'No succumbing to terrorists' pressure'
Assembly session will continue: Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct. 2 : Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah today accused Pakistan of direct involvement in yesterday’s terrorist attack on J&K Legislature Complex at Srinagar in which 34 persons were killed besides all the 4 terrorists.

Talking to media persons at the terrorist damaged legislative complex after inspecting the complex along with Chairman, Legislative Council and Speaker Legislative Assembly here this morning, Dr. Abdullah described it as an attack on democracy and freedom, saying that the Government and the people of Jammu and Kashmir would not be cowed down with such actions by forces from across the border. He said in fact yesterday’s carnage has strengthened our resolve to fight cross border terrorism.

Dr Abdullah said perpetrators of terrorism should not remain under any misconceived notion of destroying our democratic institutions and values that are embedded in our social ethos. He said Pakistan has been sponsoring and training such terrorists on their land and targeting people of Jammu and Kashmir under a planned strategy.

The Chief Minister announced that despite terrorist attack and damage to a portion of the complex, both the Houses of the legislature shall meet tomorrow as usual to conduct the business.

Dr Abdullah lashed at those who are using Prophet’s (PBH) name for their terrorist outfits saying that Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit that has claimed responsibility for yesterday’s carnage has in fact insulted not only the great religion of Islam, but also our Prophet as He can’t be linked with such inhuman and brutal acts. Advising terrorists and their mentors across the border to shun this un-Islamic path, he warned that those who dig grave for others would themselves fall in it one day. He said Islam preaches love and compassion and speaks for the depressed people and what terrorists are doing in the name of Jihad is nothing which can be permitted by Islam or any other religion.

The Chief Minister lauded the heroic work of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces in yesterday’s worst ever terrorist attack and said that he is proud to see that J&K Police right from DGP, Mr. A. K. Suri down to a constable had put up a gallant fight against the design of terrorists which speaks high about our re-activated force. He personally complimented Mr. Suri, IGP Bhan, DIG, Kashmir. K. Rajindra and DIG, BSF Kabu for their gallantry efforts to rescue large number of employees and legislators from the clutches of death at the cost of their lives.

The Chief Minister offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of yesterday’s incident and assured government’s full help to face the difficulties of life in absence of their dear ones. He said that entire nation is with them at this hour of grief.

The Chairman, Legislative Council, Mr. Abdul Rashid Dar also made it clear that there is no question of succumbing to terrorist designs and democratic institution of legislature will continue to function. He said yesterday’s terrorist attack has shaken the conscience of mankind and strengthened the fight of civilized society against terror.

The Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Mr. A. A. Vakil echoed similar sentiments said that the determination, grit and fortitude he had seen in the police force yesterday and the staff, has made him confident that the forces of darkness shall never be able to destroy our democratic institutions and terrorists would never succeed in their unholy designs. He complimented DGP Mr. Suri and his gallant men for exhibiting unparallel courage in yesterday’s terrorist attack. He also criticized terrorists linking holy Prophet’s (PBH) name with such inhuman activities. He offered his condolences to the bereaved families of yesterday’s carnage.

The Chairman, Legislative Council, Speaker, Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Affair Minister, Mushtaq Ahmed Lone were among those rescued by the police from the Legislature Complex after terrorists occupied a portion of the building and were witness to the incident.

Earlier, the DGP explained the incident and the quick response shown by the Police to rescue the VIPs and officials. Dr. Abdullah went around the affected portion of the complex and the saw the operation going on that time to put off the smoldering fire. He was told how DIG Srinagar Mr. K. Rajendra and a commandant of BSF succeeded in entering the complex unmindful of risk to their lives and conducted operation from within the building and ultimately killed all the terrorists.

The Minister of State for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, Minister of State for Home, Mr. Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy, Chief Secretary, Mr. Ashok Jaitly, Additional Director General of Police, CID, Mr. Kuldeep Khuda, Divisional Commissioner, Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, MLA, Mir Saifullah, Secretary. J&K Legislative Assembly, Mr. M. Iqbal Ganai and Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Dr. Ashok Bhan were among those present.

Omar for ban on LeT, JeM, HM

NEW DELHI, Oct.2: Asserting that Osama bin Laden had strong links with Jaish-e-Mohammad responsible for the suicide bomb attack in Srinagar, India today demanded that the US should ban and freeze funds of Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits JeM, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen in the first phase of its global fight against terrorism.

The US should also ensure effective implementation of UN Security Council resolution calling upon all states to end support including funding, supply of weapons and providing safe haven to terrorists, Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah said at a press conference

Giving a stern warning to Pakistan for continuing to aid and abet terrorism in J and K, he said Islamabad must forthwith cease any "active or passive" support to militants operating in the State.

"Enough is enough," he said asserting "there is a limit to testing India’s patience. It will be better if this limit is not tested".

He, however, said India did not want to exacerbate the situation at this juncture by undertaking "hot pursuit" of Pakistan-based outfits.

Stating that New Delhi has provided "credible" evidence to Washington on JeM’s close linkages with bin Laden’s Al Qaida group, Abdullah said the Saudi terrorist mastermind had reached an agreement with Harkat-ul-Mujahideen leader Fazlur Rehman to launch a `Jehad’ (holy war) against America and its allies.

He said India has sought from US that all these terrorist groups should be included in the its list of banned outfits and their sources of funding snapped.

Asked what sort of action was being contemplated in the aftermath of yesterday’s bombing on J and K Assembly, Abdullah said "Government is not advocating any hot pursuit...But this is not an indefinite situation".

On what was the "Lakshman Rekha" for New Delhi’s limit, he said "it is not possible to quantify the "limit as we are not in a position to pre-suppose what the militants are going to do. A section of the Indian population already feels that the limit has been reached".

To a question, he said India was not looking at the US to resolve all its problems on terrorism. But the fact could not be ignored that the US was at the forefront of the war against terrorism, he said noting New Delhi was also holding consultations with a number of other countries.

On resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue, the Minister said "we will talk at the right time and at the right place. But this is not the right time".

Asked whether the situation in J and K would ease if a broad-based Government replaces the Taliban regime in Kabul, he said "some effect" could be there but for any meaningful de-escalation, Pakistan must stop sponsoring terrorism in J and K.

Meanwhile Mr Abdullah said that India has sought early action by US led international coalition against terrorism to deal with the scourge in Jammu and Kashmir saying it has established "credible links" between terrorist organisations operating in the State and Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaida outfit.

"There are credible links between organisations which attempted burning of the Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir and the Al Qaida network responsible for the September 11 terrorist strikes in the US," the Minister said. Replying to questions, he wanted the terrorist outfits in J and K to be targetted in the first phase of global action against terrorism itself. "We would like internatinoal community to recognise our concerns and do something and at least in the first phase, these organistions should be banned."

Quoting a UN Security Council resolution, he sought to emphasise that Pakistan’s support to the militant groups was in contravention of the resolution which prohibited any kind of support to such outfits.

"We call upon you (Pakistan) to cease any support, active and passive, to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir," he said adding Islamabad had always maintained that it was providing moral, political and diplomatic support to the militant groups.

The minister said "Government is a democratic forum. There will be views in favour and not in favour. But as of now, there is no change in Government’s policy."

At the same time, he expressed readiness to talk about what was happening in J and K but did not elaborate.

Dismissing Pakistan’s claim that what was being witnessed in J and K was "indigenous freedom struggle," he said Jaish-e-Mohammad, which had claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack on J and K Assembly, had named involvement of a Pakistani national from Peshawar in the strike.

Had this been an indigenous movement, Pakistani nationals would not have been involved, he said. (PTI)

Britain cracks down on militants

LONDON, Oct 2 : Scotland Yard has started cracking down on militants using Britain as a sanctuary for fund raising and inciting terrorism in different parts of the world including Kashmir.

The crack down started with wide-ranging investigation into the activities of Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, leader of the Al-Muhajiroun group who issued a death threat against Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for extending cooperation to the US in its attempt to nab Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden.

The Crown Prosecution Service also asked police to investigate whether Sheikh Omar had breached the Terrorism Act 2000 or incited racial hatred in his speeches and writings.

Sheikh Omar claims to have recruited young British Muslims to fight "holy wars" abroad. During an interview on BBC Radio he said Musharraf should be put on trial.

"The fatwa declares Musharraf apostate and therefore Muslims in the army should not support him. They should punish him for his crimes," he said.

Sheikh Omar, who moved to Britain in 1986 after being expelled from Saudi Arabia, claimed to have recruited at least 700 British volunteers to fight in Kashmir, Chechnya and Afghanistan.

Anti-terrorist branch detectives also arrested a suspected terrorist fundraiser at his London office and searched his home. The 43-year old was being questioned at a West London Police Station over allegations that he collected money for the Islamic Jihad group, one of the 21 organisations banned by the Government.

Scotland Yard sources said the man, using the name Sulayman Bilal Zain-ul Ibidin, was arrested at the offices of an Islamic fundamentalist security firm in Southwest London. Special branch has been monitoring the activities of Sakina Security Ltd which has links to Al-Muhajiroun, for more than a year, the Times Daily, reported today.

The firm offers Muslim youths ‘the ultimate Jihad challenge’, with weapons training at its firing range in the United states. It also provides training for snipers, ambushing and making explosive devices.

Concern about the company’s activities were raised in Parliament in May last year by the Labour MP Andrew Dismore. The then Home Secretary Jack Straw said that the police were investigating.

Officers have been told to scrutinise the websites of militant Muslim groups which, it is suspected, channel money abroad. Among the sites under investigation is that of Sheikh Omar.

Two men suspected of being key figures in Laden’s European network were handed over to French investigators. British authorities at the weekend agreed to send Kamel Daoudi, 27, to Paris for questioning.

He is alleged to have gone into hiding in Leicester after escaping from France just as security agents were about to arrest him as a suspected bomb-maker involved in a plot to attack the US Embassy in Paris and NATO Headquarters. (PTI)

US assures to fight terrorism plaguing India

WASHINGTON, Oct 2: The US has said that it will wipe out terrorism from India and everywhere else on the face of the earth even as New Delhi described Pakistan "as terrorist as the Taliban."

Emerging from a meeting with US President George W Bush and his National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice yesterday, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said the President was "categorical that the fight against terrorism is simply not unidimensional and covers terrorism in all its manifestations including against India."

"My understanding (as a result of the talks) is that the fight against terrorism is focussed in an organised way on a number of terrorist organisations," Singh said describing his discussions as "very candid, very productive."

Terming Pakistan as much terrorist as the Taliban, he said "Taliban is the product of the machinery of Pakistan. Pakistan continues to aid it, finance and it equip it."

Afghanistan and Pakistan have become the "only epicentre for the spread of terrorism in that (South and Central Asia) region," he said appearing on an educational TV network.

Pointing out that India has lived with the scourge of terrorism for 20 years, Singh said the "US may not have had that experience...But there are certain aspects of life and Government in which we do have experience."

Stating that the US is presently focussed on Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda network, he said Washington has assured that its fight will not end until it is dealt with everywhere on the globe.

"If the Taliban regime harbours terrorist organisations and permits terrorist activities then the Taliban has to go." Asked whether India was uncomfortable about Washington’s recent friendly overtures towards Pakistan, Singh said "I am sure the United States will not and should not make the mistake of treating the problem as the solution."

Stating that India was very severely tested by terrorism, he said New Delhi continued to exercise restraint even in the face of severe provocation.

He said it was simplistic and erroneous to say that Indian restraint had resulted in increased terrorism.

Condemning yesterday’s suicide attack outside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly as "ghastly and unforgivable", Singh said "the attack was a deliberate attempt to provoke India and timed to send a ‘message.’

Referring to Pakistan, he said Islamabad’s policy was India-centred while New Delhi’s concerns were broader.

Stressing the need to eliminate the Taliban, he said "the international community must recognise that perpetuation of the Taliban regime is to perpetuate terrorism."

Stating said the militia is merely a surrogate of bin Laden and is currently run by the Al-Qaeda, he said "it will be simplistic and a great error for US to think by simply eliminating one manifestation of terrorism, Al-Qaeda or Osama bin Laden, we have eliminated the problem."

Singh called upon the international community to lend its support to the opposition Northern Alliance headed by Burhanuddin Rabbani in Afghanistan, terming it the "legitimate Government."

"India has never recognised the Taliban as a legitmate regime...It should be the effort of the international community now to strengthen the legitimate Government of Afghanistan.... And to give it whatever assistance it requires", he said. (PTI)

NH blocked, women roughed up
Fresh violence after arrests in Kathua

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Oct 2: Tension prevailed in the town here for second day today with people taking to streets and blocking Jammu-Pathankot national highway for more than three hours in protest against the arrest of four youths by police this morning for yesterday’s violence, allegedly aimed against Gujjars.Minutes after a police party picked up the youths from their houses in Loget village, people took to streets shouting anti-police slogans. Matadors full of people including a number of women started marching toward the national highway.

However, police personnel had sealed all routes leading to the highway and stopped matadors, carrying protesters. People alleged that women were roughed up by the cops, beaten in the matadors and not allowed to proceed towards the highway. Loget Sarpanch Poli Singh was also assaulted by the cops, who lathicharged the protesters to disperse them but in vain.

This action of police further provoked the people. In the meantime, youths from rural areas also started gathering in the town. They broke all cordons, laid by police, and succeeded in reaching to the highway at 12 noon.

Mob scattered on the highway at Kali Bari and disrupted vehicular movement. They subjected cops to heavy stone pelting forcing the police parties led by DySP Ashok Samyal to retrieve. People refused to talk to the DySP charging him with manhandling of women protesters.

Mob was demanding immediate release of four arrested boys and an unconditional apology from the DySP for alleged excesses on women.

Tehsildar Kathua Ashok Gupta and SHO Diwakar Singh held negotiations with the people. After about three hours of road blockades at Kali Bari and Barnoti, police released all four youths, arrested from Loget. Later, people lifted the blockade of national highway.

Earlier in the morning, police parties raided the houses in Loget and took four youths into custody. They were identified as Yogesh Singh, Yudhvir Singh, Kamal Singh and Rakesh Singh. People alleged that boys were stripped off by police and taken to police station with only an under-wear on their body. All of them were released by police following massive protests.

However, people alleged that more than a dozen Shiv Sena activists have been detained by police from Lakhanpur, Barnoti and other areas. People identified three of them as Naresh Kumar, Pankaj Kumar and Gopal Dass. Police declined to confirm the arrest, which were being made in connection with damage caused to Gujjars huts during yesterday’s violent bandh in town in protest against the killings of two brothers by the militants.

A group of youths had allegedly attacked Gujjars huts in Jakhbar. Four of the youths were trapped by Gujjars and stabbed causing them serious injuries. Two of them were admitted in Medical College, Jammu. Police said FIRs have been lodged against both parties under Section 307 RPC.

MLA Basohli Lal Singh, Congress (I) leader Pankaj Dogra, Barwal Sarpanch Purshotam Singh, Babu Singh and ID Khajuria joined the protests.

A bandh was observed in Hiranagar town today against the killings of two brothers—Madan Singh and Raj Singh of Ghati village. Madan and Raj were kidnapped by the militants on last Tuesday night from a field in Ghati. They were kidnapped as they had noticed a local Gujjar accompanying the militants as a guide. Dead bodies of the brothers were recovered from Billawar forests on Saturday night.

12 injured in LPG cylinder burst
4 Pak militants, official killed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, OCT 2: Four militants and an employee of Kashmir Irrigation Department have got killed in different militancy-related incidents in Kashmir valley since last evening.

Official sources told EXCELSIOR that, on the basis of a specific information, troops of RR 14 Bn, RR 15 Bn and SOG Bandipora launched a combing operation in Boothu forest area, in Bandipore, this afternoon. This evening, an encounter began between the militants and security forces in which one unidentified militant got killed. He is believed to be a Pakistani national. The gunbattle was going on when reports last came in late tonight.

Sources said that on the basis of a specific information, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 02 Bn, RR 28 Bn and SOG Sopore eliminated two Pakistani militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba, in an encounter, at Kral Mohalla Reban, in Sopore area late last night. They have been identified as Asif Aziz alias Ahtisham S/o Abdul Jabbar R/o Karachi and Abu Haider alias Zakaria of Pakistan. Zakaria was stated to be a "divisional commander".

Troops of 5-Mehar intercepted an infiltrating militant at Mahua, in Bijhama area of Uri, close to LoC. He was killed in an encounter. Officials identified him as Attaullah alias Azhar of Mianwali, Pakistan.

Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Patwari of Kashmir Irrigation Department, namely Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Rishi S/o Razaq Rishi R/o Imbarzalwari, Sopore, at Shiva. Enquiries revealed that he had had links with both, militants as well as security forces.

Meanwhile, an LPG cylinder bursted at a marriage ceremony at Laridora, in Baramulla district, causing burn injuries to 12 persons. Nine of them were rushed to Srinagar and admitted at SMHS Hospital, one was discharged after treatment and two more were admitted at District Hospital of Baramulla.

Narrow escape for Brigade Commander
Two militants, jawan killed

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 2: Two militants and an army jawan were killed while Brigade Commander of Poonch Garrison had a narrow escape in an encounter at Gali Pindi, about three kms from here, this afternoon. Four civilians including three girls were injured in exchange of firing between army and militants.

Defence sources said troops made repeated calls to three militants, hiding inside a natural cave in Gali Pindi for last three days, to come out and surrender. This afternoon, Poonch Brigade Commander WJB Sturgeon also visited Gali Pindi to supervise the search operation.

While army officials were negotiating with the militants for latter’s surrender, one of the terrorists suddenly came out and fired bursts on troops. An army jawan of JAK Li was killed in the burst while Brigade Commander had a narrow escape.

Troops retaliated and gunned down the militant. Two other militants were still hiding inside the cave and didn’t turn out. "There was no scope for the militants to escape from the cave. They will be killed as soon as they come out", the sources said, adding army jawans were maintaining a strict vigil around the cave.

Despite a narrow escape, Brigade Commander continued to lead the operation till this evening. Body of deceased army jawan was shifted to a camp and will be sent to his house tomorrow.

Sources said identity of the slain militant couldn’t be established. He was suspected to be a Pakistani. One AK rifle with which he had fired a burst on troops was recovered from him.

The militants, hiding in cave, were part of a group of five militants, who had sneaked into Indian territory from across the LoC. Two of them including a hardcore terrorist Chacha Fareed were killed immediately after their intrusion while three others had fled inside the cave.

Another militant was killed in an encounter with army and IRP at village Oripura in Sabjian belt this evening. Two associates of the slain ultra escaped during the encounter. A constable of Indian Reserve Police (IRP) Mohd Farooq was seriously injured in the encounter. He was shifted to Medical College, Jammu this evening in view of his critical condition.

One AK-47 rifle, three magazines, two hand grenades, 50 rounds and incriminating documents were recovered from the scene of encounter. Slain terrorist was a Pakistani and an activist of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit.

Our Rajouri correspondent adds: An encounter took place between army and militants at village Darha under the jurisdiction of Thanna Mandi police station early this morning. Exchange of firing took place in a village and several bullets landed into houses.

Four civilians including three women were injured in cross-firing. They have been identified as Tahira Parveen daughter of Mohd Gani, Shareefa Begum wife of Abdul Majid, Showkat Ahmed Wani and his sister. All of them had sustained bullet wounds.

They were admitted to Thanna Mandi hospital from where Tahira and Shareefa were referred to district hospital of Rajouri.

Militants, however, managed to escape.

Vajpayee warns Pak in a letter to Bush

NEW DELHI, Oct 2: In a stern warning to Pakistan, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said that Islamabad must understand that there is a limit to the patience of the people of India’’ and the Government has the right to address its supreme national interest by smashing terror networks.

In a letter to US President George Bush, which was delivered by External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh last night in Washington, he said that the terrorist attack outside Jammu and Kashmir assembly complex yesterday, was clear proof of Pakistan’s active involvement in terrorism in the State.

There has been understandable anger in the country at this wanton act of violence, it comes a day after President Musharraf announced that no terrorist groups were operating from Pakistan.

I have asked my External Affairs Minister to convey to you more fully our sentiments in this regard ,the letter further stated.

The Indian Government said that terrorist attacks once again shows that notwithstanding the cosmetic steps Pakistan may take against few organisations under international pressure,it continues to be a country that aids, abets and sponsors terrorism and terrorist networks. (UNI)

Laden preparing for new attacks

NEW DELHI, Oct 2: International terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden is preparing to launch new terrorist attacks over the next few weeks, media reports quoting Western intelligence said.

According to Washington-based online newspaper "World Tribune", bin Laden was believed to have ordered his agents in both Europe and the United States to scan targets and prepare spectacular strikes that could resemble the suicide attacks of September 11 on Pentagon and New York.

It said that bin Laden’s plans have alarmed both London and Washington as well as several European capitals.

Intelligence officials both in London and Washington assess that bin Laden had hundreds of agents based in Europe and the US on call for suicide attacks, it said and added the attacks could be launched even if he was killed in a US military campaign against terrorism. (PTI)

US, Britain warn Taliban

WASHINGTON, Oct 2: Signalling that military action against Afghanistan may be imminent, US and Britain today gave a stern warning to Taliban regime to hand over Osama bin Laden and destroy his network or face consequences, even as US deployed a fourth aircraft carrier in Southwest Asia to beef up its war preparedness.

"The Taliban must hand over Al-Qaeda ... And must destroy the terrorist camps. They must do so otherwise there will be a consequence," President George W Bush told reporters here amidst reports in Pakistan media that American commandos aided by Russian intelligence were gearing up to mount a major "hi-tech" assault on bin Laden in Afghanistan’s Pamir mountain range.

Bush, who has frozen six million dollars in bank accounts linked to terrorist activity in his move to "slowly but surely" closing in on suspected terrorists, declared that the US would take action in Afghanistan if Taliban failed to act against bin Laden, and ruled out any negotiation on the issue.

However, he gave no calendar about launching military action against bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda network.

Almost speaking at the same time, British Prime Minister Tony Blair also warned the Taliban regime to surrender bin Laden or face "targetted" military offensive.

"Surrender the terrorists, or surrender power that is your choice," he said in a hard-hitting speech to the annual convention of his governing Labour Party in Brighton.

Blair also gave no indication about when the action might start but said Britain would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States in the struggle.

"Whatever the dangers of the action we take, the dangers of inaction are far, far greater," he said adding: "This is a battle with only one outcome - our victory, not theirs."

US, meanwhile, provided to NATO "compelling and conclusive" evidence that terror attacks in US were the work of bin Laden while American Ambassador to Islamabad Wendy Chamberlin met President Pervez Musharraf to brief him on the probe into the Saudi dissident’s involvement in the strikes.

Pakistani daily ‘The News’ reported that US commandos aided by Russian intelligence are gearing up to mount a major hi-tech assault on bin Laden following evidence that he along with his armed associates was holed up in a state-of-art military base, set up in Afghanistan’s Pamir mountain range, previously used as a nuclear base by the erstwhile Soviet Union.

Quoting intelligence reports, the daily said that bin Laden was staying with a core group of 200 top Al-Qaeda operatives and more than 2,500 of its members were "covering" the base taking positions at key entry points.

The place is considered highly strategic as it has exit routes to three countries — Pakistan, China and Tajikistan, it said.

Under a deep cloak of secrecy, US deployed a fourth aircraft carrier in southwest Asia where several thousand American troops and hundreds of military aircraft have converged since the attacks in New York and Washington.

USS Kitty Hawk departed from Yokosuka in Japan to take part in the campaign against terrorism codenamed "operation enduring freedom".

In Taliban’s stronghold of Kandahar, thousands of Afghans rallied in support of the militia shouting "death to America" and "we are ready for Jehad". The demonstrators burned US flags and effigies of Bush.

They adopted a resolution vowing not to hand over bin Laden and pledged total opposition to any Government installed in Afghanistan with foreign help.

Thousands of Pakistani hardline Islamists also took to the streets in Quetta in a show of support for Taliban regime. (PTI)

Modi to be new Gujarat CM

NEW DELHI, Oct 2: BJP general secretary Narendra Modi appears set to be the new Chief Minister of Gujarat in place of Keshubhai Patel who was removed in the wake of the party’s drubbing in the recent Lok Sabha and assembly bye-elections.

Fortyeight-year-old Modi, a friend-turned-foe of Patel, is likely to be elected leader of the BJP legislature party in Gandhinagar tomorrow before which the incumbent Chief Minister is expected to give his resignation to the Governor, party sources said.

The change in Gujarat comes after hectic consultations among top party leadership including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Home Minister L K Advani and party president Jana Krishnamurthy besides a number of State party leaders in the last few days.

An angry Patel, in his late 70s, expressed his unhappiness over the decision saying the way he was being removed was not proper. He also showed his resentment over his probable successor—Modi—saying he has not been told by the party leadership that Modi would be his successor.

Patel’s exit comes on top of a series of electoral reverses for the party in local bodies elections in rural and urban areas and the defeat in the Lok Sabha bye election in Sabarkantha and assembly bye election in Sabarmati, coming within Advani’s Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

Modi, considered an able organiser, emerged as the front runner after several other names including Union Minister Vallabhbhai Kathiria, belonging to Patel’s community, and State Minister Suresh Mehta, did the rounds as next Chief Minister.

Reacting to reports about Modi’s possible succession, Mehta said he would be happy if it happened but added it would be difficult to work under Modi.

Senior BJP leaders Kushabhau Thakre and Madanlal Khurana are proceeding to Gujarat as central observers for the legislature party meeting.

Thakre said some initiative has to be taken to revamp the party and Government in Gujarat. (PTI)

Timber worth lakhs gutted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 2: Timber worth several lakhs was gutted when the militants set ablaze a Forest depot compartment at village Gobari in Beeru forest range of Bhaderwah tehsil in Doda district this morning.

Fire engulfed a vast portion of the compartment No. 46 and continued till this evening.

Exact damage caused in the fire couldn’t be ascertained immediately but it was stated to be in lakhs, official sources said, adding investigations were being carried out to know reasons behind the fire.

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