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26 grenades among seizure Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Dec 16: Continuing anti-militancy operations swiftly, troops gunned down nine hardcore militants, mostly foreign mercenaries in three fierce gun-battles since last evening and recovered a huge quantity of arms and explosives including seven rifles and 26 grenades. According to official sources, troops raided several suspected hideout of the militants in Thanna Mandi and Darhal areas of this border district following reports of increased presence of militants in both the areas including foreign mercenaries. Sources said Army personnel sighted a big group of militants moving towards their hideout in Khari Murg area of Thanna Mandi in the wee hours of this morning. Militants opened heavy firing on the approaching Army personnel and launched grenade attacks towards them. Army jawans fired back and engaged militants in the encounter. The gun-battle continued for more than two hours during which Army personnel gunned down seven top militants without sustaining any casualty on their side. Dead bodies of all the seven militants have been recovered by the Army team and handed over to local police for identification, which hasn’t been carried out as yet. Sources said going by their faces and dresses, most of the slain militants were suspected to be foreign mercenaries. Army recovered seven AK-47 and 56 rifles, 18 hand grenades, five rifle grenades, three grenade launchers, 25 detonators, one pistol, Rs 5000 in cash and 26 magazines of assault rifles from the scene of encounter. Some documents and letter heads of militants’ outfit were also recovered from them. Further searches were going on in the area in anticipation of the presence of another militants’ group in the area, which has been sealed by the Army. Senior Army officers were also camping at the site to supervise the search operations. Killings of seven hardcore militants in a single encounter was stated to be a major success of the Army, which had intensified search operations in the entire border district of Rajouri. Another hardcore militant was gunned down by the Army at Dadoj village in same Thanna Mandi area this morning. His identity couldn’t be established but he was stated to be a Sudanese national. One rifle and some ammunition was recovered from his possession. Another militant was killed in an encounter with Army personnel in Darhal area at 0300 hours today. Identity of this militant was also not established. His body has been handed over to Darhal police station. Some arms and ammunition were recovered from the militant. In yet another incident, three militants were apprehended in village Siot, 10 km North of Rajouri. One AK-47 rifles was recovered from their person. Their identity is being ascertained. The army succeeded in neutralizing so many militants in a day in Rajouri district because of the pro-active stance of the Army against the militants, a defence spokesman said an amazing but true picture has emerged from the killing of a militant at village Dadoj today that the state of morale in the rank and file of foreign militants was sagging. The militants killed at Dadoj, today was injured in an operation at Gharad on December 7, in which seven militants were killed. His colleagues carried him upto the village Dadoj and then left him in a secluded house. His colleague had also taken away his rifle and left only two hand grenades for the safety of this helpless militant. The local villagers informed the Army about the presence of this foreign militant in a house at Dadoj. The militant tried to throw a grenade at the approaching army column but was knocked down by a volley of fire. The house was surprisingly also found locked from outside. The sagging morale and falling spirit-de-corps of militant cadres is the outcome of the mounting pressure of the security forces and confidence of the local populace. Leaving an injured colleague and caring for only their own personal safety are not only the signs of defeat of the nefarious objectives of the ISI, but will also be an eye opener to the youths to desist from joining the militants cadres due to the distrust, the spokesman said. He said, another positive change emerging in the district of Rajouri and Poonch is that the local residents are coming out with the information about the presence of militants, which is a sign of developing confidence among themselves, the administration and the security forces. |
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policemen suspended, probe ordered Excelsior Correspondent KATRA, Dec 16: Two detenues escaped from the custody of Katra police station in the early hours of this morning by breaking iron rods of the lock up. Five police officials have been placed under suspension for de-reliction of duty while the Government has ordered a high level inquiry into the incident. The escaped detenues have been identified as Rakesh Kumar son of Sattar Ahmed, a resident of Sailan Talab, Udhampur and Gulzar Ahmed son of Sattar Ahmed, a resident of Sudh Mahadev. Rakesh was involved in a rape case while Gulzar Ahmed was a burglar. SP Katra Mr Yog Raj Sharma, who has been named as Inquiry Officer in the case, told EXCELSIOR quoting preliminary investigations that both the detenues escaped from lock-up of police station around 0400 hours. They broke iron rods of the lock-up with a sharp edged razor and fled from the police station when guards and other police personnel on duty were reportedly asleep. They were the only two detenues lodged in the police station lock-up. They left the razor on the spot. The detenues’ escape was detected at about 0530 hours when guards returned to duty and saw the lock-up broken. They sounded the senior officers including SP Mr Yog Raj Sharma who immediately rushed to the spot alongwith DySP Mr Madan Lal Thappa. Police sounded a red alert in Katra and all other areas of Jammu region and flashed a message to Police Control Room (PCR) Jammu besides police stations and naka parties to re-arrest the absconders. Police parties of Katra police station also fanned out in different directions and raided the houses of accused, their relatives and friends to get clues about their whereabouts. However, no breakthrough had been made till late this evening even as police continued its efforts to get the accused back in police custody. Meanwhile, SP Katra has ordered suspension of five police officials including one Selection Grade Constable (SGC) and four constables for alleged de-reliction of duty. They have been identified as Tilak Raj, Selection Grade Constable, Yakeen Ali, Deepak Sharma, Yashpal Kumar and Raj Kumar, all constables. Authorities have also ordered an inquiry into the escape of detenues. The inquiry will be conducted by SP Katra. He has been asked to submit his report immediately for taking action against other police officials responsible for negligence on duty. Police said Rakesh Kumar had been arrested by Katra police about eight days ago for his involvement in raping a mentally-deranged girl. He had been booked under Section 376 RPC under FIR No. 237/98. Gulzar Ahmed was arrested by the same police four days back for his involvement in a burglary and had been booked under Sections 457/380 RPC under FIR No. 68/98. Police said all five suspended police officials were on night duty at the police station. However, the detenues’ escape showed that police personnel were either asleep or intentionally posed so to facilitate the escape. They didn’t rule out the possibility of some police officials having connived with the detenues to ensure their escape. The fact that a sharp-edged razor was smuggled inside the lock-up points out to police involvement, they added. Police hunt for
saboteur Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 16: Border Police today seized 15 kgs RDX, smuggled by the Pakistani saboteurs into this side of the border, from near Basantar river in Supwal area under the jurisdiction of Samba police station. This was second explosives consignment seized by the Border Police during last two days. SSP Border Police Dr Kamal Saini said a Samba police station party carried out searches along Basantar river in the early hours of this morning following a report received from reliable quarters that ISI saboteurs have succeeded in smuggling an explosives consignment from across the border and dumped it along Basantar river for picking it up at an opportune time. After thorough searches, police parties succeeded in recovering the consignment which had been wrapped in four bags and hidden under the ground at a khud near Basantar river. The bags were found containing 15 kgs of deadly RDX. Police have shifted the consignment to Border Police headquarters. The police teams also conducted searches along the Basantar river but couldn’t make any arrest as the saboteurs, responsible for smuggling the RDX, had managed to escape from the spot. Police said they have reports that atleast one ISI saboteur was still roaming in Indian territory after smuggling the explosives consignment from Pakistan. He had dumped the consignment along Basantar river anticipating police presence in the area and had to shift it to another hideout after sometime. Police have intensified searches in all the forward areas and stepped-up night patrolling and nakas to capture the saboteur, who was suspected to be a local youth of RS Pura tehsil. This was second big catch of consignment by the Border Police during the last two days. Only yesterday, Border police had arrested an ISI agent Tara Chand of Suchetgarh and recovered six kgs RDX and a carbine from his possession. Border Police said there had been reports that ISI was trying to push a number of saboteurs into Jammu region alongwith RDX to engineer explosions at railway tracks, bus stands and other crowded areas with a view to step-up violence in Jammu. However, most of the saboteurs, pushed into Indian territory by the ISI, have fallen into police and security forces trap. The consignments smuggled by the saboteurs have also been recovered by the police thwarting their plans to strike. JDA, Auqaf row over
land Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU,Dec 16: The State Government today appointed Assistant Commissioner Revenue as an Inquiry Officer to look into the dispute between Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and Auqaf Jammu over a piece of land at Railway Head Complex here. The Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Gandhinagar has been also directed to take the possession of the land till the dispute was over. According to the informed sources, the order was issued by Additional District Magistrate on behalf of District Magistrate Jammu this afternoon after senior officers of JDA approached the Divisional Commissioner Jammu for his immediate intervention. It was submitted that Assistant Commissioner Revenue Jammu, as per law had no authority to look into the matter and instead, District Magistrate Jammu was competent to exercise his powers under section CrPC 145 to stop the work at the disputed site. The sources said that accordingly an order was issued at 2.30 pm today, whereby construction work was immediately stopped at the disputed site, an Inquiry Officer was appointed and SDPO Gandhinagar asked to take the possession of the land till the controversy was over. As reported, the controversy over the piece of land came to the lime light yesterday when the construction work was taken up at the disputed site allegedly at the behest of the Minister for Haj and Auqaf Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah. The JDA objected to it while claiming that the land belonged to the Agency. According to the sources in Jammu Development Authority, the land was acquired by JDA in 1976 from the occupants after taking the possession by paying compensation to them. The compensation at that time was assessed by Collector PWD and JDA had made the payment as well. The sources asserted that Additional District Commissioner Jammu, Mr Khalid was deliberately creating hurdles and manoeuvering in order to help the Auqaf, since he was himself Administrator Auqaf. Meanwhile, State Information Department this evening issued a press release, wherein it said that the land in question belonged to Auqaf Islamia Jammu which stands notified under SRO 234 on March 30, 1987 as graveyard and Ziyarat. The release which was issued on behalf of Auqaf, said that JDA had no claim over the land. Parray demands troops
withdrawal from PoK Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 16: Militants made an abortive attempt to blow up a Border Security Force (BSF) picket in Srinagar, while security forces foiled militants’ attempt to set off a blast and arrested three top militants in Kashmir valley since last evening. Militants fired a rocket and followed by firing at a BSF picket at Fatehkadal in downtown Srinagar today. The rocket missed its target and hit a nearby house, an official spokesman said here today. He said a young girl was wounded when security forces opened fire in retaliation to the militant attack on their picket. Police arrested a self-styled publicity chief of Al-Fateh Force from Rampora area of Chadura in Badgam district of central Kashmir today. A pistol, its one magazine and eight rounds of ammunition were recovered from him. Police arrested a self-styled group commander of Pakistan-based Harkat-ul-Ansar outfit from Rambagh area of Srinagar last evening. A rifle alongwith its one magazine and 16 rounds of ammunition were seized from him. Security forces raided a militant hide-out at Zalangam in Anantnag district last night and nabbed a militant. Meanwhile, Khanabal area of Anantnag observed a complete shutdown for the second day today in protest against the killing of a student by the counter-insurgents associated with Ikhwan outfit yesterday. Meanwhile, Awami League led by counter-insurgent turned member of Legislative Assembly, Mohammed Yousuf Parray alias Kuka Parray today demanded immediate withdrawal of Pakistani troops from the area of Kashmir illegally occupied by it. "Pakistan has no legal or moral right over Kashmir," Parray said in a statement here. Criticising Pakistan for sending foreign militants into Kashmir to disrupt peace and tranquillity, he said the people of Kashmir want peaceful conditions to be restored in the Valley, bringing an end to the decade long Pakistan’s sponsored terrorism. Meanwhile, pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen claimed responsibility for rocket attack on Parray’s house at Hajan on Sunday last. In a press statement, a spokesman of the outfit said "Al-Badr" squad of the outfit carried out the attack. Govt proposes to construct bunkers in Kargil NEW DELHI, Dec 16: Government proposes to construct 2,705 bunkers and shelters for protection of civilian population in Kargil and other areas of Jammu and Kashmir from the frequent firing from across the border, Defence Minister George Fernandes informed the Rajya Sabha today. The proposal is estimated to cost Rs 7.05 crore, Fernandes told Kushok Thiksey (J&K National Conference) while responding to supplementaries during Question Hour. Sharing concern of the members over the plight of the people in Kargil and other areas, the minister said the Government had taken several steps for their protection. Stating that Pakistan resorted to heavy firing from across the border since last eight months, Fernandes said the Indian Army responds appropr-iately to any firing initiated by Pakistan. Enemy weapon systems are suppressed or neutralised by effective fire from our guns. To protect civilian population, the civil administration provides shelter and bunkers under various schemes, he added. To provide safeguard to the Kargil-Dras highway, local by-passes and walls have been planned along those stretches where Pakistan fire is effective, he said, adding a part of the work has since been completed. The movement of supply convoys and other vehicular traffic is regulated by the Army to avoid any mishap. A major by-pass along Dras-Umbala-Sankhu-Kargil has been planned. Work on six km has already been completed. To another question, Fernandes said there was no proposal to construct any new road from Leh to Manali. (PTI) PM for resolving crisis CHANDIGARH, Dec 16: In a further toughening of posture, supporters of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal called a meeting of Akali Dal disciplinary committee tomorrow to discuss G S Tohra’s anti-Badal utterances even as the SGPC chief said he was ready to consider conciliation if a "respectable" offer was forthcoming. Leaders of rival factions ruled out a split in the Akali Dal due to the current feud while Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh of Akal Takht, the supreme temporal and spiritual authority of Sikhs, declined to intervene for a possible patch-up unless approached by the two sides. Tohra told newsmen in Amritsar he was ready to accept any mediation offer and his confidant Manjit Singh Calcutta, who quit Badal Ministry two days ago, said he would initiate conciliation if the Chief Minister agreed to it. Tohra, however, made it clear that he on his own would not approach the Akal Takht for a rapprochement. There was no immediate reaction from Badal camp to the Jathedar’s remarks which followed an appeal for intervention by the powerful All India Sikh Students’ Federation (AISSF). Meanwhile, in a bid to resolve the crisis in the Akali Dal, the BJP’s alliance partner in Punjab and at the Centre, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee last night spoke to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Gurcharan Singh Tohra to sort out the latter’s differences with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Akali Dal sources today said here that Mr Vajpayee, perceiving that the ongoing war of attrition between the two Akali leaders would adversely affect the coalition Government both at the Centre and the State, wanted to resolve the issue immediately. However, what exactly transpired between the Prime Minister and Mr Tohra was not immediately known. But the sources said both the Akali stalwarts were in touch with senior BJP leaders in Delhi and had conveyed to them their respective positions accusing each other of precipitating the situation. Meanwhile, some senior Sikh leaders have already initiated reconciliation moves for a patch-up between the two factions. They argued that during the past four decades, whenever the two leaders had fallen out, the moderate Akali leadership had lost its influence on the Sikh masses, yielding an open field for extremists and secessionists. The Tohra camp, the sources said, was not averse to reconciliation as none of the five Tohra loyalist State Ministers, who had resigned, had made any adverse remarks against Mr Badal or his leadership. They had claimed to have been making only "positive" criticism of the State Government with a view to tone up the ruling Akali’s grip on the party and the state administration. Similarly, Mr Tohra himself offered to step down as president of the SGPC, the religious body that governs the historical Sikh Gurdwaras in the Northern parts of the country. Mr Tohra, who has been holding the post for the past 25 years, apparently wanted to pre-empt any move by the Badal faction to remove him. The latter, with a majority both among the Akali MLAs and the SGPC members, could impeach the SGPC chief by a two-thirds majority in the 185-member House. However, the posture of rival camps has hardened following the acceptance of resignation of five ministers and quitting of another Tohra loyalist, Prem Singh Chandumajra, MP, as general secretary of the Akali Dal. Sources said the Tohra camp was anticipating mass resignation of its loyalist MLAs from the Assembly forcing by-elections on Mr Badal putting his popularity among the sikh peasantry to test. The Chief Minister’s detractors claim that he had lost his clout among the farmers, whose cause he claimed to be championing. It was because of this factor that the party lost in the Adampur Assembly by-elections, they added. Mr Badal has also been accused of doing nothing to alleviate the misery of the cotton and paddy cultivators reeling under severe economic crisis because of crop failure and damage due to unseasonal rains. (AGENCIES) Rocket attack in Srinagar, 3 held in Kashmir SRINAGAR, Dec 16: Militants made an abortive attempt to blow up a Border Security Force (BSF) picket in Srinagar, while security forces foiled militants’ attempt to set off a blast and arrested three top militants in Kashmir Valley since last evening. Militants fired a rocket and followed by firing at a BSF picket at Fatehkadal in downtown Srinagar today. The rocket missed its target and hit a nearby house, an official spokesman said here today. He said a young girl was wounded when security forces opened fire in retaliation to the militant attack on their picket. Police arrested a self-styled publicity chief of Al-Fateh Force from Rampora area of Chadura in Badgam district of Central Kashmir today. A pistol, its one magazine and eight rounds of ammunition were recovered from him. Police arrested a self-styled group commander of Pakistan-based Harkat-ul-Ansar outfit from Rambagh area of Srinagar last evening. A rifle alongwith its one magazine and 16 rounds of ammunition were seized from him. Security forces raided a militant hideout at Zalangam in Anantnag district last night and nabbed a militant. Meanwhile, Khanabal area of Anantnag observed a complete shutdown for the second day today in protest against the killing of a student by the counter-insurgents associated with Ikhwan outfit yesterday. (PTI) India will not succumb to
pressures NEW DELHI, Dec 16: India today sent a clear signal to United States and other key countries that it will not succumb to pressures on the nuclear issue, with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declaring that New Delhi will have the capability and the means to deter present and future threats. "No country can compel India to do things not in its security interest," Vajpayee said replying to a clarification in the Rajya Sabha on his statement on the progress in the ongoing Indo-US dialogue on Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Earlier, in a hard-hitting intervention, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said the actions of nuclear states, including "sanctions crazy" US, demonstrated "astonishing and unacceptable arrogance" preaching to India exactly opposite of what they practiced. Rejecting as "myth-making" suggestions that Pakistan’s nuclear tests were in response to the Pokhran blasts, Singh asserted that India will not allow Pakistan to "ride piggy-back on the nuclear issue to enter the Kashmir valley". Responding to member’ concerns, Vajpayee said having conducted the series of tests that were necessary "we are currently guided by the assurance that our stand does not constrain our research and development programme or the ability to maintain the safety and effectiveness of our deterrent, now and in the future". Outlining India’s determination to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent, Vajpayee said "our approach is not expansive or aggressive but one which carries assurance and self-confidence. "It also means having not only the capability but the means to deter present threats and defend ourselves against any future threats," he said. On the operational aspects of the minimum deterrent, he said it was not a "question of numbers" but of a policy approach which grew out of national experience and was based on the consensus that existed on these matters. On CTBT, the Prime Minister assured the House that he would consult all parties and take Parliament into confidence before taking a final view on it. Vajpayee also made it clear that Singh would continue to lead the Indian side at the seventh round of Indo-US dialogue with the US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott slated to be held here in the second half of January. "We will not let protocol come in the way of the talks," he said in response to a member’s demand that Singh should hold parleys only with his US counterpart (Secretary of State Medeleine Albright) now that he has been made External Affairs Minister. Asserting that India will not bow to "any pressure, be it under-hand or over-hand", Singh said the country would be guided by the sole principle of safeguarding its national and security interests. (PTI) 3 police officials
booked for graft Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 16: Tehsildar Jammu, Mr Balwant Raj has also fallen into the net of Vigilance Organisation. He is second Tehsildar booked by the agency during last one week. According to official sources, Mr Balwant Raj during his posting as Tehsildar RS Pura had demanded Rs 10,000 from one Banarsi Dass and his sister-in-law Sarfo Devi for mutation of land in their favour. Banarsi Dass paid the amount to Tehsildar. However, the sources said, even after getting the payment, the Tehsildar refused to oblige Banarsi Dass and Sarfo Devi and asked for Rs 10,000 more for mutation of land. Banarsi Dass then asked the Tehsildar to return their amount but he refused. The aggrieved Banarsi Dass approached the Vigilance Organisation which started investigations into the case. A special team of the Organisation recorded statements of aggrieved persons and witnesses. Sources said during the course of investigations, it was established that Tehsildar Balwant Raj, presently posted as Tehsildar Jammu had taken graft of Rs 10,000 from the complainants and was demanding Rs 10,000 more for mutation of land. The Organisation has registered a case against Balwant Raj under Section 5 (2) Prevention of Corruption Act. Sources said the Tehsildar was likely to be arrested for further investigations in the case before presenting his challan in the court of law. Meanwhile, ASI Hakim Din and head constable Shanker Dass , posted at Billawar police station in Kathua district have also been booked by the Vigilance Organisation under the provisions of Anti-Corruption Act. According to sources, both these police officials during their posting at Billawar had arrested a youth Zahoor Hussain son of Hazira Begum in connection with a case. However, the youth was bailed out by the Court. The police officials released Zahoor Hussain following bail but re-arrested him and demanded Rs 1500 from Hazira Begum for his release. The poor woman finding no other alternative paid the amount to ensure release of his son. On a complaint received from the woman, the Vigilance Organisation initiated proceedings. During investigations, the Vigilance found both the police officials guilty and have formally registered a case against them. Another police constable Chuni Lal, who had been attached and suspended repeatedly by the police authorities, has also been booked by the Vigilance Organisation. Presently attached with Home Department, the constable had charged Rs 20,000 from one Gian Singh of Ramnagar for posting of his kin in the police department. However, he could neither arrange posting nor returned the money of Gian Singh, who knocked the doors of Vigilance Organisation. Allegations against the constable have been established, the sources said. |