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ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: Four weeks after the terror strikes on New York and Washington, the United States and British forces tonight pounded Afghanistan using fighter planes and cruise missiles fired from ships and submarines targeting military installations and Osama bin Laden’s training camps destroying a command and control centre in Kandahar, the spiritual home of Taliban. However, terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden and Taliban supremo Mullah Mohd Omar survived the attacks, the militia’s ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Salam Zaeef told reporters here. Attired in fatigues and Afghan headdress, bin Laden said "the war against Afghanistan is a war against Islam," according to a video footage released by Qatar’s Al-Jazeera television. Opening up the new front in the global war against terrorism, cruise missiles fired from American and British warships struck terrorist camps, air bases and air defence installations in two successive waves of attacks against Afghanistan, a US Defence official said in Washington. The strikes marked the start of a series of military actions against Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers and the Al-Qaeda terrorist network, President George W Bush declared in a televised address to the nation asserting "we will not waiver, we will not falter, we will not fail." "Today we focus on Afghanistan," Bush said, "but the battle is broader. Explosions and fires could be seen at the airport of the strategic northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif under Taliban control as dozens of American jets and helicopters flew over it, Afghan opposition forces said. Taliban sources reached by telephone said the southern city of Kandahar, headquarters of the Taliban, was hit and the airport control tower damaged. Several explosions also occurred in the eastern city of Jalalabad, they said. Military strikes on the airport in Kandahar have destroyed a command and control centre, CNN said quoting a Taliban official there. A crucial piece of equipment had been hit in the attack in the city’s airport. The Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) agency quoted the Taliban as saying American planes had bombed areas near the Kabul airport in the northern part of the city. The agency said there were no details of casualties and FNO reports of damage to the city itself. It added, however, that "huge smoke is rising near Kabul airport." US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters in Washington that the first objective of the offensive is to control the Afghan air space and eliminate threats posed by anti-aircraft guns. "We need the freedom to operate in the air and on the ground," Rumsfeld said. However, the AIP quoted a Taliban spokesman from Kandahar as saying that the US-led attacks on the militia’s targets caused "no significant damage." Pakistan, whose airspace was used to launch the strike, beefed up security at vital installations and the Cabinet held an an emergency meeting to discuss the situation. President Pervez Musharraf will address a press conference tomorrow. In London, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the country’s missile-firing submarines were involved in the strikes. Afghan capital Kabul was rattled by huge explosions and power supplies remained snapped for nearly three hours as fighter jets screamed across the city and Taliban artillery fire and anti-aircraft guns resounded. As waves of attacks hit Afghanistan, airdrops of humanitarian aid to the country also started, Rumsfeld said. He said the strikes would continue. Pentagon received no immediate reports of any American plane being shot down during the offensive on any Afghan city, Rumsfeld added. He said it was too early to assess the success of the missions. US joint chief of staff Gen Richard Myers said the B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers were used in the attacks. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage notified members of Congress before the attack, and the State Department alerted all US diplomatic posts around the world to take extra security precautions. Bush and Powell began making calls to world leaders to explain the US action. Bush spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in advance of the strike, the Kremlin press office said. Putin has become an important supporter of the US-led campaign against terrorism, opening Russia’s airspace to US deliveries of humanitarian aid and helping lobby Central Asian Nations to lend their backing to the operation. The details of Bush’s conversation with Putin were not made public. Bush addressed the nation from the White House residence’s treaty room, which he noted was where several Presidents before him had worked for peace. President Mckinley negotiated and signed the 1898 peace agreement with Spain in that same room. "We’re a peaceful nation," Bush said. "Yet, as we have learned, so suddenly and so tragically, there can be no peace in a world of sudden terror." By this morning, Senators close to the investigation of the terror attacks advised Americans to be especially vigilant about more danger at home, once military action began. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the US was acting with "a clear right of self defence" under the United Nations charter and in concert militarily with five other nations. American troops have been streaming into the region for weeks. After Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited neighbouring Uzbekistan on Friday, US military forces started arriving at a former Soviet air base in Khanabad, about 145 km north of the Uzbek-Afghan border. Bush said today that he had sent military men and women into action "only after the greatest care and a lot of prayer." "To all the men and women in our military - every sailor, every soldier, every airman, every coast guardsman, every marine - I say this: `Your mission is defined, your objectives are clear, your goal is just. You have my full confidence. And you will have every tool you need to carry out your duty." Here is the text of US President George W Bush’s announcement tonight that US and British forces have begun attacking Afghanistan: "On my orders, the United States military has begun strikes against Al-Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. These carefully targeted actions are designed to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations and to attack the military capability of the Taliban regime. We are joined in this operation by our staunch friend, Great Britain. Other close friends, including Canada, Australia, Germany and France, have pledged forces as the operation unfolds. More than 40 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and across Asia have granted air transit or landing rights. Many more have shared intelligence. We are supported by the collective will of the world. More than two weeks ago, I gave Taliban leaders a series of clear and specific demands: Close terrorist training camps. Hand over leaders of the Al-Qaeda network, and return all foreign nationals, including American citizens unjustly detained in their country. None of these demands were met. And now, the Taliban will pay a price. By destroying camps and disrupting communications, we will make it more difficult for the terror network to train new recruits and coordinate their evil plans. Initially the terrorists may burrow deeper into caves and other entrenched hiding places. Our military action is also designed to clear the way for sustained, comprehensive and relentless operations to drive them out and bring them to justice. At the same time, the oppressed people of Afghanistan will know the generosity of America and our allies. As we strike military targets, we will also drop food, medicine and supplies to the starving and suffering men and women and children of Afghanistan. The United States of America is a friend to the Afghan people, and we are the friends of almost a billion worldwide who practice the Islamic faith. The United States of America is an enemy of those who did terrorists and of the barbaric criminals who profane a great religion by committing murder in its name. This military action is a part of our campaign against terrorism, another front in a war that has already been joined through diplomacy, intelligence, the freezing of financial assets and the arrests of known terrorists by law enforcement agents in 38 countries. Given the nature and reach of our enemies, we will win this conflict by the patient accumulation of successes, by meeting a series of challenges with determination and will and purpose. Today we focus on Afghanistan, but the battle is broader. Every nation has a choice to make. In this conflict, there is no neutral ground. If any Government sponsors the outlaws and killers of innocents, they have become outlaws and murderers themselves. And they will take that lonely path at their own peril. I’m speaking to you today from the treaty room of the White House, a place where American Presidents have worked for peace. We’re a peaceful nation. Yet, as we have learned, so suddenly and so tragically, there can be no peace in a world of sudden terror. In the face of today’s new threat, the only way to pursue peace is to pursue those who threaten it. We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it. The name of today’s military operation is Enduring Freedom. We defend not only our precious freedoms, but also the freedom of people everywhere to live and raise their children free from fear. I know many Americans feel fear today. And our Government is taking strong precautions. All law enforcement and intelligence agencies are working aggressively around America, around the world and around the clock. At my request, many Governors have activated the national guard to strengthen airport security. We have called up reserves to reinforce our military capability and strengthen the protection of our homeland. In the months ahead, our patience will be one of our strengths — patience with the long waits that will result from tighter security, patience and understanding that it will take time to achieve our goals, patience in all the sacrifices that may come. Today, those sacrifices are being made by members of our armed forces who now defend us so far from home, and by their proud and worried families. A commander in chief sends America’s sons and daughters into battle in a foreign land only after the greatest care and a lot of prayer. We ask a lot of those who wear our uniform. We ask them to leave their loved ones, to travel great distances, to risk injury, even to be prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. They are dedicated. They are honorable. They represent the best of our country, and we are grateful. To all the men and women in our military, every sailor, every soldier, every airman, every coast guardsman, every marine, I say this: your mission is defined. The objectives are clear. Your goal is just. You have my full confidence, and you will have every tool you need to carry out your duty. I recently received a touching letter that says a lot about the state of America in these difficult times, a letter from a fourth-grade girl with a father in the military. "As much as I don’t want my dad to fight," she wrote, I’m willing to give him to you." This is a precious gift. The greatest she could give. This young girl knows what America is all about. Since September 11, an entire generation of young Americans has gained new understanding of the value of freedom and its cost and duty and its sacrifice. The battle is now joined on many fronts. We will not waiver, we will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail. Thank you. May God continue to bless America. (Agencies) Bush speaks to Vajpayee, assures ban on Jaish NEW DELHI, Oct 7: US President George W Bush today spoke to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee informing him of initiation of military action against the Taliban in Afghanistan, assured that Pakistan-based militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed would be banned and condemned terrorism across the world including Jammu and Kashmir. Bush called Vajpayee shortly before commencement of the US led operations to nab Saudi terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden, official sources said. Bush informed Vajpayee that US has decided to put JeM in the list of banned terrorist organisations and that shortly a notification would be issued in this regard, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said. In the first list put out by Washington earlier this month banning and freezing funds of 29 organisations, Pakistan backed Harkat-ul-Mujahideen also figured. New Delhi has sought similar action against Lashkar-e-Taiba, JeM and other terrorist outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts. Bush told Prime Minister that US Secretary of State Colin Powell would like to visit India in the third week of October. Vajpayee said "we would welcome his visit and looked forward to having detailed discussion on the war against terrorism and current situation. Seeking to allay India’s apprehension that US was treating the issue of terrorism in isolation, Bush said US "condemns terrorism everywhere and will not tolerate it anywhere in the world including Jammu and Kashmir". This is the first direct reference by Washington to the terrorist problem in Jammu and Kashmir since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US. India has been consistently apprising the international community of Pakistan continuing to aid and abet cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. "Terrorism is terrorism", Bush said adding this does not distinguish or differentiate terrorist activities in different parts. Referring to concerns voiced by Vajpayee on the problem of Sikhs in US following last month’s terrorist strikes, Bush said he had taken up the matter immediately with his administration so as to ensure that such attacks against the minority community did not take place. Some Sikhs in the US had been targeted after being mistaken for Arabs. Bush said he had invited a delegation of Sikhs to the White House and assured them that all necessary steps for their safety and security would be taken immediately. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the prompt action taken by US, the spokesperson said. On the current global action against terrorism, India has expressed full and unconditional support and solidarity in the efforts launched by the US to build a global coalition against terrorism and to bring to book the perpetrators of the heinous attacks on the US on September 11. (PTI) Indian military put on high alert NEW DELHI, Oct 7: The Indian military was tonight put on high alert after the United States began the air strikes in Afghanistan, senior officials said. The Government sounded an alert on its borders after a meeting of top officials of the Defence and other ministries soon after US President George W Bush spoke with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee shortly before the attack. Mr Vajpayee also held informal discussions with his senior Cabinet colleagues to review internal security and discuss the impact of the strikes, which may lead to infilitration of some Taliban forces into Jammu and Kashmir, the officials said. The Government has already tightened the country’s borders to thwart infiltration. The Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy also are on high alert. Senior Home Ministry officials also held a meeting to review the situation. (UNI) War on Islam : Laden CAIRO, Oct 7: Osama bin Laden said in a statement read by an aide that war against Afghanistan and him is "war on Islam’, according to a video released by Al-Jazeera satellite channel today. Bin Laden was shown dressed in fatigues and an Afghan headdress, sitting quietly next to his spokesman as the spokesman read the statement. It was not clear when the video was made, but it referred to Sept 11 attacks, but not to today’s retaliation by the United States and Britain. "What happened in the United States is a natural reaction to the ignorant policy of the United States," the statement read by Suleiman Abu Gheit said. "If it continues with this policy, the sons of Islam will not stop their struggle. The American people have to know that what is happening to them now is the result of their support of this policy," the statement said. "The war igainst Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden is a war on Islam." Bin Laden himself took the microphone and said: "America was hit by god in one of its softest spots. America is full of fear from (its north to its south, from its west to its east. Thank god for that). The video was made in what appeared to be a cave and shot during daylight. Bin Laden appeared composed and often pointed his finger to stress his point. (AP) |
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Farooq decries elements inimical to Kashmiriyat Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 7: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today decried elements inimical to Kashmiryat, saying that people’s way of life can’t be changed by force. ‘Shrines are most revered to Kashmiris’, the Chief Minister said while addressing a large gathering of devotees after paying obeisance at the reconstructed shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA), at Chrar-e-Sharief this morning. One of the most revered shrines in the Valley, the 14th century complex including the shrine, Khanqah and mosque were set ablaze by foreign mercenaries in May 1995. The rebuilding of the shrine has been completed at a cost of Rs.3 crore while the entire complex is estimated to cost over Rs 24 crore. Dr. Abdullah formally threw open the shrine for devotees. Without naming mercenaries, the Chief Minister said they believed that by setting the shrine ablaze, the symbol of Kashmiryat would be erased. ‘But the mausoleum stands again with immemorial for spiritual bliss. ‘If this land of love and brotherhood has braved all storms, it is only due to the grace of Almighty Allah and the blessings of saints’, he said and referred to the attempts like displacing of holy relic of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) made earlier to hurt the feelings of the people. Describing that May 1995 day as the darkest day of Kashmir when the shrine was put on fire, the Chief Minister said that the rebuilt mausoleum has been constructed as per its old architectural grandeur according to the wishes of the people. All possible steps are being taken to make the complex a symbol of Kashmiri architecture for posterity to remember after hundreds of years. He said a gallery would also be built in which pictures of the old shrine complex, the unfortunate visuals of its destruction in fire and the new complex would be displayed. No Kashmiri could ever forget these shrines, he said, describing the shrine as the centre of Kashmiryat. He urged the people to come forward for the upkeep of the rebuild complex. Dr Abdullah regretted over the acts of violence around the world and said the fair name of Islam is being wrongly portrayed. This great religion, he said preaches love, compassion, brotherhood and tranquility. But the activities of some elements are doing much disservice to this religion, he added. The Chief Minister referred to the fund collection drive by All Party Hurriyat Conference in the name of shrine and said that the people donated liberally, out of love for it. They then claimed of reconstructing the complex but till date the collections have not been deposited with the Dargah. ‘These claiming to be champions of Muslim cause will have to be accountable’, he said, asking them to handover the collections. About colossal damage caused to the Chrar town in the wake of devastating fire, the Chief Minister said that though a new township has come up, yet Government is endeavouring to mitigate the grievances of the people, for which a committee has been constituted. He also recalled the preaching of Alamdar-e-Kashmir and said that with the blessings, the State will overcome all its difficulties. ‘Bahar phir sey ayeeghi’, he said and complimented people for maintaining their traditions despite coercion and threat by peace breakers. Dr Abdullah asked the Muslim Auqaf Trust (MAT) to translate the preaching of Alamdar-e-Kashmir in English and Urdu for the benefit of large number of devotees thronging the shrine from various parts of the country. He also honoured the architect and others associated with the reconstruction work. They included Mr Munir Ahmed Khan, Mohammad Amin and Mr Shakeel Qalander. Vice chairman, MAT, Mr Ghulam Nabi Kochak also spoke on the occasion. Minister for Housing and Urban Development Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah, Minister for Finance, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Revenue Mr Abdul Qayum, Minister for Works Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, Chief Whip of National Conference, Mr Mubarak Gul and several legislators besides the DGP Mr A K Suri were present on the occasion. Earlier, the Chief Minister paid obeisance at the shrine. The famous shrine located in Budgam district, 30 kilometers from here, was set ablaze by mercenaries in May 1995. One of the most revered shrines of the Valley, the history of the famous shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noornai (RA) dates back to 14th century A D. The grave of the saint sufi exists this day in the town for the past six hundred years. A Kashmiri King Zain-ul-Abidin popularly known as Budshah, who ruled Kashmir from 1420 A.D to 1470 A.D had a great regard for the saint. He showed his reverence towards the saint by building a mausoleum over his grave, which was thereafter renovated by Khawaja Nizam Draboo and Mohammad Dedmurry. The small cluster of houses that existed here during the reign of Budshah grew with this shrine and slowly the area became a place for pilgrimage. The mausoleum also grew over the years and emerged into a shrine complex housing Khanqah, Hamam and Mosque besides the holy shrine (mausoleum of the saint). After its desecration, an ambitious plan was drawn up for rebuilding of the shrine complex. According to the new master plan, the shrine complex has been proposed as configuration of three distinct activity areas designated as holy zone, informal area and amenities zone. The holy zone surrounded by double arched colonnade (Sabat) accommodates the holy shrine, khangah (Mosque) and Bitul Quran. Informal zone provides a launch pad for the pilgrims to prepare before effecting entry into holy zone while as amenities zone provides for physical purification and community kitchen areas. The shrine complex has been located at its original place with the original architectural design. A grand lighting and illumination plan has also been drawn for the entire complex, recreating the very spirit of Chrar-e-Sharief shrine, making it the Jewel of Kashmir in every sense of the word. Meanwhile, the Minister for Industries and Commerce Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal has complimented the Chief Minister and the MAT for expeditious completion of the shrine complex. |
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Participants protest baised
decision Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 7: Amidst chaos and confusion, Yogesh and Anara Gupta were tonight crowned as Mr and Miss Jammu and Kashmir for the year 2001 with audience and even participants expressing resentment over biased decision of the ‘judges’. A number of audience, who witnessed the show with anxiety, and some of the participants, both in girl and boys category, regretted the decision of ‘judges’ describing it as biased. They alleged that deserving contestants were ignored while the undeserving ones were conferred the title. "The entire show appeared to be pre-planned to select the favourites", one of them remarked. Soon after the final result was declared, some participants in the boys category came infront of the audience and shouted in protest against the decision. Before the protesting boys could speak to the mediamen, they were forced to go behind the dias by some goons, who were present there, obviously for the said purpose. It was tough time for the judges who have to face a fusillade of questions from the protesting contestants. Even the audience supported the protesting participants and said that decision was clearly baised. There was also anguish among the girl participants but they didn’t express it openly. As soon as judges and chief guest started distributing the prizes and crowned the winners and runners-up, the girls, who were enraged over the judgement, encircled the judges and started accusing them of partiality. Majority of the auidence were of the view that Monika, contestant number 7 should have been declared as Miss J&K for his excellent performance. For the audience the realms of fantasy turned out to be a boring and disappointing contest when the results were declared. Most of the audience were seen criticising the biased decisions. The warning of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Shiv Sena regarding dress code was also not strictly adhered to during the contest as dress of few girls including second runner-up Arti was objectionable. Organiser of the show, Mr Narinder Kohli, when asked about the implementation of dress code, commented: "sab chalta hai". Earlier, among 15 participants in the girls category, six were shortlisted for the second round from where Miss J&K was selected. The contestants who entered that round were Monika Bakshi, Aarti, Parveen, Anara Gupta, Monika and Priya. In boys category, Manav, Amit, Yogesh, Jayesh, Bubby and Ankush were selected after shortlisting. Anara Gupta was crowned as Lux and Sunsilk Miss J&K while Parveen and Aarti were declared first and second runner-ups. Priya was selected for Best Face of the Year Award. Yogesh was declared Lux and Sunsilk Mr J&K while Manav and Ankush were crowned as first and second runner-ups. Riaz has been selected for Best Face of the Year Award. The contest also saw unforgettable movements like difficulty being faced by the models in their cat walks, technical problems in music system and boring dance items. During the contest girl participants in response to questions of the judges spoke against the dress code and said that those who are imposing dress code are the stumbling block in their way of success. Dr S P Vaid, DIG Jammu-Kathua Range was the chief guest while judges were Mrs Veena Handa, Mr Raj Dhaluja and Mrs Vaid. The comparer of the contest were Miss Asmita Prabhakar, current Miss Jammu and Aakshi Sharma, former Miss J&K. |
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Hot pursuit of terrorists on Centre’s agenda: Omar DUBAI, Oct 7: Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah says hot pursuit of terrorists is very much on the agenda of the Indian Government to tackle militancy in Jammu and Kashmir even as he scoffed at suggestions that Pakistan’s relations with the United States are being strengthened at New Delhi’ cost. "Yes, hot pursuit is very much on the agenda, but the option does not necessarily have to be solely military," he told the Gulf News during his brief visit to Dubai yesterday. Mr Abdullah was of the view that India should marshal its vast intelligence gathering resources to produce credible evidence against Jaish-e-Mohammad, which initially claimed responsibility for last week’s suicide attack on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, only to retract later. Asked whether the rest of the country supported ‘hot pursuit’, he said, "the rest of India does not live under the gun, so it is easy to talk about peace and dialogue from the comfort of the homes. Is the rest of the country targeted? my father, my family and we have all been targeted by terrorists. Our children, our party workers and the common man, we all live in fear of tomorrow. We have a right to ask for freedom from fear." Mr Abdullah said the same Kashmiris, who once wanted dialogue with Pakistan, which sheltered terrorist elements, now wanted militants to be tackled differently. On Islamabad’s claim of offering only "moral and political support" to militants in Kashmir, the minister said even this was now in violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution against terror, which states that " tacit support is in contravention of these regulations". "We all know that Maulana Masood Azhar and Syed Salahuddin are sitting pretty in Pakistan from where they spew hatred against India. We now have to provide proof of their complicity in terrorist attacks against our nation, " he said, adding he was waiting to see the second US list of banned terrorist organisation as he expected the Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba to figure in it. However, Mr Abdullah did not agree with suggestions that Pakistan’s relations with the US, in the wake of September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, were being strengthened at the cost of India. "If Pakistan’s relations with the US are growing, so be it, we are not a frontline state. It is Pakistan which shares border with Afghanistan and we would much rather like to see Pakistan and the ISI to clear up a blunder of their own making. India’s relations with the US are on a different keel," he added. Mr Abdullah said there had been a "perceptible shifts" in the stand taken by western leaders on militancy in Jammu and Kashmir following the suicide attack on the State Assembly and this was reflected in the statements of the leaders of the US and Britain. He, however, admitted that India was concerned over the lifting of sanctions by the US against Pakistan, which Washington automatically imposes on a military dictatorship "because if sends wrong signals." by the same token, India was concerned over moves by some countries within the commonwealth to help Pakistan to re-enter the grouping, On whether India had a post-Taliban plan for Afghanistan, Mr Abdullah said, "our plan is clear, the Taliban must go. It is for the Afghans to decide whom they want. Pakistan would like an extension of Islamabad in Kabul, but that must not be." (UNI) |
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‘Move beyond
condemnations’ NEW DELHI, Oct 7: Condemning the suicide attack at the State Assembly, Jammu and Kashmir Muttahida Mahaz has said the Centre has to move beyond just condemnation and take some "concrete" measures for the reconciliation of disgruntled elements in the State. "For the last 12 years, we have been only condemning the loss of innocent lives. The Government has to move beyond that and take some concrete measures to prevent such things from happening again," JKMM chairman Mir Khurshaid told PTI. "And the only way to prevent this massive loss of life and property we have been suffering is through a dialogue process with the disgruntled elements in Kashmir," Khurshaid, who floated the organisation as "an alternative to Hurriyat Conference" earlier this year, said. On the appointment of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission K C Pant as Centre’s interlocutor for dialogue with Kashmiri leaders, Khurshaid said, "the exercise seems to be in vain". "Pant seems to have an obsession with Shabir Shah. He does not give much importance to other groups," he said questioning the standing of Shah "who has never made it clear as to where he stands". Dismissing the emotional outburst and "war cry" of State Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah as "crocodile tears", Khurshaid said "it is due to him (Abdullah) that Kashmir is in such a situation today". "The militancy in Kashmir has just one beneficiary and that is Farooq Abdullah as it perpetuates his rule in the State without popular mandate. This has alienated the people of Kashmir," Khurshaid claimed. "Farooq Abdullah has a habit of giving war cries whenever his Government is facing crisis. He is talking of eliminating terrorism but he has created one of the worst terrorist organisations. The Special Task Force of police is doing everything that is attributed to terrorists — detention for extortion, harassing innocent people, custodial killings, etc," Khurshaid alleged. On the stand of Hurriyat Conference that it is representative of aspirations of Kashmiri people, Khurshaid said last week’s strike in Kashmir despite the Hurriyat opposition had exposed this "myth". "How can they claim to be representatives of Kashmiris when they are not listened to? last week, we called for a strike and Hurriyat opposed it. But people supported the strike," he said. "This has exposed the myth of Hurriyat Conference. They have no standing in the Kashmir polity without the support of militants," Khurshaid said. He said his party was in talks with Kashmiri militants and the "general mood among our brothers is that they also want peace but with dignity and honour". "All Kashmiris want peace as they have seen too much of blood bath in the past decade. We have spoken to some local militants and they are also willing to lay down arms. "Our aim is to work towards bringing peace in the State and reach out those who have been affected by the violence —whoever the perpetrator was," he said. On the presence of foreign mercenaries in the State, Khurshaid said "they should go back to their places". He, however, added that the movement in Kashmir was indigenously started and supported by the masses. (PTI) |
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LeT ‘operational
commander’ eliminated Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Oct 7: Unidentified terrorists gunned down a Sarpanch after briefly holding him hostage at village Udhyanpur while ITBP and STF eliminated an ‘operational commander’ of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Gandoh area of Doda district today. Official sources said two to three terrorists stormed into the house of Sarpanch Mohd Ramzan son of Abdul Samad at village Udhyanpur in Doda last mid-night and kidnapped him. They took away Sarpanch about half a kilometer from his house and shot him dead. All terrorists escaped from the village leaving behind dead body of Sarpanch. Family members of the victim, who were following Mohd Ramzan, saw the terrorists fleeing towards an adjoining village after the killing. A police party also reached the spot but by then the militants had managed to escape. Body of Sarpanch was shifted to hospital for post-mortem and cremated late this afternoon. Police have registered a case for investigations but made no arrest so far. Police suspected the hand of local terrorists behind the killing. Mohd Ramzan was elected Sarpanch of Udhyanpur Panchayat in the elections held early this year and was very popular among local people. His killing by the terrorists was strongly resented by local people. A demonstration was also held by people against the killing. Police said no reason could be ascertained behind the killing. Meanwhile, Special Task Force (STF) Gandoh, assisted by 16 ITBP and army today eliminated a hardcore terrorist and ‘operational commander’ of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit at village Kakoo in Bharti area of Gandoh. SP Doda Ashkoor Wani said STF had a report that Zarat Ullah, LeT’s ‘operational commander’ and a resident of Bharti, Gandoh had come to his native village to recruit local youths in the outfit. STF joined by ITBP and army laid a cordon in the village last evening. Zarat Ullah was noticed in the village at 0600 hours today and asked to surrender. However, he took position in a house and started firing on security personnel. Zarat Ullah was killed in retaliatory firing by STF and troops. No loss was reported on police or army side. A Pika gun with 200 rounds, two grenades and ammunition was recovered from the possession of slain terrorist, whose body has been handed over to local police. Zarat Ullah was a hardcore terrorist operating in Gandoh for last three years. He had recently been elevated by LeT’s leadership as ‘operational commander’. |
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Pak freezes accounts of Taliban Ministers ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: In a major blow to Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban regime, Pakistan has frozen 146 bank accounts belonging to the militia’s leading ministers and officials along with three Afghan entities in order to comply with the UN resolutions. "In line with the United Nations resolutions, Pakistan has frozen bank accounts and assets of the top Taliban leaders being maintained in Pakistan banks," daily `Dawn’ said today in a Peshawar datelined story. The UN resolutions passed in 1999 and 2000 called for freezing of bank accounts and assets of 146 Taliban officials, 10 Arabs including Osama bin Laden, and three Afghan entities. "Acting on the order to comply with the UN resolutions, the State Bank of Pakistan had issued two circulars in January and in August this year to freeze and then provide details of accounts and assets of people named by the UN," the report said. Quoting a senior banker based in Peshawar, it said "the bank accounts of Taliban and Arabs - wanted by US under the charges of terrorism - have been frozen." ‘The News’ daily had also reported on September 16 that over 300 accounts of the Afghan nationals, including Taliban officials, were frozen. The list of frozen accounts published by ‘Dawn’ included the names of 87 Taliban ministers and Governors. The ministers included Taliban Foreign Minister, Abdul Wakil Mutwakil, and Defence Minister, Ubaidullah Akund. Other top officials included Chief Justice of Taliban’s Supreme Court Noor Mohammad Saqib and the militia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salem Zaeef. The three frozen business entities are Ariana Afghan Airlines, DA Afghanistan Bank, DA Afghanistan Momtaz Bank. (PTI) |
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Help sought to block funds NEW DELHI, Oct 7: India has sought Britain’s help in curbing the flow of funds from "some sympathizers" in the United Kingdom to terrorist outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. A secret note, highlighting the activities of these two groups, was handed over to the team accompanying the British Prime Minister Tony Blair during his visit here yesterday, informed sources said. They said that Director of Intelligence Bureau K P Singh handed over the special report to the team besides briefing them about the present strategy and operations of these groups in Jammu and Kashmir. During his stay, the British Prime Minister made it clear that his Government supported India’s "very strong stand" against "terrorism in all its forms" and asserted that perpetrators of terrorist acts like the October one bomb blast in Srinagar should be brought to justice. The report laid emphasis on the activities of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed and the team accompanying the visiting dignitary was told that these "two groups were the two different sides of the same coin." The report said that these two groups followed the common ideology of deobandis and were funded by a common trust "Al-Rasheed", the sources said. Harkat-ul-Mujahideen has been on terrorist list of the United States. The Indian officials sought British help to block the funding of these groups and they claimed that some of the Pakistanis settled in that country had been actively funding them. "The money is used by these groups for more recruitment, more publicity and purchase of hardware," the report said. The Indian officials also highlighted the growing menace of suicide attacks in the State. The officials also gave a sketch of Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader Maulana Masood Azhar, who was one of the three militants released in exchange for passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines IC-814 in 1999. The Indian officials gave a thorough report about Azhar’s links with Osama bin Laden and termed the Jaish-e-Mohammed leader as an ideologue of Taliban and international terrorist mastermind bin Laden, the sources added. They said that Azhar, who has been named by the Jammu and Kashmir police as being responsible for the October one blast at Kashmir Assembly, had been given money by bin Laden to start his own outfit after his release in 1999. (PTI) |
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Pak Muslim leaders condemn attack ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: Some of Pakistan’s Muslim leaders swiftly denounced US attacks on Afghanistan tonight, calling them brutal and unwarranted. One Islamic organisation summoned Muslims to "extend full support to their Afghan brothers." Amar Mehdi, spokesman for the militant Muslim group Harkat ul-Mujahideen, condemned the military strikes on the capital, Kabul, as "a brutal attack on innocent people." "Americans have used their might to kill innocent people in Afghanistan instead of targeting training camps about which they were talking and making a hue and cry," Mehdi said. There was no immediate indication of any casualties when he spoke. In the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, a group of Muslim clerics was in special session to discuss the Afghanistan crisis when word of the action reached them. The group, Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Pakistan, issued an immediate condemnation and said Americans now face a "highly critical situation" in the Muslim world. Some of the hundreds of clerics in attendance were "shocked and in tears" upon learning of the strikes, Markazi Uamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Pakistan said. "We appeal to all Muslims living anywhere in the world to extend full support to their Afghan brothers in this critical time," said Sazid Mir, the organization’s president and a prominent scholar and religious leader. He beseeched the United States to "immediately stop the attacks on Afghanistan and stop targeting innocent Afghans." "We have no idea to what extent they have caused damage in Afghanistan," Mir said, "but we are grieved, shocked and worried." Some religious leaders from Afghanistan were also present at the meeting, Mir said. The strikes came a day after Bush warned Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban militia that time was running out for them to hand over alleged terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden and his lieutenants or face the consequences. Bin Laden is the main suspect in the Sept 11 attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center in New York city and damaged the Pentagon outside Washington. (AP) |
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We are ready for Jehad: Taliban KARACHI, Oct 7: The Taliban’s Council-General here said today "we are ready for Jehad" following the American attack on Afghanistan. "We condemn this attack," Rehmatullah Kakazada told the Associated Press. "We have received word that a plane has bombed Kabul. We don’t have any more information. We are ready for Jehad." The diplomat then hung up the telephone. US officials said the attack on Kabul was actually carried out by Tomahawk cruise missiles. (AP) |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 7: A counter-insurgent Ikhwani and a Pakistani militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba have got killed in a military operation in Qazigund area of south Kashmir this evening. Officials said that an encounter took place between militants and troops of Rashtriya Rifles 36 Bn at Sidoora in Qazigund. Militants, who had hidden themselves in a mosque, came out and fired on troops. A counter-insurgent Ikhwani and helper of security forces, namely Bashir Ahmed Mir S/o Ghulam Nabi Mir of Sidoora, got killed. In retaliation, troops killed a Pakistani cadre of Lashkar-e-Toiba who was identified as Abu Hamid. Meanwhile, two Pakistani militants of Al-Badr, who died in an encounter at Khimbar in Zakoora area last evening, have been identified as Abdullah Bhai alias Major and Mazd Chacha. Sources said that Major was a prominent militant if Zakoora-Hazratbal area. |
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Jaish-e-Mohammad building cadres in J&K: IG NEW DELHI, Oct 7 : The Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad is building its cadre in Jammu and Kashmir to carry out further attacks in the Valley as a result of its large-scale infiltration from across the border, Inspector General of Jammu and Kashmir Police A K Bhan said tonight. Stating that infiltration of Jaish activists amongst the militant groups this year has been higher, Bhan said the source of the terrorist groups from across the border has to be tackled to curb terrorism in the State. "While we target the terrorists the infiltration continues and that is a cause for concern and unless that stops I am afraid the violence in the Valley will continue", Bhan told Star News. Bhan however said the coordinated efforts of the State Police and other security forces had resulted in killing of about 500 terrorists during the past five months. (PTI) |
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LONDON, Oct 7 : In an interview given three years ago, excerpts of which were published today, terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden said it was his right to acquire nuclear weapons in his battle against Americans. "At a time when Israel stocks hundreds of nuclear warheads and when the Western crusaders control a large percentage of such weapons we do not consider this an accusation but a right and we reject anyone who accuses us of this," bin Laden had told Qatari Channel Al-Jazeera in 1998, excerpts of which were published in the Sunday Telegraph. Asked specifically how true were newspaper reports that he sought to acquire nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, he said: "We are seeking to drive them (the US) out of our Islamic nations and prevent them from dominating us. We believe that this right to defend oneself is the right of all human beings." To a query on the bombings of US embassies in Nairobi and Tanzania for which Washington holds him responsible, he said those who follow the international news would have worked out how much support there is in the Islamic world for attacks against Americans, even though people were saddened by the deaths of some innocent civilians of those countries. "But it was clear that there was huge rejoicing and satisfaction in the Islamic world," he said. (PTI) |
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NEW DELHI, Oct 7: The ongoing conflict in Jammu and Kashmir has had immense impact on women and at least one lakh of them stand traumatised, according to a top Army Commander in-charge of Ladakh. "They are not victims of sexual harassment or divorce problems but affected by the ongoing conflict in the State," Lt Gen Arjun Ray, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) 14 Corps, said at a presentation on at the National Commission for Women (NCW) here. He said the number of such women was growing every passing day and "something needs to be done urgently" in this regard. The trauma is caused due to the killing of husbands, brothers or sons or long separation from them due to detentions, he said. Gen Ray was making a presentation on the ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ run by the Army in Ladakh to empower women in the region. Declaring the operation as a hundred per cent success, the Corps Commander said women need to take part in peace building process. The ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ has worked on five thrust areas — imparting primary education, health care upto tertiary level, information technology, country development and women empowerment. He said as a result of the operation, 10 empowerment centres, 60 adult education centres and poultry cooperatives run by women had come up in Ladakh. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 7: A BSF jawan was killed in an encounter with the terrorists in Kalakote tehsil of Rajouri district while a Pakistani intruder was shot dead on the International Border in Jammu sector. BSF sources said the jawan identified as Sukhwinder Singh of 136 battalion was seriously injured in the encounter and died enroute to hospital. The encounter took place when a BSF patrol was ambushed by the terrorists at village Saroon in Kalakote tehsil at 0445 hours today. Deceased constable’s body has been sent to his native town in Sangroor. An intruder, suspected to be a guide of the terrorists, was shot dead by BSF jawans in Khatmarian post of RS Pura sector early today. He couldn’t be identified but was suspected to be a Pakistani. |
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