Seven militants, 3 jawans among 12 killed; 6 hurt
*Fierce gun-battles in Mandi, Bani

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Twelve persons including seven militants, three army jawans and two women were killed while six security personnel were injured in separate militancy related incidents across Jammu region overnight.

Army, joined by police, gunned down three infiltrators at village Bela in Loran area of Mandi sector in Poonch district this afternoon. The militants had intruded about one km deep into the Indian territory after crossing Line of Control (LoC) when they were intercepted by a group of army personnel.

The militants were killed after about two hour exchange of gun battle with army and police, official sources said, adding the slain ultras were Pakistanis and belonged to Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) outfit.

Two army jawans also sacrificed their life in the encounter. One of them has been identified as Saroop Singh. Three AK rifles and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. According to sources, army personnel continued searches for two more infiltrators in the area. Police party in the operation was led by DySP Headquarters Nissar Ahmed.

Three more militants were eliminated by the army personnel at village Drabal Chandral in Lowang area under the jurisdiction of Bani police station in Kathua district this afternoon.

The militants were intercepted in a hilly area when they were changing their hideout, SSP Kathua Manish Kishore Sinha said, adding three of them were killed by security forces and police after a fierce exchange of gun-fighting for five hours. Two army jawans were injured in the exchange of firing.

However, he said, bodies of only two militants have been recovered so far.

Identity of the militants hasn’t been established. Two AK rifles, two hand grenades and two wireless sets were recovered from them.

Another Pakistani infiltrator was shot dead by the army personnel at Danni Dhara in Keri sector of Rajouri district this evening. He was part of six infiltrators, who had been spotted in Keri sector on Thursday. While two of them were killed on Thursday afternoon, another was eliminated on Friday morning.

With today’s killing, a total of four infiltrators have been killed in Keri while two others were still at large. One AK rifle was recovered from the militant killed by army this morning. His identity has not been established so far.

A 20-year old girl Khalida Begum daughter of Mohd Lateef, a resident of Gambhir Mugalan in Manjakote area of Rajouri, was shot dead by the militants in her house last mid-night.

Sources said Khalida Begum was kidnapped by a militant Abdullah on August 22 this year and taken to Mendhar. She stayed with the militant for about two and a half months and returned on November 11. They added that the girl might have been killed by Abdullah’s associates fearing that she might reveal their hideouts to security forces.

Another woman Khalida Begum wife of Mohd Shaffi were gunned down by the militants in her house at Koteranka in Kandi area of Rajouri last night. Her husband Mohd Shaffi was brutally beaten-up and left seriously injured. He has been hospitalised.

No reasons could be ascertained behind the killing of woman.

Meanwhile, an army patrol of 11 Rashtriya Rifles was ambushed by the militants at village Nait, about six kms from Chatroo in Kishtwar tehsil in Doda district this morning. One army jawan was killed and three others were injured in the firing. Two injured jawans were airlifted to Military Hospital, Udhampur while another injured jawan, Kuldeep Kumar, was admitted in the local hospital.

Enforcement of army rushed to the spot and launched a search operation for the militants. The ultras, however, remained untraced. During searches in the area, army recovered one Chinese pistol, one magazine, eight rounds, 90 Pika rounds and one phiran.

SPO Karnail Singh was injured in an encounter with the militants at village Mahakund in Ind area of Gool in Ramban police district today afternoon. Injured SPO has been airlifted here and admitted in the Medical College hospital.

Militants escaped after the cross-firing.

Militant set ablaze five houses at Sumbar in Ramban tehsil last night. The houses belonged to Chidi widow of Ali Mohd, Mohd Shaffi son of Ashmat Gujjar, Sher Mohd son of Ghulam Mohd, Lal Din Gujjar son of Kima Gujjar and Master Sultan son of Abdul Majid.

Jihadis wanting to fight in Kashmir get jail terms

WASHINGTON, Nov 8: Three members of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba, accused of a scheme to engage in "jihad" against Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been sentenced by a US court to prison terms ranging from three to 11 years following guilty pleas in August to conspiracy and weapons charges. US District Judge Leonie M Brinkema in Alexandria yesterday sentenced Vong Ki Kwon, 27, a naturalised US citizen of Fairfax, Khwaja Mahmood Hasan, 27, a Pakistani-born US citizen who lived in Alexandria, and Donald T Surratt, 30, a former US soldier of Suitland. The three men were among 11 named in a 41-count indictment handed up in June in a conspiracy to "prepare for and engage in violent jihad" against foreign targets. Nine of the 11 were identified as US citizens. Hasan and Kwon could have received life sentences, while Surratt faced up to 15 years. All three have agreed to cooperate with authorities in the Government’s ongoing investigation.

U.S. Attorney Paul J Mcnulty said the men were members of an extremist Muslim group Lashkar-e-Toiba, listed by the State department in 2001 as a terrorist organization. He said they "secretly plotted in this community and perversely planned and travelled to camps in Pakistan" to carry out the scheme.

The indictment said the men conspired and trained at shooting ranges and other locations in Maryland and Virginia with AK-47 assault rifles, other military weapons and equipment from early 2000 through May for possible military action in Jammu and Kashmir. Other training, including military tactics, also took place in St Louis and at the Quantico marine corps base in Prince William county. Three of the men, including Surratt, are former U S Military personnel who reportedly assisted in training the others. At least a dozen homes were searched in raids during the arrests and FBI agents confiscated an assortment of weapons, ammunition and high-powered scopes, along with several unidentified documents.

Authorities said there was no specific information the men planned any attacks in the United States, although the indictment noted they had "an intent to serve in armed hostility against the United States" and that one had an internet photo of the FBI headquarters building in Washington. Search warrants in the probe sought "materials relating to any kind of military-style training, jihad, violence against the United States, support of Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, and/or any other terrorist group." They also authorised the seizure of literature concerning Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Others indicted and pleading not guilty were Randall T Royer, 30, of Falls Church; Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Hamdi of Alexandria; Masoud Ahmad Khan, 31, of Gaithersburg; Hammad Abdur-Raheem, 35, of Falls Church; Caliph Basha Ibn Abdur-Raheem, 29, of Arlington; Sabri Benkhala, 28; and Seifullah Chapman, 30, also of Alexandria.

Another man, Mohammed Aatique, 30, of Norristown, PA., pleaded guilty in September and is awaiting sentencing. Lashkar-e-Toiba, prosecutors said, is the armed wing of the Pakistan-based religious organisation Markaz-ud-Dawa-wal-Irshad, a Sunni anti-US missionary organisation formed in 1989 and led by Abdul Wahid Kashmiri. All three apologised for supporting what the Government said were terrorist missions abroad. Yong Ki Kwon received the longest sentence,111/2 years, because of what prosecutors and a Federal judge called his larger role in the conspiracy.

Khwaja Mahmood Hasan was sentenced to 11 years and three months. Donald T Surratt, described by prosecutors as "less culpable," will go to jail for just less than four years. "In the Government’s view, this is an offense of people who were going to fight against US forces overseas," Assistant US Attorney Gordon Kromberg said in court. "This is a serious offense." The sentencing was another milestone in the high-profile case that the Justice department has billed as a key step in the war on terrorism. Authorities originally charged 11 men in June with weapons counts and with training with Lashkar-e-Toiba. (PTI)

Shaffi Pandit deputed to Wakf Board
*Bakaya to hold charge of Finance

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: The State Government has placed the services of Mohd Shaffi Pandit, Financial Commissioner, Finance at the disposal of Chairman of Board of Directors for the specified Wakfs and Specified Wakf Properties for the appointment as Chief Executive of the Board on deputation basis.

His deputation shall be governed by the standard terms of deputation, an official spokesman said here today.

Consequent upon this, Mr Vijay Bakaya, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development shall hold the additional charge of the post of administrative Secretary in the Finance Department in addition to his own duties till further orders, the spokesman said.

Earlier, before his departure for Srinagar, Mr Shaffi Pandit told EXCELSIOR that he had given three options to the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohd Sayeed, out of which, the latter had asked him to go on deputation to the Wakaf Board and he agreed to take up this assignment.

The Chief Minister, according to Mr Pandit, had also told him that a ‘Cabinet rank status would be considered’ for him.

Three options given by him to the Chief Minister were: Public Service Commission, Wakf Board and continuing in the Finance Department.

Mr Shaffi Pandit had not joined as Chairman of the State Public Service Commission in September this year even after the State Government, following his request, had appointed him to the post changing its earlier decision to elevate Mr Jalil Ahmad Khan for this purpose. Of late, there was speculation that he had laid down the Cabinet rank as a pre-condition for joining the Wakf Board.

In his statement, Mr Shaffi Pandit said that he had conveyed to the Chief Minister ‘to take up the Wakf Board assignment irrespective of status of minister granted to me or not’.

To quote his exact words, he has said: ‘It was CM’s desire that I should handle this job exclusively and go on deputation to Wakf Board and Cabinet rank status would be considered. The same was, later, unanimously decided in the Cabinet’.

This was after ‘I made a demand’ when the subject of my appointment as ‘CEO of MAT’ was first mentioned. According to Mr Pandit, he wanted to handle the responsibility as additional charge.

He denied that he had made any demand after the formal orders had been issued. He said in taking up the Wakf Board assignment, he had been guided by the ‘sole motive’ of social service.

Regarding staying put in the Finance Department despite being made Chairman of the PSC, Mr Pandit elaborated on what he had told the Excelsior yesterday that he had been persuaded to do so by Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig. Mr Pandit stated: "When the proposal for Chairman of the PSC was approved, formal orders were not issued because the Finance Minister desired that I should deal with important issues first.

"These included financial closure for Baglihar hydroproject about which negotiations with financial institutions had entered a critical stage. Even the Chief Secretary had desired that I should associate myself with these negotiations to bring them to logical end. The meeting with FIIs in this regard was held on November 5, 2003, in New Delhi. Meanwhile, the question of my posting in Wakf Board had come up."

He said he had chosen the Wakf Board ‘because of the angle of social service’. He added that it was his firm belief that the Wakf Board could become integrated community development institution and could acquire the status of ‘change agent’.

Elaborating his vision about the Wakf Board, Mr Pandit unfolded a three-point agenda. It was (a) ‘accountability, transparency and work ethos generally associated with the corporate sector’; (b) ‘commitment, dedication and involvement of the community which are essential features of the real voluntary sector’; and (c) ‘institution should benefit not only a few individuals but should result in collective and integrated development of the Muslim community in particular and facilitate and supplement the overall development of the State in general. This institution should rise above political and sectarian considerations and seek the willing involvement of all sections of society so that the full potential of the institution can be realised.’

2 ultras, 2 civilians killed
Budgam Police captures two top Hizb militants

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 8: While security forces have killed two militants and militants have shot dead two civilians in Kashmir valley since last evening, Budgam Police has captured two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen in a dramatic encounter in Beerwah area today.

S P Budgam, Rajeev Kotwal, told Excelsior that a police Party led by SHO Beerwah arrested two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen at Iskandarpora village today. He identified the duo as Bilal Ahmed Pir Son of Ghulam-ud-din Pir of Gund-e-Dalwash and Showkat Ahmed Ganai, son of Ghulam Ahmed Ganai of Palpora Beerwah.

Kotwal explained that the police party led by SHO Beerwah, Inspector Ghulam Mohi-ud-din was on routine inspection of the static police guards of Ichhhama and other Sikh population villages. It received information that two armed extortionists had reached the house of one Ali Mohammed Pandit of Ishkandpora to receive cash worth 100,000. Pandit’s son Firdos Ahmed had been kidnaped by militants from his home earlier this week and released next day with the ransom demand of Rs 100,000. Pandit had reportedly agreed to pay Rs 40,000.

As the police party went inside the house for a search, the inmates objected and implored the SHO not to invoke trouble for them. Still constable Mohammed Shafi walked in. Two militants hiding behind a curtain fired upon the constable and he sustained the gunshot wounds in his leg. Other members of the police party jumped in for the rescue of their colleague.

Police fired several shots in the air and overpowered both the militants. According to SP Budgam the detained militants revealed to their interrogators that they were the members of Hizbul Mujahideen who had been put on the extortion assignment by their commanders, namely Yusuf of Rathsuna and Majeed of Poshkar, Khag. They revealed that their organization had prepared a list and begun the operation from affluent people.

Kotwal said that a Chinese Pistol with four cartridges was recovered from the detained militants.

Meanwhile, unidentified militants appeared at Sanoorkalipora village in Beerwah area during last night and called out Abdur Rashid Rather son of Ghulam Hassan from local mosque where he was busy with late evening Ramzan prayers. They shot him dead in front of the mosque. He was reportedly charged with having arranged the surrender of his nephew, who was a militant.

In south Kashmir militants have similarly kidnapped and shot dead one Mushtaq Ahmed Bhat of Nanel, Anantnag whose dead body was recovered from Aung Mutipora. Official sources said.

75 pc militants foreigners: IG BSF

SRINAGAR, Nov 8: More than 75 per cent of the militants active in J&K are foreigners, and the situation in the State would further improve once infiltration from across the border was stopped, BSF Inspector General Vijay Raman has said.

"A sea change is visible in the normalcy standard in Jammu and Kashmir now as compared to yesteryears but we have to stop infiltration from across the border to ensure further improvement in the situation," Raman told reporters here at a function last evening.

More than 75 per cent of the militants active in J&K were foreigners and their entry from across the borders had to be stopped, he said adding the number of foreign militants active in the State outnumber the local ultras.

About the Government decision to move BSF to the borders Raman said "BSF is going back to work they are meant for... To guard the borders. BSF would gradually move to borders to stop infiltration from across the border and pave the way for CRPF to take over anti-insurgency operations in the State" he said.

Eight BSF battalions presently deployed in downtown Srinagar would be replaced by CRPF by middle of the current month, he said.

Praising the force for its integrity, Raman said the men did their best in preventing the situation from going out of control in the Valley.

BSF has killed 2040 militants from 1990 to October 2003. The force arrested 9525 militants while 918 surrendered during the same period.

The weapons recovered by the force included 5495 weapons of all types besides 7 lakh rounds of assorted ammunition, 785 wirless sets, 6950 Kgs of explosive, 986 pieces of IEDs during this period.

This year alone till October BSF killed 109 militants including 61 Pakistanis, arrested 199 ultras and recovered 241 weapons of all varieties, 100 wireless sets, about 350 Kgs of explosive, Raman said.

However, he said these successes have taken its price as BSF had to sacrifice the lives of 668 personnel besides 3191 injured from 1990 to 2003.

Whereas in 2003 alone 24 BSF personnel attained martyrdom and 102 personnel were injured in their efforts.

Admitting that it was not easy to fight a proxy war, Raman said inspite of all hurdles the force had managed to kill Gazi Baba, mastermind of the Akshardham attack and several other senior commanders of various outfits.

Besides containing militancy, BSF is also involved in civic action programmes mainly consisting of free medical camps and construction of facility projects, he said.

Realizing that the youth is the future of tomorrow, BSF has been promoting exposure of Kashmiri youths to other parts of the country, he said, adding so far 200 students have been benefited by this project. (PTI)

Sikh Sangat seeks representation in Cabinet

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Like in other parts of the country, the birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Devji was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in Jammu region. Special prayers were held in Gurudwaras all over the State for this auspicious occasion.

Amidst slogans of ‘Jo Boley So Nehal-Satya Shree Akal’, the Sikh Sangat today passed a resolution during celebrations of the birth anniversary of Shree Guru Nanak Devji at Gurudwara Maharani Chand Kour where main function of the Gurupurab was held.

Newly elected District Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee (DGPC), on behalf of Sikh Sangat, moved a resolution which was passed in one voice amidst slogan of ‘Jo Boley So Nehal-Satya Shree Akal’.

In the resolution Sangat demanded that representation should be given to Sikhs in the State Cabinet as there is no Sikh Minister in the PDP-Congress-PDF-Panthers coalition Government. It was observed that in the resolution that only a Sikh representative can effectively solve problems being faced by the community.

Expressing concern over denial of compensation to Sikh refugees, the resolution demanded that adequate compensation should be given to Sikh refugees who had lost their every thing during partition.

It was also demanded in the resolution that reservation for Sikh youth should be made in professional colleges. It was also demanded that reservation be given to Sikh youth in employment as number of unemployed youth has been increased manifold.

Sangat, while expressing its concern over lodging of some Sikh youth in the jails, demanded that healing touch must be given to those Sikh youth who have been lodging in different jails.

Demanding adequate compensation for victims of 1989 riots, resolution strongly demanded implementation of Ansari Commission Report. Sangat expressed its anguish that despite submission of the report, recommendations of the Ansari Commission have not yet been implemented.

Sangat, through the resolution, demanded that some Assembly seats should be reserved for Sikhs so that this community can get adequate representation in the House. Resolution also demanded that Shakilgiri community should be given licences to prepare small arms like swords, tokas, knife etc as this community is expert in dealing with iron works.

It was also demanded in the resolution that Punjabi language should be implemented at school levels and promises to provide justice to this language should be fulfilled.

In connection with the celebrations of birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Devji, various functions were held today in almost all Gurudwaras of the region. Main function was held at Gurudwara Maharani Chand Kour.

A special Dewan was arranged for this auspicious occasion and entire area was specially decorated. Large number of people visited the Gurudwara and participated in religious functions. Ragi Jatha of Bhai Dharamveer Singh presented Sabad Kirtan during the celebrations while prominent Sikh leaders from Punjab including MLA Dhariwal, Sucha Singh Chotepur addressed the Sangat. Jathedar Sahib Singh, former head Granthi of Shri Akal Takh Sahib also addressed the gathering. Prominent among others who were present included T S Wazir and newly elected members of Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee. Speakers said that values and ideas of Shri Guru Nanak Devji should be imbibed and practised.

All Gurudwaras were specially decorated and special lighting arrangements were made for this auspicious occasion.

Our Correspondent from Rajouri adds. Various functions were held at Rajouri and Nowshera to mark celebrations of Gurupurab. Large number of people participated in these celebrations.

Two porters killed in shelling

KARGIL, Nov 8: Two army porters were killed when Pakistani troops opened unprovoked mortar and artillery shelling in the Kargil sector last night.

Official sources told UNI today that Pakistani troops fired more than 40 mortar and artillery shells in this sector last evening.

The sources said shelling continued for more than two hours.

A number of shells fell in a village near the Line of Control at Batalik, killing two Nepali porters.

However, some shells exploded in the mid-air and others fell in the open field without causing any damage.

The sources said Indian troops also retaliated and hit a number of Pakistani bunkers. However, the exact casualties suffered by the Pakistani side were not immediately known.

Pakistani troops have been firing mortar and artillery shells almost daily in this sector during the past two months.

About half a dozen civilian were killed and a number of houses damaged in the shelling and traffic on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway was also stopped a number of occasion after shells fell on the road. (UNI)

Faith will triumph: PM

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Pointing out that secularism meant respect for all religions, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said those casting aspersions on secular values would not succeed.

"In the end, truth will prevail... And faith will triumph," Mr Vajpayee said on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti at his residence.

He said Guru Nanak’s message of humanism , tolerance and universal brotherhood would always inspire people to work for the welfare of mankind.

"Guru Nanak taught us that it’s not by birth, but by deeds that a man is known in society.... An oppressor does not live long.... Those perpetrating terror have to succumb when those dedicated to human values put up valiant efforts to tie humanity in a single thread," he said.

Mr Vajpayee expressed happiness that the function was being held at the Prime Minister’s residence for the third time.

"I hope that we meet again on the same occasion next year also," he said at ‘Panchvati’ where several people, including BJP Delhi unit chief Madan Lal Khurana and National Minorities Commission Chairman Tarlochan Singh, were present. (UNI)

Yasin for unconditional talks

Excelsior Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Peoples Democratic Forum (PDF) leader and Revenue Minister Hakim Mohammed Yasin has called upon Central Government to seize the opportunity of the holy month of Ramzan and initiate an unconditional dialogue with all the separatist leaders and indigenous militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement, Hakim Yasin said that the broad and structured dialogue for an amicable solution of Kashmir issue is at the cornerstone of the policies of the present coalition Government. He said that though the coalition Government is the elected true representative of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but it is imminent to take along the opinion of all those who have reservations with the system.

He said that unlike previous attempts, there should not be any conditions from any side for initiating dialogue process.

The PDF leader pointed out that Kashmir issue has both internal and external dimensions and, therefore, dialogue should also be held at both the levels. He said that before starting the dialogue and winding it up without any results as it has happened in past, the Centre should plan a serious exercise for dialogue with various Kashmiri groups and leadership on Pakistan. He cautioned that the policy swing on Kashmir from one extreme to another could prove disastrous for the sub-continent.

The PDF leader appealed the militant groups to respect the sanctity of the holy month and put down their guns as there could be a way through a dialogue.

5 guns seized from Vagal’s house

MUMBAI, Nov 8: Police have seized five guns, which they suspect to be unlicensed, from the residence of Joint Commissioner of Police Sridhar Vagal, arrested in connection with fake stamp paper scam.

During a search of his official residence last night shortly after his arrest under MCOCA, by the Special Investigation Team, police also claimed that some documents pertaining to investments made by him were seized and Vagal may be booked for allegedly amassing property disproportionate to his income.

Besides his official residence at Agasti Apartments in suburban Bandra, the sit also searched three residences of his aides in the vicinity, the sources said.

During the raids five firearms—one police service revolver and four foreign-made pistols—were recovered, the sources said.

The Mumbai Police have informed the SIT that the service revolver found at Vagal’s house was not issued by it, they said.

The SIT suspects that some of the firearms could be unlicenced and are going through licence records of Mumbai Police. "Ordinarily, an IPS official is entitled to possess two unlicenced firearms along with a service revolver, but the firearms should be owned by him", an IPS officer said.

"If the Vagals fail to establish the ownership of the weapons, then a fresh case under the Indian Arms Act will be filed against him," SIT sources said.

SIT sources claimed that they have seized three briefcases containing documents pertaining to the investments made by Vagal from the boot of his official car.

Meanwhile, the SIT is likely to ask the Director General of Police to allow them search Vagal’s chamber in the State Police headquarters, sources added. (PTI)

Jawan kills 2 colleagues

Excelsior Special Correspondent

POONCH, Nov 8: An Army Havildar went berserk in a camp in Mendhar last night while playing cards and gunned down his two colleagues and injured another. He has been arrested.

Official reports said Havildar Subash Pande opened firing on his three colleagues with his official weapon in an army camp of 132 FD workshop in Mendhar late last night after a tiff while playing cards. Havildar B N Bral and Naik P Danger were killed in the firing while Naik Rattan Singh was injured.

Army personnel immediately swung into action after hearing sound of gun shots and over-powered Havildar Pande. He was immediately disarmed. Injured Naik has been hospitalised.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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