed two SOG personnel in an attack. Everybody, excluding some Police officials, has been holding the angry SOG party responsible for burning the shops and other structures in over-reaction. IGP Kashmir, Dr Ashok Bhan, who visited the spot today alongwith DC Pulwama Ms Naseem Lankar, was confronted by residents. An unidentified person has died in last evening’s shootout at the company headquarters of BSF 9th Bn at Shajimarg, Rajpora, in Pulwama district. As already reported in this newspaper, militants had carried out an attempt of suicide strike on the formation late last evening. One militants was believed to have died in retaliation. Police recovered a dead body but it could not be ascertained for the whole day whether he was a militant or a civilian. No weapons or objectionable documents were found by his side. SP Pulwama, Mukesh Singh, said that he remained unidentified as nobody of the locality came forward to take the dead body. Reports from Budgam said that unidentified gunmen appeared at Nasrallapora village last evening and fired upon one Ghulam Nabi Rather alias Naba Matoo S/o late Sulla Rather at his home. He was rushed to hospital but he died on way. Reports said that his brother, Dilawar, had been gunned down by militants in 1993 after having worked as a "district commander" first with JKLF and later with Hizbul Mujahideen. Official sources in north Kashmir said that, on a tip off, troops of 10 Para conducted a search operation at Doodhipora, Vilgam, in Kupwara district, late last night, and shot dead two unidentified militants in a fierce gunbattle. They remained unidentified but were believed to be Pakistani nationals. |
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Shah says no to further
talks SRINAGAR, Nov 11: Separatist organisations in Jammu and Kashmir have reiterated that they will not join the election fray and termed the exercise as futile. Reacting to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s recent call to the separatists, asking them to contest elections in the State, chairman of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Abdul Gani Bhat said people of the State have not launched freedom struggle just to achieve power. "Our struggle is not just to achieve power for six years, but for total resolution of the vexed issue of Jammu and Kashmir once and for all," Prof Bhat told UNI. "People of the State have not made sacrifices to see this or that party in power, but to get their legitimate right to decide their future," chairman of the amalgam said. He said if India is sincere to resolve this 54 year-old issue, it should take concrete measures in this regard. Declaring the past elections in the State as fraud, Prof Bhat said election or selection would not help them reach any goal and infact would further complicate the issue. Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) chief and senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, reacting to the Prime Minister’s call, said elections will take us nowhere. "It will be yet another futile exercise," Mr Shah said. He said though his party was not against elections, "but we will have to address the Kashmir issue first which is most important than any election." He said Kashmir was an issue and needed immediate resolution for peace and stability in the entire South Asia. Mr Shah, who spent almost 25 years in different jails since his childhood, said, "we are not going to take part in any elections until the core Kashmir issue is resolved. "We will continue our struggle through peaceful means," he added. There was, however, no reaction from militant organisations to the Prime Minister’s call, asking them to surrender and join the election fray. In New Delhi, Shabir Shah, the only senior separatist leader to hold talks with Centre’s interlocutor K C Pant, has accused New Delhi of not being sincere in solving the Kashmir issue and ruled out any further talks till the Government displayed "seriousness". Stressing that a solution to the vexed issue could be achieved "only through talks and not guns", Shah said the Centre had not responded to his four-point suggestions for creating "conducive atmosphere" in Kashmir. "I believe in talks and I have always maintained that dialogue is the only way of solving the Kashmir issue," Shah, who heads Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), told PTI here. He said he had responded to the Centre’s initiative "despite challenges" only because of this belief. "But, over the time, it has unfolded that the Government is not serious and Pant’s mission was just an eyewash," the separatist leader alleged. "Any further talks with the centre will be a futile exercise till the Government displays its seriousness and sincerity to solve the Kashmir issue," he said. Shah was the only separatist leader to meet Pant in Kashmir when the latter went there in May last to talk to various groups on ways of solving the problem. The Hurriyat Conference had refused to meet Pant. The JKDFP leader later again met Pant in Delhi. Shah said he had presented to Pant four suggestions for creating the "conducive atmosphere", including end to custodial killings, release of those languishing in jails for several years and withdrawal of Disturbed Areas Act. "However, instead of working on these suggestions, the centre extended the Disturbed Areas Act to other parts of the State," he said, and alleged the custodial killings also witnessed an increase. "This makes it clear that the Government is not sincere. So till the Government displays its sincerity, there is no utility in holding further talks," he said, adding "violence and talks cannot go together". The separatist leader said the day Government "appears sincere, I will rush to hold talks". Lauding Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s "bold" initiative to talk to all groups in Kashmir, Shah said "I thought it could be a new beginning and responded without putting any conditions." "I also welcomed the Prime Minister’s invitation to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and the subsequent Agra summit," he said. He, however, regretted the Indian Government’s decision not to have dialogue with Pakistan and said "it will cause communication gap which will not be helpful in solving the Kashmir issue". (UNI/PTI) |
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Opposition claims key
victories KABUL, Nov 11: US bomb attacks destroyed a village near the Taliban stronghold of Kandahar and killed 300 people, the heaviest civilian casualties since the air strikes began 36 days ago, a Taliban official said today. Abdul Hanan Himat said Shah Agha village in the Khakrez district of Kandahar province was flattened by bombs last week. "Bodies of children, women and elderly men are still being dug out from under the rubble," Himat told a news conference. He invited journalists to visit the site of the "carnage", and accused the international media of ignoring the civilian casualties of the US attacks. "When we put a Chadari (head-to-toe veil) on a woman, the media makes a big noise about it and say that human rights have been abused," he said. "But when 300 innocent people in one village are martyred, they keep calm about it and the Americans say they are only hitting military areas," Himat said. Himat said around 30 other civilians had been killed in the north of Kabul, and in central Ghazni and southern Kandahar provinces overnight. The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) also reported on Friday that 300 people were feared killed by US bombing in Khakrez district. No immediate comment was available from the Pentagon. Meanwhile, opposition forces in northern Afghanistan launched a powerful drive today to link up with their front lines outside Kabul while claiming fresh victories further west. Building on the momentum that has seen five northern provinces fall into opposition hands in recent days, Northern Alliance fighters pushed south through the central provinces of Bamiyan and Baghlan which lie to the west and north of Kabul. A spokesman for opposition commander Atta Mohammad said eight Taliban-held districts had fallen in the offensive which was poised to capture Bamiyan’s provincial capital. "The advance has been on a wide front," spokesman Mohammad Ashraf Nadeem told AFP, adding that a 140 km stretch of the main road linking the newly-captured northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif with Kabul had been secured. Opposition commander Ahmed Bahram told AFP from the front line near Bamiyan city that the former stronghold of Afghanistan’s Shiite Muslim Hazara community would fall within hours. "How bloody it gets depends on how badly the Taliban want to defend the city, Bahram said. A simultaneous drive west from Mazar-i-Sharif captured Qala-i-Nau, the provincial capital of Badghis province, said a spokesman for opposition general Ismail Khan. "We have the whole of Badghis in our control," the spokesman, Nassar Ahmad, told AFP by satellite phone from the neighbouring province of Herat. Ahmad said 15 Taliban fighters had been killed and 300 taken prisoner, while hundreds more had defected to the opposition during the fighting. "Taliban morale was very low," he added. The Northern Alliance was also moving on Herat city, close to the Iranian border, which Ahmad predicted would fall in the next few days. The Taliban have confirmed the loss of four northern provinces after what they termed a "strategic withdrawal" aimed at avoiding casualties and consolidating their forces. (Agencies) |
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 11: World’s most wanted man Osama bin Laden, currently being hounded by US spy planes and satellites, lives in a mud house far from Kabul and his health and spirits appear high, says the Pakistani journalist who interviewed him early this week. Writing in his column in Urdu newspaper ‘Ausaf’ today, Hamid Mir recounted: "Very far from Kabul, the vehicle stopped at a very cold place. My Arab hosts took me out in their arms and when they removed the blanket from my body, I found myself in a small room surrounded by armed guards. "They saluted me and then started searching my baggage. After a few minutes of body search, Laden and Amyn Al Zuwahiri, Osama’s deputy and Egyptian militant leader, entered the room. "The floor of the room indicated that we were in a mud house where temporary arrangements for the interview were made. I was hearing sounds of anti-aircraft guns and could easily guess that we were very close to the warfront. Osama was looking very fresh and healthy." Mir, who is the official biographer of bin Laden, said that the prime suspect behind the US terror attacks denied his involvement behind the anthrax fear in America. "He laughed when asked whether he was behind spreading the anthrax fear in the US. He said he knew nothing about such rumours. Laden said Pakistan was like his home and he was concerned about the country. During the interview, he even said "one day the us, India and Israel would certainly harm Pakistan." Bin Laden said sometime back a religious leader from India had sent a message to Taliban chief Mullah Omar saying that Pakistan had betrayed him (Omar) and now he should join hands with India and see the effect. But Omar said though Pakistan joined hands with non-Muslims, he could not do the same against Pakistan, Mir quoted bin Laden as saying. The Pakistani journalist in his column said despite knowing English language well, bin Laden likes to talk in Arabic. Bin Laden strongly criticised Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf for supporting the US in its campaign against terrorism and said the Pakistan army had a motto of Iman (faith), Taqva (piety) and Jehad (holy war) but Musharraf had forgotten that. He also said most of the air strikes on Afghanistan were being carried out from Pakistani airbases. Mir said "though bin Laden did not answer the questions in detail, one could easily guess that Al-Qaeda had some Tajik and Uzbek youth in the cadre and through that channel, he had been in touch with the Russian scientists for a long time." Bin Laden also deplored Yossef Bodansky, chief of the US Congress Committee for countering terrorism, "for spreading lies in his book." He said Bodansky should have written a book on American terrorism for which he could easily find proof in Afghanistan. (PTI) |
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US says won’t transfer fighter jets to Pakistan WASHINGTON, Nov 11: While Pakistan is a close ally in the United States’ war on terrorism, the Bush administration said today it will not transfer to Pakistan American F-16 fighter jets bought by Islamabad years ago. "There are no plans now to transfer those airplanes to Pakistan," said US Secretary of State Colin Powell. (Reuters) |
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200 Pakistanis killed in Mazar-e-Sharief TEHRAN, Nov 11: Some 200 pro-Taliban Pakistani fighters were killed in Mazar-i-Sharif after the capture of that strategically important Afghan city by Northern Alliance forces. Haji Mohammad Muhaqiq, who heads the faction representing the Shiite Hazara community, also told the Iranian Entekhab daily that the Northern Alliance had encircled some 1,200 Pakistanis, in the Maktab Soltan Raziyeh area, who were "not able to flee" with the Taliban. "We gave them warnings to surrender," said Muhaqiq who also heads the political committee of the Hizb-i-Wahdat opposition movement. "They asked us to send representatives over several times, but unfortunately they shot them. So far, six of our men (Mujahedeen) have been killed," Muhaqiq said. "Finally, we gave the order to attack them and the clashes are still continuing," Muhaqiq told the paper adding: "Some 200 of them (Pakistanis) have been killed." Muhaqiq also said that in case of any attempt at a new attack by the Taliban, which he claims is "no longer able to launch a counter attack ... We are completely ready." (AFP) |
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NEW YORK, Nov 11: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has proposed a "bilateral treaty" with India for a mutual ban on nuclear tests, even as the US and Pakistan supported enhanced non-proliferation measures even at the regional level. "We are ready to formalise a bilateral treaty with India for mutual test ban. We are ready to discuss nuclear and missile restraints as well as nuclear risk reduction measures with India in a structured, comprehensive and integrated dialogue," Musharraf said addressing the UN General Assembly here yeserday. Musharraf’s proposal came shortly before his summit talks with US President George W Bush here during which the two leaders referred to the need for "enhanced non-proliferation measures at the global and regional level." A reference was made on the nuclear issue by Bush and Musharraf while calling for a comprehensive approach to counter threats to global stability posed by proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. Musharraf in his address at the UN also said India was ready to discuss how India and Pakistan could create a stable South Asian security mechanism through a peaceful resolution of disputes, preservation of nuclearonventional balance, confidence building measures and non-use of force prescribed by the UN charter. Declaring that it was "fully alive to the responsibilities of its nuclear status", Musharraf assured the UN that its nuclear arsenal was in "safe hands" in the wake of concerns over its nuclear security after its support to the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent HIRANAGAR, Nov 11: Yet another person died of Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in Hiranagar tehsil today. This time the victim was 36-years old Sardari Lal, son of Mohan Lal of village Jatwal in Hiranagar tehsil. The deceased was working in Mumbai. The wife of Sardari Lal had earlier died due AIDS and it has been said that he got infected by this deadly disease during his stay in Mumbai. Sources said that deaths due to deadly AIDS are on rise in Kathua district since past one year. The Health Department has not confirmed the death of Sardari Lal due to AIDS. |
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