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Two
suspected militants arrested Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Sept 30: Doda police today effected a large consignment of arms and explosives, meant for New Delhi, from a truck from tourist resort of Patnitop, about 40 kms from here late last night. Both driver and conductor of the truck, suspected to be militants, were arrested from the truck. With the recovery, Doda police have foiled a conspiracy hatched by Hizbul Mujahideen militants to trigger serial blasts in the Union capital. SSP Doda Mr Munir Khan told EXCELSIOR that Doda police had laid nakas at Batote and Patnitop after getting a tip off that an arms consignment was being smuggled to New Delhi by Pakistan-trained militants of Hizbul Mujahideen from Doda. Late last evening, police signalled a truck No. JK09 429 to stop at Batote naka. On being signalled, the truck driver accelerated the speed and managed to flee from the naka. However, police party chased the truck. Mr Khan said the speeding truck, carrying arms consignment, had a head-on collision with another truck No. JK02L 4031 coming from opposite direction at Patnitop. In the meantime, police party, which was chasing the truck, also reached Patnitop and over-powered driver and conductor of the truck. The truck was searched and consignment of arms and explosives was recovered from it. The seizure include five anti-personnel mines, seven Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one 9mm pistol, five telescopic wireless sets, one AK-47 silencer, three large packets of detonators, three loaded magazines of AK-47 rifles and other accessories of the weapons. Police identified arrested suspects as Bashir Ahmed son of Abdul Aziz of Sungug, Lolab and Abdul Qayoom son of Mohd Sultan of Zanglee Kupwara, driver and conductor respectively. Their questioning could lead police to the Hizbul Mujahideen militants from Kashmir valley who had dispatched the consignment to New Delhi. Police don’t rule out the possibility of truck’s driver and conductor being the Hizbul Mujahideen activists. Police said the consignment was being sent to Hizb activists in New Delhi, who were running short of arms and explosives. The consignment was meant to trigger serial blasts in the capital city of India, police said, adding a plot to this effect had been hatched by Hizb militants on the directions of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This was for the first time that Doda police have seized a consignment, which was being smuggled to the Union capital from Doda. Further investigations in the conspiracy were being carried out by the Doda police, sources added. Meanwhile, a woman has been found missing from her house at Chak Shawal village of Doda. She has been identified as Jameela Bi wife of Zakir Hussain. Police said it was being ascertained whether the woman has been kidnapped. |
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BJP
committed to change face of India RAE BARELI, Sept 30: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today lambasted the Congress for tumbling down his Government and imposing an expensive and uncalled for elections on the country and said the wind of change had already started blowing in the country. Addressing an election meeting at the Government inter-college grounds here on the last leg of his campaigning he sought a "people’s mandate" for a full five-year term. Making an appeal to vote for BJP candidate and former Union Minister Arun Nehru, Mr Vajpayee cautioned people: "If one vote can lead to the fall of my Government, one vote can also lead to its formation." "Reiterating that the BJP was committed to change the face of the country for the better in these five years, he said, "you had given me five years but they were reduced to 13 months." "We want to usher in a new era of social justice and prosperity - an era in which there will be no economic disparity, he said, adding "we will also strive for bringing the suppressed and the neglected classes at par with others and grant reservation to women in Parliament and the State Legislatures." Asserting that only the BJP and its allies could provide a stable and honest Government at the Centre which was the need of the hour, he said only a Government with a firm determination could save the country from internal and external threats. "We have proved our mettle during the Kargil conflict," he added. "When we severed out ties with Ms Jayalalitha because of charges of corruption against her, the Congress immediately associated itself with her, Mr Vajpayee said. The Prime Minister asserted that his party would make India self-dependent in defence matters and recalled that he had gone to Pakistan on a peace-mission but "our neighbour attacked us trecherously." Mr Vajpayee said we wanted peace but "we would never bow down to international pressures in matters relating to India’s security and integrity." "We forced the enemy to move out of the Line of Control and told them candidly that they would have to give up terrorism if they wanted peace on the border," the Prime Minister said. Mr Vajpayee regretted that his Government was forced to go at a time when there was a change for the better in the country’s economy. The industries had begun to work and there was also a record production of foodgrains. The most unfortunate thing was that his Government was toppled without having an alternative, he said. The Prime Minister pointed out that when his Government was installed, the situation was entirely different. "The prices were rising, industries were getting sick and foodgrains had to be imported," he said. Mr Vajpayee said now that the election trends had already indicated that the BJP and its allies were far ahead of their rivals, our opponents were getting frustrated and desperate and levelling baseless charges and using uncivil language against us. The Prime Minister in the opening sentences of his speech sought to counter the attack of Ms Priyanka Gandhi on the BJP nominee from the constituency, Mr Arun Nehru. Ms Priyanka Gandhi in her speeches had asked the people how they had allowed Mr Nehru to enter the constituency. Mr Vajpayee said "when I set foot on the soil of Rae Bareli, I was a little hesitant, thinking, I might not be taken to task for visiting the place," and then in an emphatic voice added," the whole country stretching from Kanniya Kumari to Kashmir constituted one family —the family of mother India (Bharat Mata) and in a democracy no one can impose a restriction on the coming and going of another person." This is not the language of a democratic set up, Mr Vajpayee said. The BJP candidate, Mr Arun Nehru, in his brief speech said "Atalji symbolised the unifying forces while others believed in disintegration." The BJP general secretary Narendra Modi also addressed the gathering. (UNI) |
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Hurriyeat realising
futility of gun culture Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 30: Underlining the need for Indo-Pak friendship for global peace, Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the normalisation of relations between the two neighbours will bring cheer and prosperity to the people of the sub-continent. He said India made a sincere bid in this direction when Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee visited Lahore. This process must be resumed and taken to logical conclusion, he said. The Chief Minister was addressing election rallies at Kokernag, Devasar and Neelu in south Kashmir today. He said he will emphasise the need for friendship and peace between the nations during his visit to America in mid October. "I will also draw the attention of the UN General Assembly towards the menace of terrorism and violence confronted to the world," he said, adding that a joint strategy will have to be formulated for facing this challenge. Cautioning people against the machinations of disruptive elements, Dr Abdullah said much blood has been spilled during past few years. "Enough is enough: We want to live in peace," he said while hoping that the people will unitedly frustrate the nefarious designs of the enemy. Ridiculing Hurriyat Conference for patronizing militancy, he said, those holding brief for militants are responsible for the killing of thousands of Kashmiri youth in the past decade. Realising about futility of gun seems to have dawned on the Hurriyat leaders which is reflected in the statements of its leaders in Washington and New Delhi, he said while referring to the utterances of Mr Abdul Gani Lone and Mr Umar Farooq. "In Delhi, Maulvi Umar Farooq talks about dialogue with the Centre while in America Mr Abdul Gani Lone spits his venom against Pakistan", he said and declared that "Delhi and not Islamabad is going to help us." The National Conference president reiterated his party’s stand to co-operate with the party in power at the Centre for economic upliftment and development of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the State has suffered immensely during past few years and effective measures were needed to steer it out to peace and progress. Exhorting people to strengthen National Conference, Dr Abdullah said a strong voice is needed in Parliament for restoration of autonomy within the Constitution in the State. He said the people have to fight politically for their rights. "Those who have weakened the special status of Jammu and Kashmir from time to time are now trying to be the champions of autonomy", he wondered and asked what Mufti Mohammad Syed did for the people of Kashmir when he held the important position as Union Home Minister. Referring to the measures being taken for speedy development of the State, Dr Abdullah said that teachers, engineers, officers and other Government functionaries will be held accountable for their performance. He regretted that the results in Government schools were invariably not upto the mark and doctors were shying away from serving in rural areas. This trend will have to be reversed, he added. Dr Abdullah decried the anti-poll elements for pasting threatening posters on mosques etc and issuing letters to voters to keep away from booths and hoped that by exercising their democratic right in a big way, they will reject such elements. The National Conference candidate for Anantnag Parliamentary constituency, Mr Ali Mohammad Naik also addressed the rallies. Senior National Conference leaders Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah, Mirza Safder Ali Beg, Syed Abdul Rashid and Ms Sakina Itoo were also present in the public meeting. Pak violates sanctity
of IB Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, September 30: Alert troops foiled a major infiltration attempt in forward area of Arnia area along the International Border (IB), near here, yesterday night. Besides, it was for the first time that Pakistani rangers violated the sanctity of IB using heavy weaponry like Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), while trying to give cover to the intruders. According to sources, yesterday night the jawans guarding the frontiers on the Indian side observed some suspicious movement. The troops challenged the infiltrators, who were making attempts to percolate into Indian territory. The infiltrators started firing indiscriminately and the fire was returned by the troops. Besides, Pakistani rangers also gave fire cover to the intruders. The exchanges of the ammunition lasted quite some time. Subsequently, the Rangers also fired Rocket Propelled Grenades on the Indian troops. The latter retaliated by firing rifle grenades. Unable to cope up with pressure from the Indian forces, the infiltrators, who were four in number chose to retreat to the Pakistani territory. Sources said that it was for the first time that Pakistani troops had chosen to use heavy weaponry like RPGs along the International Border. "This incident has clearly brought fore the intentions of troops of the other side", he maintained. Meanwhile, the security forces have been put on alert following the call by pro-independence outfit Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) to cross the LoC on October 3. |
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Police crackdown on
Hurriyat Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 30: Immediately after Wednesday's multiple grenade attack on the Civil Secretariat and the Director General of Police holding the anti-election Hurriyat leaders responsible for the same, police have launched a massive crackdown on the activists of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in Kashmir valley. Official sources confirmed to EXCELSIOR that the entire police, security forces and intelligence agencies were now out to apprehend senior Hurriyat activists Mohammad Yaseen Malik, Javed Ahmed Mir and Bashir Ahmed Tota. The operation has been specially focussed on Yaseen Malik who has gone underground after the earlier arrest of the Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other senior Hurriyat leaders. DGP Gurbachan Jagat has picked up Malik's threat of "direct action against the Government" and held him indirectly responsible for the grenade attack on Secretariat and broad daylight killing of a police constable at Batmaloo on Wednesday. As already reported, FIR has been lodged against the Hurriyat activists, holding them responsible for giving the threat and later launching the attack on Secretariat. Police conducted a series of raids but failed to get Malik, Javed and Tota. However, as many as 46 Hurriyat activists were rounded up from different places during last night. They included Qazi Ahadullah, Dr Ghulam Mohammad Hubbi and brother of one Abu Moosa. Meanwhile, senior official sources disclosed to EXCELSIOR that a breakthrough in the grenade attack on Secretariat was expected within two days as all the three Harkat-ul-Mujahideen activists responsible for the same had been identified. Police have apprehended some Harkat activists who have identified the top-wanted saboteurs and admitted their own involvement in laying an IED near Badyari Crossing, which was seized and defused. On the revelation of a detained militant, police also recovered explosive material from the building of Old Police Station Maisuma. However, it continues to be a mystery whether the militants launched the attack from a high-rise building in close vicinity of the Secretariat Complex or a Maruti car was used for the same. |
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Harkat strikes on
Cable operator, video library Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 30: While as security forces have eliminated at least eight foreign militants in Kashmir valley and a soldier has also got killed, unidentified militants have shot dead another National Conference (NC) activist. Militants have also caused an IED blast at Damhal Hanjipora and launched grenade attacks on the shop of a cable operator and a video library in the capital city. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that unidentified militants shot dead an activist of the ruling NC at Kokernag. He was identified as Mohammad Ayub. However, another report from south Kashmir said that police had recovered an unidentified dead body at Hillar Bahi in Dooru locality. The political killing has been reported at a time when the NC president and Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah addressed his largest ever election rally of south Kashmir at Wailoo, Kokernag, today. Independent reports said that at least 4000 people, including 500 women, participated in the NC rally at Wailoo. Excluding in Noorabad segment, less than 400 people had been witnessed in all the campaigning rallies in Anantnag-Pulwama till date. At midnight last, troops of 11-Dogra Bn laid an ambush at Zaloora, in Sopore area, and shot dead an unidentified militant who seemed to be a foreigner. In the brief encounter, two Army personnel, namely Pradeep Kumar and Satyanand sustained injuries. They were rushed to hospital for treatment. In a fierce encounter between troops of Rashtriya Rifles 22 Bn and militants at Maidan Bahak in Machhil sector of Kupwara, four foreign militants got killed on Wednesday. Two AK-56 rifles, 50 hand grenades, two rifle grenades and 25 mortar bombs were claimed to have been recovered. Troops of RR 22 Bn conducted another operation at Mush-naar forest area of Machhil and eliminated three more foreign militants in a fierce encounter. Three AK-56 rifles, two rifle grenades and two hand grenades were claimed to have been recovered from the site of encounter last evening. In exchange of fire, one soldier, namely Jasbir Singh, got killed while as another soldier, Ashok Kumar, sustained injuries. Reports available from south Kashmir said that militants targeted the Awami League Lok Sabha candidate Altaf Ahmed Paddar with an IED blast at Damhal Hanjipora, Noorabad, when he was taking his campaigning motorcade to a village. His guards retaliated and a girl, namely Fareeda daughter of Mohammad Akbar resident of Damhal Hanjipora, sustained a gunshot wound. However, a senior official insisted that there was no militant attack on any candidate in south Kashmir today. At 1230 hours today, militants hurled a hand grenade on the office of a cable operator, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan at Solina Rambagh. One civilian, namely Mohammad Ismail Sheikh sustained splinter injuries. Eyewitnesses said that militants stormed into the shop and tossed a grenade which exploded and caused extensive damage to the equipment. Later, at 1350 hours, militants lobbed another hand grenade on one Iqbal Ahmed Khan’s Oskar Electronics at Court Road. Minor damage was caused to some adjacent shops. Meanwhile, on the identification and disclosures of a detained militant of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, SP East Javed Mujtaba Geelani conducted a search in the building of Old Police Station at Maisuma and recovered a time device, some AK rounds and a pressure cooker with explosive material. The detained militant, according to official sources, has identified the three particular militants of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen who had fired six rifle grenades on Civil Secretariat on Wednesday and also gunned down a policeman at Batmaloo. Senior official sources told EXCELSIOR that all the three militants had been identified and a breakthrough was expected in Wednesday’s attack on Civil Secretariat in a couple of days. |
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MUMBAI, Sept 30: The London Bowstreet Magistrate would commit music director Nadeem Akhtar Saifee on October six to the British Home Secretary for his extradition to India to stand trial in the sensational Gulshan Kumar murder case, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said here today. Nikam told reporters that Magistrate Christopher Pratt, in his ruling on September 22, noted that there was sufficient evidence to justify the committal of Nadeem for his alleged complicity in the crime committed in India. The Magistrate would, however, pass formal orders in this regard on October six when Nadeem has been summoned to appear along with sureties, Nikam, who coordinated with the crown prosecution on behalf of Indian Government, said. Under the English laws, he said, only British Home Secretary had the powers to issue orders pertaining to extradition of any person to his country of origin. However, his order could be challenged before a division bench in the London High Court, Nikam said. He said even the Bowstreet Magistrate’s decision could be challenged in the High Court at London and Nadeem’s lawyer had already declared his client’s intention to do so. Asked about the period during which an appeal can lie, Nikam said the normal duration is 14 days (from October six). But in this case it could be within three to four months. Nikam said the police had adduced evidence before the London Magistrate on how the conspiracy was hatched in Dubai by underground fugitive Abu Salem and its execution led to the murder of audio king Gulshan Kumar. The police had also produced documentary evidence and examined an eye witness before the London court to prove the prosecution’s case that Rs 25 lakh was paid by accused to the henchmen of Abu Salem to murder Gulshan Kumar who allegedly had business rivalry with Nadeem and co-accused Ramesh Taurani, the special public prosecutor claimed. The Bowstreet Magistrate did not attach much importance to the withdrawal of the pardon sought by the only approver in the case, Mohammed Ali Shaikh alias Chacha, Nikam claimed. The prosecutor further said that Nadeem could move the London High Court in regard to the alleged human rights violation concerning him. But he had not pressed the issue before the Bowstreet Magistrate. To a question, he said the trial in Gulshan Kumar murder case in India had not yet begun. This is for the first time that Mumbai police had been successful in regard to the extradition proceedings in a London court, he said. Gulshan Kumar was murdered on August 12, 1997, outside a temple in suburban Juhu where he had gone to offer morning prayers. On the day of incident, his personal bodyguards were not with him as they had gone on leave. Nadeem was already in London with his family on a vacation. Since then he has not returned. (PTI) |
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'NDA will cross 300
mark' BHUBANESWAR, Sept 30: BJP general secretary Venkaiah Naidu today exuded confidence that his party would return to power after the elections. Addressing newspersons here, Mr Naidu said the BJP would form the Government contrary to the vilification campaign and propaganda launched by the Congress. He said even though the BJP will have an absolute majority as the single largest party, it would form a coalition Government with its allies on a common agenda. He said "our feedback assessment from states gives us confidence that we would cross the three hundred mark and the country would have a stable Government". The President, he said, would have no problem inviting Mr Vajpayee to form the Government. The BJP leader said going by present indication, the party and its allies would consolidate its position further and improve its tally from the South and the East. These were the two areas where the Congress had considerable strength. Hitting out at the Congress, Mr Naidu said the party neither has any leader, nor unity and claimed that after the polls there would be another split in the Congress. He further said there were also too many claimants for the Prime Ministership like Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr Jyoti Basu, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mr Mulayalam Singh Yadav in the opposition. He said even the CPI(M) leaders were now feeling that they had committed a historical blunder in not accepting the prime ministership post but now they have changed their tune on the eve of the election saying that the Third Front would form the Government in the Centre. Mr Naidu said even Ms Jayalalitha had also stated that she would explore the possibility of a Third Front-led Government at the Centre. The BJP general secretary predicted that there would be a realignment of forces after the polls with only two combinations outside the National Democratic Alliance-the Congress and the other with the combination of Mr Sharad Pawar, Ms Jayalalitha, the CPI and the CPI(M) and others. Mr Naidu said the Congress has no right to ask the people for votes as it was responsible for ejecting an elected Government. It has also no right to ask for vote on economic issues as it was during the Congress tenure the country was pushed into a debt trap with Rs 6,68,000 crore external and internal loan burden and the rupee was devalued thrice and the inflation went up to 13 per cent. The BJP general secretary alleged that the Congress had divided the country into minority and majority and communal violence increased only in the Congress-ruled states such as Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. He said the Congress also compromised on the national security front and handed over 1,21,000 sq km of land to Pakistan and China, reduced the defence expenditure and postponed the Pokhran and missile test succumbing to the international pressure. He also rebutted the allegations of corruption and scams by Congress president Sonia Gandhi during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure. (UNI) |
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Dental College students thrashed; 22 injured Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 30: At least 22 students of the Prime Dental College (PDC) were injured as a result of brutal thrashing by JKP, BSF and CRPF for protesting inside the SDA park, opposite secretariat. The students were protesting for examinations which have not been held since last four years. A group of students with broken limbs and bruised skins called on to EXCELSIOR and lamented that around 50 students had gathered inside the SDA Park, opposite secretariat, with a hope that they will be allowed to meet CM. The students wanted to meet CM to remind him of his promise, regarding the holding of examinations, which he had made during his visit to the PDC. However, when the students, today, tried to seek an appointment with CM, they were not allowed to go inside the secretariat after which they assembled inside the SDA park, opposite secretariat, hoping that they would be able to catch the attention of CM, when he comes out. Meanwhile, Chief Secretary was seen coming out of the secretariat and to catch his attention and show their resentment the students set their aprons on fire. This irked the security personnel stationed there who were already upset after yesterday's grenade attacks on secretariat and they resorted to the indiscriminate lathi charge on students. JKP, BSF and CRPF turnwise thrashed the students, in which more than 22 students, including girls were injured. The students also alleged the molestation of females amonst them by security personnel. Out of the injured, condition of five students is stated to be critical as they have suffered multiple injuries. They include Asif, Erfan, Basharat, Saima and Farhat. However, the students of the PDC have decided to intensify their struggle for conducting the examinations. |
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Housewife raped by 5 youths in Kalakote Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Sept 30: A young housewife was allegedly raped by five miscreants at her house in village Seal Sui under the jurisdiction of Kalakote police station last night. The victim has been identified as Naseema Akhter wife of Abdul Rashid. Police said five heavily drunk accused attacked the house of Naseema Akhter when her husband wasn’t present in the house. The woman was sleeping with her children. The miscreants broke open the door of the house and pounced upon Naseema Akhter. All of them tried to gang-rape the woman. Police said one of the miscreant allegedly raped the woman while others, who were heavily drunk only assaulted the woman. The woman took shelter in the adjoining fields and survived rape by other youths. All accused managed to escape from the village when father-in-law of the woman raised an alarm and neighbourers came out of their house. Accused, who were also local residents of Seal Sui villages, have been identified as Jasbir Singh, Gulshan Singh, Goldi Singh, Kushal Singh and Kuldev Singh. All of them were absconding. Meanwhile, following protests from the local people, the woman was brought to Rajouri this morning where her medical was conducted by a Medical Board in the district hospital. Report of the medical examination was awaited, the sources said, adding indications were that woman might have been raped by one of the accused. Kalakote police have registered a case against all six accused and launched a hunt to apprehend them. All of them remained untraced till the reports last came in but police was hopeful of their arrest. Civilian injured in Pak firing Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 30: A civilian was injured in Pak firing at forward village of Gharana in RS Pura sector last evening. He has been identified as Mohan Lal of Gharana. Police said the victim was evacuated from the firing site and shifted to Medical College hospital in serious condition. Indian forces effectively retaliated Pak firing. |
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