 |
|
Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, May 12: Two minor brothers were roasted alive and two others were injured while over 40 shops, 35 houses and a religious place were gutted in a devastating blaze in congested Ukhral village of Banihal tehsil in Doda district late last night. Reasons behind the fire that virtually reduced an entire locality to ashes in more than three hours sky-rocketing flames hadn’t been ascertained so far but the investigating authorities have ruled out a sabotage. Official reports here said the fire started from a wooden made shop at 2345 hours last night and within no time spread to the adjacent shops and houses, majority of which were the wooden structures. A religious place was also engulfed in the blaze and gutted. Majority of panic stricken people rushed out of their houses leaving behind their goods and fled to safety. However, several others, who were asleep in the houses when the fire spread, were trapped inside. Army and CRPF jawans, who were staying in their pickets in Ukhral, immediately rushed to the scene and started a rescue operation. Local people said two CRPF jawans of 120 battalion—Parmod Kumar and Ranjit Kumar Sinha put their lives to risk and rescued 10 members of Abdul Majid’s family including two children Nawaz Ahmed and Shabir Ahmed, who had been trapped in ground floor of their double-storey house. Similarly, army and police personnel rescued 20 other trapped persons including women and children from their houses. However, two minor boys, both brothers, were not so lucky as they were trapped inside their wooden house, which was the first to catch fire alongwith a shop. Para-military personnel and some local youths made an attempt to bring the boys out of their burning house but they couldn’t succeed as the fire spread to entire house within seconds. Both the brothers were roasted alive inside their house. They have been identified as Mohd Arif, 10 and Mohd Asif, 7, sons of Mohd Rafiq. Arif was a fourth class student while Asif was a second class student in local school. Mohd Sharif Ahmed son of Alaf Din Runyal and Umesh Singh were injured in the fire. They have been hospitalised. Sharif was today referred to Emergency Hospital, Ramban in view of his critical condition, the reports said. Police parties from Banihal and fire tenders from Banihal, Ramban and Batote were sent to Ukhral, about 40 kilometers from Banihal. The fire tenders reached Ukhral at 0230 hours after trekking through the kucha roads but by that time, the maximum damage had been done. Fire fighting personnel fought till early hours of this morning to control the flames. A total of 40 shops, 35 houses and a religious place were reduced to ashes in the fire. Today morning, Deputy Commissioner Doda, SSP Ramban Karnail Singh and Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Banihal Rupinder Kumar Chalotra besides officers of Revenue Department visited Ukhral to assess the damage caused in the worst ever fire tragedy in Banihal tehsil. Goods worth several lakhs of rupees were burnt in the fire in the houses and shops, the reports said, adding the exact damage was yet to be ascertained. More than 300 people including women and children were rendered homeless in the fire. Authorities have arranged tented accommodation for them while some local organisations arranged food for the victims, who were inconsolable having lost their entire household goods including the costlier ones. The shopkeepers too lost their goods and cash in the fire. Police or civil administration couldn’t explain immediately the reasons behind the fire. A sabotage was, however, ruled out by both as village Ukhral was covered with deployment of army and CRPF from both the sides. Since the electricity supply was off in the village when the fire spread, the possibility of a short circuit was also completely out of question, official sources said, but admitted that in all possibilities the fire was accidental. Even local people too admitted that fire might have spread accidentally. Local people told this visiting correspondent in Ukhral that there was no ambulance in the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in the village. Also there was no fire tender, they pointed out. The visiting correspondent saw some people searching remnants of their houses through the ashes. At some place, the goods were still burning in the shops. Many people got fainted after seeing their shops having been reduced to a rubble. "Everything was okay when I closed the shop at 1800 hours. And now, everything is lost. Nothing has survived", a wailing hardware shop owner Mohd Arif said and asked :"how will I feed my three children and wife now"? Local people and shopkeepers appealed to the administration to compensate them for the losses suffered by them. Though the authorities did promise compensation to the fire victims, they admitted that the compensation, provided under rules in such cases, might be too meager to compensate for the heavy losses suffered by the people. |
|
Ansari reveals links with Sheikh NEW DELHI, May 12: In a significant disclosure, Aftab Ansari, the alleged mastermind of the Kolkata American Center attack, has revealed he had a close association with Saeed Omar Aheikh, prime accused in the US journalist Daniel Pearl kidnap-cum-murder case, and that the latter had provided him "all kinds of support" for his activities. Revealing close nexus between Pakistan-based terrorists and Indian underworld, Ansari also told his interrogators that the January 22 attack was undertaken because Lashker-e-Toiba wanted to take revenge against the US and he wanted to avenge the killing of his close associate Asif Raza Khan by police. Ansari, who is in the custody of Delhi Police since last Monday, has also disclosed that he met Omar Sheikh, a senior leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist outfit, first in an Indian jail, sources told PTI here. Sheikh was among the three terrorists released in December 1999 to end the Indian Airlines plane hijacking crisis. Ansari later went to Pakistan and Omar Sheikh provided all kinds of logistical and other kinds of support to him there. "Omar Sheikh even got Ansari’s Pakistani passport made in the name of Azhar in February 2001," the sources said, adding he had stayed in Pakistan for over a year. Omar Sheikh was also instrumental in introducing Ansari to ISI operatives who sought the latter’s cooperation in carrying out its subversive activities in India, the sources said. Ansari, who was deported to India from Dubai in February, has also disclosed his close association with LeT’s launching commander Azam Cheema, his deputy Fahadullah, Abdul Karim alias Tunda, and three Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami (HUJI) militants — Mufti Kifayatullah alias Zafar, a Pak-based Indian, Javed Varaich and Mehboob alias Noor. "The plan to carry out the attack on American center on January 22 this year was conceived by Ansari and LeT commander Fahadullah in Pakistan under ISI’s guidance," the sources said citing Ansari’s confessions. "The attack was motivated mainly by LeT’s desire to take revenge on the us for its actions in Afghanistan and Ansari’s desire to avenge killing of his close associate Asif Raza Khan in a shootout with police," they said. Asif Raza Khan was killed by Rajkot Police when he tried to flee during investigations in connection with the kidnapping of a Gujarat-based Diamond Merchant. Ansari has also revealed that he had got several militants of different terrorist outfits settled in India through his close aides — Asif Raza Khan, Arshad Khan alias Masab, Anita Das, Tariq Mehboob alias Naeem, Mohd Idrish alias Wazid and Mohd Saleem. Asif Raza Khan, Arshad Khan and Anita Das, who were working under the direct control of Ansari, were arrested by the police in October last from the Lodhi Garden parking area. (PTI) |
|
|
CHENNAI, May 12: Tamil Mannila Congress, floated by veteran Congress leader G K Moopanar in 1996 after his opposition to the Congress’s alliance with the AIADMK for the State Assembly election, today decided to merge with its parent party, the Congress. The merger decision was announced by Moopanar’s son and party president G K Vasan, after a meeting with AICC observers Oscar Fernandes and Ramesh Chennithala, who were deputed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to discuss the issue. The three leaders said the modalities of the merger would be discussed at a meeting between Sonia Gandhi and Vasan at New Delhi soon. During the meeting, TMC leaders are understood to have demanded 75 per cent of the DCC presidentships, the TNCC presidentship, a membership in the Congress Working Committee, besides an AICC post for Vasan. Though AICC observers denied that the issue had come up for discussions, they said all these matters would be sorted out at between Sonia and Vasan, who is leaving for New Delhi tomorrow. (PTI) |
|
|
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 12: A property dealer was murdered and his body burnt alongwith his motor-cycle by some unidentified persons at village Baglayana near Darap under Satwari police station’s jurisdiction last night. Victim has been identified as 36-year old Yudhvir Singh, a resident of Baglayana. His partners in the property business were missing and were being searched, police said. Singh was a National Conference activist and Panch from Baglayana. Yudhvir Singh was last seen in his fields at Baglayana till 2100 hours last night by the local people. In the morning, he was found burnt alive alongwith his motor-cycle in a dhok at Baglayana, police said. SP City (South) Raghubir Singh and SDPO Nitish Kumar alongwith SHO Satwari visited the spot early today. Police found blood stains near a well. At about 50 yards ahead, police found a blood stained towel while at another 50 yards distance, police saw the burnt dhok. Police believed that Yudhvir Singh had been murdered near the well and then his body thrown in the dhok alongwith motor-bike and set on fire. This was done to finish the evidence, they said. However, police have established that Yudhvir Singh had been murdered. Police said some persons, who were partners in property business with Yudhvir, were missing from their houses. Searches have been launched to arrest them, they added. A murder case has also been registered at Satwari police station. |
|
Kalidhar forest fire
still spreading Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, May 12: The devastating fire in the forests of Billawar, parts of Hiranagar and Basohli in district Kathua continues to give sleepless nights to the villagers, the Forest officials and of course, the wild life in the area. For the last one week, the fire continues to spread in many areas causing extensive damage to the forest wealth and the wild life. The threat posed to the people residing in small hamlets and ‘Dhoks’ in the forests has forced them to shift to the safer locations alongwith their cattle. The reports received from Billawar and adjoining areas indicated that forest fire is spreading to the north-east of Billawar forests and fine green forest cover of Sundri kot has suffered massive damage. Not only this forest range but the areas south of it towards Ujh river, Panjtirthi has also been badly affected. Reports from Ramkot revealed that Galak, Thein, Samna Banj, and middle Shivalik ranges are under severe fire for the last several days. The locals allege that in the beginning no effective measures were taken by the officials from the concerned Forest Division. Moreover, the concerned DFO, Mr Kala had been already briefed by the staff at lower level. The fire went on spreading and now it has posed a threat in the entire division. Village Sarpanch, Dingamb Kuldip Gupta pointed out that no contingency plan appeared to have with the Forest department for meeting such challenges and villagers continue to have sleepless nights due to spreading fire. The temperature of the area has also gone high and the population near forests is scared. He said need of the hour is to launch massive operation with the help of army or to have major crisis management team deployed for the task which may work with the villagers. He said Fire Services authorities have no role here because they are unable to reach in the forests. Chief Conservator of Forests Jammu, Mr R D Tiwari who hardly joined his new assignment on Thursday, said that he is in constant touch with the concerned officials and monitoring situation closely. The Control rooms of the Forest Protection Force are in operation round the clock and forest in some areas has been contained. He claimed that some inputs from Forest Protection Force Kathua have indicated that fire in Budhi, Jathana, Ghati and adjoining forests has been contained and FPF men are being deployed as per the requirement. At the same time he maintained that department has not such sufficient force to deal with the situation. With the available infrastructure and manpower, the department is doing its best. Mr Tiwari also appealed the public especially from rural areas to assist the Forest officials in containing fire and not to indulge in any act which may cause massive devastation to forests. Responding to a question he further pointed out that Deputy Commissioner is only nodal officer to approach army for any help or the crisis management. No doubt the department has also the contingency plan but no sufficient infrastructure is available with us. He however, claimed that in some areas the fire has come down and in Sundri Kote area also, some respite has been observed. But it is not possible now to assess the loss at this juncture. Responding to another question, he said the fire has also engulfed the forests of Kali Dhar in Akhnoor, Chowki Chora and Sunderbani areas but there are no reports about much devastation. However, the inputs from Akhnoor area have indicated that several forest enclosures have been damaged in the fire in Chowkichora area of Kalidhar and massive loss has been caused to green forests. |
|
IAF to give go ahead to flight resumption of MiG-21 NEW DELHI, May 12: After undertaking intensive checks, the Indian Air Force is poised to give a go ahead to resumption of flights of upgraded versions of MiG-21 jet fighters, which were grounded after recent crashes of two of the older type 75 variants in quick successions. Indicating this, the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy told PTI that the court of inquiry ordered to probe the crashes suspected due to sudden engine flameout had cleared the upgraded version for flying operation. "The go ahead in flights on upgraded versions would be given later this week", he said. Indian Air Force has ordered upgradation of a total of 125 of MiG-21 BIS fighter with Russian and Israeli help with Krishnaswamy saying that the entire fleet would be inducted into the IAF by 2004-2005. Ten upgraded aircrafts have already been inducted into Indian Air Force. The upgraded version MiG-21-93 are powered by the same R-25 engines, the types which allegedly failed causing last weeks’ crash of older MiG-21 type 75 variants. Following rising concern over a spate of MiG-21 crashes, Russian experts have been called in to join the probe into the failures of the fighter jet engines. Russian experts have flown in here to join technicians from Hindustan Aeronautics and IAF to examine the R-25 engines following the crash. Top IAF officials said the experts would carry out comprehensive checks on the R-25 engines adding that though the upgraded jets were powered by the same engines, it had more sophisticated ancilliary systems and more powerful gearbox. "Nevertheless checks would also be carried out in these aircraft" they said. On the upgradation programme the Air Chief said that it will continue as scheduled. The crashes have led to the grounding of 72 of these fighters powered by the same engines now being manufactured here under licence from Russian Mikoyan Bureau. On these grounded squadrons Krishnaswamy said aircraft examinations would be done minutely squadron-by-squadron indicating that a court of inquiry may be given more time to allow experts to have a thorough check of these aircrafts. A total of 84 MiG-21 fighters have crashed during the past five years prompting two key parliamentary committees——public accounts committee and standing committee— to demand phasing out of the aircraft. However, officials said the two type 75 variants, which had crashed last, week had not reached the end of their technical lifespan of 2,685 flying hours. (PTI) |
|
|
LUCKNOW, May 12: Atleast 12 persons, including a woman, were killed and over 100 others injured when the engine and 13 bogies of New Delhi-Patna Shramjeevi Express derailed near Jaunpur early today, railway officials said. However, officials in New Delhi put the death toll at eight. Three of the victims have been identified as Mritunjay Srivastava of Varanasi, Sri Ram of Buxar and Roshan Jabbar, a woman passenger from Bhagalpur. The injured have been admitted to hospitals in Mehrawan and Jaunpur, they said. Senior railway officials have reached the spot and are supervising rescue and relief operations, the sources said adding a relief train carrying the stranded passengers has left for Patna. Railway Minister Nitish Kumar told reporters in Patna that some fish plates have been found removed and lying near the tracks. "We may not rule out sabotage, but a statutory inquiry is being ordered into the cause of the derailment," he said. The minister said sufficient arrangements have been made for the treatment of the injured adding most of the victims belonged to Bihar. The mishap occurred at 3.45 am between Khetha Sarai and Mehrawan Stations on the Lucknow-Varanasi section of the Northern Railways. (PTI) |
|
Pak army planned to attack India with nuclear missiles during Kargil war LONDON, May 12: The Pakistani army mobilised its nuclear arsenal against India in 1999 - during the Kargil conflict — without the knowledge of its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Sunday Times reported today quoting a senior White House Adviser at that time. In a paper to be published shortly by the University of Pennsylvania, Bruce Riedel, who was a senior adviser to then US President Bill Clinton on India and Pakistan, recalls how the President was told that he faced the most important foreign policy meeting of his career. "There was disturbing information about Pakistan preparing its nuclear arsenal," Riedel writes. According to the report, Riedel and other aides feared that India and Pakistan were heading for a "deadly descent into full-scale conflict, with a danger of nuclear cataclysm". They were also concerned about Osama bin Laden’s growing influence in the region. Intelligence experts had told Riedel that the flight times of missiles fired by either side would be as little as three minutes and that "a Pakistani strike on just one Indian city, Mumbai, would kill between 150,000 and 850,000 alone". Riedel, the newspaper said, told Clinton not to reveal his intelligence hand in the opening talks with Sharif, in which the President handed the premier a cartoon that showed Pakistan and India firing nuclear missiles at one another. But in a second discussion, at which Riedel was the only other person present, "Clinton asked Sharif if he knew how advanced the threat of nuclear war really was. Did Sharif know his military was preparing their missiles?" he writes. While Clinton reminded Sharif how close the US and Soviet Union had come to nuclear war in 1962 over Cuba, Sharif agreed it would be a catastrophe even if a single bomb was dropped. Riedel does not state in the paper how the Americans gathered their intelligence, nor what the mobilisation entailed. But John Pike, Director of the Washington-based Global Security Organisation, said intelligence channels could have become aware of the trucks that carry Pakistan’s nuclear missiles being moved from their bases at Sargodha, near Rawalpindi. "One scenario is that missile trucks were picked up parked in a convoy," he said. Clinton drove home the advantage that the intelligence coup had given him, Riedel recalls. "Did Sharif order the Pakistani nuclear missile force to prepare for action," the Prime Minister was asked. "Did he realise how crazy that was?" Riedel describes how an "exhausted" Sharif "denied he had ordered the preparation and said he was against that, but worried for his life back in Pakistan". Soon afterwards Sharif, who now lives in exile in Saudi Arabia, signed a document agreeing to pull back his forces from Kargil. If, as Riedel implies, Sharif was kept in the dark about his nuclear programme, he suffered a similar embarrassment to that of his predecessor, Benazir Bhutto, who is said to have asked the CIA for a briefing on Islamabad’s nuclear capability because that privilege was denied to her by her own Generals. According to the newspaper, a recent report by the CIA, Global Trends 2015, predicts that the threat of nuclear war will remain a serious regional issue for the next 15 years. By next year Pakistan is thought likely to have between 50 and 75 nuclear warheads, while India will have between 75 and 100, the report said.(PTI) |
|
Srinagar-Leh NH re-opens today SRINAGAR, May 12: Despite fresh snowfall recently, the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh National Highway will reopen tomorrow after remaining closed for six months of winter. The first convoy will be flagged off by General Officer Commanding 15 Corps tomorrow from here as the snow clearance operation has almost been completed, Lt. Colonel Mukhtiar Singh, PRO Defence said. Chief Engineer Beacon Projects Brigadier J J Manavalan said that reopening of the highway, which was closed for vehicular traffic in November last year for six months because of heavy snowfall, was delayed this year as there was fresh snowfall in the first week of May. He said latest sophisticated imported machines were pressed into service to make way between ten feet to 24 feet snow that had accumulated on the highway. About the avalanche prone areas, Brig Manavalan said we have taken care of these areas. "However, in case of heavy rain or more snowfall there was threat of avalanches." He said no damage to machines or human life has occurred during the snow clearance operation. Hundreds of vehicles, most trucks loaded with essential commodities, ply between Srinagar to Kargil, Leh and other areas of Ladakh region daily during summer months. (UNI) |
|
Dar led Hizb to expel Salahuddin NEW DELHI, May 12: After efforts for reconciliation failed between the factions led by Abdul Majid Dar and Syed Salahuddin, the dominant Kashmiri militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen is likely to soon announce expulsion of Salahuddin and some other leaders besides dissociating itself from the Islamabad-based Command Council. The move is aimed at establishing complete local control over the outfit besides re-structuring its Command Council which would be headed by Dar, who was expelled by Islamabad-based Command Council for his "anti-Hizb" activities. Terming the decision to expel Salahuddin as a "hard one", sources close to Dar told PTI the Hizb leaders in the Valley were left with no option but to expel "the leaders sitting across the border" and only "narrating what had been fed to them." "By terming Dar and other leaders of Hizb, who have sacrified the comfort of their life for the Kashmir cause, as traitors, they (Pakistan-based Command Council of Hizb) have insulted each and every Kashmiri," the sources said. The Hizbul Mujahideen sources said this had left the group with no other option than to expel Salahuddin and other leaders of the outfit, who were "speaking the language of their masters who had been milking the Kashmir cause for their own benefit." The two sides had been holding discussions through intermediatories for revocation of the expulsion of the leaders including Dar. However, the efforts did not succeed as Pakistan based leadership, apparently under "pressure", refused to go in for reconciliation, the sources said. Refusing to bow to pressure from Pakistan-based Command Council, Dar-led Hizb would also announce that the group controlled by them was the real Hizb and not the one controlled by its leadership across the border. "We are the real recruits of Hizbul Mujahideen and our claim cannot be belied by parrot-narrating a statement fed by some others," the sources said in a veiled reference to ISI. Dar along with Assad Yazdani and Zaffar Abdul Fateh were expelled by PoK-based Hizb’s Central Command Council on May four, which was followed by expulsion of two more leaders. Terming the decision of so-called expulsion of Dar as "most unfortunate" in the history of Kashmir struggle, the sources said that "those sitting on the cosy beds in Islamabad cannot realise the difficulties being faced by the Hizb cadres while fighting the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir." "Anyone cannot negate his (Dar’s) contribution by a mere statement. If they have guts then they should cross over the Line of Control and see for themselves the ground realities in the Valley," they said. The Hizb sources said differences had started cropping up between the Valley-based Command and Pakistan-based leadership soon after the announcement of July 2000 ceasefire. The expulsion of Dar, Fateh and Yazdani is seen as a fresh move by ISI to control Hizbul Mujahideen. The 50-year-old Dar, considered to be a moderate leader, had last year said that any positive outcome between India and Pakistan would help the group in shunning the path of violence. However, days after this statement, the Hizb Command Council removed Dar from the post of chief commander in Valley and appointed Saif-ul-Islam in his place. Without naming anyone, the sources said that some "vested interests were trying to make inroads into the outfit as the organisation was only one with 90 per cent of Kashmiri cadre." The May four declaration of Pakistan-based Hizb also evoked sharp reaction from other commanders of the outfit. As many as six local commanders have been rallying behind Dar and expressed complete support to him in his revolt against Islamabad-based Command Council, Hizb sources said. (PTI) |
|
8 soldiers
killed, several injured; houses damaged Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, May 12: Pakistan’s strategic Raja Rani post, which India had captured in 1965 war but only to be gifted away by the then rulers, was completely destroyed in retaliatory shelling by Indian army in wee hours of this morning opposite Shahpur sub sector. Twelve bunkers of Pakistan army around Raja Rani post were also damaged and atleast eight enemy soldiers were believed to be killed and dozen others injured in the post. "Pakistan’s Raja Rani post, which was instrumental in three recent infiltration attempts by Pakistani terrorists through Shahpur area of Poonch sector, has been reduced to a rubble. It didn’t exist at all now", a Defence official told EXCELSIOR this evening. "We acted to stop infiltration of the terrorists to our side, which was being facilitated by Pakistan army officers through Raja Rani post", he said, adding Indian troops retaliated after Pakistan side resorted to heavy mortar shelling and artillery firing in Shahpur, Digwar, Mill Dallan and Sokar villages over-night. Raja Rani post was manned by 20 soldiers of Pakistan army at a given time. In addition, it was surrounded by atleast 12 bunkers, each manned by two soldiers, the sources said, adding atleast eight enemy soldiers died when the strategic post was destroyed while a dozen others were injured. The post was destroyed at 0430 hours. By 0515 hours, Indian army witnessed hectic activity on Pakistan side with troops being rushed in to the destroyed post. Five ambulances were seen shifting the dead and injured to hospitals, the sources said. All 12 bunkers of Pakistan army, surrounding Raja Rani post, were also destroyed in retaliatory action by Indian side. According to sources, the brave Indian troops had captured Raja Rani post, opposite Shahpur sub sector in 1965 war with Pakistan but the then rulers had subsequently returned it to Pakistan. Through Raja Rani post, the distance of Poonch to Kashmir is reduced to just 54 kilometers, they pointed out. They said the shelling and artillery firing from Pakistan side was heaviest in last two months. A total of 1200 mortar and artillery shells were reported to have been fired by Pakistan army in four forward villages in Poonch sector. Over 25 houses, abandoned by the villagers in January this year in view of intensified skirmishes between Indo-Pak troops on the Line of Control (LoC), were extensively damaged in the shelling over-night. However, there were no casualties, the sources said. Last fortnight had witnessed almost daily exchange of mortar shelling between Indo-Pak troops. Intensified shelling by Pakistan army was attributed to giving a cover to the infiltrators, who included Pakistan and Afghan terrorists. During the fortnight, more than 50 foreign mercenaries had been eliminated by army and police on the LoC as well as general areas in this district, indicating a spurt in infiltration with melting of snow on the upper reaches. Troops of Poonch Brigade were jubilant over destroying Raja Rani post of Pakistan army, which they described as a ‘very big success’ going by the strategic position it gave to the enemy troops. Reliable reports indicated that the troops might not allow Pakistan army to re-build Raja Rani post to check infiltration of the terrorists. "Destroying Raja Rani post had become a must to curb the intrusions", the sources said but admitted that ‘the incident could give a new dimension to ongoing skirmishes on the LoC. "We are prepared to give a befitting reply to Pakistan army. All necessary steps would be taken to check infiltrations of the terrorists", the sources said. Meanwhile, mortar shelling was also reported from Sher Makri forward village in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district between 2115 to 2135 hours last night. It was replied by Indian side effectively. However, no casualties or damage was reported on Indian side. Our Jammu correspondent adds: Indo-Pak troops continued to exchange heavy firing on the International Border in Jammu sector last night. Villages, where the exchange of firing took place, Old and New Kanachak, Pinjore, Rajpora, Lalyal, Gole Pattan, Chinore Farm, Manyari, Rajbagh, Chandan Chako and Karol. Exchange of firing was stated to be routine. |
|
5 killed, 3 kidnapped in Valley SRINAGAR, May 12: Five people were killed and three others were abducted by militants in separate incidents in the Kashmir valley since last night, a police spokesman said today. A group of militants attacked village Butshungni-Winder in Kupwara district last night and opened indiscriminate fire, killing two and wounding another, he said. Another person who was also reportedly injured in the incident was found missing and is believed to have been abducted by ultras, the spokesman said. Militants abducted two persons from their houses in Ayatmullah village in Baramulla district, he said. Meanwhile, the body of one Nazir Ahmad Malla was fished out by police from river Jhelum near Padshahibagh in Srinagar today. Malla, a resident of Pampore, was missing for the past few days and the cause of his death was being investigated, he said. Police also recovered the body of one, Sattar Lone from Potlibagh in Badgam district last evening, the spokesman said. He said one Bashir Ahmad, who was injured when militants opened fire inside his house at Nandipora-Beerwah in Badgam on Friday night, succumbed to his injuries in hospital today. His father was killed instantly on Friday during the incident. The spokesman said Special Operations Group of local police apprehended a militant of Hizbul Mujahideen from Ganderbal area on the outskirts of Srinagar last night and seized a gas cylinder fitted with explosive material, two detonators, a grenade, one under-barrel grenade launcher and fuse wire from him, the spokesman added. (PTI) |
|
|
|
|
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |