Rs 7 lakh recovered from JKB manager, SDA official
SOG breaks another Hawala racket

Excelsior Special Correspondent

Srinagar, Nov 12 : Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu & Kashmir Police today claimed to have broken yet another Hawala racket in Kashmir valley as two officials have been apprehended and cash worth Rs 7 lakh claimed to have been seized.

Informed official sources told EXCELSIOR that while investigating the funding resources of the formidable militant outfits. SOG Srinagar laid its hands on a racket, involving a number of Government officials. On the basis of field intelligence. SOG sleuths apprehended Nisar Ahmed Ahangar son of Abdus Salam Ahangar of Omar Colony, Lalbazar, and subjected him to sustained interrogation. He spilled beans and identified the place at Magarmal Bagh where he had kept Rs 2 lakh of a Hawala transaction, for the use of some militant outfits.

The SOG sleuths raided the place at Magarmal Bagh and recovered cash worth Rs 2 lakh. Sources said that Ahanagar was the Baramulla manager of Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd who revealed the identities of other persons involved and explained how a Hawala transaction of over Rs 50 crore had been handled for the benefit of militants in the Valley. According to sources, the money had been distributed among Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen.

As there was immediately no source of confirmation, the three militant outfits are yet to issue a statement in the matter.

Official sources added that, after the sensational disclosures of the detained bank manager, SOG sleuths laid a trap and apprehended another Hawala functionary, namely Imtiyaz Ahmed Bhat S/o Ghulam Qadir Bhat of Ziarat Batmaloo. He was described as an official of Srinagar Development Authority (SDA). Sources said that Bhat was captured while taking cash of Rs 5 lakh from one place to another. The entire amount, according to official sources, has been seized.

Sources said that cases had been registered at Shergarhi Police Station and investigation was underway as some more arrests and seizures were expected shortly.

Earlier last year, SOG Srinagar had claimed to have busted another Hawala racket which had allegedly operated the transaction of Rs 172 crore. However, there has been no progress in the prosection as Hurriyat and other separatist organisations have been dismissing the SOG operations as "a campaign to malign the political activists".

HP Govt orders inquiry into explosion
Puja Express blast toll goes upto 14; ex-gratia announced

NEW DELHI, Nov 12: Himachal Pradesh Government today decided to hold a detailed inquiry into last night’s train explosion suspected to have been masterminded by militants which ripped through a general compartment of 2404 Jaipur-bound Puja Express even as the death toll increased to 14 with three injured person succumbing to his injuries, reports PTI.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal, while condemning the blast, said in a statement that the State Government would hold a detailed inquiry into the incident.

He promised more steps to ensure better security for trains running through the state.

While three people died on the spot, when the bomb, suspected to have been planted by militants ripped through the compartment near Kandrori station on the Himachal Pradesh-Punjab border last night, 11 were declared brought dead by doctors at Pathankot military hospital.

The condition of six injured passengers was stated to be critical while nine others were said to be in a serious condition.

Three bodies had been completely mutilated in the fire that occurred immediately after the explosion.

The ill-fated coach, which was second from the engine, was carrying nearly 120 people, majority of them army personnel, eyewitnesses said.

The explosion occurred at 2028 hours last night immediately after the train left Chakki Bank railway station and was about to enter Kandrori station.

Of the 51 injured, six have been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, the spokesperson said, adding that over 30 people were expected to be discharged after being treated for simple injuries.

Northern railways also announced an ex gratia of Rs 15,000 each to the kin of the dead, Rs 5,000 to the seriously injured and Rs 500 to the passengers who suffered simple injuries.

Minister of State for Railway Digvijay Singh, accompanied by senior Railway officials, visited the the accident site.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged the people to be vigilant in foiling such cowardly acts.

General manager of Northern Railways S P Mehta, who along with senior officials, arrived at the site late last night, was supervising the relief work.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Mr P K Dhumal also visited the spot and announced ex gratia of Rs 25,000 for kins of dead and Rs 15,000 for the injured.

Excelsior adds from Kand-rori, Chakki Bank: Preliminary investigations pointed out towards the involvement of Punjab militants behind last night’s powerful explosion in Jaipur-bound Puja Express while death toll in the blast today reached 14. Fiftyone injured were still admitted in Pathankote military hospital.

Railways and police officials of Punjab, Himachal Pardesh and Jammu camping here since last night, were unanimous that blast was the handiwork of Punjab militants and that explosive device was planted by two militants at Chakki Bank, where Puja Express had first stop after leaving Jammu Railway Station. However, they don’t rule out a nexus between Punjab and Kashmiri militants as both were being trained jointly in Pakistan.

Railways officials told a visiting EXCELSIOR correspondent that no passenger from Jammu was killed in the explosion though there were about 10 injured persons hailing from Jammu. Most of the dead were security personnel.

Identity of eight dead persons has been established so far while six others remained unidentified. All the bodies were lying in the Pathankote military hospital.

Quoting preliminary investigations and passengers travelling in the blasted compartment, DIG Kangra (Himachal Pardesh) Mr I D Bhandari told EXCELSIOR that two persons were reported to have boarded the second compartment of Puja Express, which was a general compartment, at Chakki Bank where the train had a halt of five minutes.

The train had travelled just three kms from Chakki Bank and was entering Kandrori railway station when the blast occurred. Either a timer had been fixed with the explosive device or the blast was triggered with a remote control by another militant, the police sources said, adding detailed investigations were being carried out jointly by police of Punjab and HP besides Railways authorities to gather clues.

Few splinters of the explosive device, which were seized from the spot, have been shifted to laboratories to ascertain the nature of explosive device but, sources said, it was certain that RDX had been used in the device which was also evident from intensity of the explosion.

Narrating the incident, a CRPF jawan Tarlok Singh, admitted in Pathankote military hospital said, he and his colleagues were just planning to go to sleep when the explosive device went off with a big bang.

The entire compartment, carrying over 120 people, was rattled with the impact of blast and passengers fell on each other. However, the bogey didn’t derail, according to a Railways official and train travelled about half a kilometer before stopping.

‘There was a virtual chaos in the compartment for 15 minutes with injured crying with pain and trying to come out’, said another injured Ashok Sharma of Ambala, adding no passenger from other compartments of the train came to their rescue.

A BSF jawan Nater Singh recalled that staff of two adjoining stone crushers were the first to reach the site of explosion and launched a rescue operation by bringing the injured out of the bogey. By that time, army jawans led by Lt Col A S Sood had also reached the spot and they shifted the injured to military hospital, Pathankote in the vehicles provided by stone crusher staff.

‘It was an unforgettable sound", said Mohinder Singh, a J&K police jawan admitted in the hospital. ‘For atleast half an hour I couldn’t hear anything but could only feel that I was alive’, he said, adding he regained full consciousness only today morning. Police said that mixture of TNT might have been used in the explosive device which caused a deafening sound and rendered the passengers briefly deaf.

The power supply in the areas adjacent to blast site was also cut off at the time of explosion, the injured passengers said, adding the darkness compounded the problems of relief and rescue authorities.

Punjab and Himachal Pardesh police chiefs and Deputy Commissioner Kathua Mr Chaman Lal visited the spot today alongwith senior Northern Railways officials to take stock of the situation. Pleading anonymity, most of the police and Railways officials admitted that blast was the handiwork of Punjab militants but they don’t rule out Punjab ultras nexus with Kashmiri subversives.

‘There is a possibility that Kashmiri militants might have used some Punjabi youths in planting the explosive device at Chakki Bank as there were massive security arrangements at Jammu Railway Station and track upto Lakhanpur, the last station of Jammu", a police official, camping at the spot, said.

However, there was no possibility of explosive device having been planted at Jammu itself. ‘Had it been so the blast would have been triggered by the militants before Lakhanpur’, he said, adding ‘Kashmiri militants were more interested in causing blasts within the state and not outside’.

Meanwhile, in Jammu Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah has expressed grief and shock over the death of passengers in yesterday's Puja Express explosion.

In a condolence message the Chief Minister has expressed his sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the salvation of the departed souls. He has also conveyed his sympathies for the injured persons and prayed for their early recovery.

On the instructions of the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, the Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Mr S S Slathia and the Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone today visited the Pathankote Hospital to inquire about the progress of injured in yesterday's Puja Express explosion.

Of the 55 injured, 10 are from Jammu and Kashmir State. However, there is no one from the State among the killed passengers.

The Ministers asked the doctors attending the injured persons to provide expeditions specialised medicare to them. They also expressed the grief over the loss of precious human lives.

The Minister provided Rs 5000 each to the injured belonging to State.

The IGP, Jammu Range, Mr R V Raju also accompanied the Ministers.

4 slain militants identified as Pakistanis
Two BSF officials killed in ambush at Mahore

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Nov 12: Two officials of Border Security Force (BSF) including a Sub Inspector were killed in an ambush laid by the militants at Chasana area of Mahore in Udhampur district, bordering Budhal area of this district, an official report reaching here said.

It said a big group of militants ambushed a patrol party of BSF 105 battalion at 0500 hours this morning. The patrol party was returning to its base camp after night patrolling when militants, from atop a hilly, opened indiscriminate firing and lobbed grenade on them.

The BSF personnel also took positions and returned the firing. The exchange of firing continued for more than two hours in which two BSF officials were killed. The militants managed to escape.

Reinforcement of BSF rushed to the spot from its base camp and chased the absconding militants. Blood stains at the spot revealed that atleast two militants were also injured in the encounter but they managed to flee alongwith their absconding colleagues.

Bodies of the deceased BSF jawans were shifted to their camp. They have been identified as Sub Inspector Dev Dutt and constable Madan Kumar. Both had sustained a volley of shots and died on the spot. Their bodies were being shifted to their native towns.

While fleeing, militants left behind one wireless set, one pistol and two grenades, which were seized by the security forces. Searches in the area were going on when the reports last came in.

Meanwhile, all four militants killed in an encounter with army at village Panihad in this district yesterday have been identified as Pakistanis. They were dreaded activists of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Pir Panjal Regiment.

They include Omar Khan, District Commander and chief-coordinator of Hizbul Mujahideen, Nasrulla Afghani, Nadir Ali and Rafiq Hamja, all Pakistanis, who were involved in a series of subversive activities in Pir Panjal range for more than a year.

Recoveries made from their possession include three AK-47 rifles, 12 AK magazines, 22 AK rounds, two hand grenades, one dictaphone, four pouches, Rs 1200 Indian currency and Rs 63 in Pakistan currency. Besides, a large quantity of incriminating documents were also recovered from their possession, which were being de-coded by the army officers.

With the killings of four militants especially that of Omar Khan, Hizbul Mujahideen’s Pir Panjal Regiment has suffered a major setback. Killings of 17 militants during last few days has given a sigh of relief to the local population as the slain ultras had killed a number of civilians on the pretext of their being security forces informers, which was invariably wrong.

Police gets clues in blast
Minister, DG visit site

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 12: Minister of State for Railways Mr Digvijay Singh and Director General of Railways Protection Force Mr U Rao flew-in here this morning and rushed to Puja Express accident site at Kandrori. They were accompanied by IG Crime and Railways, Jammu Mr Kuldeep Khuda.

After visiting the site of accident and assessing the situation, the Minister and DG RPF visited the Pathankote military hospital and inquired the condition of injured.

The Minister as well as DG RPF outrightly rejected the Punjab Police theory that explosive device had been planted at Jammu railway station. They were not convinced with the Punjab Police theory and observed that bomb was planted at Chakki Bank.

An injured also told the Minister and DG RPF at Pathankote hospital that two strangers kept their luggage on an upper berth and went towards bath-room. The injured said he thought that strangers will return from bath-room but by then the blast occurred.

The fact that roof of the compartment was blown up with the impact of blast substantiates the theory that bomb was in the luggage of strangers, who kept it on the upper berth and boarded off the train, the sources said.

PTI adds from Palampur:

Kangra police today claimed to have found vital clues leading to the identification of the persons responsible for the bomb blast in Puja Express near Kandrori on Himachal Pradesh-Punjab border last night which left 14 people dead.

SSP, Kangra, K C Shadyal said here that the police was on the look out for five fair-complexioned youth between 20 and 23 years, two of whom boarded the train at Jammu while the rest, wearing black Salwar and Kameez, entered the compartment at Chakki Bank railway station.

He said all five disembarked leaving their luggage behind seven to eight minutes before the blast ripped through the second compartment of the train.

The case was being investigated by the railway police.

Police in adjoining districts of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab had been alerted.

Rocket attacks in Pak capital
UN, US installations targeted

ISLAMABAD, Nov 12: With just two days to go for enforcement of UN sanctions against Taliban regime in Afghanistan, unidentified attackers today made an abortive bid to blow up United Nations offices and American installations including US Embassy here by firing seven rockets, which missed targets and exploded nearby.

Though the targeted buildings suffered little damage, nearly half-a-dozen people including a security guard of American centre were injured in the attack, the first act of terrorism in Pakistan after the military took over power on October 12.

Three of the seven rockets were aimed at UN and American installations that included the US Embassy, American centre, UN Information Service and offices of World Food Programme. Other rockets landed in the forests behind Punjab House, near Pakistan Government buildings, less than a kilometer from Parliament and Presidential House.

Though no one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, sources said this could be a warning shot by the Islamic extremist groups against the lingering international embargo.

The UN Security Council will enforce sanctions on Afghanistan from Sunday unless the ruling Taliban militia handed over indicted terrorist Osama Bin Laden for trial. The Saudi terrorist is on FBI’s most wanted list and has been charged in US with the bombings of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania last year.

Mullah Mohd Omar, head of Taliban regime, denounced the blasts and said, it is a conspiracy aimed at soiling Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.

In a statement issued from Taliban’s headquarters in Khandhar, Omar said that the attacks were aimed at fuelling current tensions between Afghanistan and the United Nations and the United States, according to Afghan Islamic press.

US Information sources suspect that the rockets were fired from a remote-controlled device with launchers positioned in several cars parked adjacent to the targeted buildings. These cars were later blown up apparently by the attackers using remote devices.

Remains of two-barelled rocket launchers were discovered inside a burned-out car. A top police official requesting anonymity, said Russian-made rockets were used in the attack.

Police said a bomb had been detected and diffused outside the popular Siraj covered market in Islamabad, a shopping area often used by foreigners here.

The blasts created panic in Islamabad and adjoining Rawalpindi with people rushing to the blasts sites. As a stepped up security measure, police officials were checking all vehicles leaving and entering the capital. (PTI)

Infiltration has intensified after Kargil, says Gen Malik

WASHINGTON, Nov 12: Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism, infiltration and attacks on Indian posts in Jammu and Kashmir have intensified after Kargil conflict, Chief of Army Staff Gen V P Malik has said.

Charging Pakistan with fighting a proxy war in Kashmir, Gen Malik said today the majority of those fighting and indulging in violence in Kashmir are coming from outside. They are being supported with weapons and equipment from outside.

He was speaking at the Henry L Stimson Centre here yesterday. The gathering included officials from the US State Department and leading South Asia experts.

Asked whether there was a role for any outsider to try to resolve the Kashmir issue, Gen Malik said firmly this is a bilateral matter and there is no role for outsiders.

When more than one questioner suggested that resumption of dialogue with Pakistan would help, Malik pointed out that two Prime Ministers of India: I K Gujral and A B Vajpayee, took the initiative to improve relations with Pakistan. Travel was made easier and other steps were taken.

Prime Minister Vajpayee went to Lahore and there, some important aspects which were agreed upon related to nuclear weapons, which he did not want to elaborate. Then came Kargil. Once bitten, twice shy, he said, and added, referring to the coup in Pakistan: We have to wait now, wait and watch.

Malik saw a large area of common ground between the US and India and vast prospect of mutual cooperation.

Malik said international terrorism, proliferation of small arms, narcotics trafficking and violent Islamic fundamentalism are threats that need to be addressed.

The Indian Army chief said with the Western and Northern borders to be safeguarded, India needs a credible minimum nuclear deterrent. However, he said that there is no justification for misgivings about the transition of India and Pakistan to the status of nuclear states or for raising the bogey of Kashmir becoming a nuclear flashpoint.

He said despite a naked aggression, India reacted in Kargil in a responsible, mature manner and with considerable restraint though she suffered casualties in doing so.

On other issues, he said that the threats to India’s maritime security are increasing exponentially.

Gen Malik said that instead of stressing converging views between India and the US, New Delhi has, until recently, been thrown into a common basket with our Western neighbour. In 52 years, he pointed out, India and Pakistan have followed different paths. What really came out on October 12 and October 13 (coup in Pakistan and the assumption of power by the newly elected Government in India), he said, brought out the major difference between the two nations.

From statements made (in the UN recently), this is changing. The remarks made by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Energy Secretary Bill Richardson are pointers in this regard. The recent waiver of sanctions against us is, I hope, a precursor to general acceptance of the ground realities in South Asia, he added. (PTI)

Billo, Bakra group clash
Gangster killed, 2 injured in Bakshi Nagar shoot-out

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 12: The ongoing warfare between two groups of Billo and Bakra took a serious turn tonight when three criminals of Billo group made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of Bakra but in the process shot at his colleague. In retaliatory firing by Bakra group, a gangster of Billo group, involved in three murders, got killed.

Bakra and his injured colleague Pardeep Mahendru alias Deepu were caught by the police on the spot while two gangsters of Billo group managed to escape in a three-wheeler and were being chased by the police, which had alerted all nakas throughout the Jammu City following the incident.

The deceased gangster of Billo group has been identified as Amit Sharma, a resident of Pir Mitha, who was killed on the spot.

SSP Jammu Mr M A Anjum told EXCELSIOR late tonight quoting preliminary investigations and eye-witness accounts that three gangsters of Billo group comprising Amit Sharma, Titoo of Prem Nagar and Minta of New Plot, riding on a three-wheeler, attacked Sanjay Kumar alias Bakra and his colleague Pardeep Mahendru alias Deepu at a Chemist’s shop outside the Government Medical College, Jammu at 2100 hours tonight.

One of the three gangster fired a shot aiming at Bakra but the latter managed to jump inside the shop and survived. Another bullet, fired by the gang member, hit Deepu at his chest. Police said despite being injured, Deepu retaliated with his pistol and gunned down a member of Billo’s group identified as Amit Sharma.

Two other members of Billo group—Titoo and Minta, however, managed to escape in the three-wheeler on which they were riding. Police said one of the two escapees was also injured.

A police party from Bakshi Nagar police station led by DySP Mr M H Malik and SHO Mr Madan Mohan Singh rushed to the spot. SSP Jammu Mr M A Anjum and SP City (North) Mr Johnny Williams also reached the site of firing.

A civilian identified as Ravi Kumar of Bakshi Nagar was also injured in the shootout. He has been admitted in the Medical College, Jammu.

Police arrested Deepu and Bakra from the spot. Deepu was operated upon in the Medical College hospital for a bullet injury in his chest and his condition was stated to be out of danger. Body of Amit Sharma was shifted to Medical College for post-mortem, which will be performed tomorrow morning.

Police said all Government as well as private hospitals have been alerted as one of the injured—either Titoo or Minta might approach them for treatment. All police station and police posts besides naka parties have been directed to look for the duo. Police said they were confident of apprehending both the absconders by tonight.

A weapon of offence and some cartridges were recovered from the possession of slain Amit Sharma while the pistol of Deepu, with which he had shot dead Amit Sharma, has also been seized by the police. A case in the inter-gang warfare has been registered at Bakshi Nagar police station for further investigations.

Police said the two absconding accused and slain Amit Sharma were involved in a series of crimes including murders and attempt to murders. Titoo had spent six years in Tihar jail also. They said both groups—Billo and Bakra had been carrying out attacks against each other for the last several years but the today’s attack came after a long time.

2 militants, civilians killed in Valley

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 12: While as security forces have eliminated two militants in an encounter at Aragam, Bandipore, a 60-year old civilian has been shot dead at Palpora, Pattan, early this morning in Kashmir valley.

Official sources told EXCELSIOR that late last night, troops of Rashtriya rifles 13 Bn engaged a couple of militants in a fierce encounter at Aragam, near Bandipore, and eliminated both of them. They were identified as the local cadres of Tehreek-ul-Jihad-e-Islami, namely Omar-ud-Din alias Ashiq of Ajas and Sidiq Tandwa alias Niyazi of Pazipora. Both of them were dreaded militants, believed to be responsible for several killings and attacks on security forces.

Reports available from Baramulla said that early this morning, an ambush party of security forces mistook a 60-year old baker as a militant at the Army's adopted village of Palpora, near Pattan, and shot him dead. Identified as Abdur Rehman Waza, he was a resident of Frastahar. Running a bakery at Palapora, he was going to offer the morning prayers at the local mosque.

At 2200 hours tonight, a brief encounter took place between a party of SOG Baramulla and militants at Rakh-e-Haigam in Baramulla district. Sources said that all the three militants, who according to the tip-off were present at the spot, managed to escape with the advantage of indiscriminate firing and darkness.

Reports from Anantnag said that a couple of shots were fired at the house of Peoples Patriotic Front chairman Azad Nabi during last night. However, police officials insisted that it was not essentially a militant attack.

7 Pak bunkers destroyed
Army foils major infiltration bid in Bimber Gali

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Nov 12: Alert Indian troops today foiled a major infiltration bid in Tarkundi area of Bimber Gali Sector in the wee hours today.

According to a Defence spokesman, the troops also retaliated heavy mortar shelling in the Nowshera and Poonch sectors and destroyed seven enemy bunkers across the LoC.

The spokesman said militants who were trying to infiltrate into Indian side of LoC hit the Anti Infiltration Obstacle (AIO) laid by the Army which alerted the troops who resorted to heavy fire on the the militants column.

The spokesman said search of the area in the morning led to the recovery of two A K Rifles, one grenade launcher, 100 rounds of ammunition, one rifle grenade and two rucksacks.

He said two militants were killed in the encounter who however were dragged by their colleagues to other side of LoC in the cover of darkness.

He said lot of blood was also seen at the site of encounter in the morning and there were also signs on the ground indicating that slain militants have been dragged to other side.

Giving further details the spokesman said in Poonch and Nowshera Sector enemy resorted to heavy 82 mm motor firing which was successfully retaliated by Indian troops.

During the exchange of fire three enemy bunkers in Nowshera and four in Poonch sectors across the LoC were destroyed, he said, adding the enemy was resorting to motor firing since last three days in Nowshera Sector. However, no casualty was reported from Indian side and the casualties suffered by the Pak troops is being ascertained.

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