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‘They
have no love for Kashmiris & only want 3 rivers’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: General Officer Commanding (GOC) 16 Corps Lt Gen J B S Yadava today said Pakistan was trying to alter the status of International Border by resorting to firing and trying to disrupting fencing work. "They (Pakistan army) want to give the status of ‘disturbed border’ to international boundary. We won’t allow that to happen", Lt Gen Yadava said addressing his maiden press conference after he took command of 16 Corps about five months back. "Our methods are quite effective to meet enemy challenge on the borders but we can’t elaborate", he said. Asserting that defence works on both sides of the border can be constructed as per a treaty between two countries, he observed that fencing of IB in Jammu sector was a legitimate construction and interference by Pakistan wouldn’t be tolerated. Replying to a question, Lt Gen Yadava said :"fencing of IB was a BSF project. Army can intervene only is interference from across the border is very severe. As of now, the interference was not so severe that needs our (army’s) intervention". "Should the need arise, we will definitely intervene", he said, adding ‘the BSF was adequately equipped to deal with incidents of sabotage that were being carried out to thwart border fencing. He disclosed that talks were also held recently between BSF and Rangers regarding border fencing. Rangers were categorically told that any attempt to sabotage fencing will be replied with adequately and effectively, he added. "We stand committed to fencing but there was presently no requirement of army to come to the assistance of BSF in physical terms or security cover", the GOC Nagrota Corps told a questioner, who reminded the General of his predecessor’s observation that army will assist BSF in fencing work. Lt Gen Yadava said the increase in level of firing and upgradation of weapons, used in firing by Pakistan, was definitely a cause of concern for army. "Earlier, they used to fire with small arms, later they used heavy caliber weapons and now they were using mortars. Next it could be artillery fire", he asserted. "Why Pakistan was doing so and what are their intentions remains a question and a cause of concern for us", he said. "If they (Pakistan army) fires a mortar, we will fire a mortar, if they fire heavy caliber, we will fire heavy caliber more accurately and effectively", the Lt Gen said, adding ‘we have a right to retaliate and we will exercise that right whenever Pak army tries to push infiltrators’. He said Pakistan was actively abetting infiltration on LoC as well as IB. "There has been no let up as far as infiltration of militants is concerned. We are responding to the situation adequately in equal measures". Lt Gen Yadava opined that there was no insurgency or militancy in any part of Jammu and Kashmir, as was being projected through some quarters. "There is militancy in isolated areas of Poonch, Doda and Kishtwar. In rest of the State, it’s only terrorism. Majority of people were neither participating nor supporting terrorism. However, the terrorists were trying to impose their will on the people", he maintained. Asserting that Pakistan has no love for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the GOC said they want to forcibly capture the State with ‘strategic interests’ in mind. "Pakistan was eyeing water of Chenab, Jehlum and Sindh rivers to sustain economy in its Punjab province. Otherwise, it was difficult for them to survive as they were not satisfied with Indus Water Treaty", he said. Moreover, he pointed out, Pakistan wants to enlarge its boundaries in east after doing the same in west with the help of Talibans. He declared that evil designs of Pakistan will never succeed. "Pakistan tried to capture J&K by force on four occasions by fighting direct wars. As it failed all the times, it now started proxy war and was bound to fail in it as well", he said. According to GOC, level of terrorism has increased after Agra summit. Describing the incidents like militants’ attacks at Railway Station and killing of unarmed civilians as ‘cowardly acts’, Lt Gen Yadava said :"we can’t guarantee 100 per cent protection to people but we are doing our best to ensure that minimum of such incidents take place". He said even if soft targets decide to take cudgels against militants, the terrorists won’t venture out and stressed the role of press to educate masses. Admitting that some concrete bunkers were detected by army in Surankot and other areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts, Lt Gen Yadava said the bunker were constructed by the militants by pressurizing local people. He categorically denied that bunkers were constructed by Pakistan army. "The bunkers were well furnished with all necessary facilities", the GOC said, pointing out that one such bunker was destroyed by army only yesterday in Pritpal forest area of Rajouri. Maj Gen HS Kunwar, Chief of Staff, who was also present in the press conference, referred to a news report and said the bunker in question were Indian army bunkers and were not constructed by Pakistan. Maj Gen Kunwar also denied that a Kargil like situation was prevailing in Poonch. "We tried to see Kargil in Poonch as reported by a newspaper. Where was that. Where were the bunkers", he asked the reporter. The reporter replied that he has a cassette to prove his point. Saying that Special Armed Forces Act was a mandatory requirement for forces to function, he opined that only some sympathisers of the militants were opposing it. He assured people that the act will never be misused. 'Follow Guru Govind Singh' GOC Nagrota Corps Lt Gen J B S Yadava today asserted that people will have to change themselves with time. "People should defend themselves like Guru Govind Singh did by raising the army of Sikhs", he said replying to a question at the press conference as to how safe a common man was in Jammu after recent spurt in militant activities. "Techniques used by Guru Govind Singh are more required today", he said, adding ‘the people, especially those living on border areas, will have to change their lives. He, however, asserted that evolution in society will take time. The GOC said the people will have to come and live together as was done by the people of Punjab. He referred to the constitution of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and said the VDC system was one of the best system of self-defence. "If organised properly, the system can prove very effective", he added. Even out of the VDCs, Kishtwar Scouts can be created, he said. He said a report on Kishtwar Scouts has been submitted to Unified Headquarters, who will discuss it with the State Government and make the recommendation to Centre. |
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Civilian, 2
counter-insurgents among 5 killed Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 4: Two young students of a private school got killed and four others wounded in a grenade explosion at Janbazpora outskirts of Baramulla town this afternoon. In other militancy-related incidents, a civilian has died in Pulwama district while as gunmen have shot dead two counter-insurgents in Srinagar and Kupwara, since last evening. Informed sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that a grenade went off in the hand of a 9-year-old student, Meraj-ud-din Bhat S/o Ali Mohammad Bhat, at the premises of Janbaz Wali Memorial School, at Janbazpora Baramulla, at 2.50 p.m today. He had probably picked up the explosive device while playing with fellow students and begun fiddling with it. The 3rd standard student died on spot alongwith 10-year-old Abdul Majid Mir S/o Manzoor Ahmed Mir. Four more students sustained multiple splinter injuries and they were all rushed to hospital for medical treatment. They were identified as 8-year-old Shayista Mir D/o Nazir Ahmed Mir, 9-year-old Ruqayya D/o Ashiq Hussain Sheikh, 10-year-old Faisal Sheikh S/o Ashiq Hussain Sheikh and 10-year-old Rifat D/o Abdul Hameed Ganai, all residents of Janbazpora. Later, Shayista and Ruqayya, who had sustained grievous injuries, were referred to a Srinagar hospital. Today’s blast has come within a fortnight of the explosion which had left five students wounded at Ziran forest area of Tangmarg. A local news agency reported that people in Baramulla put up a demonstration while shouting slogans against militants and holding them responsible for the blast. However, both, officials as well as civilians, available on telephone in Baramulla insisted that there was neither any demonstration nor any slogans against militants. However, at Achhabal village in Sopore-Rafeeabad belt, people came out on streets and put up a demonstration against the alleged atrocities of Rashtriya Rifles 22 Bn. They shouted slogans against RR 22 Bn while alleging that troops had made the life of all civilian miserable in that apple-rich belt. Official sources in south Kashmir added that during last night militants shot dead a counter-insurgent, namely Mohammad Shafi Dar S/o Ghulam Rasool Dar R/o Cherkoot (Kupwara) at Lashtiyal in Kalaroos area. Here in the capital city, militants appeared at Dukaan-e-Sangeen, in Khankah-e-Moula locality of downtown, late last evening and shot dead Riyaz Ahmed Koul alias Jeela Kachru S/o Abdul Ahad Koul, resident of Bemina. Reportedly a counter-insurgent, Koul had called on a relative when militants spotted him and fired upon him. With critical injuries, he was rushed to SMHS Hospital where he was declared dead. Two civilians, namely Fayaz Ahmed Mala of Narparistan (an auto driver) and Kaneeza of Chhanapora, sustained injuries in the shootout. Lashkar-e-Toiba has reportedly claimed responsibility. Reports available from south Kashmir said that last evening, troops of RR 01 Bn were fired upon by militants at Panzgam, in Pulwama district. The patrol was on way to a Pulwama village from the company headquarters of Batpora. Troops stopped and took five civilians to lead them to the nearby locality of Astanpora. As they launched a search operation, militants opened fire and leader of the patrol party, Maj Thapa, sustained injuries. In the exchange of fire, one civilian, namely Mohammad Maqbool Sofi S/o Abdul Gani Sofi R/o Lidarmar, got killed. However, residents of the area alleged that troops had killed Sofi in custody as all the militants managed to escape. They said that Sofi, a former militant, had been married only last week. 5 ultras surrender Meanwhile, a Defence spokesman claimed that five militants of Hizbul Mujahideen, Al-Fatah, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Tehreek-e-Jihad-e-Islami laid down their arms before the deputy Sector Commander of Sector-5 Rashtriya Rifles at Manasbal in north Kashmir. Sources said that three militants of Hizb and TJI have also been apprehended at Wongam and Dabran forest in Baramulla district. BSF 71 Bn has arrested one Sajjad Hussain at Sanmari village, on LoC, who expressed himself as a militant of Muzzafarabad. |
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Brigadier, 3 soldiers
injured in Nowshera Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Sept 4: Army today killed three more militants, involved in the killings of four minority community members in Chowkian Handan last week, taking toll of the group to 10. With these killings, only one militant of the group of 11, was absconding and was expected to be eliminated anytime. Brigadier Vijay Singh and three other soldiers including a Subedar were injured in the operation. Injured Brigadier continued to lead his troops till all three trapped militants were killed. Defence sources here said that troops of 16 Raj Rifles, 17 Sikh and 6 Dogra were on the look out for four Pakistan militants, who were hiding in Brooti forest area near Kanara village after seven militants of their group were killed in two operations. All these militants were involved in the massacre of four civilians last week end. According to sources, the militants were trapped in Brooti forests by army jawans this morning. Militants were moving towards the Line of Control (LoC) in a bid to cross over to Pakistan when they were intercepted by troops. Exchange of firing between army and militants continued throughout the day today. By this evening, army jawans killed all three militants. Four soldiers were injured in the day long gun-battle. Two slain militants have been identified as Hafeez Shaheed Hamid, a district commander and Ghulam Mustafa alias Sher Khan son of Hafiz Mohd Rafiq, both Pakistanis and activists of a new outfit ‘J&K Takrere Jehad’. Identity of third militant couldn’t be established but he too was stated to be a Pakistani. Injured soldiers included Brig Vijay Singh, Subedar Bahadur Singh of 16 Raj Rifles, Sepoy Gagandeep of 6 Dogra and Ajit Singh, an ex-serviceman, a resident of Kanara. Operation was led by Brig Vijay Singh. Deputy Commandant A K Mohan and SHO Nowshera Vinod Kumar Sathu led the operation. It may be recalled that five militants of the group were gunned down by army on the same day of civilians’ massacre while two other ultras were killed on Sunday. With the killing of three more militants today, now only one militant of the group was absconding. Sources said the lone surviving militant was suspected to be hiding in Brooti forest area. A search operation was on to eliminate him. Meanwhile, Tehsildar Nowshera Mrs Vivek Sharma and Naib Tehsildar Girdhar Kumar have distributed relief cheques of Rs one lakh each among the kins of four massacred civilians. DC Asfandyar Khan was also present. Besides this, Brig Vijay Singh distributed Rs 25,000 each to the kins of killed persons from army side. |
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9 ultras, porter killed in
Poonch Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Sept 4: Romeo Force and Poonch Police today eliminated nine militants, including a group involved in the killing of two priests in Dundak temple, in two separate operations at Surankot and Mendhar tehsils of Poonch district taking last two days toll to 20. An army porter was also killed during the day in Gursai area of Mendhar. Defence sources said troops of Romeo Force carried out a search operation in Sanji Wali Dhok near Suranthal in Surankot tehsil this afternoon after developing specific inputs about militants’ movement. Militants abandoned their hideout on observing the approaching columns of army, rushed to a surrounding forest area where they took positions and opened heavy firing using assault rifles. Militants also lobbed grenades on troops. The operation was also joined by local police, which had developed the information of militants’ movement in Sanji Wali Dhok, where they were hiding after the killing of two pujaris—Mahant Narotam Das and Baba Devi Das last Monday night. After an hour long fierce gun-fighting, troops eliminated three militants while two others fled deep into the forests. They too were chased and shot dead by army late this afternoon. Army or police didn’t suffer any casualty in the operation. Slain ultras have been identified as Mohd Karim Khan, divisional commander of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) for Surankot, Ismail Khan, logistic commander, Wasim Abbas, Sarwar Khan and Karamat Khan. All of them were Pakistanis and activists of HuM outfit. Sources said all five militants were Pakistanis and were affiliated with HuM outfit. All of them had executed the killings of two pujaris at the behest of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and were being hunted by army since then. In the second incident, troops of Romeo Force launched a search operation for the militants in Sarhuti area of Mendhar after an army porter Razak Hussain Shah son of Hakim Zanat Hussain Shah was shot dead by the ultras in an ambush this morning. Troops chased the militants, who were fleeing after the killing of army porter and trapped them in a forest area late this afternoon. After one and a half hour long exchange of firing, army soldiers succeeded in killing all four militants. Slain ultras have been identified as Islan Niazi, area commander of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Pir Panjal Regiment (HMPPR) for Mendhar, Wahir Ali, Islam Mohd and Mir Ali, all residents of Pakistan. HMPPR has suffered a major setback in Mendhar tehsil with the elimination of Islam Niazi, HMPPR’s commander. Recoveries made from the possession of nine militants included eight AK-56 rifles, one pistol, 24 AK magazines, 305 AK rounds, two magazines and eight rounds of pistol, 39 hand grenades, 26 UBGL, one Kenwood radio set and some incriminating documents. |
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BSF jawans to get full pensionary benefits NEW DELHI, Sept 4: In an important ruling, the Delhi High Court has said all BSF personnel who retired after completion of 55 years of age and 30 years of service, are entitled to full pensionary benefits instead of pension on the pro-rate basis. Allowing a writ petition by retired BSF Commandant M K Khar, challenging the Government decision not to grant him full pensionary benefits after completion of nearly 31 years of service, Justice Mukundakam Sharma in his order said in view of various High Court and Apex Court judgements, the qualifying service for full pension should be 30 years. "When the petitioner (Khar) superannuated, the retiring age being 55 years, the period of qualifying service should be 30 years and, therefore, he is entitled to grant of full pension and other retiral benefits in accordance with the law," Justice Sharma ruled. Directing Government to re-fix Khar’s pension on the basis of 30 years qualifying service, the court said payment of the arrears of unpaid pension should be made to him within two months. "If the Government fails to make the payment within two months, he would be entitled to 12 per cent interest on the amount due from the date of his entitlement till the actual payment," the court said. Accepting argument of Khar’s counsel that Supreme Court had already settled the issue, Justice Sharma said "I find force in the submission of the counsel appearing for the petitioner and direct the respondents to grant full pension benefit to all the similarly situated persons." The court said Government should take a decision within eight weeks to pay full pension benefits to all BSF personnel placed in the same situation as Khar was. The court also directed the Director General of BSF to send intimations regarding revised pension to all retired personnel who would be covered under the order. Khar’s counsel George Paracken and Barkah Babbar had argued that the issue of 30 years qualifying age for full pension to para-military forces personnel retiring at the age of 55 years, has been fully settled by the Supreme Court and the Government should have paid him pension accordingly. The Government had opposed payment of full pension to Khar on the grounds that the qualifying age for such a benefit had now been raised from 30 years to 33 years after enhancing the retiring age from 55 to 58 years. The petitioner was entitled to pension on the basis of pro-rate formula under the 1972 pension rules, framed after implemention of the 5th Pay Commission report. However, the court did not agree with the Government contention and allowed the petition. (PTI) |
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Two injured in Kishtwar Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Sept 4: A Special Task Force (STF) cop and a woman were killed while another constable and a civilian were injured in cross-firing between police and militants at Tangdar in Dachchan area of Kishtwar tehsil in Doda district this morning. In Doda town, shopkeepers downed their shutters in protest against alleged atrocities committed on them by STF. They alleged that four shopkeepers beard and hairs were cut by the cops. Reports said a patrol party of STF was ambushed by the militants from atop a hill in Tangdar village of Dachchan this morning. STF team had gone to upper reaches to track down a group of the militants, who were camping in the village for last about one week. STF jawans also fired back. Exchange of firing between the two sides continued for more than one hour in which STF constable Vipan Kumar and a woman were killed. Another constable identified as Khurshid Alam and a civilian Abdul Rehman son of Ghulam Mohd R/o Dachchan were seriously injured. Militants managed to escape after the encounter. Injured were shifted to Kishtwar from where they were airlifted to Jammu and admitted in Medical College hospital. Enforcement of security forces and police have been rushed to Tangdar to eliminate the militants, numbering between 12 to 15. They were equipped with sophisticated weapons. Another encounter took place between army and militants in Bankoot area of Banihal in Doda last night. A militant was injured in the encounter but he managed to escape leaving behind his one AK-56 rifle, two magazines and some ammunition, which were recovered by security forces. A shopkeeper identified as Mohd Shaffi Nag was shot at and seriously injured by the militants in his house at Deol Marg in Mahore tehsil of Udhampur district last night. The injured shopkeeper has been hospitalised Meanwhile, shopkeepers of majority community in Doda town alleged that they were beaten-up by STF jawans when the latter were conducting a search operation. Shopkeepers alleged that beard and hairs of their four associates were forcibly cut by STF cops. Soon after the incident, shopkeepers downed their shutters and marched to the office of Deputy Commissioner, Doda Shailender Kumar where they sat on dharna shouting anti-STF slogans. The Deputy Commissioner promised an inquiry into the incident. Shopkeepers lifted their dharna but later in a meeting they decided not to open their shops till action was taken against the guilty constables. Meanwhile, dead body of Sub Inspector Gian Chand Sharma, Lines Officer in DPL Doda, who was killed in a fidayeen attack on Sunday night, was cremated at Devika Ghat, Udhampur this afternoon. A large number of people from all walks of life attended the cremation of Gian Chand, who was a resident of Battal Baliyan. |
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Yasin Malik’s application for modification rejected NEW DELHI, Sept 4: A city court today rejected the application of senior Hurriyat Conference leader and JKLF chairman Yaseen Malik seeking modification in its earlier order directing him to obtain the permission of designated court at Jammu to go abroad for his medical treatment. Rejecting Malik’s plea, special judge V K Jain said "the accused cannot be allowed to bypass the designated court at Jammu and go abroad on the strength of permission granted to him by this court alone". "In my view, the accused cannot be allowed to leave the country unless he obtains the requisite clearance from all the courts in which he is facing trial," the judge said. The special court, while permitting Malik to go to the United States for his operation last week, had imposed a condition that he has to obtain a no objection certificate from a designated court at Jammu where he was facing trial in TADA cases before leaving India. The JKLF leader had moved an application seeking modification in the order claiming he failed to obtain the requisite permission from the designated court at Jammu as the presiding officer was on leave. However, the court said, Malik could wait till the presiding officer joins the duty. "In case the presiding officer of designated court at Jammu is on leave, the accused will have to wait till he joins duty," it said. The court said in case Malik feels he needs to be operated upon soon and cannot wait till the presiding judge joins duty, he can get himself operated in India. "He can get himself operated in India as there is no dearth of competent doctors in our country and all the facilities are available in our country in big hospitals. I do no see any justification for modifying the conditions," the judge observed. The special court had last month granted bail to Malik who was arrested for his failure to appear before it and for going abroad in violation of his earlier bail conditions in a pending TADA case. The court had directed him to mark his appearance before the Tilak Marg police station on the 16th of every month. Meanwhile, none of the witnesses appeared before the court. An application was moved on behalf of a witness Gulam Nabi Zilani seeking exemption on ground that he was a patient of alzheimers disease and was unable move and communicate. To this, the court directed CBI to verify whether the witness was in a position to appear and depose before it or not. "In case CBI finds that the witness is in a position to appear and depose in this court, it shall seek summons for the attendence of this witness on the next date of hearing," the court said. Another witness, Bukhari, who was served notice was stated to be out of Delhi and an application was moved on his behalf seeking adjournment. (PTI) |
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Sex racket at DPL
Awantipore Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 4: A Sub Inspector (SI) of Jammu & Kashmir Police has been caught red-handed in a compromising position with two Kashmiri girls at District Police Lines (DPL) Awantipore, late last night. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that reports of sexual escapades had been pouring in against the Lines Officer of DPL Awantipore, SI Tariq Ahmed Bhat (NGO-4484) S/o Mohammad Maqbool Bhat R/o Khanpora Baramulla who had been describing himself as a very influential person and a relative of the former NC leader Saif-ud-din Soz. It was last evening, that SP Pulwama received a tip off according to which the LO had called two young girls for a night’s stay at his official residence, at Letapora. As SP Pulwama passed on the information to SP Operation Pulwama Vijay Kumar—who is presently incharge SP Awantipore—Police raided the LO’s quarter and caught him red-handed. He was found in a compromising position with a 17-year-old girl who had been called from Tral area. While the SI was arrested, both the girls recovered from his residence were rushed to Sub District Hospital Pampore. Dr Saheena examined them and confirmed sexual violation on the 17-year-old girl. Case FIR NO: 130 of 2001 under section 376 RPC has been registered against the SI. Enquiries revealed that during his earlier posting at Tral, SI Tariq Ahmed Bhat had developed intimate relations with a number of young girls and he had seduced them with assurances of fetching them a Government job. On complaint basis, the SI had been transferred to DPL Awantipore. According to reports, people of Tral, Pulwama and Pampore localities have heaved a sigh of relief over the Police action and they have appreciated the performance of SP Pulwama and SP Operations Pulwama in putting the SI behind bars. The SI’s arrest has come amid reports of serious nature that a section of Jammu & Kashmir Police has indulged in flesh trade, immoral trafficking and the more lucrative business of the stolen cars. It is this section of Police officials which has always refused to act against militants but has been ruthless in all actions against the hapless civilians in Kashmir valley. Lack of accountability and irrational promotions to Police officials, without judging their performance, reputation and integrity, during the last four years has led to an unprofessional culture in Police ranks. |
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Govt seeks extension of Jaitly’s services Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: The State Government has approached the Centre for granting extension of services of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly who is retiring on superannuation in January 2002. According to the authoritative sources, the grant for extension has been sought in view of the fact that the State is due for the polls, as the term of the present Assembly is ending by October next year. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, the State Government has also mentioned that since Mr Jaitly is a man of high qualities, dedication and integrity, his services and guidance are required by the Government for accomplishing the task of smooth conduct of elections, the sources added. |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 4: The Government today dismissed Inspector Behari Lal Sharma, SHO, Police Station, Poonch from services. The Governor has approved his termination from service for his conduct and acts of omissions under Class-C of the Proviso of sub-section 2 of Section 126 of constitution of J&K. It may be recalled that the SHO Sharma displayed lack of appropriate response from the police station staff and committed gross dereliction of duty resulting in casualties of seven police personnel during an attack of a group of militans on the police station, Poonch on the intervening night of August 23-24. The militants made easy escape after remaining inside the police station for 15 minutes, firing into different rooms and killing personnel without any resistance. Inspector Behari Lal Sharma who was expected to lead the operation to counter the attack, failed to respond appropriately to the situation and instead hidden inside a room bolted from inside and did not open the door till militants had left and his superior reached the spot. |
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Musharraf-Vajpayee to meet on Sept 25 KARACHI, Sept 4: Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said today that President General Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will meet on September 25 on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York. "We do not expect to finalise the declaration left inconclusive during the Agra summit in India last July but the two leaders would pickup the threads dropped out at Agra," Sattar told reporters in Karachi. Sattar, who had returned from Durban where he lead the Pakistan delegation at the UN racism summit, said the Indian Prime Minister has accepted General Musharraf’s invitation to meet in New York. He reiterated Pakistan’s position on the disputed Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir and said "this issue alone is an obstacle in improving the bilateral relationship with India." "Pakistan has never said that it would talk only on Kashmir but the issue would focus during the talks along with other issues," Sattar said. "Indian propaganda of Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism is false and the freedom movement in the Indian held part of Kashmir is indigenous. Indian attempts to link Islam with terrorism is also vilification and would die its natural death with time," the minister said. Sattar termed the latest US sanction against a Pakistani firm for allegedly acquiring missile parts from China as discriminatory. "India has first conducted the nuclear tests, continuously engaged in developing medium, long-range missiles, but the US does not look at this," he added. Commenting on the US role in the racism conference, which the United States boycotted in support of Israel, the minister said the participants were disappointed because the US could have played a positive role in achieving the goal of human equality. (DPA) |
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Only dialogue can lead to solution: Lone KOZHIKODE, Sept 4: Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Gani Lone today said only dialogue and a human approach would lead to a solution to the vexed Kashmir issue. In an interaction with people from various walks of life arranged here by Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (CHRO), he said gun culture was forced on a section of the youth in Kashmir "by the authoritarian and manipulative policy of the Government." The people of Kashmir could not be "ridden against their will" by introducing "managed regimes," he said. Lone, who reached here along with APHC spokesman, Abdul Majeed Bandey, claimed that none of the Hurriyat leaders believed in violence, but they were not prepared for a "complete surrender." The situation in Kashmir would turn complicated and would be out of the control of the Hurriyat and the Governments of India and Pakistan if "right steps were not taken at the right time." Hurriyat was a peaceful movement fighting for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, he said. Lone alleged that almost all elections in Kashmir were rigged. "Elections were managed, ruling class was managed and rule was put on tender. The entire process was undemocratic," he charged. With the formation of Hurriyat, it was a "wronged people" who had come out with an alternative and called for a meaningful dialogue to settle the dispute, he said, adding only dialogue could bring about peace and political, economic development in the entire South Asian region. If at all the Government was interested in solving the issue, it should talk to the Hurriyat which, he said, represented the people of Kashmir who had been "deceived". While the Centre held direct talks with extremist outfits in the northeast, it posted an interlocutor to talk to the Hurriyat (HC), he said, which was why they rejected the mediation of K C Pant. Lone said the Government was neither inviting them for talks nor allowing others to invite them, criticising the Government for urging Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf not to talk to the conglomerate during his India visit. Lone also accused the Government of "spreading misinformation about a genuine freedom struggle."(PTI) |
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SRINAGAR, Sept 4: Union Civil Aviation Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain today said efforts to resolve the Ayodhya issue through dialogue were continuing and that he was in favour of a solution that is acceptable to both the sides. "Talks are going on as the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had disclosed", he told reporters here. The minister said the solution to the issue should not become a "bone of contention" between the two communities but instead should pave the way for strengthening the bonds of brotherhood. Shahnawaz also denied reports that the centre was saffronising the educational system in the country. "It is untrue and baseless propaganda being carried out by opposition parties as these parties have no other issue to rake up against the Government", he said. The minister denied that the Jammu and Kashmir unit of BJP had made a demand for a division of the State on regional and religious lines. "State BJP leaders have not raked up the issue or supported such a demand", he said. BJP MP from Jammu and Kashmir Vaid Vishnu Dutt, who was present on the occasion, said his party had not made a demand for division of the State on religion or regional basis. About the demand of the State Government to make Srinagar airport an international airport and facilitate direct Haj flights from here, the minister said he will consult officials of his ministry in this connection. Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had made the demand when Shahnawaz called on him here last evening. About the Kashmir situation, he said the Government as well as people of India consider Kashmir "a big problem" and added that the entire nation is concerned about the people of Kashmir. "We are all concerned about Kashmir. Both Hindus and Muslims of the country are with the people of Kashmir at this hour of turmoil", he said. He criticised Hurriyat Conference for not entering into a dialogue with the Government. "They want to talk to Pakistan and not with the Government of the country", he claimed. However, he said there appears to be a "communication gap" between the Government and the people of Kashmir, and added the issue could be resolved through talks. (PTI) |
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India asks Pak to exercise restraint CAPE TOWN, Sept 4: Taking strong exception to recent statements by Pakistani leaders on Kashmir, India today said if Islamabad did not exercise restraint, the Vajpayee-Musharraf meeting at New York later this month was unlikely to make any headway. "It is expected in order to achieve success after summit level talks at Agra that maturity and restraint is exercised supportively to maintain the commitment towards dialogue by Pakistan," Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah, who arrived here on a two-day official visit, told PTI. He said given the tone and the substance of the recent statements by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar and "the fact that Pakistan is refraining from learning from the recent experience and is not exhibiting any desire publicly to work towards stability and cooperation in the region, I wonder if any purpose will be served by the meeting in New York." Abdullah was reacting to a statement made by Musharraf during his address in the legislative Assembly of Northern Areas where he had stated that solving of Kashmir issue was a pre-condition to normalisation of ties between the two countries. Abdullah also criticised the statement made by Pakistani Foreign Minister at Durban where he stated that jehad in Kashmir was misconstrued as terrorism. "We would like to state emphatically that India has a secular Constitution and respects all religions practised in the country while Pakistan has a notoriety of supporting cross-border terrorism and propping up of Taliban in Afghanistan," he said. Rejecting Musharraf’s statement as "far from truth" that Indian Cabinet was divided on signing of joint declaration at Agra, Abdullah said "we never agreed for any draft and it is not necessary to reaffirm to Pakistan that unity of purpose on the Kashmir issue is not only found within the Union Cabinet but in the entire country." He said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had made it clear in Parliament and "I would like to reiterate that India had abandoned a quest for joint declaration mainly because Pakistan insisted on settlement of Jammu and Kashmir issue as a pre-condition for normalisation of the relations and also a reluctance to acknowledge and address cross border terrorism which is well known to the international community".(PTI) |
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