7 civilians, one militant killed in Valley
4 of family massacred

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 29: The first massacre of innocent civilians during the holy month of Ramazan has occurred in Budgam district as unidentified gunmen have shot dead four members of a family at Kathwaar village while as two young girls have been left critically injured. Three more civilians have been reported killed from other places even as security forces today claimed to have eliminated a Pakistani militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba in outskirts of the capital city.

Reports available from Budgam said that at 2100 hours last evening, unidentified gunmen appeared at Kathwaar village in Khansahib area and opened indiscriminate fire on the family of a State Fire Services employee, Ghulam Nabi Mir. Mir as also his wife Raja and two of their young daughters, namely Shubeena and Fehmeeda, died on spot. Two more of the couple’s young daughters, namely Sabeeha and Zahida, escaped with injuries. They were rushed to District Hospital Budgam.

According to the reports, Mir was also a surrendered militant who had actively participated in the election campaign of the Congress candidate Tariq Mohi-ud-Din in Assembly elections of September 1996. Later, for a brief time, he had also developed relations with the local camp of Rashtriya Rifles. However, apparently he had no political, militant or counter-insurgent affiliation for the last two years.

Reports available from Kupwara said that during last night, an encounter took place between militants and security forces at Namla village in Zachaldara area of Rajwar. A civilian, namely Noor-ud-Din S/o Shamas-ul-Haq got killed in exchange of fire while as another civilian, namely Wali Mohammad Magray, sustained injuries. He was rushed to hospital. However, some people at Handwara alleged that the two civilians had been the victims of the "over-reaction" by security forces.

Reports available from Sumbal said that last evening, unidentified gunmen fired upon one Meraj-ud-Din Lone S/o Mohammad Maqbool Lone at his village Nayidkhai and left him critically injured. He was later rushed to a hospital for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, today’s reports from Ganderbal said that at least one civilian, namely Mohammad Ashraf Malik S/o Habibullah Malik, had also got killed in Tuesday’s encounter between militants and security forces at Zazan. Besides, three residential houses and two kitchens had also gutted during the operation. As already reported, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 13 Bn killed four militants in the encounter at Zazan on Tuesday. Today they were identified as Abdul Hameed Parra S/o Mohammad Sultan Parra and Abdul Hameed Wagay S/o Ghulam Mohammad Wagay of the same village besides Hafiz Sattar alias Zubair and Ali Mayar alias Maulvi of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition, including three AK-56 rifles, one carbine (possibly snatched away from a police personnel), two pistols, two wireless sets, nine remote control devices, sixty electric detonators, four hand grenades, nine RCD timers and 25 kg of explosive, has been recovered from the site of encounter. Much of the seizure surfaced from an underground hideout meticulously laid behind a wardrobe.

Meanwhile, official sources said that Special Operations Group (SOG) Srinagar and BSF 172 Bn claimed to have eliminated a Pakistani militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba in an encounter at Wanabal, Nowgam, in the capital city outskirts this morning. One report identified him as Abu Muawia and another as Abdullah. One AK-56 rifle was claimed to have been recovered from his possession.

Reports available from Anantnag said that militants targeted a soldier of Rashtriya Rifles 07 Bn while on the ROP duty near Shangas at 1500 hours today. He died on spot.

An orderly at the Pension office of Army at Shivpora, namely Sahib Singh Verma of Amritsar, has reportedly got killed when a sentry from an Army post mistook him as militant and opened fire upon him. In another incident, Subedar Ram Bhawan of BSF 15 Bn alongwith his wife, Kaushaliya, died of suffocation as he did not put out the Bukhari at his room during last night. The death occurred at BSF’s Sector Headquarters at Singhpora in Baramulla district.

Work remains paralysed in Govt offices
Employees extend strike till Jan 15

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29: Out-rightly rejecting proposal of the Government to suspend agitation for the time-being, the agitating State Government employees today decided to extend their on-going Kaam Chhor Hartal till January 15 while giving some relaxation in the Kashmir valley for coming Idd.

The decision to extend the agitation was taken tonight after four hours long meeting of the State Council of the J&K Government Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC), spearheading the agitation. Representatives from Jammu and Kashmir divisions participated in the meeting which was held under the chairmanship of Mr M A Mir, convenor of the EJAC.

Meeting reiterated that EJAC will continue their agitation till all their 17 demands are fulfilled. However, it was decided in the meeting to give a week long relaxation in Kashmir valley from December 31 to January 6 due to the coming Idd festival. It was also decided that strike would be observed in the Valley after January 6.

Talking to EXCELSIOR, spokesman of the EJAC said that they were forced to extend the on-going agitation due to the indifferent attitude of the authorities towards their demands.

He expressed regrets that after conducting first round of talks last Sunday, Government has not initiated any step to resume the negotiation to break the deadlock. He expressed anguish over the apathetic attitude of the authorities for not taking seriously the on-going agitation.

Mohammed Khursheed Alam, Mohammed Shafi Khan, Mohammed Gafoor Dar, Lekh Raj Khajuria, M H Reshi, Sayed Nasrulla, Mushtaq Ahmed Bhat, Mohammed Maqbool Ganai, Muntazir Mohi-ud-Din, Mir Abdul Rashid, Surjeet Singh, Abdul Rehman Magrey, V R Baroo, Anwar Beigh, Subash Chander, Pardeep Kumar, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, Mirza Nazeer Ahmad, Farooq Ahmed Lone, Girdhari Lal Chanda, Gh Mehdi, Mustaq Hussain Khan and Chand Ji Bhat attended the state council meeting.

Earlier a big rally of the agitating employees was held today at Old Secreteriat, Mubarak Mandi Complex. Mr Girdhari Lal Chanda, Mohammed Gafoor Dar, Pardeep Kumar Sharma, Lekh Raj Khajuria, Subash Chander, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Mohammed Maqbool, Chaman Lal Sangotra, Pardeep Ji Sharma, Parvinder Sudan, Swantentar Bakshi, Yash Paul Sharma, Khem Raj Bali, Kamal Kishore Bhardwaj, Ram Kumar Sharma, Parshotam Sharma, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Arvind Singh Sambyal, Som Nath, Sushil Sudan, Tilak Raj, Ashok Kumar, K S Chouhan, Bharat Kumar, Prem Singh, Prehlad Singh, Darshan Magotra, L N Misra, Dass Ram Kandley, Amrik Singh, Markes Gill, Gurmeet Singh, R N Moza, Rakesh Bhan, Ravi Kumar Sharma, Ganisham, Dayal Chand Khajuria, Dushant Puri from Poonch, Karmat Malik from Rajouri, Abdul Majid Batchu from Doda, Shashi Bala from Samba, Mulkh Raj, Raghbir Singh, Santosh Khajuria and Kuldeep Singh from Kathua addressed the employees.

Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency Non-Gazetted Employees Union (JKNGEU) observed complete strike for the 10th successive day today.

Addressing the employees, Mr Gurdeep Singh, president of the Union said that strike will continue till the demands of the employees are fulfilled. He urged upon the State Government to consider these demands sympathetically so that work in offices and hospitals would be resumed.

Mohan Lal Koul, Shakuntala Devi, Kaushalya Devi, Om Prakash, Rajinder Singh, Parshotam, Ashaq Ahmad, Vinod Kumar, Anil Kumar, Badri Nath, Dev Raj and others addresed the meeting.

Executive body of the J&K Projects Construction Corporation Worker’s Association in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Mr Joginder Pal, expressed solidarity with the agitating employees and urged the State Government to accept their demands.

Meeting criticised the State Government for adopting anti-employees policies.

The meeting was attended by Mr Ashok Anand, Ashok Kohli, Bhupinder Singh, Sat Pal, Padam Nath, Mohinder Paul, Shashi Bhushan Koul and others.

However, working in all Government offices, hospitals and educational institutions remained paralysed for the tenth succeesive day today.

Conditions in the Government Medical College and associate hospitals have been deteriorating.

The SMGS Hospital wore a deserted look as many as 11 out of 17 wards have been virtually locked due to the strike. Patients were seen sitting outside the wards.

Similar conditions are prevailing in the Government Medical College where only 5 wards are functioning. Doctors were seen attending patients of the five wards but majority of the patients were not satisfy with the treatment.

Various social, political and employees association have supported on going agitation of the employees and urged the State Government to immediately accept employees’ demands.

A meeting of the J&K Youth Gujjar Federation was held today at Talab Khatikan, Jammu under the presidentship of its president, Chowdhary Lal Mohammed Chouhan.

According to a press release, meeting made earnest appeal to the State Government to negotiate dealing with the striking employees and resolve their genuine demands at the earliest as general masses have been facing lots of hardship due to the strike.
Resentment high among local militants against mercenaries

From Nishikant Khajuria

KISHTWAR, Dec 29:Strong resentment is brewing among the local cadres of militants in Doda district, over the forceful takeover of the reins of militancy by the foreign mercenaries.

The local militants who had joined this stream under the illusion of so called Jehad against the Indian forces for the ‘independence’ of Kashmir, have now started realising that their role of a ‘Mujahideen’ has been reduced to mere porters and guides. These foreign ‘Mujahideens’ treat the local ‘Mujahideens’ as their slaves and even abuse them physically.

The control over the huge money being sent by Pakistan from across the border for the militant activities has also been taken over by the mercenaries. With the result, local militants have now fully become dependent on their foreign comman-ders. Despite the fact that these local ‘Mujahideens’, at the time of joining this stream, were promised of getting handsome amount for the destructive activities, are now running short of even clothes and shoes.

However, the most disappointing, the local militants feel, is the attitude and behaviour of these mercenaries towards them. These foreigner ‘Mujahideens’ do not give due regard to their local associates and treat them as inferiors.

According to defence sources, in addition to increasing pressure of security forces in association with other Government agencies, this factor was the main reason behind the surrender of seventeen hard-core militants at the Delta Force Headquarters, here on December 28.

This was the biggest surrender in the Doda district after the one which took place last year when 34 militants had laid down their arms before the Delta Force and joined the main stream.

Farooq Mir alias Janbaaz (19) of Mangat, a Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) militant, who surrendered alongwith other militants on December 28, said that he was motivated by Gulzar alias Hashmi, area commander of Banihal, to join the ‘Jehad’ for liberation of Kashmir. In March 98 he alongwith 17 other youth crossed over to Pakistan from the Poonch border. He remained there for more than six months and got training of handling almost all kinds of sophisticated weapons. Then he came back to India with the instructions from his mentors to create panic and terror in his area of operation.

However, after remaining active for about a year, Farooq realised the misconception of ‘Jehad’ when he witnessed the unholy and ghastly acts of ‘Mujahideens’, particularly foreigners. "They treated us as their slaves and even harassed our own family members," he said.

Another surrendered militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) outfit Mohammad Ayub of Mahu claimed that he killed his seven associates when they did not heed to his repeated complaints of misbehaviour by the foreigner commanders. When asked about the reason behind not considering his complaints, he replied,"obviously, they were helpless and could do nothing since no one can dare to speak against the foreigners".

Almost similar was the tale of other surrenderees, who now realise that they were misguided and exploited by the Pakistani agents for their vested interest. "Is looting and committing rapes is Jehad," asked Abdul Majid, a surrendered militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba.

The strategic importance of Doda district can be understood from its being the central location among Anantnag, Kargil, Chamba, Udham-pur and Rajouri.

Owing to close proximity of Doda district with Kashmir, it had a considerable impact on growth of militancy in the area. The militants when under pressure in Valley come to Doda for rest and recuperation. During this stay they also motivate the susceptible locals and establish their basis for future operation.

No doubt the practice is still continuing and militant ranks are still trying to recruit the locals but the illusion of Jehad is slowly dimini-shing.

The locals opined that more militants want to surrender but due the lack of rehabilition policy of the Government, the ‘misguided’ youth are still hesitating to shun the path which they had chosen ignorantly.

Headless Employment Deptt
Schemes fail to make headway despite Cabinet approval

By Neeraj Rohmetra

JAMMU, Dec 29: The ‘Unemployment Agenda’, which had often been described as the top priority of the Farooq Abdullah Government when it came to power in October 1996, seems to have taken a backseat today.

Since the past some time, the Employment Department continues to function as a ‘headless’ institution, without a Director. Although, the State Government introduced large scale administrative reshuffle recently, there was little concern on this front. The Department has also found no takers in the corridors of power, as none of the Cabinet colleagues of Dr Abdullah have been given its charge.

With the result, several schemes which were introduced with the aim of generating employment in different regions of the state continue to gather dust, despite clearance by the State Cabinet. While last year, sources said there was sufficient statistics to suggest that Government was serious on this front, it is not the case this year and accumulated figure of unemployed youth this time has touched nearly 2.5 lakhs.

Among the various schemes introduced by the Department for generating employment avenues during the financial year 1998 - 99 were Mega Placement Event, Private Placement Scheme, Carrier Counseling Scheme, Self-Employment Scheme and several others. As per the guidelines of administration, Carrier Counseling program was conducted at four districts — Kathua, Udhampur,Poonch, Rajouri last year, but this year only Jammu and Srinagar could be covered. This is despite the fact that the actual target was to cover all the remaining district and also, no workshops were organised for the same.

To channelise the energies of the youth, Carrier Corners were to be opened at district level, but things have failed to materialise. Besides, Centres for imparting coaching to youth for undertaking competitive exams were also to be established. The efforts to computerise the Employment Exchange of Jammu and Srinagar have also come to a naught.

Last special drives were organised under the aegis of the State administration. While 10 persons joined as sailors with the Indian Navy, 14 others were recruited at technician and non-technician posts with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The recruitment was made from several areas including Baramulla, Srinagar and Anantnag. While this time candidates were to be selected from Udhampur, Kathua, Doda and Jammu, little has been done in this direction.

Few others were also recruited by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) after necessary scruitinisation. But, this year the Department failed to make any headway.

Dwelling further, sources said that as a part of the Mega Placement Scheme, about 2000 youth were to be employed with major business houses of the country. The program was to be conducted in association with All India Management Association and the first phase was to start in November, 1999. It was decided that professionally trained youth including MBA’s and Engineers were to be provided openings in the private sector.

Sources asserted that like other Employment Schemes, this program had also been approved by the State Cabinet recently and about Rs 14 lakh had been sanctioned for its implementation. However, thereafter was little movement.

As a part of the self-employment scheme, during the financial year 1998 - 99, about 4000 persons were covered against a target of 10,000. Although, this year also the same target has been set, the beginning is yet to be made.

"Ironically, the Government had been kind enough to formulate several schemes to benefit the unemployment youth, but things remain confined to the files and little has been done on ground. Perhaps, there is no one to pursue the schemes and the higher ups seems to be little concerned", sources emphasised.

Employment Department, sources said continues to function like a headless institution. This is despite the fact that the organisation had a separate Directorate and and officer of the rank of Assistant Director or Joint Director has been operating at all the 14 districts of the State.

SP Operations posts created in Rajouri, Doda
33 SPs transferred, adjusted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29: The Home Department of State Government today ordered transfers and adjust-ments of 33 Superintendents of Police (SPs).

SP (Operations) Poonch Mr Parbhat Singh has been transferred and posted as Additional SP Katra in place of Mr Dharam Singh Chib. Mr Chib has been shifted as Deputy Commandant JKAP IV battalion against an available post.

Mr Raghubir Singh, recently promoted SP has been posted as SP (Operations) Rajouri against a newly created post. Mr Deepak Kumar Slathia, another SP promotee has been posted as SP (Operations) Poonch vice Mr Parbhat Singh.

Mr Rattan Chand Manotra, a promoted SP has been adjusted as SP (Operations) Kupwara against an available post while Ghulam Mohd Dar (SP promotee) was posted as SP (Operations) Pulwama. Mr Manohar Singh, SP (promotee) has been adjusted as SP (Operations) Srinagar against the existing post.

Mr Varinder Sharma, a promotee SP has been posted as SP (Operations) Arnas while Mr Ravinder Singh has been adjusted as SP (Operations) Anantnag. Mr Vijay Kumar has been posted as SP (Operations) Doda against a newly created post.

Mr Makhan Lal Sharma, Assistant Director Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA) , Udhampur has been transferred and posted as SSP (CI) Jammu. He will replace Ghulam Hassan Bhat who has been transferred and posted as SP PCR Srinagar.

Mr Ravinder Kotwal, IPS and Commandant Auxillary Police II Battalion was transferred and posted as Assistant Director SKPA Udhampur vice Mr Makhan Lal Sharma. Mr R A Dar, SSP PCR Srinagar has been posted as SSP Human Rights Commission against an available post. Mr J P Singh, former SSP Poonch and awaiting orders of adjustment has been posted as Commandant JKAP IV battalion.

Mr Mushtaq Sadiq, Commandant JKAP IV battalion has been transferred and posted as Comman-dant XI battalion against an available post while Mr B A Itoo, Deputy Commandant IX Battalion JKAP has been shifted as Commandant JKAP VI battalion against a vacancy.

SSP Vigilance Kashmir Mr B A Dar and Mr B A Malla, Commandant IRP 1 battalion will swap places. Mr B A Rafique, SSP Commandant IRP II battalion has been shifted to Aux Police II Battalion as Commandant. SP Security Kashmir Mr Israr Ahmad Khan will be new Commandant of IRP II battalion. SP Nissar Ahmed, awaiting orders of posting has been posted as SP (Special Branch) Jammu.

Mr Ghulam Hassan Bhat, SP CI Jammu has been transferred and post as SP PCR Srinagar while Sheikh Mehmood, SP (Operations) Anantnag has been transferred and posted as SP (Rural and Headquarters) Jammu. Mr Ved Parkash has been adjusted as Deputy Commandant IRP IB battal-ion against a vacancy while Mr M A Gangoo has been posted as Deputy Commandant IRP II battalion.

Mushtaq Ahmed Kenu was posted as Deputy Commandant JKAP VIII battalion. Mr Tilak Rah has been posted as Deputy Commandant JKAP XIII battalion against an available post. Mr Ghulam Sarwar Chouhan was posted as SO to IG Traffic.

Mr Rafiq-ul-Hassan has been posted as SP Security Kashmir while Pankaj Maghu has been posted as Deputy Commandant XI battalion JKAP. Mr Rajinder Singh was adjusted as Deputy Commandant IRP VI battalion against a vacancy.

Mr Suresh Kumar Sharma was posted as Deputy Commandant IRP VI battalion against a vacancy while Mr Hans Raj Parihar shall continue to function as SP Kulgam.

SOG Hqs toll is now 14
Grenade attack before CM's arrival

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec. 29: Minutes before the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah's arrival at the devastated headquarters of Special Operations Group (SOG) Srinagar, militants today fired at least four rifles grenades which fell short of the venue and failed to cause any damage.

Eyewitnesses said that just 3 minutes before the CM's arrival, militants fired the rifle grenades from a high-rise building near Naaz Cinema. Obviously the target was the SOG complex. However, all the four grenades fired fell short of the target and exploded at the southern end of Iqbal Park. Nobody was injured. At the same time, militants hurled a hand grenade on the Gypsy of SHO Shergarhi, Ghulam Mohammad Mir, near Naaz Cinema. A tyre of the vehicle bursted but the SHO, as also his guards and the driver, escaped unhurt.

The SHO's guards retaliated with firing in air which sparked off a chain of automatic gunfire from Police and paramilitary pill-boxes in uptown. Photojournalists ran from one spot to another in search of a picture but there were no signs of damage anywhere in the area.

IGP Kashmir Dr Ashok Bhan, however, told EXCELSIOR that the grenade attack on SHO Shergarhi as also the subsequent 'aerial shootout' had nothing to do with the CM's visit as the same had occurred far away from the SOG headquarters. He confirmed that paramilitary sentries at a number of places had fired a chain of gunshots which created a bit of panic in uptown. He said that Dr Abdullah and Mr Jagat conducted an inspection of the complex and declared that militancy would be wiped out at any cost and the security forces and Police would enjoy full support of the political Government.

Within a couple of minutes, Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah alongwith Director General of Police Gurbachan Jagat reached the SOG headquarters and took an inspection of the devastated Cargo building. He was shown the dead bodies of three militants, who had sneaked into the premises and subsequently got killed, as also that of a militant who had earlier today been killed by a joint team of SOG Srinagar and BSF at Wanbal, Shankarpora, in the outskirts of the capital city.

With the recovery of two more dead bodies from the debris, a total of nine J&K Police personnel, two CRPF guards and three militants have got killed in the 24-hour operation at SOG headquarters at Haft Chinar. The dead bodies of the Police and paramilitary personnel were despatched today for funeral rites at the respectives residences of the people killed.

A spokesman of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen has reportedly told the local news agency CNS that four of the outfit's militants had raided the Cargo Complex on Monday evening. He claimed that two of the intruders managed to return to their hide-out with all the sensitive records of SOG while as two more got killed while killing over a dozen Police and CRPF personnel. He identified the two militants killed as Riyaz Ahmed Khan alias Abu Shoaib of Bemina and Abdullah Bhai of Pakistan. However, the official maintained that a total of three militants had got kiled whose dead bodies had also been recovered from the debris.

Meanwhile, well-informed official sources today disclosed to EXCELSIOR that militants had kiled only three SOG and CRPF personnel while as at least 8 others got killed during the 24 hour-long joint operation by security forces. There was total chaos and confusion due to darkness, Iftar time, SP's absence and the militants having intruded in Police uniform. The way militants straightaway broke open the arms depot, was suggestive of the fact they were fully conversant with the interior locale of the complex.

Sources said that the medical examination and the rigour mortis of the two dead bodies suggested that the militants had died about 18 hours before the security forces blasted the building with IEDs. The chain of automatic gunfire at the complex for about 24 hours, according to sources, was the "battle of confusion'' between the holed up SOG personnel and the security forces personnel targeting the building from outside. None of the offices, fully aware of the building's interior labyrinths, were associated with the so-called flushing-cum-rescue operation.

Instead, the offensive was handled by the officers of security forces who had the cut-throat target of blasting the complex which they did with full might. At least six to eight SOG personnel are believed to have got killed during the devastating operation.

Hijack- transcript of Amritsar episode

NEW DELHI, Dec 29: We are all dying now ..... We are going to take off from here, the Pilot of the hijacked Indian Airlines aircraft said in his last, desperate message to the control towers at Amritsar before taking off at gunpoint.

The hijackers did not want to land anywhere in India, after comman-deering the Kathmandu-Delhi flight IC-814 in the skies over Lucknow on Christmas eve. But they had to touch down at Amritsar’s Raja Sansi Airport for refuelling.

Even as the authorities in Delhi directed that the plane be immobilised after it had landed at Amritsar and the Punjab Police was planning to do so when a refuelling tank went near the aircraft, the hijackers suddenly forced the Pilot to take off for Lahore.

The desperate hurry and the reckless mood in which the hijackers were is brought out from the following transcript of the communi-cation between the plane and Air Traffic Controller’s at Amritsar:

__1818 hrs: IC-814 (to control tower) : CFM (confirm) with Opla (Lahore). We are in contact with Opla. Opla is not allowing us to land and we have only 40 minutes fuel. They are insisting us to go to Opla and they are not allowing us to land in Indian soil.

—1821 hrs: IC-814 : Intentions are very strong as they have to land in Opla only. Otherwise they are ready to crash anywhere. They do not want to land in India.

—1826 hrs : IC-814 : We have fuel only for half-an-hour. Please coordinate with Opla. Please get our permission to land at Opla. They are very silly and they will kill us one by one.

—1831 hrs : IC-814 : Kindly inform Opla and request Opla to let us land there in Opla because their conscience is bad, they have already selected ten people to kill.

—1832 hrs : IC-814 : There is only 15 minutes fuel left over. With this we can remain 15 minutes in air. After that we don’t have fuel. Make sure we land in Opla as they want to land in Opla and otherwise not anywhere in India.

—1845 hrs : IC-814 : They want fuel tanker. If they are going to park on runway itself, if you have to position us, fuel tanker- fuel tanker. They have everything. Revolvers, AK-47, grenades, everything in hand everything open. They want refuelling is immediately done.

—1848 hrs : IC-814 : Go ahead. As per them (hijackers), if there will be any movement so first of all, they will kill one of us— of the cockpit crew and they will kill 10 passengers which they have already selected.

—1905 hrs : IC-814 : They have only five minutes. Please send it fast. Please send it fast. They have only five minutes Roger, Sir. Please send within five minutes otherwise they are going to blow one of us. Please send it fast immediately, otherwise one of us will be shot down.

Amritsar ATC : Immediately, Sir. As soon as they (oil tanker) will come, they will immediately be on site. IC-814 : Immediately, please send them fast. Request medium of conversation- Hindi, Roger, Sir.

Amritsar ATC : Affirmative Sir. We have already informed Indian Oil company. They should be coming on the way because this is not usual time of landing. Indian Oil was closed. We have alerted them. Ok.

—1907 hrs : IC-814 : As per them (hijackers) ‘Agar Kisi Ne Ustadi Dikhane Ki Koshish Ki, Sab Ko Bhoon Ke Rakh Dhenge’ (if anybody will try to act smart, we will kill all of them). They have grenades in their hands and revolvers and AK-47. Everything in their hand and we can see that. Roger.

—1911 hrs : IC-814 : Only refuelling bowser should be there. Nothing else.

Amritsar ATC : Affirmative sir. Only refuelling bowser will come to you, we confirm that.

IC-814 : Please send it fast, send it fast, send it fast. Now guns are on our heads.

Amritsar ATC : We are sending it very fast.

IC-814 : Everbody will be shot down in another three to five minutes. Kindly please come refuller.

—1915 hrs : IC-814 : Why are you taking that much time. Guns are on our heads now.

—1921 hrs : IC-814 : We have to see the bowser. Once we make 180 degree. Roger. If he does not see the bowser, he will kill us now.

—1923 hrs : IC-814 : They are going to kill us any time. Please send the bowser. They have started killing now. Where is oh........ Where is the bowser now? please tell us.

—1924 hrs : IC-814 : Guns are on our shoulders. Please send the bowser fast.

—1925 hrs : IC-814 : Amrit— please send the bowser mow.

Amritsar ATC : Affirmative Sir, sending the bowser.

IC-814 : Where is the bowser? Where is the bowser (crying voice), Yaar. He has started killing the passenger. Why don’t you understand our problem. Where is bowser Yaar?

—1925 hrs : IC-814 : He has already killed a passenger now. Why don’t you understand. Now we have stopped. Send the bowser fast. Please. Where is the bowser?

—1942 hrs : IC-814 : Four passengers have been killed now. Why have not you respond. The bowser is not coming here. What is the problem?

—1944 hrs : IC-814 : They have killed four persons. They are starting killing everbody. Already and they will kill everbody now.

—1949 hrs : IC-814 : We are taking off from present position (crying background noise heard on radio transmission in tower). We are taking off. We are all dying now. No bowser. We are going to take off from here. (PTI)

Farooq blames Pak for IA plane hijack

PUNE, Dec 29: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has charged Pakistan and its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with being responsible for the hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane.

Abdullah also lashed out at the Nepal Government which, he said, had failed to control isI activities from its soil.

Speaking after inaugurating the 75th national convention of Indian Medical Association here yesterday, he said the Government would not bow down before the hijackers, who have made a number of demands for release of 154 hostages, on board the plane now parked at Kandahar in Afghanistan. (PTI)

IA to operate addl flights on Jammu-Leh sector

NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Indian Airlines has decided to operate additional flights on Leh-Jammu-Leh sector with Boeing-737 aircraft twice a week till January end.

The flights would operate every Wednesday and Sunday to cater to additional rush of passengers, an official release quoting Minister of State for Civil Aviation Chaman Lal Gupta said here today. (PTI)

DGCA probing if Pilot sought permission
to land at Lucknow

NEW DELHI, Dec 29: The Director General of Civil Aviation is investigating reports that the Pilot of the Indian Airlines Airbus sought permission to land at Lucknow while being hijacked to Amritsar on Friday.

DGCA is investigating the matter, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh told reporters here.

There was, however, no record to show that the Pilot of the hijacked aircraft had sought permission to land at Lucknow, he said, adding records of Air Traffic Controls on that route were being checked. (PTI)

PML leader among 20 held in Pak

ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: In its continued crackdown against corruption, the Army regime in Pakistan have arrested 20 leaders and bureaucrats, including a senior Pakistan Muslim League ideologue, and hinted at making the new anti-corruption law more stringent.

In the latest round of arrests by the newly-formed National Accountability Bureau (NAB), top politicians of various political parties and senior bureaucrats were nabbed yesterday, official sources said today.

Former Chief Minister of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and a senior leader of Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League, Sardar Mahtab Abbasi, was among those arrested.

Two former NWFP ministers of the Awami National Party —Habibur Rehman Tanoli and Azam Khan Hoti — were also arrested for their alleged involvement in various suspicious deals during the Sharif Government, the sources said.

Among others taken into custody yesterday were mostly senior bureaucrats who held crucial posts during the 32-month-long Sharif regime which was toppled in an Army coup on October 12.

Leading English daily The News quoted NAB’s Prosecutor General Farooq Adam as saying that the new anti-corruption law would be made more stringent, under which the witnesses in the corruption cases would be given full protection and the right of bail from a High Court would be taken away from the accused. (PTI)

 

| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports |
| international | weather | mailbag | suggestions | search | subscribe | send mail |