Govt likely to bring Ordinance to deal firmly with terrorism
*Existing anti-militancy laws being strengthened

Excelsior Legal Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: While the State Government wants to continue pursuing its policy of providing healing touch to the innocent people, it has decided to take a tough posture to tackle with the enemies of peace, by amending the existing anti-militancy laws to deal with terrorism and terrorists who are hell bent upon to accomplish their nefarious designs in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the authoritative sources, the State Law Ministry, in consultation with Director General of Police (DGP), Home Department and other security agencies who are dealing with terrorism, have recently taken some exercise to come out with an Ordinance so as to make the existing laws more stringent to prosecute the terrorists and other anti-national elements, who in absence of such laws, move scot free.

The sources said that considering the recent spurt of terrorist activities in the State, including an attack near Chief Minister’s residence, the Law Ministry, after studying the existing laws prevalent in the State, has decided to amend them so that merchants of terror could be effectively tackled. It is in this context, that the exercise has begun to bring an Ordinance, the sources said.

They said that the State has already existing laws including Prevention of Sabotage Act, and amendments in such Acts could be brought to give more teeth to the law enforcing agencies. This has been taken into consideration after a strong public opinion and also the Ministry has felt that there were certain lacunas and terrorists get scot free on certain technical grounds and not on the merits. Further, in absence of witnesses coming openly before the Courts, it was becoming difficult for the Government to keep a check on terrorists’ activists and flow of hawala money that is being pumped into the State to keep militancy surviving.

The sources said that the Law Ministry is also contemplating a plan to give more powers to the Judges, particularly to all Session Judges so that terrorist-related cases, which otherwise gather dust for years together, could be disposed of immediately.

The sources further said there was also a strong pubic opinion within the citizens of India and even Pakistan that peace should be restored in the State because it was in the interests of both the countries, but since mercenaries and terrorists were not wanting it, their acts were even dangerous not only for the State, but for the entire Sub-Continent.

Although this is not in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the coalition Government, yet when some of the coalition partners were contacted to know their view point about the Government’s move, the leaders of the coalition partners were also of the firm belief that the Government should incorporate certain amendments in the existing anti-militancy laws to make them more stringent.

They were of the opinion that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is entirely different and this State is not like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka. Even Congress Party which is opposed to POTA , its leaders, considering the public opinion and requirement under present conditions, are too in favour of strengthening the existing anti-militancy laws to tackle the terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The sources said that idea to amend the existing laws and bring in an Ordinance was floated, after the Government felt handicap to deal with terrorists and those who are pumping in hawala money. The militants feel that since there are no laws to catch hold of them, they move at liberty after accomplishing their nefarious designs.

The sources said that moving of such terrorists in absence of forceful laws, is the threat to the country’s unity and integrity and Government cannot in anyway compromise on these grounds. They reminded that after the terrorist attack on World Trade Centre (WTC), even America was forced to amend some of its laws for providing protection to its people.

Further, sensing the public opinion, the sources said that such laws need to be brought into, as enemies of peace were on terror spree, as it was not digested by them to see that people have been living in peace and State’s economy was improving during the past six months. The sources said that since public wants peace, as was evident from the successful Amarnath Yatra and flow of tourists to the State this summer, the terrorists were unable to believe that peace is gradually coming back.

Two jawans, 2 civilians killed
*Explosion rocks Loran Mandi

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: Four persons including two army jawans and two civilians were killed while three Special Police Officers (SPOs) and a woman were injured in separate militancy related incidents since last evening.

Official sources said the militants ambushed an army patrol party at Topi Peer in Mastan Dara, Surankote in Poonch district this morning. Militants opened firing and lobbed two grenades on the patrol, which retaliated.

Exchange of firing between the two sides continued for about half an hour in which one army jawan was killed and another was seriously injured. Militants, however, managed to escape.

Enforcement of army rushed to the spot. A search operation has been launched by the troops to eliminated the militants.

In wee hours of this morning, a group of militants entered into a house of Ahmed Din in Mastan Dara and opened firing causing serious injuries to 65 year of Ahmed Din and his teen-aged daughter Seera Begum.

Three militants, who opened firing, later escaped. Ahmed Din, according to sources, succumbed to his injuries before being evacuated to hospital while his daughter has been admitted in the sub district hospital in Surankote.

A police party visited the house for investigations. Sources said no reasons could be ascertained immediately behind the killings.

Meanwhile, a civilian was killed and two SPOs were injured in twin explosions at Dhori Dhok in Loran Mandi in Poonch at 5. 30 PM today.

In the first explosion, according to sources, a civilian was killed while in the second blast, which occurred after about five minutes, two SPOs were injured. One of the seriously injured SPOs has been identified as Nafeesullah.

Security forces and police teams reached Dhori Dhok and have launched a search operation to capture the militants, responsible for planting the IEDs.

Meanwhile, an army jawan was killed and a SPO was injured when bullets went off accidentally from the weapons of soldier at Nachlana army camp in Banihal this morning. Deceased army jawan has been identified as Rajesh Kumar and the injured SPO as Surat Singh. The SPO has been admitted in the sub district hospital at Banihal.

Meanwhile, two militants killed by security forces in an encounter at Serhani Keshwan in Kishtwar tehsil of Doda district, have been identified as Javed Barki alias Fagan of Doda and Zubar Hajjam alias Irfan R/o Nagni, Kishtwar. They belonged to HUJI outfit.

During searches today, security forces recovered one RPG, one UBGL grenade and one AK magazine in Thanna Mandi in Rajouri district.

Vaishnodevi Varsity to start classes next year

By Dinesh Manhotra

JAMMU, Oct 19: Professor Bharat B Chattoo, Vice Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi University (SMVDU), who is a renowned academician, is working with zeal and dedication to make this upcoming institute as ‘University with a difference.

It is all due to his sincere efforts, missionary zeal and dedication that this University is all prepared to start courses from next academic session.

Driven with passion, Prof Chattoo is working assiduously to make this University as one of the premier institutions that will have technology infrastructure comparable to the best in the world to enable students, teachers and the administration to gain fully from the potential of technology for teaching, learning and management.

In an exclusive interview with EXCELSIOR, Prof Chattoo disclosed that, though it is mega project, yet University is poised to start courses in Information Technology and Management Studies besides Indian Philosophy and Culture in the academic session year of 2004-2005.

Construction of buildings and various facilities is progressing on schedule and includes the academic schools, staff housing and hostels.

Being developed on an area of 400 acres, in scenic surroundings, adjoining the foothills of Trikuta mountains in the vicinity of holy Katra town, this will be a fully residential university.

"Besides imparting education comparable to first rate institutions in India and abroad, in an environment highly conducive for academic pursuit, it also endeavours to inculcate among the students, the sense of commitment, discipline, Indian ethos, character and personality building", he said, adding,"it also plans to break new grounds on Indian educational scene by introducing specially structured inter-disciplinary courses, continuous evaluation as an integral part of the instruction process and a strong emphasis on practical training".

Unlike existing educational institutions in the State, this University, Prof Chattoo said will be fully equipped with modern equipment. "The University shall provide high speed Internet connectivity to academic as well as residential complexes to facilitate academic course work, research activities and administrative services", he said and added that state of art of learning resources and laboratory facilities are being provided to support teaching and research programmer.

Giving details of the courses which will be offered by the University, Prof Chattoo said that School of Information Technology, School of Management Studies and School of Indian Philosophy and Culture will start functioning the next academic year while School of Biotechnology will start classes from the academic year of 2005. "There shall be specially structured inter-disciplined courses, continuous evaluation techniques including letter grading system and emphasis on practical training", he said, adding, "the University’s technology plan focuses on the use of Information Technology in support of teaching, learning and management of administrative functions. He further informed that Double-Degree programme will also be introduced.

Prof Chattoo was of the view that Shri Mata Vaishnodevi University is a missionary project and objectives of this institution is to provide education and training of excellent quality at undergraduate and post-graduate level, at par with similar institutions in India and abroad. This institute will promote the study and research in new and emerging areas and encourage academic interaction with faculty and students at national and international level.

The Vice-Chancellor further informed that unlike conventional system, this University will adopt transparent system of evaluation. "Answer sheets will be returned to the students after checking so that they can improve their mistakes in future", he said and further informed that faculty councillor will be provided to students.

As far as to effectiveness in the system, virtually corporate culture will be introduced. "Those who performed good will be rewarded while those who will be found non-performed will be punished", he said.

Ruling out any compromise on quality as far as appointment of staff is concerned, Prof Chattoo said that eminent scholars of national and international repute will be appointed to fill up positions at the levels of Professors, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor in new and emerging areas of specialization.

Prof Bharat B Chattoo did his P.hd from Delhi University in Bio-Technology and had been abroad for so many years. He was serving in prestigious M S University Vadodhara when he was invited by the State Government to take charge of this upcoming University. Prof Chattoo has been utilizing his expertise to make this University as one of the premier educational institutes in the world.

Omar challenges PDP to face fresh polls

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Opposition National Conference today challenged the coalition Government of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed to dissolve the State Assembly and call for fresh elections and dismissed allegations that it was trying to indulge in horse trading.

Reacting to the Statement of Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig on Thursday that the coalition Government was ready to go for elections if NC wants to test its popularity , NC president Omar Abdullah said "the party which refrains from facing the civic polls should not talk about other elections. If PDP so desires NC will gladly face the electorate and come back with a thumping majority".

Abdullah said NC always believed in value-based politics and has never indulged in horse trading and allegations to that effect by Baig were totally false and unfounded.

He alleged "perpetuators of manipulative political conspiracies in the State have cobbled up a fragile Government and now when they have failed to manage the affairs of the State their vicious minds come up with political stories which were a figment of the imagination and an outcome of frustration."

Omar further said the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and his colleagues have realized that their Government was likely to fall because of internal dissensions and peoples outcry and have started making irrelevant and frustrated utterances.

Abdullah came down heavily on the coalition Government for initiating Vigilance enquiries against NC leaders and said the move smacks of political vendetta and this has been well testified by Baig’s outburst.

Responding to Baig’s offer for enquiry against any corruption charges against his Cabinet colleagues, Omar demanded a Vigilance enquiry into the allegation of corruption against the Irrigation and PHE Minister Qazi Mohammed Afzal and loss of State exchequer in the allocation of the country liquor contract in the State awarded for 6 months to influential persons which on the face of its shows a loss of more than Rs 10 crores to the State ex-chequer.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and ex-chairman of the Muslim Auqaf Trust (MAT) criticised politicisation of the Trust and termed the takeover as a move to reap political gains rather than the benefit of the people of the State.

Addressing a meeting of the Trustees of the MAT, Dr Abdullah said that illegal takeover of the Trust was another attempt of certain forces to undermine the autonomy of the people of Kashmir. He termed the takeover as clandestine drive to interfere with the religious matters of the people of Kashmir for petty ulterior political motives.

Dr Abdullah criticised Mufti for his political gimmickry in using the platform of MAT in the function to distribute the artificial limb from a well regarded shrine taken over by the Government recently. He cited this as a shinning example of Mufti Sayeed trying to use religious platform for petty political gains something the NC has refrained from doing. He warned that he and the trustees will fight every move of Mufti and his cohorts to misuse the MAT.

Dr Abdullah reviewed the legal aspects of the illegal takeover with the legal experts and took some vital decision on as how to proceed in the matter.

Pope beatifies Mother Teresa

VATICAN CITY, Oct 19: Speaking before a vast crowd, Pope John Paul beatified Mother Teresa of Calcutta today, putting the "Saint of the Gutters" on the fast track to sainthood for her life of selfless help to the poor.

"With our apostolic authority, we grant that the venerable servant of God Teresa of Calcutta shall from now on be called blessed," declared the pontiff, a longtime friend of the nun who died in 1997 at the age of 87.

Applause and cheering broke out in the crowd of more than 150,000 and a large tapestry showing a smiling Mother Teresa was unveiled from a balcony of Christendom’s largest church.

The crowd, made up of Catholics and non-Catholic admirers, packed St Peter’s Square and filled the broad via Della Conciliazione leading from the Vatican to the river Tiber.

The Ethnic Albanian sister, winner of the 1979 Nobel Peace prize, tended the sick and dying of Calcutta’s slums for decades with the missionaries of charity order she founded.

Many of her nuns in their blue-trimmed white saris stood out in the vast crowd, where a special section for thousands of Rome’s homeless and downtrodden was reserved close to the elevated altar where the Pope said the beatification mass.

"Mother Teresa was for us great because she was not just a daughter of our homeland, Albania. She gave up our flag and every other flag for one flag, the flag of love," said Dod Brokshi, an Albanian who came with his family.

"Coming here means a new renaissance for us," he said, waving the red Albanian flag emblazoned with a black eagle.

While she never hid her Christian inspiration, the nun won admiration from Hindus, Muslims and other non-Catholics around the world.

"It is not enough for us to say: I love God, but I do not love my neighbour... How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbour whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live?" She said in her 1979 Nobel Peace prize acceptance speech.

A frail figure, she became the world’s most famous nun for decades of work among the sick and dying, the homeless and the lepers in the Indian city of Calcutta, one of the most impoverished on earth.

She launched her missionaries of charity order in 1950 with only 12 nuns. It has grown to 4,500 sisters in 133 countries running homes, schools and hospitals for the poor and dying.

The 83-year-old pope, suffering from Parkinson’s disease which is taking an increasingly visible toll on his health, so admired her that he bent Vatican rules to rush her towards sainthood.

The Polish pontiff granted a dispensation so the procedure for establishing her case for sainthood could be started two years after her death instead of the normal five years.

He even considered bypassing normal procedures and making a saint immediately of Mother Teresa, who was born in Skopje in what is now Macedonia. But cardinals advised against it, saying it would set a precedent difficult to manage in the future with other candidates for sainthood.

Before beatification the Church requires proof that a candidate performed one miracle. Proof of a second one is needed before canonisation as a saint.

The first miracle formally attributed to her concerned a young Indian woman, Monica Bersa, whose stomach cancer tumour shrank after she prayed to her in 1998, baffling doctors.

"I am fine now. It is all due to the blessings of Mother Teresa," Bersa told last year in Danogram, some 360 Km north of Calcutta.

A commission of doctors examined the case and said they had no ready explanation in medical science for the cure.

Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, Mother Teresa was sent to India in 1928 as a young sister of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with a mission in Calcutta.

She taught in the Order’s schools for two decades before leaving to devote herself to work in Calcutta’s notorious slums. (AGENCIES)

Assembly session from Dec 10

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha has summoned both Houses of the Legislature to meet in the winter capital here on December 10.

It will be a brief session.

Last session of the Legislature was held in Srinagar, the summer capital of the State, in July this year.

BJP to expose Mufti Govt
*Nirmal’s election will strengthen party: Kohli

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: National secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and incharge Jammu and Kashmir Affairs, Prof O P Kohli today showed optimism that with the unanimous election of Dr Nirmal Singh as state BJP chief, the infighting will completely disappear in the State unit of the Party.

In an informal chat with media persons here, this afternoon, the BJP leader said the infighting will not only be reduced but disappear completely in the Party now and the BJP will emerge more stronger in the State.

Making his Party’s stand clear on the Ram Temple issue, he said BJP wants that the Temple should be constructed at Ayodhya. But some vested elements who are opposed to it create hurdles in an amicable settlement of the issue between the Hindu and Muslim communities.

He said BJP has kept two options open for the resolution of the issue. One is either you have to accept the verdict of the Court or the two communities have to sit together and find an amicable solution of the issue.

Commenting on Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) stand and the Sankalap rally taken out by it, he said the organization has every right to highlight the issue in a democratic country.

When asked will his Party contest the next year’s Lok Sabha and coming Assembly election on the Ram Temple issue, he said no party contests the elections on a single issue but on multiple issues. We want that the Temple be constructed at Ayodhya, he added.

Commenting on the functioning of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir, he said BJP’s strategy will be to expose the misdeeds of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed Government.

He said the Centre was not against the healing touch policy but under the garb of healing touch the militants and anti social elements should not be given benefits.

Lambasting the Mufti Government he said it has failed to deliver the goods and people are today dissatisfied with its functioning.

On the killing of Kukka Parrey and Javed Hussian Shah he said the killing is no solution to any problem.

Earlier addressing a Party rally in the lawns of Pt. Prem Nath Dogra Bhavan, Kachhi Chawni to felicitate Dr Singh, Prof Kohli stressed on the unity among the Party cadres for facing the future challenges.

He said BJP continues to be a value based Party and today’s elections have proved all the speculations wrong that BJP was a divided house in J&K.

He said terrorism, discrimination with Ladakh and Jammu regions, implementation of Wazir Commission report, Lok Sabha, Municipal and Cooperative elections are some of the immediate challenges before the Party in the State.

He said Party under the dynamic and energetic leadership will overcome all these challenges.

Prof. Kohli said BJP is committed to the inclusion of Dogri in the eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

He said BJP being a Party with difference believes in inner democracy of the organization. Unlike other parties it is not an individual centric Party like RJD of Laloo Prasad Yadav or Samajwadi Party of Mulayam Singh but a cadre based Party having a collective leadership.

He said in BJP not the president but the organization is important.

He said the BJP is a movement for the national unity and integrity. It is not a political Party to contest the elections and gain power. For it the victory and defeat is not any matter as the Party is ready for any sacrifice for the national cause, he added.

He said earlier the national and state presidents were elected to a two year term and they were entitled to hold the office for two consecutive terms. But after the amendment in the Party Constitution the president can be for a three year term and he can not hold the post for two consecutive terms.

He congratulated Dr Singh and the National Council team on their election and expressed the hope that they will come upto the Party expectations.

Coalition partners satisfied with Govt functioning

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Senior leaders of the ruling alliance today expressed satisfaction over the functioning of coalition Government in the State and discussed measures to effect further improvement in its functioning to give greater focus on implementation of Common Minimum Programme.

The meeting of the leaders of alliance partners was held here this evening with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in chair.

Those who attended the 2-hour long meeting included Mangat Ram Sharma, Prof. Bhim Singh Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, Harshdev Singh, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Haji Nissar Ahmad, Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz and Mehbooba Mufti. Mr M Y Tarigami could not attend today’s meeting as he was out of the State.

Besides, discussion on the over all functioning of the coalition Government, the meeting also discussed education sector in detail. The Education Minister was asked to prepare a comprehensive policy and submit before the Cabinet taking in view the

views expressed by the leaders of the alliance partners on the involvement of private sector in strengthening and expanding educational infrastructure in the State.

While involving private sector in setting up of schools and colleges, it must be ensured that the interests of the students of economically and socially backward population must be protected and some seats reserved for them. Noting the efforts that went into the education promotion and expansion programme during the year to achieve cent percent literacy, it was projected that some measures should also be taken to effect necessary improvement in the educational standard of Government institutions. The requirement of proper buildings, better conditions for the students and availability of teachers should also be attended to. Rationalization of teachers was also emphasised.

The meeting also discussed in detail the proposed policy on Nazool lands. It was suggested that while preparing the policy, provision must be made for its better management, prevention of its being misused by influential people, encroachers and land mafia. This land needs to be used as valuable resource for generating funds that could be utilized for funding important projects to the benefit of the people of the State.

It was also decided that such meetings of leaders will be held periodically to monitor the functioning of the Government, development and welfare programmes for their effective implementation.

VP lauds Centre, State Govts

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Former Prime Minister V P Singh today lauded the Central and State governments for jointly working for redressal of grievances of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to media persons at a reception organized by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in his honour, Mr Singh said that it is good to see that Vajpayee government at the Centre and Mufti government in the State are working in unison to address people’s problems. He said there should not be any politics in solving people’s problems.

The former Prime Minister also lauded the courageous efforts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in facing the most challenging situation in the State.

Mr Singh that it is heartening to see how the people have strengthened the democratic institution by overwhelmingly participating in the elections in the State and rejected gun. He said the situation in Kashmir is looking up.

Mr Singh said that ever since Mufti Government has come to power, mindset of the people has changed and they too are realizing that peace is imperative for economic development. He expressed happiness that tourism is picking up that too would bring succour to the people.

The Chairman Legislative Council, Speaker Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, legislators, prominent citizens and senior officers also attended the reception.

The Chief Minister presented Pashmina shawl to Mr and Mrs Singh as token of respect to them. Mr Singh has returned to New Delhi this afternoon.

IKA plea to OIC

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: International Kashmir alliance, an amalgam of expatriate Kashmiri leaders, has asked the Organisation of Islamic Conference not to make a fundamental mistake of getting influenced by Pakistan, as it was gross violator of Muslim sentiments especially those of Kashmiris.

In a letter to the chairman of OIC and Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahatir Mohammed, IKA chairman Syed Nazir Gilani said that "it is equally important that OIC does not make a fundamental mistake by accepting the influence of Pakistan, which is at variance in many ways to the overall case of the people of Kashmir."

The letter, copy of which was made available here, said that Pakistan had caused OIC to take a position during Morocco summit on Kashmir. "...Unfortunately Pakistan on its part has exploited the Muslim sentiment on Kashmir and has interpreted the United Nations resolutions to the gross disadvantge of the people of Kashmir."

"Pakistan controls two administrations of Kashmir at Muzzafarabad and Gilgit...The OIC contact group on Kashmir is not looked upon favourably by the people of Jammu and Kashmir as the group reels under the pressure and so-called advice of Pakistan.

"...OIC has failed to remain on the side of the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It has failed to address itself to the double standards practised in Gilgit by Pakistan," the letter said and added that Pakistan Governments had administered "inequitable treatment to the people under its administration", which had not been taken note of by any of the OIC summits held so far. (PTI)

EC formulating tougher guidelines

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: The Election Commission is formulating "tougher guidelines" to tighten the screws on the purses of "overspending" candidates in the ensuing Assembly polls.

"We are working on it and the guidelines will be ready by this week", much before the process for the five Assembly polls is notified, EC sources said adding this was the first time such stringent measures were being imposed on the expenditure of candidates.

While the notifications for the Assembly polls in Mizoram would be on October 27, for other four States — Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh — would be on November seven.

Though the electoral laws provide a maximum limit of Rs six lakh for a candidate contesting Assembly polls, candidates end up spending much more and accounting it on the heads of political parties, friends and relatives which the commission was keen on plugging, the sources said.

Talking tough, Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh had said recently in Jaipur that every contestant for the upcoming Assembly polls would have to file assets and statement of expenditure incurred on electioneering daily.

The Election Commission would be very strict in this regard and the candidate should have to attribute expenses incurred by anyone on his behalf and there would be no relaxation in this regard, he had said. Any declaration about assets and money incurred on campaigning by a candidate would not be kept confidential and the Income Tax Department or any investigative agency could have access to it, the CEC said. (PTI)

Lt, 2 militants killed in Kupwara

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 19: While as two militants and a soldier have died in a fierce gunbattle in Kupwara district, militants have fired upon a woman SPO and left her wounded in Anantnag.

Informed sources said that, over a tip off, troops of 3 Rajput laid an ambush at Kawnari in Khan Gali area of Juma Gund in Kupwara district yesterday. During the operation, a group of militants fell in the trap which was challenged by security forces. Suddenly a fierce gunbattle commenced between the militants and security forces in which two militants got killed. One of them was identified as Bilal Sher. Officials believed that both of them were cadres of Jamiatul Mujahideen.

Sources said that a Lieutenant, D S Atri, also died in the gunbattle and two more soldiers sustained injuries.

In south Kashmir, a group of unidentified militants appeared at the residence of lady SPO, Gowhara D/o Abdur Rasheed Gatoo at New Colony, Bijbehara, and fired upon her last evening. She was left wounded. Later, family members rushed her to a hospital.

Two US soldiers killed in Iraq

TIKRIT, IRAQ, Oct 19: Two US soldiers were killed and one wounded when their patrol was attacked outside the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, a US military spokeswoman said today.

Major Josslyn Aberle said the soldiers were attacked late yesterday with small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The attackers fled.

The attack near the oil city about 200 km north of Baghdad brought to 103 the number of US soldiers killed in hostile fire in Iraq since Washington declared major combat operations over on May 1.

In the flashpoint town of Falluja, West of Baghdad, gunmen fired on a US military convoy, setting a truck carrying ammunition ablaze, a Reuters photographer at the scene said.

The gunmen fired on US soldiers caught in the blast and American soldiers returned fire. A US military spokesman in Baghdad could not immediately confirm the incident. (AGENCIES)

PM, DPM review J&K dialogue process

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: The progress of dialogue being pursued by the Centre’s interlocutor on Jammu and Kashmir N N Vohra came up for review at meetings held by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, official sources said.

Vohra, who has held talks with various sections of society in all three regions of J and K, called on Vajpayee and Advani over the last three days to discuss the future course of action, they said today.

Further meetings in this connection are slated for next week, the sources said. Meanwhile, Vohra today denied as "speculative" reports in a section of press that he was frustrated with the developments. (PTI)
 
 
 

 

 

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