Surrendered
ultra gunned down Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Nov 2: Troops gunned down four more hardcore militants including an Afghan mercenary—in the continued gun-battles against Pakistan-trained militants at Mendhar and Loran areas in this border district today. A civilian and an Army jawan were also killed in the encounters. In Rajouri, militants gunned down a surrendered militant at Kot Behrot under the jurisdiction of Thanna Mandi police station while another hardcore militant surrendered to police. A Defence spokesman said troops scored another big success against militants this morning when they gunned three hardcore militants in Bhati Dhara forest area in Mendhar sector of this district. He said troops carried out a massive operation in the forest areas after developing an information about the presence of hardcore militants there. During searches, troops came under heavy firing from the militants. The firing was returned. In the gun-battle which continued for two and a half hour, Army personnel gunned down three militants without suffering any casualty. A couple of militants reportedly managed to escape from the scene of encounter and fled deep into dense forest areas. Army personnel continued searc-hes in the forests to eliminate the absconding militants. Additional reinforcement has also been rushed to the forest area from Mendhar, the spokesman said. He said identity of the slain militants hasn’t been established so far but all of them were suspected to be foreign mercenaries. Their dead bodies have been handed over to local police for identification. Troops recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition from the scene of encounter including four AK-47 rifles. Sources said troops, who were hunting the absconding militants in Loran area of Poonch since last evening after the killings of four militants, came across another militant, who had taken shelter in a forest area. The militant having one AK-47 rifle in his possession opened firing on the Army personnel and made a determined attempt to disappear in the dense forest area. However, he was chased and gunned down by the jawans. The slain militant was identified as Nasir Bhai, an Afghan national, who was functioning as Pir Panjal regiment commander of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. One AK-47 rifle and some ammunition was recovered from his possession. A total of five AK-47 rifles besides other arms and explosives have been recovered from the site of encounter, which was still going on following reports that a couple of militants were still absconding. Sources said that a civilian identified as Sanjay Kumar son of Dhani Ram, a resident of village Sankari was also caught in exchange of firing between militants and Army personnel and got killed. He was fishing in a nullah. He started running from the nullah after hearing the sound of gun-firing. He was killed in the cross-firing between the two sides. His body was handed over to his family after post-mortem in the hospital. With the killing of a civilian and another militant, death toll in the Loran encounter has gone upto six. Four militants, all Pakistanis, were killed in the encounter last evening. A total of 18 militants have been killed in Poonch and Rajouri districts during last four days. Six militants were killed at Mandi (Poonch), four at Palma (Rajouri) and four at Loran. Our Rajouri correspondent adds: Militants gunned down a surrendered militant at village Kot Behrot in Thanna Mandi area, about 20 kms from Rajouri last mid-night. He has been identified as Noman Mirza alias Shaheen Commander son of Rafiul-lah, a resident of Kotli district in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Reports said three militants attacked the house of one Mirwaiz where the militant was putting up after surrendering before police in October last year. They dragged out Noman Mirza, gave him severe thrashing and then pumped a volley of shots on his body resulting into his instant death. Mirwaiz and his family members made repeated pleas for mercy before the militants but to no avail. Militants fled from the village after killing Mirza. A police party reached the village this morning and shifted the body to hospital for post-mortem. Reports said Noman Mirza and his family had migrated to PoK in 1965. He returned here in 1997 as trained militant but surrendered before police and settled at Kot Behrot where the family had some land. Police have registered a case in the killing for investigations. No arrest has been made so far. Meanwhile, a militant Mohd Rafiq son of Mohd Amin, a resident of Shahpur in Budhal tehsil surrendered before police today. He was an activist of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. Army recovered two AK-47 rifles with four magazines, one pistols, one grenade launcher and three grenades from Palma near Dehra where four militants were gunned down yesterday after a fierce gun-battle. An Army Havildar Rashpal Singh, who was injured in the same encounter yesterday, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital today. |
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Slain
militants belong to Osama Four militants killed yesterday in Loran area were activists of international terrorist and a Saudi Arabia national Osama Bin Laden’s outfit. Highly placed sources said photographs of Osama Bin Laden were recovered from the possession of all four slain militants by the Army personnel. This was for the first time that photographs of Laden were recovered from any militant in the state. Osama Bin Laden had recently threatened to send his mercenaries into Kashmir to carry out the ongoing militant activities. The threat was held out after United States’ air strikes at Afghanistan targeting Osama Bin Laden. Sources said since all the four slain militants were Pakistan nationals, there was a definite clue that they were activists of multi-millionaire Laden’s outfit. Troops have already sounded an alert on the Line of Control (LoC) in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in anticipation of more infiltration attempts by Laden’s activists 7 foreign militants among 8
killed in Valley Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Even as the security forces eliminated at least 7 foreign militants in Kashmir valley, militants killed an Assistant Commandant of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and left a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan injured today. Militants also caused a grenade explosion at Shopian in south Kashmir in which six civilians, including a local Congress (I) leader, sustained splinter injuries. Official sources at Anantnag told EXCELSIOR that in the wee hours today, a heavy exchange of automatic fire took place between militants and security forces when Assistant Commandant of ITBP 19 Bn Ashok Kumar Raina, leading a contingent of 20 ITBP personnel, intercepted a heavily-armed group of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants at Cheerdar village in Kokernag forest area of south Kashmir. The fierce exchange of fire continued for several hours till all the five foreign militants got killed. The Assistant Commandant with his excellent training and experience in SPG, fought vigorously and sustained critical injuries. Later, in the day he succumbed to injuries. Even as the exact identities of the 5 militants killed were not immediately available, sources said that all of them were believed to be Pakistani nationals. A large quantity of arms and ammunition including 5 AK-56 rifles, 20 magazines, 11 grenades, 1 grenade-launcher, 2 wireless sets, 1 high-power radio set and assorted ammunition were recovered from the site of operation. Official sources at Kupwara said that two more foreign militants were killed in heavy exchange of fire with troops of 25-Punjab in the border areas of Machhil. Two AK-56 rifles were recovered from the site of operation. Bullet-riddled dead body of a local Imam and teacher of pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami namely Abdus Samad Dar son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar of Palhalan, Pattan, was recovered from the nearby village of Yariteng. He was suspected to have been killed by pro-Government militants. Official sources said that at 1045 hours today, militants conducted a grenade attack on the vehicle of Ghulam Hassan Khan at Shopian. Khan, as well as 5 other civilians, sustained splinter injuries. A Congress (I) Block president, Ghulam Hassan Khan has contested the Assembly elections of September 1996 as Congress (I) candidate unsuccessfully from Wachi constituency of Pulwama district. All the six injured were immediately rushed to hospital. At 1825 hours this evening, militants fired pistol shots on a CRPF jawan near Jehangir Hotel. He sustained injuries and was quickly rushed to hospital for treatment. Earlier, one live grenade was found lying on road near SMHS Hospital, close to a CRPF bunker, which was defused by bomb disposal squad. Security forces have recovered 1 rocket-launcher, 2 rocket and one pistol at Bucher post in Uri sector. Advani for crushing militancy From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Nov. 2: In a significant development, the Union Home Minister, Mr L K Advani, has categorically ruled out the possibility of rolling back the pro-active measures put into motion by the Centre in Jammu and Kashmir five months ago. Mr Advani's unscheduled consultations with top functionaries of the Ministries of Home and Defence in presence of the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, were followed by sending out a clear signal by the Home Minister himself that despite New Delhi's anxiety for friendly relations with Islamabad, Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and other internal security problems in northern India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, would be tackled with a "firm hand.'' And at a time when Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Ministry of External Affairs appeared to hold the opinion that talks with Pakistan were "on course,'' Mr L K Advani made it plain that the question of rolling back the pro-active measures against militants and foreign mercenaries in J&K did not arise and that there was no logic behind Islamabad's demand for third party mediation on Kashmir. In this, Mr Advani is openly backed by Mr George Fernandes. During his exchange of views with top functionaries of the Ministries of Home and Defence in the capital, Mr Advani wanted the proxy war sponsored by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to be effectively countered in order to ensure that India was not perceived as a "soft State.'' Mr Advani's interaction with the officials, who also included the Chief of the Army Staff Gen V P Malik, and heads of the BSF, the CRPF, the ITBP and the Home Secretary, Mr B P Singh, was to review the situation after the recent meeting of Chief Ministers and other representatives of seven northern States. The Home Ministry's decision to set up special task forces in the seven States assumed significance, as explained by Mr Advani himself, as militants from Kashmir have already extended their activities to Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and even Uttar Pradesh. Mr Advani's consultations with the officials, according to sources, also covered the situation in the northeast region, which continues to be a seeting cauldron of violence and militancy. In Assam, for instance, the orgy of violence continues unabated. Mafia style executions by rival factions and breakaway groups of the ULFA, renewed ethnic cleansing by Bodo groups in several pockets on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, and targeting of main arterial roads and bridges in the area by Bodo rebels contribute to a highly untenable situation. While Mizoram, which had been relatively quiet, is witnessing a fresh upsurge of violence, militants in Tripura belonging to the ATTF and the NLTF continue to go aggressive. Talks with extremists have not brought peace to Nagaland and Manipur. Mr Advani, who is also directly handling northeastern region, is said to be of the view that the "most critical area'' demanding his attention is Jammu and Kashmir. Both Mr Advani and Mr George Fernandes had strong reasons as they called for stepped-up vigilance by the Army and other security forces in Jammu with the focus of violence having shifted from parts of the Valley and Srinagar to Jammu, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur districts. Though fundamentalism is less evident inside the Valley these days, encounters involving well-equipped, battle-hardened foreign mercenaries tend to be fiercer, more long drawn out, with larger casualties than previously. Sources told EXCELSIOR that Mr Advani also discussed with the officials the mechanism for early amendment of laws such as Motor Vehicles Act, Passport Act and Explosives Substances Act to make them more stringent and to enable the Government to have legal backing to tackle terrorism. Heavy Pak
offensive in Tangdar From Ahmed Ali Fayaz SRINAGAR, Nov 2: In their largest-ever offensive during the 3-month-long border skirmishes in Tangdar sector of Kashmir valley, Pakistani troops today directed heavy artillery fire on the Indian Army's brigade headquarters as well as the nearby border village. While as atleast two civilians got killed and four others, besides an Army Havildar, sustained critical injuries, atleast 10 residential houses, one mosque, sub district hospital, 3 Army vehicles and an oil depot of security forces were destroyed. Highly-placed Defence sources at Kupwara told EXCELSIOR that Pakistani troops opened heavy artillery and mortar fire at 0845 hours today simultaneously on the Army's Brigade headquarters as well as the nearby village of Chamkote. Indian troops retaliated the high-calibre fire and the exchange of shelling was intermittently going on till late this evening. Sources said that atleast 10 residential houses and the village mosque got destroyed completely while as partial damage was caused to the Sub District Hospital Tangdar and the depot of Food & Supplies Department. Two civilians -- one male and one female -- got killed on spot while as 4 other civilians -- two men and two women -- were evacuated and rushed to hospital with critical injuries. Arrangements had been made to airlift all the critically injured to Srinagar for necessary medical treatment. Defence sources confirmed that Pakistani troops hit the Army base with precision as three one-tonne vehicles got destroyed completely at the brigade headquarters. Another shell hit Army's oil depot which caught fire causing extensive damage to the adjacent structures. While as a number of troops had providential escape, Havildar Srinivas was critically injured and later leg was amputated at hospital. Damage, if any, suffered by Pakistani troops in Indian Army's retaliatory firing could not be ascertained immediately. However, an Army spokesman described it as "appropriate response". It was after a considerable pause that Pakistani troops resumed their heavy artillery and mortar shelling in Tangdar sector of Kupwara border district today. Tangdar as also Uri, Machhil, Keran and Karnah sectors have been at the receiving end of Pakistan Army's shelling for several weeks intermittently this year. Official sources here said that today's shelling was unprecedented as both, security forces as well as the civilian population, had suffered extensive damage. Sources said that the civilian population from a number of Tangdar villages was being evacuated to safer places and there was utter chaos and confusion at the border town. Even the name of the civilian killed and injured were not available till late this evening. Three Pak soldiers
killed Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 2: At least three Pakistani soldiers were killed and an Indian soldier was wounded in a gun battle as Pakistani troops’ attempts to capture two posts in Siachen Glacier were foiled, a Defence Ministry spokesman said today. He said Pakistani soldiers suffered the casualties when Indian troops used light machine guns and medium machine guns to scuttle the advancing Pakistan soldiers’ attempt to capture a post situated in south of Chulung Pass last evening. He said Indian paratrooper Kuber Chand opened fire and simultaneously alerted other soldiers of his post after detecting some Pakistani soldiers advancing towards the post. In the exchange of fire, three Pakistani soldiers were killed and others dispersed in the cover of darkness, he said. The Pakistani troops made the second attempt in the wee hours of today to capture an Indian post just six kilometers west of NJ-9842. Post sentry sepoy Raj Kumar opened fire on the advancing Pakistani soldiers numbering eight. Another six to seven Pakistani soldiers also opened fire from a different direction in their bid to capture the post, he said. He said Pakistani troops had intruded well into Indian territory to attack the post, which is a clear indication of a deliberate attempt to capture the post. "Timely and effective action by the Indian troops beat back the aggressors to the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL)", he said. He said an Indian sentry was wounded in the exchange of fire. The two latest attempts by Pakistani troops to capture posts on the world’s highest battlefield was the fifth in series which were made soon after Pakistani Army Chief General Parvez Musharraf visited the Siachen Glacier on October 22, the spokesman said. He said Pakistan had been attempting to capture some of the Indian posts on the Glacier as their dominating height provided good observation facility. Last year too, Pakistani troops had made three unsuccessful attempts to capture Indian posts at Siachen, he said. The first attempt was made at 7.45 pm on November 1 at post south of ‘Chulung Pass’ and the second attempt was made in early hours of 4.45 am on November 2 at a post six kilometers west of NJ 9842. Both the attempts were again beaten back with casualties to Pakistani soldiers. In the first attack by Pakistani troops, alert Indian sentry, Paratrooper Kuber Chand opened fire and simultaneously alerted the rest of his post. Effective light Machine Gun and Medium Machine Gun fire was brought down on the Pakistani soldiers and two Pakistani soldiers were killed while rest fled away under the cover of darkness. In the second attack at about 4.45 am on November 2, Sepoy Raj Kumar, on seeing seven to eight Pakistani soldiers approaching towards the Indian post, at a distance of 400 to 500 metres from Indian post opened fire and alerted the whole Indian post. Another six to seven Pakistani soldiers in retaliation, also opened the fire from different directions, which is clear indicator of Pakistani attempts to capture the Indian posts. In this case Pakistani troops had intruded well into the Indian territory to capture the post, however timely action by Indian troops coupled with effective fire forced the Pakistani's to retreat. In the process, an Indian sentry also sustained injuries. These attacks have come in the wake of Pakistani allegations that India has unlawfully occupied some areas in Siachen Glacier, which is the largest glacier outside the Arctic region and also the highest battle ground in the world. The attacks on Siachen region have also been intensified just before the forth-coming Indo-Pak billetral talks, scheduled to be held in Delhi from November 5 to 13. Some crucial matters like Siachen problem, Wular barrage, Tulbul Navigation project, Sir creek, terrorism and drug trafficking are expected to be discussed during the talks. Bandh observed,
procession taken out Excelsior Correspondent HIRANAGAR, Nov 2: Migrants took out a massive procession in the town today while a bandh was observed in some areas in protest against Government’s failure to rehabilitate the migrants and provide them immediate relief. Pakistan Rangers continued firing on the International Border to force migration of people, who were still living in their houses on the International Border. Reports said shopkeepers downed their shutters in the morning at Chadwal, Chan Roarian and Sanji Morh towns in Hiranagar on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway to protest Pakistan firing and Government’s failure to provide relief to the migrants. Traders said bandh was token and was lifted in the afternoon but threatened to intensify their agitation if Government didn’t concede the demands of migrant families. The migrants families numbering about 500 and joined by local people of Hiranagar took out a procession in the town today shouting slogans against Pakistan and State Government. After marching in the entire town, the procession culminated at Tehsil office here where people held a demonstration. Prominent political party leaders and Numberdars of the villages addressed the migrant families and asked them to prepare themselves for any bigger struggle in the wake of Government’s negligible response towards their plight. They threatened to intensify their agitation by blocking the National Highway and observing indefinite bandh if Government didn’t initiate measures to redress their grievances and concede their genuine demands. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MLA from Hiranagar Mr Prem Lal reached the Tehsil office this morning and sat on fast-unto-death. However, local people and BJP activists didn’t allow him to go on fast-unto-death at this stage on the ground that agitation has to be continued till Government succumbs to people’s demands. Mr Prem Lal then sat on hunger strike in the Tehsil office. He later chaired a meeting of BJP activists in the town to finalise strategy to continue the agitation and take it to logical conclusion. Other leaders present in the meeting include Mr Ranjit Singh, Mr Bhanu Parkash, Mr Mastan Singh, Mr Yashpaul Bharti, Mr Bodh Raj Gupta, Mr Ved Parkash and Mr Vijay Bharti. The BJP leaders threatened to court arrest in support of their demands. Besides, the activists decided to continue the free langar being run by Town Welfare Committee for the migrant families. They demanded that five marlas of land be granted to each migrant family in the safety zones for their protection from the Pakistan firing. Pradesh Congress (I) leader Mr Raman Bhalla after visiting the migrant families in Hiranagar warned the Government to immediately concede the demands of migrants otherwise they will be forced to take to streets. Mr Bhalla said the Centre Government has also failed to check Pakistan firing forcing people’s migration. A delegation of Awami League led by Mr Charanjit Singh, state general secretary of youth wing also visited Hiranagar and supported the demands of migrants. Mr Singh urged the Government to concede the demands of migrants. An official handout said "the district administration, Kathua today described the reports published in a section of the press about migration of people from border areas of Hiranagar tehsil as exaggerated and blown out of proportion. The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Mr OP Kalandria , who visited Hiranagar today said that only 200 families have migrated and putting up at Hiranagar. These include 160 families from Londi, 15 families each from Chack Sadda and Chachwal and 10 families from Sial (Khawara). He also revealed that free ration meant for distribution among the border people under the relief package has reached all the distribution centres. The distribution at the rate of five kgs of ration to each member of 1169 affected families will start tomorrow. He said that 7,717 acres of land in 27 border villages of the tehsil could not be sown due to unprovoked and intermittent firing by Pak Rangers. The Additional Deputy Commissioner also addressed migrant families and appealed to them to return to their villages in view of the relief package announced by the Government. India announces release of 148 Pak fishermen on eve of talks NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Setting a positive mode on the eve of the second phase of Indo-Pak talks, India today decided to release 148 Pakistani fishermen and boats caught trespassing on Indian waters. New Delhi’s reciprocal gesture comes after Islamabad’s decision to release 155 Indian fishermen and boats announced last month. India will be sending to Pakistan a team of officials who will accompany boat owners to carry out necessary repairs to enable freed Indian fishermen return home, a senior External Affairs Ministry official said adding India will be ready to accept a Pakistani team for the same purpose this side. Thirtynine Pakistani fishermen were arrested on October 24 in three fishing boats. "We have decided to immediately release them and other Pakistani fishermen nabbed here very quickly", the official said. Islamabad will now have to expedite the process of their repatriation. "Our records show that some more Indian fishermen may be there in Pakistan," the official said adding the issue would be taken up during the parleys. Six outstanding issues would be taken up in the Indo-Pak parleys here from November five to 13. These are the Tulbul Navigation Project, Siachen, Sir Creek maritime boundary dispute, economic and commercial cooperation, terrorism and drug trafficking and promotion of friendly exchanges in various fields. New Delhi has suggested that fishermen apprehended on either side should be allowed return home after the necessary interrogation if they were not suspected to be engaged in any other activities. The two sides would also discuss the question of releasing civilian prisoners. Significantly, Pakistan’s offer to sell power to India would figure during parleys between the Water and Power Secretaries of the two sides on November five on the Tulbul Navigation Project. The first batch of Pakistani negotiating team led by Water and Power Secretary Syed Shahid Hussain will be reaching Delhi tonight. India has indicated that a team of technical experts would be ready to go to Pakistan to discuss details in this regard or alternatively, Islamabad could send an expert team to India, the official said. Defence Secretary Ajit Kumar will have talks on November six with his Pakistani counterpart Lt Gen (retd) Iftekhar Ali Khan who will lead a seven-member defence delegation. India looked forward to "peace and tranquility" and this would be one of "our main objectives" during the talks, the official said. His remarks come close on the heels of India repulsing Pakistani firing on Indian posts at Siachen last month. Discussions on Siachen were last held by the two sides in November, 1992. "India is approaching the talks in a positive, constructive and comprehensive manner and hopes it will proceed to ensure that the composite dialogue process is sustained. We are optimistic on this front", the official said. On November nine, Surveyor General of India Lt Gen A K Ahuja will hold discussions with Pakistani additional Defence Secretary Rear Admiral Jameel Akhtar on the Sir Creek dispute. Commerce Secretary P P Prabhu will lead the Indian delegation for talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mian Iqbal Farid to explore prospects of enhancing bilateral economic and commercial cooperation. The decision of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif when they met at New York last month to start a bus service from Delhi to Lahore would come up during the talks. "We are ready to start this service as early as possible. We have indicated this to Pakistan and are awaiting its response", the official said. During the meeting Union Home Secretary B P Singh will have with Pakistani Interior Secretary Hafizullah Ishaq on November 12 to discuss terrorism and drug trafficking, he is likely to reiterate India’s serious concern over cross-border terrorism sponsored by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country. (PTI) Accused attempts
suicide, arrested Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: An Army constable, working as a domestic servant in the house of Major D S Bisht, attempted rape on Major’s wife at her official quarter at Satwari this morning. The constable also stabbed Major’s wife but finding himself trapped following alarm raised by the woman, he attempted to commit suicide by consuming poison. Police said the constable identified as Kamalu Din and Major’s wife Mrs Kiran Bisht have been admitted in Military Hospital. Mrs Bisht was improving while Kamalu Din was critical. Police said Kamalu Din tried to rape Mrs Bisht after over-powering her in the officer’s family quarter at Satwari this morning. The Major’s wife resisted the attempt and raised an alarm. Kamalu Din inflicted a stab wound on woman’s arm with a sharp-edged weapons in an attempt to silence her voice. However, some Army personnel rushed towards the Major’s quarters after hearing the sound of woman. Finding himself trapped, Kamalu Din rushed inside a room and consumed poisonous material. Army personnel informed police. A police party from Satwari police station rushed to the house and shifted Major’s wife and accused to Military Hospital. Stomach of the accused was washed but his condition remained critical as he had consumed heavy douse of poisonous substance—Phenyl. Mrs Bisht was discharged from the hospital this evening. She had sustained wound on her arm. Police said Kamalu Din has been kept under police custody at Military Hospital. A case against him has been registered at Satwari police station for further investigations. Statement of Major’s wife has also been recorded. Major D S Bisht was posted in Kashmir valley. He has been informed about the incident, police said. Yeltsin will visit India on Dec 6 NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Russian President Boris Yeltsin will visit India from December 6 to 8, it was officially announced here today. A number of agreements in different fields are expected to be signed between the two countries during Mr Yeltsin’s visit. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister G B Karasin arrived here last night to make preparations for the Presidential visit. Mr Karasin today held discussions with Home Minister L K Advani, Mr Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary K Raghunath. (UNI) Pandey takes over as Director Information Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Mr Sudhanshu Pandey took charge of Director of Information Department from Mr Kulbushan Jandial here today. Mr Pandey, IAS officer of 1987 batch who is already Special Secretary to Government for Labour and Employment Department has taken over the additional charge as Director Information. Mr Jandial has already
assumed the charge of Administrator Jammu Municipality on
deputation recently. Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 2: Tension gripped Kunjwani area under jurisdiction of Satwari police station late this evening when Army allegedly closed down a route bring used by the public for past quite sometime. People protested against the closure of road and held a demonstration at Kunjwani. A police party from Satwari police station and other officers also reached the spot and entered into dialogue with people and Army officers to sort out the issue and defuse the tension. Police assured the people that efforts will be made to ensure that route remains open for public. Tension was defused late in the night after which the people dispersed. |