Low flying US aircrafts target Afghanistan
2000 troops land in Pak

ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: More than 2,000 US troops landed at three Pakistani airbases as the American forces used low-flying aircraft and choppers for the first time to target terrorist bases in Afghanistan today amidst reports that President George W Bush has authorised CIA to use lethal force to eliminate Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda network.

As the US air campaign in Afghanistan entered the third week, the Taliban Cabinet met at an unknown location and decided to deploy more ground troops, rocket launchers, heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft guns to confront US commandoes.

The meeting, chaired by Taliban second-in-command Mullah Hassan, also decided to send extra ammunition to villages and districts under the militia control, Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press quoting Taliban Education Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi reported.

Over 2,000 US troops along with a large number of planes and helicopters descended over the three airbases provided by Pakistan making it the biggest ever presence of American forces in the country’s history, ‘The News’ daily reported.

The fresh deployment of US troops and warplanes came as low-flying US jets dropped at least four bombs on Kabul, a day after elite fighters clashed with Taliban fighters on the ground in Kandahar.

The Pakistani daily said that US troops and the fleet landed at the airports of Jacobabad, Pasni and Dalbandin, which have been under tight security.

While the first two airports would act as logistical bases, the Dalbandin airbase on the Afghan border has been selected as forward operational base, it said.

The US has installed extensive radar facilities at the three airbases and the American troops’ activities are being conducted in cooperation with Pakistan Air Force and civil aviation authorities, the newspaper added.

The Washington Post in a banner-headlined report said President Bush has directed the CIA to kill bin Laden, prime suspect behind the September 11 terror strikes, and destroy his Al-Qaeda network.

The CIA has been alloted an extra one billion dollars for the covert operation which would include "unprecedented" coordination between the intelligence agency, commandoes and other military units, the Post quoting senior Government officials said.

During the pre and post-dawn raids, the low-flying warplanes and helicopters virtually ruled the skies over Afghanistan as Taliban produced no response with their anti-aircraft guns remaining silent, apparently suggesting that the militia’s ability to respond has been depleted as claimed by the United States.

The Afghan Islamic Press reported that US warplanes attacked Taliban frontline positions in Afghanistan’s northern province of Samangan for a second straight day today.

Taliban claimed at least 18 civilians were killed in today’s air attacks on capital Kabul while 50 to 60 others had perished over the last three days in the raids on Herat. They said several others were wounded in the US operations.

The militia also claimed that the US helicopter that crashed in Pakistan yesterday was hit by their forces killing 20 to 25 American soldiers.

Taliban said they had prevented US troops from landing in the country but added that they were prepared to confront the American ground forces.

"We are ready any moment to confront them. ... They were not able to land. ... If they landed we would have confronted them," chief of the Taliban’s Bakhtar Information Agency Abdul Hanan Hemat said.

In a pre-dawn mission yesterday, the US began ground operation with over 200 army rangers and other special forces targeting an airbase on the outskirts of Taliban stronghold of Kandahar. The operation was over by daybreak and commandoes safely returned to their bases outside Afghanistan.

Taliban publicly hanged five opposition Northern Alliance cadres including two commanders in Mazar-e-Sharif after "arresting" them in the battlefield, a militia official said.

The militia also claimed to have ragained control of central Afghan province of Ghor, which was denied by the alliance.

In Shanghai, APEC leaders unequivocally condemned the terror strikes against the United States as "murderous deeds" and opposed all forms of terrorism.

"In view of the gravity of the terrorist attack on the United States, we went out of our way to discuss the issue of counter-terrorism in the course of our meeting," Chinese President and host Jiang Zemin said reading out a declaration issued at the end of the two-day APEC summit attended by heads of state of 19 other countries, including Bush.

"We condemned in the strongest term the attack as an affront to peace, prosperity and security of all people, of all faiths, of every nation," he said.

Alarmed at the huge inflow of Afghan refugees into their territories, Pakistani authorities meanwhile closed the main border crossing. About 5,000 Afghan people yesterday crossed over to Pakistan. (PTI)

Bid to hush up seizure of hosiery goods

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 21: Mystery shrouded recovery of hosiery goods worth over Rs five lakhs from Jammu Railway Station in which involvement of two Railways employees has also surfaced.

Sources in Crime and Railways Police admitted the seizure of hosiery goods, which were smuggled to Jammu from New Delhi without depositing the required taxes, from Railway Station but said the seized goods didn’t fall in their jurisdiction and, as such, the case was handed over to concerned Department of Sales Tax.

"Our jurisdiction is limited to security considerations. The evasion of tax by hosiery trader pertained to another agency", the sources said. However, they confirmed that goods were seized but since two employees of Railways were also involved in the smuggling an attempt is being made to hush up the case.

Two Railways employees, involved in the smuggling, were also working as commission agents for hosiery dealers, who were indulging in smuggling of hosiery goods without paying the due taxes.

The seized hosiery goods belonged to a leading businessman of Jammu, the sources pointed out.

Confirming the seizure of hosiery goods at Railway Station, an officer of Railways Police said: "since the seizure of goods, brought here by evading tax didn’t fall in our purview, no case was registered against the businessman. We just informed the concerned Department of the case".

"It (the seizure) didn’t involve any action at the level of Railways Police. We told Sales Department to act but so far they haven’t sought our help", he revealed.

Going by the version of Railways Police, it seems that a desperate attempt was being made by concerned Department to hush up the case and shield the erring businessmen, reliable sources said.

Fight war in enemy’s court: CM

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 21: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the war against terrorism should be fought in the enemy’s court and smash terrorist training camps. ‘How could Pakistan be a sincere ally in the campaign against global terror when it is itself involved in running terrorist training camps on its land’, he wondered.

‘We can’t lie low for long. The US could not wait for a twinkle and we have been facing the brunt for 12 years’, the Chief Minister said at Police Commemoration Day parade at Zewan this morning.

After wrapping up global campaign in Afghanistan, the next step would be directed against terrorism in this part. Pakistan, he said, is engaged in cross border terrorism and training mercenaries from various parts of the world. Unless uprooting these camps, peace would be a distant dream, he added.

He, however, made it clear that India has to fight its war against terrorism on its own and not by depending on others. He said the world has woken up to this menace after September 11, though India had cautioned against this challenge to humanity much earlier.

The Chief Minister took pity on Pakistan that is in dilemma as to how to crush the ugly head of terrorism that it bred for long. Pakistan is now itself in the ditch, they had dug for others. They thought by giving birth to the demon of terrorism, they could weaken India or snatch Kashmir, but time has proved it wrong. ‘What can one do if wisdom does not dawn on them even now’, he said.

Dr Abdullah said dispensation of justice is imperative for eradicating the menace of terrorism. If justice is not delivered, the roots of terrorism could not be wiped out. He said the justice is also essential for addressing the grievances of Jews and Muslims in Palestine. Mere commitments and promises would not do, something practical has to be done, he added.

Lauding the valour of the State Police force after coming in the front line to combat terrorism, the Chief Minister said its officers and jawans offered supreme sacrifice for the dignity of people and integrity of the nation. He said the list of valiant personnel of security forces and police is becoming larger day by day which speaks of their commitment to the nation in the wake of dangers confronted to it.

He also referred to the destruction and devastation caused by militancy and said the recent attack on the legislative complex consumed several innocent lives including police personnel and employees.

‘We must not loose the guard as one does not know as what the enemy is upto’, he said while urging the police to continue with their odyssey of valour and bravery. He called upon the force to exercise extra restraint while combating terrorism so that civilians are not harmed. Even one isolated mistake erases the whole good work done over the years. The police, he said, have to be people-friendly and their protectors.

Mentioning about the modernisation and strengthening of the police force with assistance by the Centre, he said the Government would not shirk in its responsibilities in providing adequate logistic support to it.

He also referred to the establishment of ex-police personnel association and hoped that it would take care of the families of those brave personnel who laid their lives for the nation. These families must never nurture an impression of being left alone.

Earlier, the Chief Minister laid wreath at the police memorial, inspected the parade and inaugurated the blood camp. He also inaugurated the firearms training simulator in the Zewan police complex.

A two-minute silence was observed in memory of the police personnel who laid their lives in defence of the nation.

Minister of State for Home Mr Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy, several legislators Chief Secretary Mr Ashok Jaitly, Principal Secretary Home, Mr C Phunsog and senior police and security personnel officers were present on the occasion.

The Director General of Police, Mr A K Suri also spoke on the occasion.

‘Influx of terrorists from Pakistan on’
Mercenaries not leaving J&K: Jagat

NEW DELHI, Oct 21: Despite having vowed to work against terrorism along with world community, Pakistan continues to send mercenaries into Jammu and Kashmir and has increased cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border apparently to "provoke" Indian troops, according to BSF.

There is also no indication of mercenaries leaving Jammu and Kashmir in response to the call of Afghanistan’s Taliban regime to join them in the fight against US, BSF Director General Gurbachan Jagat told PTI in an interview here.

He said the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US and the subsequent developments in the world have had no impact on Pakistan’s activities vis-a-vis Kashmir.

"There has been no change in the intensity of infiltration from Pakistan" even though Islamabad has publicly said it was working with the international coalition to fight against terrorism, Jagat said.

"Infiltration of militants has continued unabated even after the September 11 terrorist attacks" in Washington and New York, he said.

While most of them are foreign mercenaries, some Kashmiri youth are also being sent back after training in Pakistan, he said.

Putting the number of militants who have infiltrated this year between 1000 and 1200, he said militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is now being sustained by foreign mercenaries, particularly Pakistanis and Afghans.

On the situation on LoC and International Border with Pakistan, the BSF Chief said firing by Pakistani forces has witnessed an increase after September 11.

The firing from Pakistani side has further escalated over the last one week despite the US urging for restraint and reduction in tension, Jagat said.

"Normally, Pakistani firing and shelling increases when they want to send infiltrators in large numbers. However, this time they may be trying to engineer some major incident to provoke us to do something," he said.

On last Monday’s firing by Indian troops in which several Pakistani posts were levelled and at least 11 infiltrators killed, he denied it being indicative of renewed directions post-September 11 to security forces from the Government.

"Directions already exist — take action whenever infiltration is witnessed," he said.

The BSF Chief said Pakistan was making attempts to recruit Kashmiri youth into militant ranks to "give indigenous colour to militancy" after international community started focusing on cross-border terrorism in the aftermath of September 11 attacks.

"However, not many locals are likely to join militancy as they have seen through the Pakistani designs," said Jagat who was previously Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police. Referring to reports that the Taliban had asked foreign mercenaries in Jammu and Kashmir to join them in their fight against the US, Jagat said apparently the request has not been heeded to. "No exfiltration has been witnessed," he said.

On the threats issued by Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashker-e-Toiba militant outfits over the last few days, the BSF Director General said the security forces were alert to the challenges.

He said usually around this time, rise in militant activities is expected in Kashmir because of durbar move, when the seat of Government shifts from summer capital Srinagar to the winter capital Jammu.

"Past experience shows that militants try to step up activities around the durbar move," he said, adding security forces have been asked to be extra vigilant.

As per the exercise, the Government offices will close in Srinagar in last week of October and resume in Jammu in the first week of November.

Jagat said the change in the relationship between the Pakistan Government and Taliban and "not so smooth situation" in Pakistan had created "confusion in the ranks of militants" and it could prove beneficial for India. (PTI)

JK bound ultras trained in Bangladesh

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Oct 21: A sensational revelation: Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has successfully worked out a new mechanism against India. It is the enhanced activity in Bangladesh to recruit young and committed men for campaigns in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeastern region of India.

The revelation was said to have been made by what a top intelligence officer described as "highly reliable source information" from Dhaka, capital city of Bangladesh. The ISI-backed outfits such as the Jamaat-e-Islami, the Tabligh-e-Jamaat and the Jamaat-ul-Mudressin have achieved much success in Bangladesh.

Terrorist groups like the Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami are said to have stepped up their activity in Bangladesh, where they recruit cadres for anti-India movement in Jammu and Kashmir and India’s northeastern region.

According to details available with the Union Home Ministry, Harkat-ul-Jihade-e-Islami and other militant groups have acquired influence as a result of two significant factors-first, of course, is the ISI’s deeper involvement in the task of keeping them alive and kicking, and, secondly, the massive funding by organisations of the Islamic Right based in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

Another startling revelation: Even as Washington wants Pakistan’s military ruler, Gen. Parvez Musharraf, to rein in the jihadi elements and outfits, a "deal" has been struck by the United States with Pakistan which will allow groups of the Islamic Right to operate unchecked so long as they do not target US interests.

How many people in India know about New Delhi’s role in the war on Afghanistan-based terrorism before America unleashed war on Afghanistan on October 7? "Very few", is the answer. India’s role is, to say precisely, three-year-old.

The Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in 1996. This development was followed by an equally significant development: Indian intelligence, along with its Russian counterparts, threw its weight behind Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. How many people can deny reports that technicians were flown to Afghanistan to service the Northern Alliance’s fleet of Russian-built helicopters?

Revelation number three, referred to by a section of the media: High-altitude warfare equipment as well as spares worth more than 10 million dollars were supplied to the Northern Alliance through India’s ace intelligence agency, RAW (Research and Analysis Wing).

Reports from Washington have confirmed that Washington has no intention to snap its links with forces of Islamic Right which have served its interests. Pakistan, which has been recruited as a key ally in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, is a case in point. America needs Pakistan for its larger strategic objectives.

Will Gen. Musharraf last? "That is the big question", Mr LK Advani, Minister for Home Affairs, has reckoned in an interview. "I have said from the day this crisis began that Gen. Musharraf’s position is unenviable", he maintained. Mr Advani, in fact, posed: "If there are heavy casualties in Afghanistan, what would be the impact on Pakistan?"

While admitting that terrorist activity, post-Kargil, increased considerably in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Advani placed himself on record as saying: "Since then, it has been the same conventional approach which is bound to yield results though the cost we are having to pay is heavy".

"No, it is not a theoretical one", Mr Advani insisted when asked if the treat of terrorists using biological, chemical and even nuclear weapons was real or just theoretical. He stated: "All inputs indicate the Taliban has access to biological and chemical weapons and depending on how the situation develops in Pakistan, I believe even the US is apprehensive lest any wayward group gets hold of nuclear weapons. I would not like to create panic but this reference was made on substantive inputs".

Govt ignores findings of its own panel
Fraud worth crores in relief for ‘political migrants’

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Oct 21: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has reported a big fraud in distribution of cash relief by the State Government on the name of ‘political migrants’ from the Kashmir valley. The fraud runs into several crores of rupees.

In its report submitted to the Government recently, the CAG pointed out that even a high level Committee constituted by the Government in April 1999 had come to a conclusion that genuineness of these families (the so-called political migrants) couldn’t be verified.

Despite this observation of the Committee, the State Government went ahead with paying cash relief to the political migrants, the CAG regretted.

A total of 2532 families of political activists were ‘registered’ with the Relief Commissioner from March 1996 to September 1999, when they reportedly migrated from the Valley under security threat perception. In view of the reports regarding fraudulent threat perception certificates of CID produced by some of these political migrants, the State Government appointed a high level Committee comprising three senior officers in April 1999 to carry out physical verification of such migrants.

According to the CAG report, out of a total of 779 families, whose whereabouts were verified till October 1999, the Committee members failed to locate even a single family or person of political migrants at the locations, declared in application forms.

"In 142 out of 779 verified cases, threat perception certificates purportedly obtained from CID were also found to be fake", the CAG report pointed out.

It said even the Government appointed Committee had maintained that there was no genuineness of 779 political migrants to whom the Relief Organisation had disbursed cash assistance of Rs 6.12 crore from April 1996 to September 1999.

"Action to cancel the registration of these political migrant families in the light of Committee’s report had not been taken by the Government and further cash assistance of Rs 1.12 crore was paid to these families during the period October 1999 to March 2000", the report said.

Surprisingly, the fresh amount of Rs 1.12 crore was released in favour of political migrants by the State Government even after the observations made by its own three-member high level panel.

The CAG report noted with great concern that in supersession of all its previous order, the Government constituted another Committee in April 2000 for physical verification of all registered migrant families. The Committee was asked to submit its report within three months but it hadn’t come till October 2000.

The CAG report on Kashmiri migrants also revealed registration of 26,000 fake migrant families by Relief Commissioner. Registration of fake migrants was due to improper and ineffective mechanism followed by the authorities. Fake migrants were detected during verification of antecedents of registered migrants with the electoral rolls and obtaining joint photographs of the families.

Cash assistance of Rs 31.61 crore and assistance in the forms of tents, beds and fans etc (Rs 0.59 crore) had been provided to these fake migrant families besides free ration worth Rs 8.68 crore. Against this, just Rs 3.62 crore had been recovered in 1958 cases while 953 other cases were referred to Crime Branch or Vigilance Organisation for investigations and initiating criminal proceedings.

"Action to recover the balance amount of assistance paid to remaining 23089 fake migrant families had not been initiated till August 2000. Moreover, responsibility for the lapses in registering the fake migrant families had also not been fixed by the Government", the report said.

The CAG recommended that Relief Organisation should prepare a centralised data base for all migrants in and outside the State and re-verify their antecedents to eliminate bogus/fake migrants and recover irregular payment of cash assistance and cost of free rations issued to them.

"The free ration account should also be reconciled with the Food and Supplies Department for ensuring proper control. The issue of rations be regulated in accordance with the scale laid down under PDS", the report said.

The CAG also pointed out the huge expenses incurred on by the Relief Organisation for providing relief to the migrants. This was the result of non-fixation of any norms for administrative expenses by the Organisation, which had been running for over 10 years now.

It said administrative expenses incurred mainly for payment/disbursement of cash and ex-gratia relief ranged from Rs 726 to Rs 1247 per family during the period 1995-96 to 1999-2000 which was obviously high considering the fact that distribution of free rations to migrant families and execution of works for infrastructure development were undertaken through PDS and other Departments of the Government.

Audit scrutiny revealed that no norms for creation of zones had been prescribed and separate zones had been established for catering to small number of families (11 zones out of 53 had less than 20 families to cater) leading to increased administrative expenses of the Organisation.

"The cost of providing cash relief per family was likely to be more, in case the expenditure incurred on the salary of the state on deputation (number not intimated) with the Organisation whose salary was debited to Security Related Expenditure by their parents departments was also considered", the report said.

Growing communication gap between BJP, Govt: PM

NEW DELHI, Oct 21: With the crucial Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh ahead, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today spoke of a growing communication gap between the party and the Government which needed to be addressed even as Home Minister L K Advani disapproved of partymen airing their grievances in public.

Advani, who played a major role in the Ayodhya movement through his Rathyatra, said the Ramjanmabhoomi issue helped the BJP to attain power at the Centre. "Ramjanmabhoomi Ke Bina Ham Yaha Tak Nahi Pahuchate (we would not have reached the present level without Ramjanmabhoomi)," he said.

They were addressing the special session of the BJP’s national council to mark its golden jubilee celebrations.

Stressing the need for a stable Government at the Centre, the Prime Minister said there has been no contradiction in making BJP a strong organisation and running the NDA coalition as both are "complementary to each other." He said the 24-party coalition was running the Government well but "just running is not enough as it should gather more speed."

"Somewhere something is amiss........This is an example of growing distance between the organisation and the Government.....We have to look at it carefully," Vajpayee said speaking about the communication gap.

Citing an example of the gap, he expressed apology for not being present at the flag-hoisting ceremony and said he was given the impression that his presence was needed only at the concluding function.

The Prime Minister said the BJP as also other NDA partners have given up some of their programmes after becoming part of the Government.

"We have come to power. We have no experience of power.....We are going in the right direction and there is no reason why we should not reach the goal," he said, adding those who had asked five years back how long the Government would last were no longer raising such questions.

Recalling the party’s formation, he said 50 years back when Bhartiya Jana Sangh was formed in a small school in Delhi, he had never thought that one day it would become a ruling party.

In a significant statement, Advani said there was need to project the Ramjanmabhoomi issue "in the right perspective and carry it forward." He said BJP progressed by highlighting the issue as one representing cultural nationalism.

A resolution adopted at the session said the Ramjanmabhoomi issue "became reflective of India’s cultural personality..... The movement created a massive national impact and changed the mindset of millions of Indians....Our acceptability grew. We spread into those areas of the country where we earlier had little presence."

Advani also struck a cautious note to those in the Government saying "politics itself is slippery, being in the Government is far more slippery. One has to tread the path carefully."

Party president Jana Krishnamurthy said BJP was now facing the toughest challenge of its political career after it emerged as the single largest party in the last Lok Sabha elections.

Recalling the saying of a famous mountaineer that "last 100 metres of the ascent" of the Everest were the toughest, he said similar was the situation the BJP was facing after it won 183 seats in the Lok Sabha. "Crossing over of these 100 metres will mean complete success of our political journey."

He said to achieve the goal what was needed was that the workers forget the self and work collectively for the good of the organisation.

Krishnamurthy announced the setting up of a high level committee headed by Vajpayee to chalk out programmes in the golden jubilee year.

Asserting that there was a relationship between the BJP and RSS, he said "whenever the party errs to uphold dharma, the Sangh corrects it and that is the kind of relationship the two have."

The meeting was attended by over 1500 delegates including Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand, central ministers and Members of Parliament.

Among the founding members who were present included former party president Kushabhau Thakre, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and senior leader J P Mathur. (PTI)

Terrorist, jawan killed; 3 injured in Rajouri

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Oct 21: A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist and an army jawan were killed while three other soldiers sustained minor injuries in an encounter at village Ganewali in Danna area under jurisdiction of Thanna Mandi police station this morning.

Official sources said a group of the hiding terrorists ambushed a patrol party of army at Ganewali at 0300 hours today. The terrorists lobbed two grenades on army team causing injuries to four of them. Injuries proved fatal for one of the soldiers, who has been identified as Dalip Singh.

Army jawans retaliated and gunned down one terrorist. Three other ultras managed to escape taking cover of darkness, the sources said.

Injured jawans were evacuated to hospital where Dalip Singh was declared dead. Three other injured jawans were admitted to the hospital. Two of them have been identified as Raj Kishore and Satvir Singh. Injured were responding to treatment.

Body of slain terrorist was recovered from the site of encounter this morning. It, however, couldn’t be identified immediately but the ultra was stated to be a Pakistani and an activist of LeT outfit. One AK-56 rifle, two magazines, 56 rounds and two hand grenades were recovered from the spot.

Army jawans continued searches in Danna area to locate the fleeing terrorists but couldn’t get them.

Meanwhile, a bandh was observed in Thanna Mandi today by local people in protest against alleged excesses by SHO of the police station.

Shops remained closed in Thanna Mandi town. People staged a dharna at main chowk and blocked traffic.

DySP Headquarters, Rajouri Haq Nawaz rushed to the spot and talked to people, who were demanding removal of SHO. A breakthrough couldn’t be achieved by police during the talks. People have decided to observe a bandh tomorrow as well.

Civilian killed in Anantnag

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 21: Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped and later shot dead a civilian in Hapatnar area of Anantnag, in south Kashmir.

Official sources said that the 50-year-old Mohammad Yusuf Khan S/o Dulha Khan of Hangalpawa, Aeshmuqam, was kidnapped by militants from his residential village and later shot dead at Hapatnar. His bullet-riddled dead body was recovered today.

Sources said that during last night, a blast occurred in the fruit-shed of Abdur Rasheed Mir at Amar Garh, Sopore. There was no major damage.

Meanwhile, two more slain militants of Saturday’s gunbattle at Nowdal Kharpora, Tral, have been identified as Zahid Bhai of Pakistan and Bashir Ahmed Wagay alias Abu Weqar R/o Seer, Tral. As already reported, in a fierce encounter at Bani-Bathoo, Nowdal, SOG Pulwama and BSF had eliminated three militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad on Saturday evening. One of them had been identified as the outfit’s "district commander" Kamraan of Pakistan.

Gold, silver, cash haul from DD official

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 21: The Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) have seized a large quantity of gold and silver ornaments besides cash and Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs) from Subash Nagar house of Jammu Doordarshan’s Programme Executive M L Kharu.

Kharu’s house was raided by CBI on Monday following complaints of embezzlement in in-house productions. The CBI team had seized the documents during the day of raid.

Official sources today said the seizure made from Kharu’s house and a locker in SBI’s Talab Tillo branch included four kg gold, 16 kg silver, four lakh worth cash and FDRs and four VCRs besides several other luxurious and costlier items.

Further investigations in the case were on but the officer hasn’t been arrested so far.

New route to Mansarovarruled out

LHASA, Oct 21: China has virtually turned down India’s request for opening a new and safer pilgrimage route to Kailash-Mansarovar in Tibet and urged New Delhi to improve road conditions on its side so as to meet the needs of the pilgrims.

"We express our understanding to India’s request to open a new pilgrimage route. But the route mentioned by the Indian side is far from Kailash-Mansarovar and the climate and road conditions along the route are quite poor," a top Tibetan leader said.

"We do not think it is advisable to open it at the moment," the Chairman of the People’s Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region, Raidi, said.

"We hope both sides continue to utilise the existing route of Qiangla Mountain Pass," Raidi, who is also Vice Chairman of the Sino-Indian friendship committee of the Chinese Parliament, the National People’s Congress, said.

He stated that the Indian request for a new pilgrimage route to Kailash-Mansarovar has risen because pilgrims from the country complain about the poor road of Qiangla Mountain Pass on their side.

India has proposed opening a new route from the picturesque Hanle area in Eastern Ladakh bordering Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur region as an addition to the traditional pilgrim route across the Lipulekh Pass in Pithoragarh district of Uttar Pradesh. (PTI)

Lone receives threats

SRINAGAR, Oct 21: Despite denials that he ever had any link with militant outfits in Jammu and Kashmir, senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone has been threatened with dire consequences by Al-Barq if he failed to handover all assets of the militant outfit to its commanders forthwith.

"Al-Barq militants know how to recover the assets if Lone does not oblige," the outfit’s chief Farooq Qureshi said in a statement faxed to a local news agency from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Referring to oft-repeated statements of Lone that he has no links with any militant outfit in the past or at present, Qureshi said "Lone was receiving trained militants at Dardpora in frontier district of Kupwara — the gateway for infiltration and exfiltration of militants.

"It is better for lone to stop issuing statements and handover the assets to our cadres. Otherwise he will have to face the consequences," the statement said.

The fax statement was signed by the in-charge, publicity, Parvaiz Khan.

All efforts to contact Lone failed today.

But the Hurriyat leader had told PTI on October 4 that the allegations that he had connections with militant organisations were "baseless and malicious."

Lone had said neither he nor his People’s Conference had any link with militant outfits in the past or at present. (PTI)

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