Hizb "district commander" killed in Budgam
2 soldiers, 5 militants among 10 killed in Valley

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 30: Even as two soldiers died and six sustained injuries in a dare-devil militant attack on an army convoy in Baramulla outskirts of Janbazpora today, troops retaliated and killed two Pakistani militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba. In other militancy-related incidents, security forces eliminated three militants in the same district while as death of a civilian evoked protests in Shopian.

Informed official sources told EXCELSIOR that, at 11.30 a.m. today, militants in ambush launched a dare-devil attack on an army convoy at Chakla hamlet, in Janbazpora outskirts of Baramulla town. The convoy was on way to Kupwara from Srinagar. As the militants, operating very close to the road, lobbed a volley of hand grenades into the vehicles, eight army personnel sustained injuries, four of them critically. Troops retaliated and engaged the militants in a fierce gunbattle. As troops of 8 J&K Rifles, SOG Baramulla, Rashtriya Rifles 28 Bn and BSF 191 Bn reached the spot quickly, both the militants were killed. They were identified as Abu Haider and Abu Abdur Rehman, who were Pakistani cadres of Lashkar-e-Toiba.

After a while, two of the critically injured soldiers succumbed to injuries. Late tonight, sources at 92 Base Hospital, at Corps Headquarters, described the condition of two critically injured soldiers as "not stable". They described four others, admitted and operated at the hospital, as stable and claimed that they were responding to the treatment satisfactorily.

As some news agencies and television channels reported death of two militants and six soldiers in the incident, PRO Defence Lt Col Mukhtiar Singh maintained that only two soldiers had died. He too claimed that six soldiers were admitted at the military hospital and two of them were "not stable".

Sources said that earlier during last night, troops of RR 28 Bn eliminated a militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba in an ambush at Machhanpora, in Panzla area of Rafeeabad. He has been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Ganai of the same village. Two AK-56 rifles are claimed to have been recovered from the spot.

Troops of 12-Sikh LI eliminated two more militants, in an ambush, at Bandi nullah, in Somawali Gali, close to LoC, in Uri-Gulmarg sector during last night. Both of them remained unidentified.

Setback to Hizb

Official sources confirmed that Hizbul Mujahideen’s "district commander" for Budgam and "battalion commander" of Magam area, were among the three militants killed by security forces in an encounter at Hardu Malpora on Saturday. While as Ghulam Nabi Wani alias Zakaria S/o Ghulam Ahmed Wani of Daharmuna (Soibug) was Hizb’s "district commander", Abdul Majeed Bhat of Peth Kanihama was described as a "battalion commander". Third militant, killed in the encounter, was identified as Nasrullah Dar of Ari-Panthan, Beerwah. Sources said that Majeed was found wearing the uniform of a Dy SP of J&K Police.

Meanwhile, reports from Tangmarg said that, during last night, unidentified gunmen lifted two residents of Gokahama, Kunzar, namely Nazir Ahmed Ganai S/o Ghulam Hassan Ganai and Bilal Ahmed Ganai S/o Abdus Samad Ganai. This morning their dead bodies were recovered from Wusan nullah. However, residents claimed that in the morning, troops swooped on Gokahama and announced through public address system of the mosque that they were looking for two butchers, Nazir Ganai and Bilal Ganai. Even as officials believed that the duo had been lifted and eliminated by militants, residents had doubts on a unit of security forces.

Protest in Shopian

Reports from Shopian said that a civilian, namely Firdaus Ahmed Shah S/o Ghulam Mohammad Shah of Shopian, died in a mysterious gunfire at Gagran camp of CRPF 30 Bn at 12.50 p.m. today. Officials maintained that he had died of a misfire from a CRPF soldier’s gun. Identified as C V Rawat, the constable has been arrested and an FIR has been registered at Shopian Police Station.

Residents said that Shah was deliberately shot dead by CRPF. They said that he had been supplying livestock to the camp and had visited Gagran for recoveries. While he was handing over a bill to the soldiers, he got killed. They put up a protest demonstration and alleged that Shah’s killing was unwarranted and deliberate.

Not to be handed over to US
Laden safe in hideout: Taliban

ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban today said Osama bin Laden is under their protection but vowed not to hand him over until US provides evidence of the Saudi millionaire’s involvement in the September 11 terror attacks.

Taliban ambassador to Pakistan Mullah Abdul Zaeef told reporters here that bin Laden, accused of masterminding the devastating suicide hijackings in the US, was in a secret location in Afghanistan.

"He is in hide out and his place has been kept secret because of security," Zaeef said adding bin Laden "is under Taliban control but out of sight of the public."

Zaeef’s statement was the first time a Taliban official has publicly admitted that the international terrorist is under their control since the strikes in the US.

Earlier this month, Afghanistan’s clerics recommended that bin Laden leave the country voluntarily ahead of a possible US attack.

Asked whether Taliban conveyed the clerics’ call to him, Zaeef said "I do not know the procedure of the delivery but the decisions have been conveyed to him. He has not yet responded."

"(But) I want to make categorically clear that Osama bin Laden will not be handed over to anyone," he said.

Zaeef said US President George W Bush should not issue orders to Taliban as he is not the ruler of Afghanistan. "President Bush should respect Islam and Islamic principles if he wants to deal with the Muslims."

To a question, he said Taliban have not invited American human rights activist Jessy Jackson to play any role to end the current crisis.

"A Pakistani friend contacted me and said that Jackson wants to do something for the solution of the current crisis. I conveyed his request to the leadership in Afghanistan and our Foreign Ministry said they have no objection. We have not extended any official invitation to him," he added.

He said it would be a terrorist action if the US launched attack on Afghanistan without providing any evidence.

Asked about the reports of former king Zahir Shah’s return to Afghanistan, the Taliban envoy said these are just rumours.

He rejected as baseless reports that Taliban have arrested three American commandos and said no American has entered Afghanistan.

"Taliban control all the borders and no one can enter Afghanistan. This is totally baseless. No American troop has so far been seen in any part of Afghanistan," Zaeef said.

On the deadlock due to the US demand for the hand over of bin Laden and the Taliban stand not to expel him, he said: "Americans are flying in sky and we are on the earth. They should show respect to Islam and then we will cooperate with them. They must produce evidence and the same should be produced in the court."

Zaeef said Pakistan’s Islamic cleric’s delegation meeting with Taliban leaders two days ago focussed on ways and means to ensure stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"The delegation did not demand hand over of bin Laden. No religious scholar can even think to ask for the expulsion of Osama bin Laden," he said.

The reports of the capture of US troops by Taliban was also denied by another Taliban official.

Taliban minister of education and culture Mulla Amir Khan Motaqi, in a telephonic interview with Iranian news agency Irna, denied reports saying US and British forces had landed in Afghanistan and were busy doing reconnaissance activities.

However, he said Taliban forces, volunteers and Afghan supporters were ready to defend their country against any foreign aggression.

"No one will be allowed to commit aggression on Afghanistan," he stressed.

Motaqi said "we don’t want war. ... For a political solution of the issue we welcome negotiations." (PTI)

ISI to prevent split to APHC

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI: The Government of India seems to have failed to translate into action its objective of preventing Pakistan from motivating and directing a section of the people of Kashmir. And at a time when the Indian offensive against Pakistan-aided ultras in Jammu and Kashmir has been intensified, the impact of Pakistan on the Kashmir scene has, instead of getting depleted or sunk, has increased.

Quite a few instances can be cited to confirm reports vis-à-vis the stepped-up influence of Pakistan in Kashmir. The Government of India cannot deny reports, making it clear that in spite of differences within Kashmir’s All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Islamabad continues to have its hold over the majority of the self-proclaimed ‘sole representatives’ of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the APHC.

True, the September 21 strike in Kashmir by terrorist organisations, notably the Jaish-e-Mohammed, the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Toiba, was to express solidarity with the protests in Pakistan against Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s decision to collaborate with the United States to secure Osama bin Laden’s arrest. But none of these organisations opposed Islamabad’s scheme of things in respect of Jammu and Kashmir.

There is evidence to suggest that the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11 have transfigured Kashmir’s political landscape. The attacks and their fallout have, for one, pitted the Hurriyat Conference against several terrorist outfits on whose power its political influence is premised.

Reports are doing the rounds in relation to fissures among political formations of the Islamic Right too, sundering those committed to the extreme positions represented by Osama bin Laden from the less ardent fanatics. And as reports hinted at the possibility of a break to come about between the far Right and the centre Right of politics in J&K, Pak military establishment’s ‘Kashmir Desk’ pressed itself into action.

First step taken by the ‘Kashmir Desk’ of the military Government in Islamabad was to caution the APHC leaders in Srinagar against the dangers from a split within the organisation. The Pakistani ISI, which is known for its link with a set of Hurriyat leaders and activists, was reported to have warned that a break between the centrists in the APHC and the extreme Right could have enormous consequences.

Recent days have seen steady progress in shaping political alignments for the next Assembly elections in J&K. The National Conference led by the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, cannot be faulted for its efforts to seek to secure its ranks by poaching on potential opposition figures.

In the second weeks of September, Mr Ghulam Qadir Pardesi and Mr Ghulam Nabi Mir, two top aides of Kashmir’s prominent politician and former Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayed, joined the National Conference. Mr Pardesi and Mr Mir, claimed that Mufti Sayed’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had "surrendered completely" to the Hurriyat. The two leaders also took much of the PDP cadre in south Kashmir with them.

On the other hand, moderate politicians like Mr Abdul Ghani Lone have clearly indicated that they would be willing to contest elections, but only after New Delhi announces a major autonomy package for Jammu and Kashmir, granting at least the Kashmir valley something approaching quasi-independent status.

The Vajpayee Government is, of course, anxious to see complete peace and normalcy in the troubled State of Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre is willing to grant certain concessions to Kashmir. But it is quite unlikely that the BJP-led coalition at the Centre will be able, or willing, to grant quasi-independent status to Kashmir valley.

Competent political observers say that should Mr Abdul Ghani Lone and other Hurriyat centrists come under pressure from the Islamic far Right, they could well drop their preconditions. Pakistan’s intelligence establishment does not want the Hurriyat leaders to swear by the Constitution of India.

Recently, a section of the People’s League had sought to replace the outfit’s representative in the Hurriyat executive, Sheikh Abdul Aziz. People’s League leader, Mr Bashir Ahmed Tota, who is reported to be sympathetic to the centrists, did not want Sheikh Aziz to continue to represent the People’s League in the Hurriyat executive. The intervention by the Pak lobby forced Mr Tota to drop his efforts to replace Sheikh Aziz.

Keshubhai gets reprieve

NEW DELHI, Sept 30: Beleaguered Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel today got a temporary reprieve with the BJP high command setting up a high level committee headed by party president Jana Krishnamurthy to go into the issue of leadership change.

The decision to constitute the committee was taken after a two-hour long meeting Patel had with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee which was attended by Home Minister L K Advani, BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy, vice president Madan Lal Khurana in-charge of Gujarat and general secretary Narendra Modi.

The committee will talk to a wide section of State party leaders to elicit views on the demand for removing Patel that has arisen in the wake of BJP’s defeat in the recent bye-elections in Sabarkantha Lok Sabha seat and Sabarmati assembly seat in Advani’s Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, party sources said.

After the meeting, Krishnamurthy was non-committal saying "if there is a development, I will call you. I have nothing to say". He parried persistent queries on the issue of change of leadership.

Claiming that there was no discussion about change of leadership in the State, Patel said the political scenario was discussed. He gave an analysis of the poll outcome to the Prime Minister which he could not do so on September 26 when a meeting of top party leaders was held.

To a question whether there would be a change of leadership in the State, Krishnamurthy said "I have nothing to say".

However, he said he had sought a report from State unit president Rajindersinh Rana with specific reference to the loss of the Sabarmati assembly seat in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency represented by Advani.

He had then said he had only a brief meeting with Vajpayee during which the Gujarat issue could not be discussed. (PTI)

Pre-emptive steps against militants favoured
Return to Kashmir politics final aim: Omar

NEW DELHI, Sept 30: Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah today made it clear that his final aim was to get to Jammu and Kashmir politics and serve the people even as he threw an open challenge to Hurriyat Conference to contest elections against him.

"My final aim is to return to Kashmir politics and serve the people of my State," Abdullah said in an interaction with PTI journalists here adding that he would do so only after his father and Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah retired or moved over to a higher post.

The Minister regretted that he could not devote more time to his State after becoming a Union Minister.

Abdullah, while questioning the credentials of Hurriyat Conference said he was ready to take on its leadership in any elections free from violence.

"Let people come out in large number to cast their ballots. The result of that elections will be acceptable to me because I am sure that it will explode the myth of the amalgam leadership about representing the aspirations of people of the State."

The Minister said that the aspirations of the people of the State had been thwarted by the presence of so many guns. "The wishes are thwarted from across the border and Pakistan continues to send in more armed mercenaries into the State to boost their campaign," he added.

Asked what would happen if a referendum was held in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said "well, I will quote a study made by a Danish organisation which reported that majority of people in the State will go with India."

"I have no reasons to disbelieve the report as Danish organisation has no vested interests in the State or in India or Pakistan," Abdullah said.

Asked about his comments on the last Friday’s hartal call in the Kashmir valley, Abdullah said "this rendered a big slap on the face of Hurriyat Conference and exposed them that they were nothing without the support of militants."

To a question about the unrest in the State, Abdullah said "there are several factors to it. Jailing of legitimate Chief Minister, throwing out of power an elected Government and moreover the Rajiv-Farooq accord of 1987."

Terming this accord as the biggest mistake, Abdullah said "this accord left no space for opposition in the State as both the rival parties — Congress and National Conference —joined hands leaving no place for disgruntled elements."

The Minister said this drove these disgruntled elements towards fundamentalist groups.

About the ban imposed on SIMI, Abdullah said "this is a welcome step but what I personally feel is that other groups, irrespective of religion, who fall in the similar criteria should also be banned by the Centre."

"One should not have a dual policy," Abdullah said while replying to a question whether Bajrang Dal and some other fundamentalist groups should have also been banned by the Centre.

To a queston , the Minister said that lifting of sanctions imposed by the United States against Pakistan after the 1999 coup by Gen. Pervez Musharraf will send "wrong signals" to those upholding democracy.

If any such decision was taken by Washington, it would appear that "democracy is no longer a concern for democratic countries like the US but it is only the fight against terrorism," he said.

Maintaining that the time given by Musharraf for return of democracy in Pakistan by October next year had not changed yet, he said "those sanctions and that aspect of Pakistan’s relations with the international community cannot and must not change".

US President George W Bush had last week decided to lift sanctions against India and Pakistan clamped in the wake of the 1998 nuclear explosions.

Asked about the recent remarks of Musharraf that Pakistan will not join any US-led military action against the Taliban, he said this was an indication of the struggle Musharraf found himself. "He is really caught between a rock and a hard place".

On the one hand, they have to deal with their own creation, Taliban, while on the other there were compulsions on how far to go with their support to the US, he said.

Abdullah said the US was recognising India’s concerns over cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. "What they will do only time will tell," he said in reply to questions whether India could expect American help in dealing with Pakistan-backed terrorism.

Asserting that Washington had the ability to ask Pakistan to stop backing terrorism in J and K, he, however, said India should have no illusions that the US would strike militant camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with cruise missiles.

He hoped that the US would stand by its commitment to deal with terrorism globally in the next phase of its fight against the menace.

On India’s position on the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance in Afghanistan, he said New Delhi supported establishment of a broad-based, multi-ethnic Government in Kabul acceptable to the Afghan people.

Asked if New Delhi was willing to offer assistance to the Northern Alliance in the prevailing situation, he said "if they can and ask for it, we will look at it. But I don’t think you will fundamentally see a change in India’s position towards the Northern Alliance".

He said India, which continues to recognise the alliance, "is supporting them in every way we think is important. This is continuing".

The minister stressed that the international community should make concerted efforts to ensure that any future broad-based Government in Afghanistan was provided help for economic reconstruction and rebuilding of the war-ravaged country.

Asked about possible US moves to resume military supplies to Pakistan, Abdullah said this could lead to an arms race in the sub-continent.

In that event, India would leave Pakistan "far behind" since it had the defence infrastructure and manufacturing capacity, he said.

Abdullah, who earlier this week briefed 24 heads of missions from Arab and Central Asian countries on India’s position on the evolving situation in the wake of the September 11 terrorist strikes in the US, said he would be meeting envoys from other missions here early next week.

Mr Omar favoured taking pre-emptive measures against militants operating out of bases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as India has a credible case that will stand the scrutiny at international fora.

"We can also hit the militant camps being run by Pakistan in the occupied territory as we have a fit case that Jammu and Kashmir is facing international terrorism for decades," Abdullah said. Stating that these views were his personal, the Minister made said "we can go around international fora on the same ground of international terrorism on which the United States has been roping in the world community."

Abdullah said that Kashmir was the worst sufferer of international terrorism as mercenaries from 16 nationalities have been operating in the State during the decade-long militancy.

"This is international terrorism only when the security forces in the State have to fight mercenaries from Pakistan, Afghanistan, the UK, the US, Bosnia and Chechnya," he said.

Regreting that the world only acknowledged India’s concern about terrorism after killing of hundreds of innocents in Washington and New York, Abdullah said "now the civilised nations should work together to prevent the menace from hitting any more soft targets."

Asked what could be the US response to India’s case on terrorism in the scenario emerging from the September 11 attacks in the US, the Minister said "indications are there that the United States will now recognise India’s stand."

To a question what could be the punitive measures to curb international terrorism, Abdullah said "the world should evolve a strategy to choke funding to these terrorist groups besides pressurising countries which support it."

Asked whether the US could play a role in curbing militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said "yes, indeed. The US has the ability to tell Pakistan to stop it."

About the trend envisaged by India after the present US fight against terrorism, Abdullah said let us wait and watch for the first phase of operations in Afghanistan to conclude before we decide as to how the world community is to tackle international terrorism emanating from Pakistan and the PoK."

Expressing fears that militancy could rise in the State, Abdullah said "I have a simple logic. The decision of Gen Pervez Musharraf (to back US) is very unpopular in his country and now he will have to completely bank on his Kashmir policy if at all he wants to stay in power."

The Minister denied reports that militants were leaving the State but said "some of the mercenaries especially Afghanis have been seen crossing back to Pakistan as it fears that if focus shifted towards Kashmir, then India’s contention of cross border terrorism would be found correct by the world community." (PTI)

4 injured in Bishnah shoot-out
Youth murdered, another injured in cricket ground

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 30: A youth was murdered and another seriously injured in a clash at cricket ground in village Chak Salaria under the jurisdiction of Ramgarh police station this afternoon while four persons were injured in a shoot-out in Bishnah tehsil.

Police said two group of youths clashed over a dispute on overs while playing cricket in a ground at Chak Salaria village this afternoon. After heated exchanges, three boys attacked the other group with sharp-edged weapons killing one of them on the spot and wounding another critically.

Deceased was identified as Tarsem Lal alias Kaka, 24, son of Krishan Lal, and the injured as Tejinder Singh alias Babbu son of Prem Chand, both residents of Chak Salaria. Accused included Sanjeev Kumar son of Khem Raj, Arjun Kumar and Sunil Kumar son of Bansi Lal, all residents of Garhwal.

While Sanjeev Kumar has been arrested by police, Arjun Kumar and Sunil Kumar were absconding.

SP Border M K Sinha tonight suspended Jaswant Singh, PSO of SHO Ramgarh following allegations by local people that he helped assailants in fleeing from the village.

Soon after the incident, shopkeepers in Vijaypur and Ramgarh downed their shutters. A number of villagers marched to Vijaypur and blocked Jammu-Pathankot national highway demanding immediate arrest of the culprits.

Body of the deceased has been shifted to Ramgarh hospital while the injured Babbu has been admitted in Medical College hospital, where his condition was stated to be critical. A police party from Ramgarh rushed to the scene of crime.

Situation was stated to be tense in the village. A case has been registered at Ramgarh police station and investigations were on.

Meanwhile, four persons were injured in an incident of firing and armed clash between two groups of different castes at village Kotli Charkan in Bishnah tehsil this afternoon. Three persons have been arrested by police in connection with the clash.

Reports said a youth Garu Ram, riding on a scooter, was stopped by Sethi son of Jai Singh at Kotli Charkan village. Sethi, joined by his brother Joginder Singh, beat-up Garu Ram severely causing him serious injuries on his person.

An injured Garu Ram reached his house and informed the incident to his family members. According to reports, Garu Ram and his family members went to the house of Sethi to inquire reasons for the attack. They were fired upon by Sethi and his other family members from the house and attacked with lathis.

Mangal Dass and Bholi Devi sustained bullet injuries in the attack. Joginder Singh of the other group was also injured in retaliation by the victims.

Mangal Dass, Bholi Devi, Garu Ram and Rajinder Singh were hospitalized. Sethi and Jai Singh have been taken into custody by Bishnah police while Rajinder Singh has been kept under arrest in the hospital. A gun used in the firing has been seized by police.

A case in the clash has been registered at Bishnah police station. Further investigations were being carried out. Situation was tense in the village. SHO Bishnah and police parties were camping there to defuse the tension.

Situation also became tense in Janipura Housing Colony this afternoon when a National Conference leader Chander Mohan Sharma started construction of a wall on a piece of land, which Ram Sharma claimed was his property.

SHO Janipura Dalip Singh reached the spot. Police assured people that Revenue records would be used to sort out the dispute.

Blair cites proof of Laden link

LONDON, Sept 30: British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today that he had seen "powerful and incontrovertible evidence" linking alleged terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden to attacks in the United States.

Much of it came from intelligence services and other sensitive sources, he told BBC television, and leaders were still figuring out how to present it to the public.

"I have seen absolutely powerful and incontrovertible evidence of his links to the events of September 11," Blair said of bin Laden.

He also had a warning for the Taliban regime ruling Afghanistan, where bin Laden is based.

"They either help us or they become the enemy themselves," he went on. "If they are not prepared to give up bin Laden then they become an obstacle." (AFP)

Harkat vows to continue its activities in J&K

ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: Pakistan based militant outfit Harkat-ul Mujahadeen, which figures in the US terrorist blacklist for its links with Osama bin Laden, today said it would continue its activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief of the outfit Maulana Muhammad Sajjad Shahid said it would resist all attempts to undermine efforts of "Jehad groups", Pakistan news agency NNI reported today.

The outfit also said that it had moved its head office and dismissed reports that it had been closed by Pakistani authorities.

A spokesman of the group said it had planned to shift its office well before Washington began its war on terrorism in response to the September 11 attacks in the US.

Pakistan authorities closed down seven offices of the group across the country yesterday and several of its key leaders went into hiding.

Shahid also said the outfit would resist moves to dub it a terrorist organisation and asked the US to stop interfering in its affairs.

The US does not have any justification to impose ban on Harkat-ul Mujahideen and it should not level baseless charges, he said at a meeting of the outfit at Muzzafarabad, capital of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). (PTI)

Narrow escape for Kalam

RANCHI, Sept 30: Prime Minister’s Principal Scientific Advisor and Bharat Ratna Dr Abul Kalam had a miraculous escape today when his helicopter crash-landed near the Bokaro Airport in Jharkhand.

Dr Kalam, accompanied by State Science and Technology Minister Samresh Singh, escaped unhurt after the crash-landing of the chopper at around 1630 hours, official sources said.

"Dr Kalam is safe," confirmed State Director General of Police T P Sinha.

Dr Kalam and Mr Singh were on way to Bokaro to attend the Jharkhand Science and Technology Council meeting.

Sources said the Hans helicopter, which had left for Bokaro from here with the eminent nuclear scientist, had to crash land after developing a technical snag.

The chopper fell on the ground from a height of hundred metre and its windscreen and the foothold were damaged under the impact, sources added.

Mr Singh later said they survived only by God’s grace. (UNI)

Journalists killed in prime of profession

NEW DELHI, Sept 30:The air crash in which Congress leader Madhavrao Scindia was killed saw the death of four journalists with all of them in the prime of their profession.

Anju Sharma of Hindustan Times had been with the daily for the past ten years and had begun to cover the Congress party recently.

For 28-year-old Anju, who has been also reporting Parliamentary proceedings, colleagues recollected her penchant for hard and meticulous work.

A school teacher turned journalist, Sanjiv Sinha of "Indian Express" who has been on the Congress beat for the last three to four years took to journalism after having taught at Doon School.

Ranjan Jha of Aaj Tak came into tv journalism in 1995 having been with the Hindi daily Dainik Jagran for five years before which he worked for two years in Dainik Hindustan in Patna. He leaves behind wife and two daughters.

Jha had always evinced keen interest in political reporting and had covered three Lok Sabha elections.

Popularly known among colleagues as Gopal Dada, Aaj Tak cameraman Gopal Bisht (50) had been in the profession for about 25 years with the last five years in the current job. (PTI)

Cong lost 6Leaders during last 18 months

NEW DELHI, Sept 30: Madhavrao Scindia’s sudden death in a plane crash has come as a bolt from the blue for the Congress which has witnessed the death of six prominent partymen in the last over one and a half year.

The main opposition party, out of power at the Centre since 1996— for an unprecedented five years since independence—was hit with the first tragedy in June last year when another youthful leader Rajesh Pilot died in a road accident near Jaipur.

A few months later an ailing Sitaram Kesri, who rose from a bandmaster of the Seva Dal to Congress president, died.

Early this year, Jitendra Prasada who had unsuccessfully contested against Sonia Gandhi late last year for the top party post, died of a brain tumour. Prasada was the first leader to take on a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family in the party presidential election.

Soon after, V N Gadgil, who had the unique distinction of being the party spokesman during the tenures of four Congress presidents from Rajiv Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi, died after long illness.

A former CWC member and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Vijayabhaskara Reddy died last week. (PTI)

Islamic FMs to meet on Oct 10

JEDDAH, Sept 30: Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) will meet in Doha on October 10 to discuss the crisis sparked by the terror attacks in the US, an OIC official said today.

The meeting, which Pakistan earlier said would be held October nine, "has now been set for October 10," an official at the pan-Islamic body’s headquarters in the Saudi city of Jeddah told AFP.

The date was decided following talks in Doha yesterday between OIC secretary general Abdulwahid Belkeziz and Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, current OIC chairman.

A number of Islamic countries, including Iran, called for the emergency OIC meeting to discuss the crisis triggered by the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington that left nearly 7,000 people dead.

The 57-member OIC has condemned the attacks as "anathema to all human conventions and values."

But the prospect of retaliatory action against Afghanistan, a Muslim country whose OIC membership has been left vacant, has divided its member states.

In particular, many of them have called on the US to make public any evidence it has linking the Afghan-based Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden to the attacks.

Arab League secretary general Amr Mussa has said Arab Foreign Ministers will meet together on the sidelines of the OIC session. The Arab meeting could take place on October nine, according to sources close to the OIC gathering. (AFP)

People block NH; bandh today

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Sept 30: Agitated people blocked Jammu-Pathankot national highway at Sabte Chak this afternoon while an all party committee gave a call for Kathua bandh tomorrow against the killings of two brothers by the militants yesterday.

Traffic remained suspended on the highway for more than two hours. Mob shouted slogans against Pakistan and militants. They also charged police with failure to trace the brothers—Mohan Singh and Raj Singh, who were kidnapped from a field in Ghati village on Tuesday night. Their dead bodies were recovered last evening in Billawar forests.

An all party committee today also called for a bandh in Kathua tomorrow to protest the killings. The brothers were cremated this afternoon.

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