Muzaffarabad bus service before spring:Natwar
Pakistan’s understanding of JK ground realities fundamentally wrong:India

NEW DELHI, Nov 26: Questioning the importance being given by Pakistan to separatist Hurriyat leaders, India has said there was "something fundamentally wrong" with Islamabad’s understanding of realities in Jammu and Kashmir and hoped that this would not be an "irritant" in bilateral ties.

"In my opinion if they (Pakistan) think that only Hurriyat represents the people of Kashmir, then there is something fundamentally wrong with their understanding of realities in J and K," External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh told Karan Thapar on CNBC programme `tonight at 10'.

He was asked whether Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz inviting leaders of Hurriyat factions during his visit here and having a marathon meeting with them amounted to interference in India’s internal affairs.

"No,I don’t think they are interfering in the internal affairs. But in my own view, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said the same thing, that they are being unrealistic," he said.

Natwar Singh said the Government did not mind Pakistani leaders meeting Hurriyat factions and hoped this would not be an irritant in relations between the two countries. He said the Hurriyat was not willing to talk to the Government "but they are willing to talk to the other side".

He pointed out that the Prime Minister had invited Karan Singh, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti for the lunch he hosted for his Pakistani counterpart and had told the visiting leader that "you want to meet the representatives of people of Kashmir, here they are."

On the Pakistan premier’s contention that Islamabad was unlikely to grant Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India unless Kashmir issue itself was resolved, Natwar Singh said "this is one element which is coming in the way of the gas pipeline (between India and Iran via Pakistan) going through".

India, he said, hoped that it would be able to persuade Pakistan "because if this is the conditionality, then you cannot move forward."

When asked if it will be a "full stop" if this was the conditionality, he said "on this issue, yes."

Observing that Aziz’ meetings with Indian leaders "went off well", Singh described the Pakistan premier was "well informed, very articulate, distinguished banker and one who has facts on his fingertips".

Asked about the verbal cross-fire following Musharraf’s suggestion that some zones of Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control could be delimitarised, granted independence or kept under joint control or UN mandate, he said the "misunderstanding" has been cleared with Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri saying these were ideas meant for internal debate in Pakistan.

Singh felt that Musharraf’s proposal "in some ways is quite daring" as it did not mention plebiscite, UN Resolutions, or speak about the wishes of the Kashmiri people—a line often taken by Pakistan.

He said during the talks,the Prime Minister made it clear that he did not have the mandate of the people to redraw the country’s map or a second partition. Within these parametres, New Delhi was willing to discuss anything.

Natwar Singh said Aziz wanted India to look at some of the elements of Musharraf’s suggestion. "We said we are willing to look at any proposal. We are willing to discuss J and K as long as you like."

The Minister, however, felt that Pakistan would not make a formal proposal in this regard. "They had all the time to make it".

He said that India and Pakistan are "very near" to solution on the question of travel documents to be carried by passengers on the proposed Srinagar-Muzzafarabad bus which is expected to be operationalised before spring.

"The bus service will start sooner than later. Both sides will be able to overcome all the technicalities," he said in this interview.

About Musharraf stressing that India should show flexibility, he said the composite dialogue was a process, not an event. "Flexibility includes flexibility with time... It is a long haul.

Singh said Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran would visit Islamabad on December 22-23 for working out the schedule for the second round of talks of the composite dialogue.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will have a second meeting with Aziz during the SAARC summit in Dhaka in January. As part of the high level contacts, the External Affairs Minister would be visiting Islamabad in February.

The minister said Indo-Pak relations were on a "steady course" and added "there is no going back to Agra, Kargil or Aar Paar Ki Ladai". (AGENCIES)

One year after cease-fire
Hope on other side of LoC

From Pushp Saraf

Chakothi (Muzaffarabad), Nov 26: As I stand on this last Pakistan army post on this side of the Line of Control, about 50 kms from Muzaffarabad, I can't help but feel thrilled and excited.

First, I am a member of the first Indian journalists' team that has been allowed access to what was once a forbidden territory --- courtesy the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA).

Secondly, today is the first anniversary of cease-fire along the LoC and the International Border and that gives one a feeling of being part of a historic occasion.

Thirdly, I am within a handshaking distance of Uri, the nearest town on the other side of the LoC, which is less than ten kms away. The thought is quite moving that one can walk across and shake hands with Mohammad Shafi Uri and Taj Mohiuddin and Nizamuddin Bhat if he comes on a tour of his Parliamentary constituency.

One can reverse the order and yet find that there is no dilution of joy for having been able to see the other part of the State from so close. This sentiment is tinged with sorrow as it is one of those instances of being so near and yet so far.

Baramulla is 50 kms and Srinagar 121 kms from this enchanting spot which can be compared with Batote on our side but looks more captivating with the Jhelum flowing in shimmering glory in its vicinity. There is an old footbridge that separates this post and our side of the LoC. It is broken and would have to be replaced by a concrete bridge should India and Pakistan decide to resume bus service between Muzaffarabad and Uri. 'If the task of building the new bridge is given to the Army, it can be done in 24 hours,' says Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan, Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) who briefs us.

One can see some Indian soldiers moving around on the other side. They are visible to naked eyes as well as through binoculars. We wave and some of them do likewise. Clearly the overall environment is totally relaxed. Cease-fire appears to have done well to everybody's psyche. The talk of the restoration of the bus service has generated much hope. The two armies are standing face to face but have not fired a bullet during the last one year.

Maj-General Shaukat Sultan admits that displaced persons in the region have started returning to their homes after the cease-fire. There have been thousands of them. He, however, echoes his Government's well-known stance on fencing of the LoC and the IB by the Indian Army. He remarks that India has 'taken undue advantage' of the cease-fire to fence the border which is 'illegal and violation of United Nations resolutions and the Karachi Agreement'. It was, according to him, the 'magnanimity and large-heartedness' of Pakistan that it had not become a stumbling-block because it did not want to disrupt peace process and cease-fire.

With the confidence of a soldier, he claims that 'militarily fencing is of no significance'. He does not believe that there is cross-border terrorism as is alleged by India. 'Cross-border terrorism has to be supported by some evidence,' he says and points to the closely-knit Indian bunkers on the hills across the Khuliana nallah to further drive home his argument: 'Either those crossing the border are super-humans or those manning these posts are sleeping'. One of us refers to certain incidents of cross-border terrorism to which he replies that 'he would have to look into specific instances'.

Maj-Gen Shaukat extensively cites figures of civilian casualties which, according to him, were inflicted by the Indian Army and massive displacement of human beings that has taken place because of frequent clashes between the two forces in the past. Having seen the havoc caused by wars and artillery firing on our side, who would not agree that the armed confrontations between the two neighbours yield only misery?

Maj-Gen Shaukat himself wants to give peace a chance. 'Let's hope that bus service starts and the All-Party Hurriyat Conference can come.' When asked why he was referring only to the APHC, he says what he meant was the APHC and the others as well. He admits that cease-fire has been one of the best confidence-building measures but 'it is no good if not followed by dialogue'. 'CBMs and dialogue should go together,' he says.

As a sort of parting gift, he remarks: 'We are happy to receive you here. We do hope that people from both sides meet other and their miseries end'. This is the general mood on this side of the LoC as well as in Pakistan. One can vouch for it having already spent one hectic week in this region.

Farooq rejects Musharraf plan on J&K
*Reiterates demand for converting LoC into IB

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Out-rightly rejecting proposal of Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, former Chief Minister and patron of National Conference, Dr Farooq Abdullah today reiterated that his stand of conversion of Line of Control (LoC) into International Border (IB) will be the only solution between India and Pakistan.

Addressing Dewan of Sikh Sangat at Gurdwara Yadgar Maharani Chand Kour in connection with celebration of Prakash Utsav of Shri Guru Nanak Devji, Dr Abdullah said, "I am of the strong opinion that conversion of LoC into permanent border is the only solution". Either I will remain alive or not on that day, both the countries will accept this hard reality one day.

Former Chief Minister hailed peace process being initiated by both India and Pakistan and hoped that it will help in restoring normalcy in the sub-continent. "This process should be further accelerated", he said and demanded that Jammu-Sialkote Road should also be opened along with Muzaffarabad-Uri road. "I pray the God that peace should be restored in this region", he said.

Paying tributes to Shri Guru Nanak Devji Maharaj, Dr Abdullah said that Guruji propagated the teaching of brotherhood and communal harmony. "Real tribute to Guru Nanak Devji is to strengthen brotherhood and spread the message of communal harmony", he said and called upon the younger generation to spread message of the Guru Ji. "Every religion teaches brotherhood and love", he said and stressed on strengthening unity and spreading tolerance in the society.

Dr Farooq Abdullah, who came all the way from Delhi to participate in this Gurupurav function, endorsed resolution passed by the Sikh Sangat during the function.

"I will take up the matter with the Union Government for their early redressal", he assured while pointing towards some demands which were pertaining to the Central Government.

"As far as constitution of Minority Commission in the State is concerned, Government should initiate steps in this regard", he said and added, "if we constitute State Human Rights Commission then why there is hesitation in framing State Minority Commission?", he asked. He also supported the demand of inclusion of PoK refugees in the talks and suggested that every section of the society should be involved in peace process.

Regarding increase of quota of State Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan, Dr Abdullah assured the gathering that he will take up this matter with the Centre.

"Number of Sikh pilgrims should be increased. Increasing of pilgrims will help in further establishing people to people contact", he said.

He reminded the gathering about steps taken by his Government for the welfare and upliftment of Sikh community and said that it was his Government which had taken decision to include Punjabi in school curriculam. He assured the gathering that if returned to power, National Conference will accept all genuine demands of Sikhs.

Sound education system a priority: Mufti
Army to supplement healing touch policy: Vij

Excelsior Special Correspondent

Lidru (Pahalgam), Nov 26: Highlighting the priority his Government has accorded to the development of education sector, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that efforts to build up a sound education system in Jammu and Kashmir were being made in tandem with peace and development process started across the State.

Mr Sayeed was addressing public meetings after inaugurating the Army Goodwill School at Fatehgarh and laying the foundation stone of the Army Public School at Lidru. Chief of Army Staff, Gen. N. C. Vij, Minister for Rural Development, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Ministers of State, Abdur Rehman Veeri and Abdul Gaffar Sofi, GoC-in-C, Northern Command, Lt. Gen. Hari Prasad, GoC 15 Corps, Lt. Gen. Nirbhai Sharma and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai were present.

The Chief Minister said that during the long turmoil in the State education was the most affected sector. The entire education system, he said, had come to a standstill and the poor sections of the society were particularly hard hit. He said the affluent managed the good education of their children outside the State but those who could not afford this bore the brunt.

He said ever since the coalition Government assumed office education was listed as a priority sector with emphasis on providing quality education. He spelt out several measures taken by the Government to bring the education sector back on the rails and said that while infrastructure was upgraded the reach of education was extended to the remotest areas of the State. He specifically mentioned efforts to rope in famous educational institutions like the Delhi Public School to change for the better the educational scenario in the State. He said making quality education affordable in the nook and corner of the State was the prime objective of his education policy.

Appreciating the role of army in supplementing the efforts of the Government for extending basic facilities to the people, the Chief Minister said it was helping in implementing the healing touch policy of the Government. He said the army was very active in social sector besides ensuring security of the people and defending the borders. He said apart from helping in roads and bridges construction and providing medical facilities in villages and far off places, the army was engaged in the uplift of education system in the State.

He said while a host of army schools were functional in the State the Army Public Schools at Rajouri and Lidru would be a major leap in providing quality education to the children of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the two prestigious schools were conceived to be at par with the best in the country and hoped that in the near future Pahalgam would not only be known as a wonderful tourist spot but also as a center of quality education drawing students from all over the country. He said the school would also add to the importance of Lidru village. Given the cold weather conditions in winter, he asked for centrally heating arrangements made in the school so that students did not face any inconvenience.

Mr Mufti Sayeed said that the role of the army was essentially to defend the borders but in the face of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir it had to take up the task of the security of the people within the State also. He said at times some unpleasant incidents do take place but these should not be allowed to undo the good work of the army. He said people’s protest against excesses was the sign of a democratic set up and it serves as a check against any violation. He said during the last two years the situation had improved a lot and collateral damages avoided while dealing with a situation.

In his address, Gen. N. C. Vij said that the Army Public School, Lidru would provide the best possible education facilities available at any reputed public school in the country. He said the construction of the school would cost about Rs. 30 crore and in the first phase Rs. 10 crore had been made available. He said one of the prime objectives of the army was to help the civilian population besides protecting their lives. He said the army was doing this job in Jammu and Kashmir for decades under its civic action programme. He said every effort would be made to supplement the healing touch policy of the State Government. He said the army was a friend of the people and lending its hand for their socio-economic development.

General Vij said that the army would take up construction of small hydel projects and electrify about 350 villages in the Valley. He said the Sadbhavna Programme was aimed at providing relief to the people where it was needed the most. He said the army’s effort was to open as many schools in the State as possible. He said with the initiation of two Army Public Schools in Jammu and Kashmir, the thrust was on the quality education. He said he himself belonged to Jammu and Kashmir and knew that the students of the State were very sharp and intelligent and good schooling would further sharpen their talent to compete at the national and international level.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Rural Development, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed hailed the role of the army in extending civic facilities to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He specifically referred to the steps taken by the army in starting good schools across the State. He said the army’s help in extending basic facilities particularly in rural areas have provided relief to people.

The GoC-in C, Northern Command, Lt. Gen. Hari Prasad and GoC, 15 Corps, Lt. Gen. Nirbhai Sharma also spoke on the occasion and dwelt on the role of the army in its civic action programme. They assured that the Army Public School, Lidru would emerge as one of the best educational institutions in the country and said that the Army Goodwill School inaugurated by the Chief Minister at Fatehgarh earlier today would be the feeding school for it.

NC, PDP should also be in Indo-Pak talks: Sikandar Hayat

MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 26: The so-called Prime Minister of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, has favoured inclusion of the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party besides the Hurriyat in the ongoing composite dialogue process between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"All political parties and separatist groups should join the dialogue process. We want that political parties such as the National Conference, the PDP and the Congress besides the Hurriyat Conference should be part of the dialogue process for a lasting and amicable solution of the Kashmir issue," Mr Khan told the visiting Indian media delegation at a dinner here last night.

He said any solution of the festering issue should be in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The base is plebiscite but there can be deviation from the stand if the people favour some other solution. If there is consensus on any solution we have no problem," Mr Khan added.

He welcomed the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan, saying it is going in the right direction and is aimed at resolving the contentious Kashmir issue.

Mr Khan said India and Pakistan should facilitate the involvement of Kashmiris in the talks. "Pakistan has shown its willingness but India is yet to respond postively to its gestures," he added.

He also termed as "bold and flexible" Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s recent dramatic proposal to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"We believe Gen Musharraf when he says that parties from Azad Jammu and Kashmir will be involved in the dialogue process. We believe that he would keep his word. The President recently held meetings with Kashmiri leadership to ascertain their viewpoint on finding an amicable solution to the Kashmir issue," Mr Khan said.

Earlier talking to Indian journalists, the so-called Legislative Assembly Speaker Sardar Sayyab Khalid said Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) would be meaningless unless the Kashmir issue is resolved in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Khalid said Kashmiri leadership from both sides of Jammu and Kashmir need to sit together and discuss various options to resolve the issue.

He said Pakistan and the so-called Pakistan occupied Kashmir Governments support the legal and legitimate demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and added that the moral support is given keeping in mind the "just cause" of the movement there.

Mr Khalid said it was time for violence to end. "Resorting to violence is no solution to any problem. Militants can be persuaded to shun violence provided India has something concrete to offer them," he added.

Asked to elaborate, he said, "gun has a role till India does not make serious and sincere efforts to resolve the issue. The basic thing is that India has to demonstrate its sincerity...It can order total withdrawal of its troops from the State."

Mr Khalid also said that "Jehad" cannot be waged against innocent people.

Meanwhile, ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) secretary general Mushahid Hussain has said that Pakistan wanted all shades of opinion in Jammu and Kashmir to join the ongoing composite dialogue process between New Delhi and Islamabad to settle the contentious issue.

Mr Hussain, who hosted a dinner for the visiting Indian media delegation at Islamabad, said the atmosphere for the talks was good as both India and Pakistan had now recognised after their "nuclearisation" that war was no longer an option between them.

Mr Hussain, who is also chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, said nuclearisation had created a new confidence in Pakistan about its security.

He said the India-bashing "no longer sells" in the country. "In Pakistan, there is no constituency that seeks confrontation with India," he added.

In reply to a question, Mr Hussain described the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir as "indigenous and the result of Indian oppression".

The former Information and Broadcasting Minister said Pakistan supported it because it has a moral obligation. "We did not create it, we did not start it. It is your problem, you will have to solve it," he added.

Mr Hussain said Pakistan had no favourites between the two rival factions of the Hurriyat Conference. This was evident from separate meetings held by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz with leaders of both the factions in New Delhi on Tuesday.

In Pakistan, he said the Government had sought to take into confidence Kashmiri leaders of divergent opinions such as former Pakistan occupied Kashmir president Sardar Abdul Qayyum whose all Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference wanted Kashmir’s accession with Pakistan and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Amanullah Khan, who wanted Kashmir to be independent of both India and Pakistan.

The media team also met PoK People’s Party president Khalid Ibrahim who said his party stood for a "plebiscite" in Kashmir but could consider other options as well.

At a luncheon meeting with the visiting journalists, Pakistan’s Parliamentary Kashmir committee chairman Hamid Nasir Chattha said leadership of a cross-section of Kashmiris should become part of the dialogue.

However, he said the Kashmir committee, comprising members from both the ruling coalition and opposition parties, did not agree with President Pervez Musharraf’s recent statement that options other UN resolutions calling for a "plebiscite" in Jammu and Kashmir be considered for the settlement of the issue.

Mr Chattha said he did not agree with the Gen Musharraf’s proposal in the sense that Pakistan should not deviate from its original stance which is "plebiscite" to choose between Pakistan and India for accession unless all the three parties sit together.

"The ideal solution would be to have a plebiscite. But to get to that stage we will have to involve people from all walks of life in Jammu and Kashmir," he said and urged the Indian Government to involve Kashmiris in the talks so that the solution reached could be acceptable to all.

"We don’t hold too many expectations (about the success of the dialogue) unless Kashmiris are part of the dialogue," Mr Chattha said. (AGENCIES)

Two militants shot dead in Doda
Civilian killed in Mendhar firing

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: A civilian was killed and another seriously injured when Army and police opened firing on a violent protest by the people at Bhatta Durian in Mendhar area of Poonch district this afternoon. The people were protesting against thrashing of two Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers by the security forces at Sangiot last night.

In other incidents, two militants were gunned down by Army and police at village Ranjan in Gandoh area of Doda district while a civilian was injured in exchange of firing at Sanai, Surankote.

Official sources said a joint team of Army and Operations Group, Rajouri, carried out a raid at village Sangiot under the jurisdiction of Gursai police station in Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district last night and beat-up two ReT teachers Zaif Ali and Showkat Ali.

Both the teachers were injured.

In the morning, a large number of local people of Sangiot and surrounding areas gathered at Bhatta Durian and blocked BG-Poonch road in protest against the assault on the two teachers. They were shouting slogans against Army and police for frequently raiding their village and beating-up the people.

During the protests, an Army convoy was also trapped in traffic blockades raised by the protesters. After a verbal duel, the people subjected the Army convoy and police personnel to stone pelting. Army and police opened firing on the protesters leading to the killing of one civilian and injuries to another.

Civilian killed in the firing has been identified as Munir Hussain son of Bagh Ali and the injured as Shahjad Ali son of Mohd Shabir, both residents of Sangiot. Injured has been admitted in the district hospital, Rajouri in serious condition.

People continued their protests at Bhatta Durrian demanding the visit of Deputy Commissioner and SSP Poonch to the spot. Both the officers reached the spot and talked to the people.

Situation, however, remained tense in the area till the reports last came in even as the protest was lifted by the people late in the night.

In Doda, Army and police gunned down two militants of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) at village Ranjana in Gandoh at 7.45 am today.

Sources said two militants attacked Ranjana police post at 5 am. The police party retaliated. In the meantime, security forces also reached the spot. Both the militants were gunned down.

Identity of one of the slain militant has been established as Aashiq Hussain of Ranjana. He was a Pakistan trained militant and was operating in Doda district for last seven to eight years. He was an activist of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) outfit. Identity of the second militant couldn’t be established.

One AK-47 rifle and two magazines were recovered from the slain militants.

A civilian Muzaffar Hussain Shah son of Khadim Hussain Shah, a resident of Sanai, Surankote was injured in cross-firing between militants and security forces at Sanai last night. Injured has been hospitalised.

A Rifleman Vikram Singh was killed in an accidental fire from his own weapon at Maitra transit camp in Ramban tehsil in Doda district today.

Explosives seized near Tawi

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Army recovered a consignment of explosive devices and ammunition from the banks of Tawi river in Chicken Neck sector last night.

Defence sources said an Army unit of Tiger Division carried out a search operation on the basis of an information given by an Army Intelligence unit along the banks of Tawi river in Chicken Neck sector last night.

Recoveries include grenades, rifle magazines and live ammunition of AK rifle. Cache was wrapped in waterproof packing and buried underground.

"Explosives and ammunition were stocked by the militants for subversive activities in the area. However, prompt action by Army have thwarted their designs", the sources said.

Soren to return to cabinet, get Coal, TRS
chief to get Labour

NEW DELHI, Nov 26: JMM president Sibu Soren would be reinducted into the Cabinet in a minor expansion and reshuffle of the Union Council of Ministers in which TRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao will get Labour and Employment portfolio.

Soren, who had to quit the Cabinet as Coal Minister in the wake of an arrest warrant in a 20-year-old massacre case, will get back the old portfolio. He is now on bail.

Labour Minister Seeshram Ola, who yields the portfolio to Rao, will be in charge of the Mines Ministry, official sources said late tonight. Rao is at present a cabinet minister without portfolio.

A Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesman said the expansion of the Union Council of Ministers will take place at 3 pm on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Rao and Soren had separate meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

The return of Soren to the Union Cabinet assumes significance in view of coming Assembly elections in his home State of Jharkhand where it is the main challenger of BJP for power.

After his meeting with Singh, Rao declined to tell mediapersons the issues discussed between them.

But at the UPA Coordination Committee meeting late this evening, the TRS chief was pacified with the setting up of a sub-committee on the issue of a separate Telengana state. (PTI)

Ceasefire leaves time for Army to pursue
goodwill operations

TANGHDHAR, Nov 26: Army personnel posted along the Line of Control (LoC) in this part of Jammu and Kashmir have taken up a new job since last year’s ceasefire between India and Pakistan — ‘Winning Hearts and Minds’(WHAM) of the people.

The army has taken up several goodwill measures in coordination with the civil administration in this Valley close to the Line of Control post-ceasefire, which is in effect since this day last year, besides maintaining the level of vigil and guard against infiltration at pre-ceasefire times.

Though the goodwill operations had been in place even before the ceasefire, the forces had scant time to implement them in places like these, which were under constant threat of cross-border shelling.

"The ceasefire has allowed us to concentrate more on the WHAM operations," a senior army officer posted in Tanghdhar sector here.

The officer, however, quickly added that concentrating on wham operations does not mean compromising the defence preparedness of the forces.

"Before the ceasefire, the top priority was safety of personnel, installations and civilians. At the sametime, we had to check that infiltration as well as cross-border shelling was basically a cover for pushing in the militants," he said.

"We had also taken up fencing along the border and it is the second priority. Goodwill operations thus would have come at number three at best," he said adding since the ceasefire had taken care of several of the concerns, the army embarked on WHAM projects with more vigour and purpose.

The army has taken up several projects as part of the operations, including setting up of two army goodwill schools where nearly 200 students are receiving free modern education.

The army is also contributing in other development projects like constructing mini-power projects, roads and buildings, he said.

The goodwill operations have already started bearing fruit with several youth, who had taken to militancy, shunning the path of violence to lead a normal life.

Today Tanghdhar valley is clean and there are no militants in the region.

"Tanghdhar might be the only place (in the State) where jawans and officers can take a walk to market and back to the camp without any escort or weapons," he added.

The officer said the WHAM operations were a two-pronged strategy focussing on upliftment of this backward area and at the same time strengthening the defences.

With this change in focus area of the top brass, the lower ranks in the troops have enjoyed the peace time to hilt.

"This year we celebrated all the festivals with great fervour and enthusiasm," they said.

All ranks were unanimous in the view that ceasefire had allowed them a much needed break. (PTI)

Singhal for revival of Jansangh

MUMBAI, Nov 26: VHP chief Ashok Singhal today said Jansangh, the earlier avatar of the BJP, should "be revived", and alleged a "deep conspiracy" behind the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati in the Shankarraman murder case.

The international working president of VHP alleged that Congress president Sonia Gandhi, whom he described as the "virtual super PM", wanted to do away with Hindu organisations.

Addressing a news conference at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh here, Mr Singhal again fumed over the arrest of the Kanchi seer, saying the wishes of the Pope were being fulfilled in India. "This is why the biggest saint of the country has been arrested."

To a question whether BJP was a party of the Hindus, he said, "ninety-nine per cent of the people in the party work for the cause of Hindus," but refused to comment on who comprised the remaining one per cent.

On Jansangh, he said, "Jansangh Ka Punarjeevan Hona Chahiye (Jansangh should be revived)."

"An attempt is being made to indulge in character assassination of our saints and religious leaders," Mr Singhal said and referred to reports emanating from Britain about a film being made on the life of Satya Sai Baba. Mr Singhal said saints and their followers would court arrests all over the country on December 5 to protest the arrest of the Shankaracharya, who is currently in judicial custody in Tamil Nadu.

"Saints all over are very angry over the inhuman treatment being meted out to the Shankaracharya," he said, adding "false cases are being fabricated against Sri Jayendra Saraswati".

"I am sure this conspiracy will be exposed soon," the VHP leader said.

Mr Singhal claimed he knew about the conspiracy. Asked whether he will tell the court about it, he reported "why should I tell. I am not going to do so. It is just a matter of few days, everything will be exposed."

"Yesterday, one of the accused in the case has said that he was pressurised to make a statement (against the Shankaracharya). Others arrested are also being pressurised," he said and added that it is a "deep conspiracy" against the Hindu leaders.

The Kanchi Mutt is doing a lot of ‘Seva Dharma" (social work) and the Government wants to take over it, Mr Singhal said. "Why there is no interference in the work of Wakf Board. The property of churches in the country run in lakhs of crores."

The VHP leader lashed out Mrs Gandhi, the chairperson of the UPA Government at the Centre for her reported statements against the Sangh Parivar outfits. "She is of foreign origin and she has no right to speak on the Sangh."

He said from December 20 to January 20 a membership drive would be undertaken by VHP and Bajrang Dal and said the organisations have set a target of 30 lakh new members all over the country, including nearly 50,000 from Mumbai. (UNI)

Army officer dismissed in fake encounter

NEW DELHI, Nov 26: An Indian Army officer has been dismissed and another slapped five years loss of service after a court martial found them guilty of splashing tomato ketchup on civilians to make them look like dead separatist militants in their bid to get gallantry awards.

Col H S Kohli, Commanding Officer of an artillery regiment, took photographs of civilians splashed with tomato sauce and posing as corpses and gave them to his seniors to stake claim for gallantry award as a proof of separatist killing in 2003 at Bada Nagadun near Silchar in Assam, an Army spokesman here said today.

The fraud was discovered when the claim was being processed following which court martial proceedings were launched against him.

At the end of the proceedings, Kohli was dismissed and a Major, whose name was not revealed, slapped five years loss of service and a severe reprimand for conniving with the Colonel. "The two were found guilty of reporting an encounter which had not taken place," the spokesman said.

Kohli became the first Army officer to be dismissed for faking an encounter.

This is the second instance in which army officers fabricated encounters to win medals for themselves and their units, after the Siachen fake killings. The court martial proceedings on the Siachen episode are still continuing. (PTI)

Akash test fired

BALASORE (ORISSA), Nov 26: Akash, the indigenously developed surface-to-air missile, was test fired from the integrated test range at Chandipur-on-sea, about 14 km from here today, DRDO sources said.

The sophisticated multi-target missile was test fired from a mobile launcher at about 12.30 pm.

Earlier, Lakshya, the pilotless target aircraft, was test flown from the ITR at 12.10 pm and Akash was fired at an object attached to the PTA as its target.

The missile has a range of 27 km with an effective ceiling of 15 km, the sources said. It uses an integral Ramjet rocket propulsion system and has a low reaction time.

The sleek missile, with a 700 kg launch weight, could carry a warhead of 60 kg.

Akash operates in conjunction with Rajendra surveillance and engagement radar being developed by electronic research and development establishment. The radar is capable of tracking 64 targets and guide upto 12 missiles simultaneously.

The missile, part of India’s guided missile development programme, is being developed by the DRDO and had undergone a number of trials.

The current thrust of the test was on its guidance system, the sources said adding that the development was also aimed at increasing its speed, maximum altitude and extend the range upto 60 km.

Six more rounds of similar trials of the missile could take place shortly, they said. (PTI)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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