Malhi new CS; Cabinet meet on Apr 24
Jaitly to takeover as CM’s Principal Advisor on May 1

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 21: Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Mr I S Malhi will be the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, relieving present incumbent, Mr Ashok Jaitly, who will be the Principal Advisor to Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah from next month. Highly placed authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that Mr Malhi will take over as Chief Secretary from Mr Jaitly, here on April 30, whose term ends that day. Mr Jaitly, who was due to retire in January last on superannuation, was granted three months extension.ontent with what one had was the root cause of many ills in the society............more

2 Pak militants killed in Kupwara encounter
Two non-Kashmiris slaughtered in Anantnag

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 21: Even as two militants have been eliminated by security forces in a gunbattle in Kupwara today, militants have shot dead an Army source in Budgam district and two non-Kashmiri traders have been slaughtered to death in Anantnag.....................more

Over-stretching of BSF, CRPF jawans affect efficiency

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Apr 21: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has received significant signals from the chiefs of the two crucial organizations, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), vis-a-vis the adverse results from the over-stretching of the paramilitary personnel. The Director General of BSF has been devastatingly blunt in bringing to the fore his finding that over-stretching of his force is adversely affecting the operational efficiency, while the CRPF’s DG has argued that "excessive commitment" of his force is taking its toll by affecting physical and Psychological well-being of the personnel..............more

Militants make civilian prey on suspicion of being army moles

SRINAGAR, Apr 21: Around 150 civilians have been killed by militants in south Kashmir during the past six months on suspicions of being involved in counter-insurgency operations, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Victor Force, R S Jamwal has said. "Information gathered by us through ......more

Civilian killed, another kidnapped
Two Pakistani terrorists eliminated in Mendhar

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Apr 21: Army eliminated two Pakistani terrorists in an hour long encounter in Gursai area of Mendhar tehsil this afternoon while the ultras gunned down a civilian in Gambhir Mugalan area of Manjakote in neighbouring Rajouri district last night. Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah’s ‘bid’ to be the next President of India.............more

13 killed, as fresh violence hits Gujarat

AHMEDABAD, Apr 21 : At least 13 people were today killed and 100 injured as members of two communities clashed and houses and shops were set on fire in widespread violence here and Kheda and Mehsana districts of Gujarat even as Defence Minister George Fernandes claimed improvement in the situation in the State. ...........more

Sahani meets Saxena, Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 21: Sikkim Governor Kedar Nath Sahani today called on the Governor, Mr. G C Saxena at Raj Bhavan. Mr. Sahani is currently on a 3-day visit to Jammu.............more

Army toll 3 in Surankote encounter.....