Pak response to some proposals impractical,
extraneous: India
*Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus proposal being politicised

NEW DELHI,Oct 30 : India today described as "impractical and extraneous" Pakistan’s response to some of its peace proposals but affirmed that it would continue its initiatives to normalise relations.

In a carefully-worded two-page written statement, External Affairs Ministry spokesman voiced disappointment with Islamabad’s response to some of India’s proposals, but welcomed the fact that it had responded positively to at least some others announced by External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha eight days ago.

The statement accused Pakistan of opting to "politicise and disrupt" India’s proposal for a bus link between Srinagar and Muzafffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir by attaching conditions that the UN should be involved in this.

In a sharp reaction to Pakistan’s offer to treat "disabled Kashmiris and help widows and victims of rape affected by various operations launched by security agencies", it said that India was "amused" at Islamabad’s profession of concern at the plight of disabled people in Jammu and Kashmir.

"If Pakistan’s concerns are really sincere, it should take immediate steps to end infiltration, dismantle the infrastructure of support to terrorism, and offer compensation to those affected by terrorist it has sponsored.

"Its reference to alleged repression in J and K are obviously only a ploy for its failed attempt to camouflage its sponsorship and support for terrorism," it said.

Asserting that J and K is not a disputed territory, the statement said "the only issue that remains to be resolved for a final settlement of J and K is the question of Pakistan’s illegal occupation of a portion of the State".

It said though India welcomed Pakistan’s positive response to at least some of its proposals, "we are disappointed that they have attached impractical, extraneous and delaying conditions to the others".

Despite the "limited positive responses" from Pakistan, the statement said it is clear that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeee’s initiative has gathered momentum.

Observing that India would sincerely continue with the process, building on the successes achieved and the support generated, it said "we also remain committed to a dialogue process based on the promise that sustained dialogue requires an end to cross-border infiltration and terrorism".

If Pakistan perceives, as it has claimed, that ‘composite dialogue’ is in mutual interest, it must immediately put an end to its sponsorship of cross-border terrorism, it said.

Based on the positive responses, New Delhi said there would be immediate implementation of the proposals to allow senior citizens to cross at Wagah border post in Punjab on foot.

"We would also initiate further steps for working out modalities for links between our Coast Guards and Pakistan’s Maritime Security Agency. We also look forward to bilateral sporting encounters," the spokesman said.

India would work on the modalities of Pakistan’s proposal for release of apprehended fishermen within a month, although it would have preferred to work out an arrangement for their non-arrest, he said.

On the proposed talks on Civil Aviation on December one and two, he hoped that Pakistan would come with an open mind and with the intention of finalising arrangements for their successful resumption.

"We would look forward to holding of technical level talks for resumption of Samjhauta Express, in the middle of December, as proposed by Pakistan, after the successful conclusion of the talks in early December for resumption of civil aviation," he said.

On Pakistan’s offer of medical treatment to 40 Indian children, the spokesman said "such offers and their implementation will no doubt enhance interaction and contribute, in some measure, to increasing understanding and empathy."

At the same time, he said India was disappointed that Pakistan has, in effect, not agreed to its proposal for running extra buses on the Delhi-Lahore route and establishing links between Mumbai and Karachi, Khokrapar and Munabao and Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.

"Such links would have facilitated widening of people-to-people contacts and cooperation. They could have easily been put into effect through technical level discussions.

"Holding up such simple steps, and making them part of the composite dialogue process, in effect means delaying them. Since these measures are aimed at expanding interaction, widening areas of cooperation and building up trust, we will continue to hope that Pakistan will agree to their implementation," he said.

Maintaining that India’s offer for a bus link between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad was motivated by humanitarian considerations, the spokeman said it was "unfortunate" that Pakistan had instead opted to politicise and disrupt this by attaching conditions that they knew would not be acceptable.

"In fact, even now people from those regions travel without the requirement of the kind of documents that Pakistan spoke about," he said.

On Pakistan’s proposal for a bus link between Lahore and Amritsar, the spokesman said "we can assess the requirement for this after progress on Delhi-Lahore bus, Civil Aivation and Samjhauta Express".

Referring to raising the strength of the High Commissions, which had been reduced after the December 13 attack on Parliament, he said New Delhi was ready for a "calibrated" increase in the size of missions, as the requirement grows with the re-establishment of links, and setting up of new ones.

"However, there is no need to wait for this for holding of visa camps, which would ease the situation for the normal traveller who otherwise has to come all the way to Delhi or Islamabad to get visas. We would urge Pakistan to reconsider this," he said.

As far as Pakistan’s offer of 100 scholarships was concerned, he said New Delhi believed that the process of building trust and cooperation between the two countries and establishing lasting peace would be facilitated if offers were not targeted on any particular region of India.

"India has never adopted, for instance, a selective approach for Balochistan, Sindh or NWFP, or for any particular community. Our offers have been available to any Pakistani.

"If Pakistan were to make such non-discriminatory and general offers of cooperation, then it would no doubt contribute to taking the process further," the spokesman added. (PTI)

India refutes Pak allegations of mistreating women in J&K

UNITED NATION, Oct 30: India today strongly refuted Islamabad’s allegations that its army is mistreating women in Jammu and Kashmir and charged Pakistan-sponsored terrorists with exploiting the vulnerabilities of women in the State and in Afghanistan.

Women in Jammu and Kashmir have been at the forefront of initiatives towards the consolidation of peace and Security, Indian Ambassador to UN V K Nambiar told the Security Council on a debate in "women peace and security."

The success of elections in Jammu and Kashmir last year, he emphasized, could be partly attributed to the high turnout of women desirous of utilising the democratic exercise to empower themselves with the means to provide for a more secure and stable environment.

It is implicit that their participation would also foster and strengthen activities that combat terrorism," he told the 15-member council and in turn charged that Islamabad-sponsored fundamentalists were trying to impose restrictions on women in Kashmir like the Taliban had done in Afghanistan.

"Unfortunately the same religious fundamentalists have now diverted their attention to other parts including the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Pointing out that Pakistan had no moral right to attack India on this count, he said, "a state that is unable and unwilling to provide basic rights to its women is incapable of any sensitivity on the plight of women in other countries brought by terrorists actions."

"Perhaps those who direct and sponsor terrorist activities are aware that women, as the most vested interests in favour of a stable and peaceful society, foster values that go against violence and terrorism," Nambiar told his Pakistan counterpart Munir Akram who had made the allegations.

Citing several instances of mistreatment of and discrimination against women in Pakistan listed by human rights organisations, Nambiar said the campaign of terrorism and intimidation by Islamabad trained terrorists sought to be enforced on an "unwilling" citizenry in J&K has been compounded by the "misguided zealotry" of fundamentalists.

Nambiar told the Council about a letter sent to the Pakistani President by the human rights watch in which it had devoted an entire section to legal discrimination against and mistreatment of women and religious minorities.

The letter, Nambiar reminded Akram, had specially recorded the inaction on the Hudood laws despite incidents like a tribal Jirga ordered gang rape.

The letter had also taken up the issue of torture and mistreatment of political opponents and journalists and called for return to the civilian rule.

India in contrast, he told the council, undertook the largest democratic decentralization when it provided grassroots level Panchayats with decision-making power.

"At least one-third of all Panchayat members in India are women by statutory law," he said. (PTI)

Pak too small to pose threat to India: George

NEW DELHI, Oct 30: Defence Minister George Fernandes has said that Pakistan is not a threat to India as it is "too small a country to be afraid of" even as he maintained there had been no meaningful change in cross border terrorism in the last six months.

While asserting there was no normalcy on the border with Pakistani troops indulging in constant firing on Indian posts, Fernandes said in military terms Islamabad "can’t be, can never be a threat to India".

"Pakistan is too small a country for us to be afraid of", the Defence Minister said in an interview to Karan Thapar for BBC’s "hard talk - India" programme to be telecast on Friday.

On cross border terrorism, Fernandes said there was no meaningful changes. "You can’t say that today it is at certain level because tomorrow it could be at another level. There are ups and down but nothing that is meaningful", he said.

On China, the minister said, "China wants to be friendly with India and I believe that if someone wants to be friendly with us, we should stretch our hand".

The Defence Minister brushed aside comments whether he had a change of mind about China being potential enemy number one, saying "there is no question of changing one’s mind where a nation’s security is concerned there are situations and one deals with the situations".

Asserting that the Government would take a decision on the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff within a year, Fernandes dismissed suggestions that air force was opposed to the creation of such a post.

"People may have different views but ultimately one has to go by what is in the best interests of the country", the defence minister said.

Asked about his promise in 1999 to integrate civilian staff of the Defence Ministry with the military, Fernandes admitted it was mistake on his part.

"That was a mistake on my part. I was not aware of the size of the problem. I thought this is something which you do normally in any kind of system where we have different commands one civilian and the other military. I didn’t have a clue about that and that’s why I did make a mistake", he said.

Denying that the MIG-21 accidents were on the rise, Fernandes said "there are no rising accidents as far as the MIG-21s are concerned... Nobody supports accidents. All accidents are accidents. It is the air force which decides which aircraft is good enough to fly. These decisions are not taken by the Ministry of Defence."

The Defence Minister termed as "rubbish" former Army Chief V P Malik’s reported remarks that scams and acrimonious debates in Parliament had paralysed the decision making process in the Defence Ministry.

"I think he is talking out of turn and he is talking rubbish. I am sorry if I have used these words but he is talking rubbish", Fernandes said.

He also described as "another lie" allegations that money specifically raised for defence purchases had been diverted to general expenditure.

When pointed that these were the findings of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on defence, Fernandes said the "standing committee had made a mistake".

"What is reported in that (the report) is not right. There is no substance in that", he said.

Asked about his moves to sue leader of the opposition for sedition over purchase of re-usable aluminium caskets for the Army, Fernandes said he was leaving to his lawyers to decide "how exactly one should proceed against her". (PTI)

66 declared elected in violence free DGPC polls

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: In violence-free elections for the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committees of all the six districts of Jammu region, sixty- six (66) candidates have been declared elected.

The Police and respective district administrations had made tight elaborate security arrangements apprehending clashes at different areas. However, elections were conducted peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from any station today. Out of the 66 seats, 39 candidates were declared elected unopposed while 27 contested elections.

In district Jammu, out of the total eleven seats the elections were held for ten seats only. From Akhnoor candidate-Mohinder Singh has already been declared unopposed. Overall, the candidates having blessings of Mahant Manjit Singhji have remained successful in the elections. From Nanak Nagar- Digiana seat, Kehar Singh was declared elected while Mohinder Singh emerged as winner from Jammu West. Jammu East seat has gone in the favour of Satinder Pal Singh, R S Pura seat to Makhan Singh, Bishnah—in favour of Paramjit Singh Pumma and Samba in favour of Jarnail Singh.

District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Jammu (Sitting), Surinder Singh, who was contesting from Gole Gujral seat was defeated in a tough contest by his rival—Jagjit Singh Jagga. Ajit Singh was declared winner from Simbal Camp, Hazara Singh from Keerpind and Amrik Singh from Gadigarh.

In Kathua, sitting District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Mohinder Singh has been re-elected. He defeated Parveen Singh who got only 150 votes while Mohinder bagged 364. Charanjit Singh defeated Jeet Singh. Manmohan Singh has already been declared unopposed. The others elected today are—Avtar Singh, Dalip Singh, Balbir Singh Harjit Singh, Punjab Singh, Amar Pal Singh, Kartar Singh and Avtar Singh (Jr). In Doda, out of the 11, ten candidates have already been declared elected while election was held for Bhaderwah seat only. Kartar Singh was declared elected from Bhaderwah seat.

From Udhampur District Gurdawara Parbandhak Committee eleven members have been elected. Eight of them have already been declared elected unopposed thay are—Surjit Singh from Kud, Amar Singh from Badali, Janak Singh from Umara, Charanjit Singh from Gharhi, Ranjit Singh from Pouni, Manmohan Singh and Ranjit Singh from Bharakh and Rajinder Singh from (Gota—Mahore) seat. In today’s contest for 3 city seats, Bhajan Singh, Harvinder Singh and Manohar Singh have been declared as winners.

From Poonch District Committee, all the 11 candidates have been declared unopposed because all the factions had empowered Mahant Manjit Singh ji of Dera Nangali Sahib to nominate candidates with clean image and good reputation and also having dedication to serve the society. They are—Nar Singh, Inder Singh, Pritpal Kour, Narinder Singh, Jaswant Singh, Daljit Singh, Amarjit Singh, Rattan Singh, Manohar, Bikram Singh and Joginder Singh.

From Rajouri, out of the 11, eight candidates have already been declared elected unopposed while the election was held for the three seats today. Those declared winners are—Bhupinder Singh, Capt Joginder Singh (Retd) and Isher Singh. Eight others declared elected unopposed are—Raghubir Singh, Mohinder Singh, Rattan Singh, Giani Harbans Singh, Ravinder Singh, Harnam Singh, Jaswant Singh and Mehar Singh.

Recoveries confirm slain ultras were Pakistanis
*Seized letter says ‘Advani next target’

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Oct 30: Clothing and other items recovered from the third militant killed in Akhnoor on Wednesday morning have confirmed that all three militants, who struck at three places on Sunday night, were Pakistanis. A letter recovered from the militant has warned that Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who also holds Home portfolio, was "next target of jehadis".

"Though identity of all three militants, who were gunned down by army in Akhnoor, has not been established as they were not carrying any identity cards with them, we have enough evidence with us to prove that the trio were Pakistanis", official sources told EXCELSIOR today.

They said a bag recovered from the militant, who was eliminated by the troops in kitchen of MES employee Beli Ram’s quarter, carried four pairs of shoes and four casual dresses. While two pairs of shoes were sports shoes of "Service", a noted shoe making company of Pakistan, two other pairs carried mark of "Bata Pakistan".

A Pakistan made chocolate, half of which had been consumed, was also found in pocket of the militant. Clothing found in the bag were New Port jeans and Korean made jackets.

"Recovery of Pakistan made shoes and chocolates was sufficient to prove that the slain militants were Pakistanis", the sources said. Similar chocolates of Pakistan make were also found in Jatwal, about 50 meters away from the site of track where the militants had derailed Shalimar Express on Sunday night with an IED. "Recovery of same brand of chocolates at two places has further confirmed that all three militants were involved in three strikes on Sunday night", they added.

"Drivers of both the vehicles—TATA Indica and TATA Sumo, which were used by the militants in travelling from Jatwal to Akhnoor, have also told security forces that the militants after every two to three kms distance inquired name of the village from them", the sources pointed out and said "this was another evidence that the militants were outsiders".

The bag was found in possession of third militant only while no recoveries (other than the weaponry) were made from the two militants, who were gunned down by the troops on Monday afternoon. Clothing were being carried by the militants with them to change dresses after the incident to avoid their detection. The third militant had changed police uniform, which he was wearing when they were intercepted. He was in a black suit at the time of his killing in MES quarters.

Meanwhile, a letter written on a small paper was also recovered from the pocket of third slain militant. Written in clear Urdu, the letter was mutilated in the pocket of militant after his killing, the sources disclosed.

They said the letter appeared to have been addressed to Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani. As per readable contents of the letter, it threatened that Advani would be "next target of the jehadis". Signed by an unnamed commander, it said :"the jehad will go on even if I survived or not".

Sources observed that the militant had deliberately avoided his name and the outfit. "It, however, appeared that the third militant was leader of the three ultras as the letter was found in his possession", they said. "Nothing can be said about the outfit to which the militants belonged but the indications were that they could be affiliated either to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) or Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfits", they added.

"As far as a threat to the Deputy Prime Minister (as carried in the letter) was concerned, it was virtually immaterial as Advani always remained target of Pakistan militants", they pointed out.

As reported, three militants had detonated an IED and lobbed a grenade besides resorting to few rounds firing on Shalimar Express at Jatwal on Sunday night. Immediately thereafter, they hijacked a TATA Indica car after killing two civilians and injuring four others and then boarded a TATA Sumo at Maheshpura Crossing, which was intercepted at Akhnoor.

Geelani steps out to freedom

NEW DELHI, Oct 30: Suspended Delhi University lecturer S A R Geelani, who was one of the two persons acquitted by Delhi High Court in the Parliament attack case, today stepped out to freedom after nearly 23 months in prison.

Dodging a large posse of media persons, who had gathered at the prison to capture the emotional reunion of Geelani with his family members, the DU lecturer was released from a gate used only by Director General of Tihar jail.

Geelani, who was arrested on December 15, 2001, was immediately whisked by civil right activist Nandita Haksar and his family members to an undisclosed location to avoid media glare.

"We have taken him out from a different gate and he needs sometime to spend with his family members," Haksar, who had been camping outside Tihar prison since last evening, said.

Geelani, who was sentenced to death by a POTA court, was aqcuitted alongwith Afshan Guru by the Delhi High Court yesterday while the death sentence of other two accused —Shaukat Guru and Mohammed Afzal was upheld.

It had been an anxious wait for Geelani’s wife, Arifa, who had come to the prison at the crack of dawn alongwith her son and father-in-law, Mohammed Abdullah.

While Arifa refused to answer any questions of the media persons and kept looking anxiously at the exit gate of the prison, a jubiliant Abdullah, however, said that he knew from the very beginning that Geelani would be released as there was no proof against him. (PTI)

Prince relishes Idlis, Phirni

NEW DELHI, Oct 30: Prince Charles today spent over an hour at Dilli Haat buying silks with Madhubani painting and Buddha’s motiff, besides relishing organic food comprising Ragi Idlis, Amarnath Pasta and Jhangore Phirni.

On his arrival at the Delhi’s famous food and craft bazaar, the prince was treated with litchi squash after which he sat with Navdanya’s founder Vandana Shiva for the main course.

The dishes on plate were Rajma Ke Kabab, Ragi Idli, Navrang Sprout solid rice, Kuttu Ke Roti, Besan Chilla and Suji Dhokla. The dessert comprised Ragi tartlets and Amarnath muffins.

The royal guest then took a stroll of the Haat and visited eight to nine stalls, mostly selling silk from various parts of the country.

"He bought Benarsi silk with Buddha Mottiff, Bihar silk with Madhubani painting and Karnataka silk with gold thread," Managing Director of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) Rajiv Talwar said.

The prized possession for the special visitor was Kashmir Pashmina which was passed through a ring to show its thinness to the prince.

DTTDC, which runs the Dilli Haat, proposed holding a fair of Indian food, arts and craft in the UK and the prince readily agreed to inaugurate the same when organised. Mr Talwar said he would initiate the proposal with the Centre and Delhi Government.

The heir to the British throne is known for his love for organic food and eco-friendly lifestyle. He is the patron of the Soil Association and the UK Organic Movement, which was inspired by Sir Albert Haward.

"Albert Haward was sent to India as the imperialist agriculturalist by the British empire in 1905 but he went back to England as an organic farmer, having learnt the farming from Indian peasants," said Ms Shiva.

Albert Haward has recorded his experience with Indian farmers in his classic "the agriculture testament".

At the Navdanya stall at the Haat, the prince was shown organic merchandise like wild honey from Bastar, apricot oil and unpolished rice from Uttaranchal.

"We are happy to have the prince as our special guest since we share the same joy of nature’s goodness," an elated Ms Shiva said. (UNI)

4 baratis held for creating panic

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: City police tonight arrested four members of a marriage party including father of bride-groom for bursting prohibited crackers outside Mahajan Hall at Shalamar Road creating panic in entire City as traders and people mistook it as a militant attack.

Shopkeepers on Shalamar Road, City Chowk, Super Bazar, Ragunath Bazar, Residency Road and Hari Market downed their shutters and fled to safety as they heard deafening sound of crackers and took it as the blasts triggered by the militants, police said.

City police officers including SP City Prabhat Singh, SDPO North Rupinder Chalotra and SHO City Devinder Singh rushed to the spot only to find that the baratis had burst three crackers each costing Rs 1700. One cracker continued to burst for a minute and, this way, three crackers lasted three minutes which generated panic among the people.

Immediately thereafter, police arrested bride-groom’s father Sat Pal of Sarwal and other family members including Madan Lal, Ved Parkash and Brij Mohan. The barat had come from Sarwal.

Amidst panic, police teams also rushed to Raghunath temple and asked the guards there to close the main gates as a word spread that the temple had come under the militant attack. Police were deployed in adjoining areas of the temple.

A case against the accused has been registered under Section 188 RPC.

Police said the bursting of crackers at public places was banned by District Magistrate, Jammu in his order dated October 10 for one month.

Two civilians, militant killed
*Grenades fired on Pampore PS

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 30: Two civilians and a militant were killed while another civilian was injured in separate militancy related incidents across the Valley since last evening.

Official sources said the militants gunned down a driver Raees Ahmed Malik son of Mohd Yusuf Malik R/o Wheel Shopian after kidnapping him from his house. His body was recovered from village Ratnipura, Pulwama this morning

Another civilian Abdul Qayoom Bhat son of Abdul Rehman Bhat R/o Wizar Wagoora, Kreeri was kidnapped and killed by the militants. His body was recovered from Manzsheer, Sopore today.

Army gunned down an unidentified militant at Dachaldar, Handwara in Kupwara district this evening. A civilian Mufeed Ahmed Khan son of Bashir Ahmed Momin was shot at and injured by the militants at Anantnag Mohalla today. He has been hospitalised.

Meanwhile, militants fired two rifle grenades at Pampore police station at 7.45 PM today. The grenades fell short of police station’s boundary wall. No casualties or damage was reported in the attack.

Zojila Pass hero cremated

NABHA PUNJAB, Oct 30: Risaldar (honorary Lieutenant) Kartar Singh Gill, the 90-year-old hero of the Zojila Pass victory in Kashmir in 1948 was today cremated at his native village Paden in Patiala district with full military honours.

An Army contingent from the 7th Light Cavalry reversed arms, sounded the last post and fired a volley of rounds during the last rites, which was attended by a large number of people from the village and surrounding areas.

The Punjab Government was represented by the Sub Divisional Magistrate and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nabha.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the 7th Light Cavalry by Major Ashok Kumar Chauhan and the senior Government and police officials.

The 7th Light Cavalry is celebrating the Zojila Day on November 1 the day when the Indian troops had captured the strategically important Zojila Pass in Kashmir in 1948.

Risaldar (honorary Lieutenant) Karter Singh Gill was the leading troop leader during this attack and had kept his head out of the tank Turret despite heavy enemy fire. His last wish was that in case he died before that day, his ashes be immersed at Kiratpur Sahib on November 1. (UNI)

India a victim of terror: US

WASHINGTON, Oct 30: Observing that India is a victim of terrorism, US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca has said Pakistan needed to "redouble" its efforts to curb cross-border infiltration even as she blamed the two countries for the impasse on Kashmir.

Testifying before the House Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific and international terrorism yesterday, Rocca tried to put India and Pakistan on

the same boat drawing sharp criticism from the chairman of the sub-committee James A leach and other Congressmen.

"Many of US remain concerned that more needs to be done to ensure that the Pakistani military and intelligence forces are committed to preventing Jihadis from carrying out their attacks in Afghanistan and Kashmir," Leach told the subcommittee where former raw official and counter-terrorism expert B Raman was a panelist.

Raman underlined the danger of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Rocca said India was a "victim of terrorism, with a tragic attack on its Parliament in December 2001 and more recent bombing in Mumbai earlier this year that killed more than 50."

Holding both India and Paksitan, whom Rocca described as close US allies, responsible for the Kashmir imbroglio, Rocca said the US policy was to "encourage" both the countries to sit down and resolve their differences."

Terming as "excellent" Pakistan’s co-operation in counter-terrorism since 9/11, she said the US looked to Islamabad to do everything in its power to prevent extremist groups operating on its soil from crossing the Line of Control.

"The Government of Pakistan has taken many steps to curb infiltration but we are asking it to redouble its efforts," she said.

She said that the US was working closely with both India and Pakistan to counter terrorism.

The US was working closely with the Indian Government to prevent terror attacks by providing them with better border security systems and training and through better intelligence.

"Increasingly intensive Indo-US counterterrorism co-operation, she said, "reflects the closer relations that the United States seeks across the board with India."

The US official heaped praise on the Pakistani Government for its "enormous" support to capture or destroy the remaining remnants of Al-Qaeda and Taliban. (PTI)

Army commanders discuss J&K, strategic issues

NEW DELHI, Oct 30: The ongoing Army Commanders’ Conference today discuussed various issues including operational deployment, conduct of counter terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and North East, modernisation of the forces and overall state of training and discipline.

The five-day conference, which commenced here on Monday, also discussed long-term strategic issues and current internal and resources management in keeping with the dynamics of changing situations.

Chief of Army Staff General N C Vij, who presided over the conference, also presented the flight safety trophy for 2002-03 to Lt Col R B Dolli, Flight Commander of 2 (independent) utility helicopter flight of Army Aviation Corps. (UNI)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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