 |
NC poll agent killed, 15
injured in 12 IED, rocket, From Ahmed Ali Fayaz ANANTNAG, Oct 4: Amid a chain of bomb blasts, rocket attacks, militant threats and the boycott call by Hurriyat Conference, polling for Lok Sabha constituency of Anantnag-Pulwama passed off smoothly with 14 percent turnout and little allegations of coercion and rigging today. One polling agent of the ruling National Conference (NC) got killed and 15 others including 12 police and security forces personnel -- sustained injuries as militants struck at a dozen places to disrupt the polling with firing, rocket and bomb blasts. Like in the north Kashmir districts of Baramulla and Kupwara on September 18 last, militants made determined efforts to disrupt polling for the south Kashmir constituency of Anantnag-Pulwama today. As the Valley observed a near-total bandh in response to the boycott call of the separatist Hurriyat Conference, militants caused major IED blasts at Pampore and Maimendar, Shopian, killing an NC polling agent and leaving 15 others wounded. An IED planted by militants under a culvert at Sambora (Pampore) had been recovered by police last evening. At 2130 hours last night, militants hurled a grenade and fired volleys of automatic fire on the building of Boys Higher Secondary School Pulwama. As many as 24 bullet marks were found on the backwall of the building, housing four polling booths. Presiding and Polling Officers said that they did not sleep for the whole night as exchange of fire between militants and security forces continued for over an hour. Last night itself a grenade and firing attack was also launched on a school building, housing a polling station at Kellar village in Pulwama. However, nobody was reported injured. This morning, militants fired a rocket which hit the targeted polling station at a school building in Littar village of Pulwama district. As many as nine constables of IRP 3rd Bn sustained minor injuries. They were all safe after medical treatment at a Srinagar hospital. Polling staff and agents of four political parties had a narrow escape. None of the voters were present nor did they turn up after the powerful blast. Earlier, at 0645 hours, militants caused an extremely powerful IED blast beside the newly constructed main mosque at Maimendar, in the outskirts of Shopian town, when people were coming out after performing the morning prayers. Even as the large number of civilians had a narrow escape, two persons -- namely, Nazir Ahmed Ganai S/o Ghulam Mohammad Ganai and Rehman Tilwani -- got injured alongwith three soldiers of Rashtriya Rifles. The polling station was located about 50 yards from the spot. This correspondent saw over a dozen windows of the mosque shattered and all the glasspanes broken into smithereens. So much powerful had been the blast that even a chisseled cornerstone had cracked into two. Militants caused an IED blast near a polling station at Midoora, Tral, fired upon a polling station at Pinglish, Tral. Security forces retaliated and there was no damage from either side. At 0845 hours, militants caused another IED blast at Girls Higher Secondary School Pampore, housing a polling station, in the forenoon today. As no voters had turned up and the polling agents were roaming around, the blast caused grievous injuries to the NC agent, Ghulam Mohammad Mir S/o Ghulam Ahmed Mir of Drangbal, and the CPI(M) agent, Iqbal Hussain Baba S/o Ghulam Nabi Baba of Iddgah Srinagar. Both of them were rushed to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, where the NC agent succumbed to injuries. Interestingly, the polling station had been occupied by CRPF after thorough scanning on Friday last. In Pulwama district, reports of militants strikes were also received from Machhama and Kellam while as a grenade had also been hurled on the house of an NC activist Mohammad Akbar Bhat at the district headquarters. Nobody was reported injured. In Anantnag district, militants targeted the vehicle of an election Observer near Aaroo, ahead of Pahalgam, with an IED blast. Even as the Observer had a narrow escape, his escort vehicle, No: JK02-F-8143, suffered minor damage. Nobody was reported injured. A time bomb exploded at a Co-operative shop, housing the polling booth Nos 15 and 16 at Wopzan (Bijbehara) at 1530 hours but failed to cause any major damage. Nobody was reported injured. At the same time, another time bomb exploded in the attic of a school building, housing the polling station at Zalangam in Dooru. The roof suffered extensive damage. However, nobody was reported injured. Earlier, militants targeted the security forces personnel near a polling station at Sagam in Kokernag. Reportedly, minor damage was caused to a paramilitary force vehicle. Late evening reports said that militants ambushed a polling party at a spot between Lankarpambai and Peth Devsar, in Noorabad segment. In retaliatory firing of the escorting troops and police, one militant got killed and other managed to escape. Inspite of the series of over a dozen IED explosions, rocket attacks and firing incidents, authorities managed to complete the last phase of Lok Sabha polling in Kashmir valley without any disruption. Today’s polling in south Kashmir was different from that of Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies as there were little allegations of "dragout of voters" by security forces and few complaints of rigging and unfair means had been received till late this evening. Notwithstanding the blasts, militants’ threats, firing and the Hurriyat-sponsored bandh people in both the south Kashmir districts were seen relaxed and, unlike Srinagar and Baramulla, there were no signs of tension. Farmers in large numbers were seen busy in harvesting on both sides of roads. It was observed that varied factors -disillusionment among voters, Government’s failure on developmental and employment fronts, lack of mobilisation and interaction between the people and respective legislators and ministers, militants’ threatening letters and posters, security forces’ failure to provide area security to the electorate, harvesting season and the Hurriyat’s call for boycott -- were responsible for a very low turnout. Due to the variety of reasons, most of the people did not go to the booth while as the farmers engaged themselves in harvesting the crops. Anantnag town with over 20,000 voters rejected the polling with total boycott. No voter had turned up till 1400 hours at polling booth Nos 46, 47, 48 and 49 at Islamia Hanfia College polling station. Law, Minister PL Handoo was the only person who had cast a vote at 44-Bangidar, though he was supposed to do it at Nazuk Mohalla booth. Just 2 votes had been polled at 45-Qazi Mohalla. Almost same was the position at other booths at Anantnag, which had earlier emerged as the headquarters of pro-India Ikhwan and became the Valleys first "militant-free" town. The boycott caused considerable embarrassment to Minister of State Revenue and MLA Anantnag Safdar Ali Beg, former Minister Mirza Mehboob Beg (who has lately returned to Dr Farooq Abdullah’s party) and the veteran Law Minister Mr Handoo. However, the near-total boycott in Anantnag, Homeshalibugh and Bijbehara segments made it clear that president of J&K Peoples Democratic Party Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was going to lose with a big margin while as the fairly good turnout at Noorabad (40%), Dooru (23%) and Wachi (20%) was likely to return the NC candidate Ali Mohammad Naik. Even as the CPI(M) candidate Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami had his polling agents alongwith NC almost everywhere, PDP and Congress had no agents at most of the polling stations. Mufti had even imported some agents and Sikh activists from RS Pora locality of Jammu. According to official sources, Tral recorded a turnout of 2.6%, Pampore the lowest 0.9%, Pulwama 4.5%, Rajpora 16%, Wachi 20%, Shopian 19%, Noorabad 40%, Kulgam 13%, Homeshalibugh 8%, Kokernag 10%, Anantnag 3.5%, Devsar 15.5%, Dooru 23%, Shangus 14.2%, Bijbehara 16.65% and Pahalgam 15%. Officials calculated that 14% turnout had been recorded in the constituency. |
||
Punishment
leads to suicide attempt Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Oct 4: Unable to bear the humiliation of punishment in the class room, a higher secondary class female student consumed acid inside the Government girls higher secondary school here this morning and was critical. Identified as Pooja Devi daughter of Vishwanath, a resident of Subash Nagar, Udhampur, the girl has been referred to Medical College hospital where her condition was stated to be critical. She was struggling between life and death even after her stomach was washed away by the doctors. Reports said Pooja Devi was asked to stand in the class by her teacher for not replying to a question. She was asked to stand in the class for five minutes. Humiliated, the girl rushed out of her class room, went straightway to Science laboratory and consumed acid. The girl fell unconscious in the laboratory. Some students, who were present in the laboratory, raised an alarm. The girl was rushed to district hospital from where she was referred to Medical College hospital. Her condition remained critical. Family members of the girl have lodged a report with Udhampur police. Local people have demanded registration of a case against the school teacher and an impartial inquiry into the whole episode. There was tension in the institution as the report of suicide attempt by the student spread. Meanwhile, a matador No. 3955 JK02E met with an accident at Chani Morh, about five kms from here causing injuries to about a dozen persons. None of them was critical. The matador was on way from Udhampur to Manwal when it met with the accident. Local police have registered a case in the accident and was investigating. The bus has been seized and driver arrested. |
|
Levying of tax on
power generation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct. 4: Mr Justice Arun Kumar Goel of the State High Court Jammu wing has kept in abeyance SRO-141/99 Dated 21.4.1999 issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Government whereby levy of 50 paisa per unit was imposed by way of electricity-duty on electric energy generation in the Hydro-Electric Projects in the State. Uri and Salal Hydel Projects. This court order was passed in a writ petition field by National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) through its Managing Director challenging the legality, validity as well as authority o the State Govt. to have issued Notification dated 21.4.1999 vide SRO-141 of 1999 in exercise of powers vested in its under Section 3 of the J&K Electricity (Duty) Act, 1963. The grievances of the petitioner was that the impugned notification, whereby levy of 50 paisa per unit by way of Electricity Duty on electric energy generation in the Hydro Electric Projects in the State so far it concerns Uri and Salal Projects was without jurisdiction as well as authority of law. While passing the orders for keeping in abeyance the SRO Mr Justice Goel observed that the operation of SRO 141/99 issued by the State Govt will remain in abeyance during the pendency of the writ petition. "This however, is subject to filing of the undertaking by a competent officer of the NHPC to re-imburse the State Govt in the event of the writ being dismissed in terms of the SRO 14/99.'' The court further observed that keeping in view the nature of the controversy in this case, it is considered just and proper that the matter needs to be dealt with by the Division Bench to examine the questions of law involved. Firstly, whether section 3 of the J&K Electricity (Duty) Act 1963 authorised the State Govt to levy electricity duty on electric energy generation as is the present case? If question is found in the affirmative whether in the absence of there being any Rule, regulation as well as criteria to work out the quantum of electricity which is actually liable for levy/duty in terms of SRO 141/99. State can create demand against the petitioner. Senior Advocate B Dutta with O P Sharma and Sachin Dutta Advocates appeared for the petitioner. Govt Advocate Baldev Singh appeared for the State of Jammu and Kashmir and others and Mr Subash Bhat Sr. CSSC for Union of India. 3 killed, 3 hurt in Pak shelling SRINAGAR, Oct 4: At least three people were killed and two injured as a result of unprovoked heavy shelling by Pakistani troops from across the border in the Northern sector of Jammu and Kashmir today. Official sources told UNI that Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing on Indian positions in Uri sector this evening. Sources said some of the shells fell at village Charandoh near the Line of Actual Control, resulting in the death of Mohammad Shafi and Atta Mohammad and injures to two others. The injured in critical condition were admitted to hospital. Some of the shells also fell in the civilian area of Tangdar, Gurez and Karnah resulting in the on-the-spot death of one Zaheer Ahmad. Indian troops also retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for several hours. (UNI) |
|
Lathicharge,
teargassing on marchers in PoK HAJIRA, (PAKISTAN), Oct 4: Pakistani police today fought pitched battles and fired tear gas to stop a march by hundreds of pro-independence activists across a military control line into the Indian-side of Kashmir, reports Reuters. Despite a security crackdown, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) supporters gathered at Hajira, 12 kms west of the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Police used teargas and fired bullets in the air to disperse the marchers, who gathered in small groups throughout the Hajira Valley to avoid police checkpoints. About 1,000 people forced its way through police lines and marched towards Madarpur village near the LoC, witnesses said. "We want freedom, freedom is our right," the crowd chanted as they broke through the police cordon. Police and activists also clashed in nearby Rawalakot town, some 80 km northeast of Islamabad, after JKLF chairman Amanullah Khan emerged from several days of hiding later today to march towards Hajira with several hundred supporters. Witnesses said the marchers broke through police lines, and several people were injured by tear gas by police beatings. "Our struggle will continue," the marchers chanted as they marched outside of Rawalakot with Khan leading them. Police detained activists ahead of march Earlier, a JKLF spokesman said from Rawalakot that police had detained more than 50 activists this morning. Yesterday, police said they had detained nearly 120 people in the last four days to stop the march, which a Government Minister said was "suicide". The JKLF planned the march to oppose the existence of the 720-kms LoC, drawn in 1972. PTI reports from Srinagar that Pakistani troops continued unabated firing along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch sectors since last evening till this afternoon apparently to keep the activists at bay, a Defence spokesman said in Jammu. Indian troops kept a strict vigil and maintained restraint and retaliated occasionally to suppress the enemy fire, he said. An External Affairs Ministry spokesman in New Delhi said there was no transgression of the LoC. The Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries had spoken to each other on hotline yesterday during which New Delhi emphasised that it was Islamabad’s responsibility to maintain the sanctity and inviolability of the LoC, he added. Reports from Jammu said there was no major visible movement by JKLF activists opposite the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch. However, small groups were noticed moving from Madarpur and Hajira towards Durandi, five kms from LoC, in PoK. The Defence spokesman said the activists turned violent and threw stones at the Pakistani police when they were prevented from marching towards the LoC at Durandi. Police fired in the air to disperse the marchers, he said quoting reports from forward observation posts. The Indian troops remained in readiness to thwart any attempt by the marchers to violate the LoC, he said adding the situation was being monitored and warnings issued through public address systems that any such attempt would lead to dire consequences. A report from Islamabad quoting a JKLF spokesman claimed that thousands of activists, including JKLF chief Amanullah Khan, had succeeded in reaching Hajira despite a massive crackdown by Pakistani security agencies throughout PoK over the last few days. PoK authorities had earlier banned the proposed march which JKLF said was aimed at opposing any move to convert the LoC into a permanent border between India and Pakistan. PTI reports from Islamabad:- Among the marchers were JKLF Chief Amanullah Khan. India has already warned Pakistan it would be solely responsible for the consequences if it allows the cross over to take place. A senior JKLF leader told PTI over phone from their Hajira control room that a pitched battle is on between our activists and security forces. He also confirmed the arrests. An official manning the control room set up by the PoK Government in Muzaffarabad, however, denied the arrests but admitted that security forces had resorted to lathicharging and teargassing the crowd. The situation is totally under control, he said. The PoK Government had earlier banned the proposed march. He said security forces had not only set up blockades at all roads leading to the LoC but also arrested 1500 activists including some of the top ranking leaders of the front. A senior PoK official had been quoted by English daily Dawn here as saying that the Government had taken adequate measures to stop the march and was hopeful it would succeed. Our Jammu correspondent adds:- Dr B B Yasir Kashmiri, alias Dr Haider Hajini, secretary general of outlawed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has strongly condemned the use of force by the Pak occupied Kashmir Government to stop the marchers of the JKLF to cross the Line of Control. In a statement here, Dr Yasir said that the action on part of the " puppet Government" of Pak occupied Kashmir was uncalled for and unpatriotic. The JKLF secretary general expressed his strong anger and anguish over the baton charging, teargassing and crackdown over the Front marchers to keep them away from crossing the LoC. He alleged that it was now clear that India and Pakistan were trying to maintain the LoC as a permanent International Border which is a " treacherous attempt on part of those who claim to be the political, diplomatic and moral supporters of Kashmiris freedom struggle". Dr Yasir, however, said that his organisation will not allow the division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and will frustrate all such designs of India and Pakistan in this direction. He said that this line has divided the peace loving people of the state and JKLF has tried many a times in past to cross this line. Our struggle will continue, he further said . |
|
Kins of slain man
recruited as SPOs Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 4: Agitated mob continued massive protests for second day today in New Plots and adjoining areas and disrupted traffic on always busy Tawi bridge for over two hours alongwith dead bodies of slain father-son protesting against the double murder and demanding that case be treated as a militancy-related incident and not a normal crime. Shops and business establishments were forced closed by the mob which include activists of political and social organisations in Janipura, New Plots, Ambphalla, BC Road and some other parts of the City for second day today Carrying dead bodies of Bodh Raj and his 22 year old son Suresh Kumar alias Vicky, the mob started cremation procession from New Plot and first staged a dharna outside the Dental hospital, Ambphalla shouting slogans against police, militants and State Government. The processionists then marched through the City and subjected several opened shops and plying matadors to stone pelting. They forced closures of shops and vehicular movement. The agitationists reached Tawi bridge and sat in middle of the bridge alongwith two dead bodies. Traffic on either side of the vital Tawi bridge was completely blocked at 12 noon. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on either side of the bridge virtually paralysing the normal life in the entire City. DIG Jammu-Kathua Range Dr S P Vaid, SSP Jammu Mr M A Anjum, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Mr P K Tripathi and SP City (North) Jammu Mr Johnny Williams followed the cremation procession and entered into negotiations with the agitated people. Referring to mob’s demand that killings be treated as a militancy-related crime, Dr Vaid assured the people that investigating police team will be directed to probe all angles of the crime. "Nothing will be hidden. If Mohd Asif, prime suspect in the double murder, turns out to be a militant the case will be treated a militancy-related incident", he assured the people. The DIG Jammu also ordered immediate recruitment of a son and a daughter of Bodh Raj as Special Police Officers (SPOs) in the police. He said the case of family for compensation will also be taken up with the concerned civil authorities. After over two hours of blockade and following police assurance, the mob took the bodies to cremation ground. Both father-son were cremated together at Jogi Gate cremation aground at about 1430 hours. In the morning, groups of agitated youths marched through Janipura Colony, Janipura, New Plots, Old Children Hospital road and Ambphalla and burnt tyres on the road disrupting the vehicular movement. They also parked garbage collecting trolleys on the road blocking movement of even two-wheelers. Carrying sticks and rods, the youths forcibly closed down the opened shops. In the process, many shops and plying vehicles were damaged. Some persons were also injured in the stone pelting. Meanwhile, the accused Mohd Asif, a resident of Bhalla in Bhaderwah tehsil of Doda district and his one associate remained untraced so far. Police said massive searches were being conducted in and outside Jammu to apprehended Mohd Asif and his associate but success remained elusive till late this evening. It may be recalled that Mohd Asif and his associate had gunned down Bodh Raj and his son Vicky in their house at New Plot on the intervening night of October 2 and 3. Asif’s sister Safia Begum had eloped with Bodh Raj’s elder son Ganshyam. Safia and Ganshyam had reportedly married and were putting up in Delhi. Earlier, hundreds of the residents of New Plots, Janipur, Old Rehari and adjoining areas along with the bodies of deceased Bodh Raj and his son Vicky, took out protest demonstration. Shouting anti-Government slogans, the enraged residents started march towards walled city. Hundreds of women also participated in the cremation procession which was virtually turned into a protest demonstration. As the processionists reached Mian Dido Chowk, some of them started pelting stones on some mini-buses plying on the roads. After blocking traffic at Jammu-Udhampur National Highway for more than half an hour the slogan shouting residents marched towards Kachi Chowni. Forcing shopkeerers to shut-down their shutters, the irate residents disrupted traffic at CPO Chowk, Red Cross Chowk, Kachi Chowni and Parade Ground. Along with the bodies, the slogan shouting people thronged into Police Control Room and staged a protest demonstration there. Enraged residents, carrying sticks and rods marched towards Tawi Bridge after passing through Shalimar Chowk, Indira Chowk, Ranbir Market, Gumat Bazar and Vinayak Bazar. All the way from Ambphalla to Dogra Chowk, hundreds of passers-by joined the procession which swelled into thousands while reaching at Tawi Bridge. The slogan shouting people first blocked the traffic but later even did not allow the pedestrians to cross the Tawi bridge. Some over-enthusiastic protestors even put the dividers in between the bridge to block the traffic. Window panes of some vehicles trying to pierce through the blockade of the protestors, were damaged by the angry mob. Senior police officers who along with heavy contingent of force were present on the site made abortive attempt to stop the processionists at Dogra Chowk but of no avail. Policemen were seen helpless and residents out-numbered police personnel. There was a virtual chaos and confusion at Bikram Chowk, Dogra Chowk and Jewel Chowk. Vehicles were seen lined upto Gandhi Nagar Main Stop on one side and Indira Chowk on other side. |
|
Sharif offers package to Gilgit, Baltistan ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: In a significant move, the Nawaz Sharif Government has decided to offer a constitutional package including an elected council for the northern areas, which hitherto had been considered as part of Kashmir and disputed territory of Pakistan. These areas had so far been federally administered. The Government decision followed severe criticism by the Supreme Court for not giving fundamental rights like the right to vote on the people of Northern areas which comprise the areas of Gilgit and Baltistan. The apex court also ordered the Sharif Government to frame a constitutional package for the areas within six months. The Government had argued in vain that it cannot do so because the area is a disputed territory and is awaiting a final verdict on the status of Northern territories. The Minister for Kashmir and Northern Areas Affairs Lt Gen Majeed Malik while announcing the Government’s decision said that for the first time in 52 years party based elections would be held next month to elect a Northern Area Legislative Assembly. He said the Council would exercise the powers of the provincial assemblies in other four provinces as well as in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and this constitutional package was finalised by a constitutional reform committee on the directive of Prime Minister. The election to the 33-member council would be held on November 3. Apart from creation of a legislative set up for northern area the constitutional package also envisages the creation of judicial set up through a three-member Supreme Court bench, the Minister announced. The decision by the Government marked a major departure in Pakistan’s traditional Kashmir policy as the official stand has been that the Northern areas as well as PoK are part of the entire Jammu and Kashmir which is a disputed territory and no permanent set up can be created there until its fate was decided through a UN sponsored plebiscite as per the 50 year old resolutions of UN Security Council. (PTI) |
|
Hurriyat leaders held in Srinagar SRINAGAR, Oct 4: Acting chairman of Hurriyat Conference (HC) Mohammad Yassen Malik and Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq were arrested along with several Hurriyat activists soon after polling ended in Anantnag constituency today. The arrests were made after the two HC leaders addressed a hurriedly convened press conference at Rajbagh Headquarters here claiming that the Hurriyat’s poll boycott call in Anantnag Parliamentary constituency had evoked full response. Police had laid a cordon of the headquarters ahead of the news conference convened by the Hurriyat. Another Hurriyat senior leader, Javid Ahmad Mir, was rounded up from the house of another leader Mohammad Yakoob Vakil in Srinagar, officials said. Malik and Mirwaiz told reporters before their arrest that the boycott call evoked full response as people of Anantnag and Pulwama districts abstained from voting. (PTI) |
|
JKLF chief vows to make another LoC crossing bid today HAJIRA, PAKISTAN, Oct 4: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Amanullah Khan, who failed today to lead a march across the Line of Control (LoC) into Kashmir, vowed his group would try again tomorrow despite police assertion to stop them. Khan, who surfaced briefly today ending three days of hiding, said this after he and his party activists failed to reach the border. Eyewitnesses and ambulance workers said eight people were wounded when police fired tear gas shells and then bullets into a crowd of protesters who had gathered outside Hajira, 10 kms from the border. Police and Government officials denied that anyone was injured. Hundreds of additional police and soldiers have been deployed at the border to prevent the crossing, said Nazakat Hussein Shah, a police spokesman in Rawalakot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. We have our orders to stop them from crossing, he said. (AP) |
|
Govt can go on with normal business: EC NEW DELHI, Oct 4: The Election Commission today asked the Government to proceed with its normal business without reference to it under model code of conduct for elections as voting for Lok Sabha and the five State Assemblies was now over. The order was passed by the Commission following a reference made to it by the Aviation Secretary regarding inauguration of two aero-bridges at Bangalore Airport. The order has been sent to the Cabinet Secretary. The Commission has no objection whatsoever, the order said, adding the Commission would also like to say now that voting is over, the Government of India may please proceed wth its normal business without reference to the Commission. The model code of conduct, which restrains the Centre and state authorities from making announcements and offering sops, had come into force on July 11 with announcement of the poll schedule by the Commission. (PTI) 5 militants killed in
Valley Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 4: Security forces today eliminated at least five militants in Kashmir valley while as unidentified gunmen left a civilian injured in Pattan area of Baramulla district. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that Special Operations Group (SOG) Srinagar and troops of BSF 113 Bn conducted a raid, on the basis of a specific information, at Pandach, in the Ganderbal outskirts of the capital city today. During the search operation, fierce exchange of fire took place between the two sides and the encounter continued from 1100 hours to 1400 hours. Two militants of Al-Badr outfit got killed. One of them was identified as Saifullah Adil alias Kamran of Jalalpur Jatta, Gujarat (Pakistan). From the possession of another slain militants, an identity card, bearing the name of Nazir Ahmed Dar S/o Abdul Ahad Dar, resident of Baba Daraya Deen, Ganderbal, was recovered. Officials were trying to ascertain the real identities of the two slain militants. Four AK rifles, one pistol and one grenade-thrower were claimed recovered beside the dead bodies. Reportedly, one residential house also gutted in the cross-firing. However, none among the civilians was reported killed or injured. Sources said that a head constable of SOG Srinagar, namely Mehmood, got injured alongwith two BSF constables. Sources said that a diary recovered from the possession of the slain Pakistani militant carried detail of the Al-Badr militants’ killings and military actions. Sources said that Saifullah was responsible for over a dozen innocent killings in Ganderbal-Hazratbal belt. Reports available from north Kashmir said that security forces eliminated a foreign militant at Dooraswami in Lolab area and recovered from the dead body an AK-56 rifle and a wireless set. Another militant, namely Ghulam Nabi Sheikh S/o Mohammad Akbar Sheikh of Kawnar, Kupwara was also killed by troops. One AK rifle, one pistol and five grenades were claimed recovered from him. As reported from Anantnag, one unidentified militant was killed in an encounter, when militants ambushed a polling party on way back near Peth Devsar in Noorabad segment. Sources said that on Sunday afternoon, unidentified gunmen fired upon one Abdul Majeed Teli S/o Ghulam Ahmed Teli resident of Sari Warpora, Pattan, near his village. He was admitted at a Sriangar hospital with gunshot wounds. |
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |