'No custodial killing, no act of terror will be tolerated'
13-member Azad ministry sworn-in
*Mangat, Pirzada, Taj, Nisar, Rigzin, Zargar, Qazi, Hakeem,
Babu retained * Qarra, Charak inducted

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and 12 nominees of his Council of Ministers (CoM) were sworn-in today by Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC). While retaining 10 Ministers of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s PDP-led coalition Government and inducting PDP’s Tariq Hameed Qarra and Congress’ Gulchain Singh Charak, Azad constituted a CoM of 11 Cabinet Ministers and two Ministers of State (MoS). After taking oath as the next Chief Minister and presiding over his first Cabinet meeting, Azad sent a loud and clear warning to security forces and militants that no custodial killing or any act of terrorism would be tolerated now on in Jammu and Kashmir.

Governor S K Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Ghulam Nabi Azad as the next Chief Minister of the State and ten of his nominees as Cabinet Ministers. Two of Azad’s nominees were sworn-in as MoS. Congress team in Azad’s Cabinet comprises former Deputy Chief Minister Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma, former Minister of Rural Development Department and president of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Pirzada Mohammad Sayeed, former Minister of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Taj Mohiuddin besides two former Ministers from Ladakh—Nawang Rigzin Jora and Haji Nisar Ali—who are both introduced as members of the Congress party.

Azad also inducted a former MoS of his party, Jitendra Singh alias Babu Singh, and party’s MLC from Jammu, Gulchain Singh Charak, as Ministers of State.

On the former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s recommendations, Azad retained senior PDP leader and former Minister of Finance and Law, Muzaffar Hussain Baig (who is being appointed as the new Deputy Chief Minister), former Minister of Agriculture, Abdul Aziz Zargar and former Minister of Irrigation and PHE, Qazi Mohammad Afzal, as Ministers in the new Cabinet. On Mufti’s recommendations, he also inducted PDP’s new face, Tariq Hameed Qarra, who represents Batmaloo constituency of Srinagar city in the Legislative Assembly. While Congress’ Charak is the only fresh induction in the lower tier of Azad’s ministry, PDP’s Qarra is one-odd fresh entry in the Cabinet.

Congress party’s general secretary incharge Jammu & Kashmir, Ambika Soni, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Union MoS Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal, former Chief Ministers Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Dr Farooq Abdullah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference president Omar Abdullah besides family members of prominent politicians were present at the oath-taking ceremony. Judges of J&K High Court, almost all former Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, heads of different mainstream political parties and almost all senior bureaucrats and Police officials were also in attendance. The spacious SKICC auditorium was packed to its capacity to the extent that Chief Secretary Vijay Bakaya and several MLAs and heads of PSUs, including the ailing Mohammad Shafi Bhat, watched the proceeding standing in corridors.

After the swearing-in ceremony concluded and Azad presided over the first meeting of his CoM, he disclosed to mediapersons that a minor expansion in his ministry would take place in Jammu in the next two months. He made it clear that it would be a minor expansion as he was not going to have a jumbo ministry of 40 people. He said Mufti too wanted to downsize his 37-member CoM in consultation with his coalition partners, but there were "certain compulsions" in it. Asked about the allocation of portfolios, Azad said that the same would be distributed before opening of Durbar in Jammu on November 7th.

Azad vowed that he and his colleagues would shed "the last drop of our blood to protect the life and property of our brothers and sisters from the demon of terrorism". He said: "Those who have been and still are destroying the peaceful life of our people can never be our friends. The countries, which have been promoting terrorism, have themselves turned into ruins. People of Jammu and Kashmir want to live with love and peace. They want to get rid of terrorism. They want prosperous future of their sons and daughters". Repeatedly using the word terrorists for the insurgents and avoiding any appeasement of the separatist politicians, Azad sounded tough and firm in his assertions. His oath-taking and the maiden news conference as Chief Minister came hours after five civilians and a Policeman got killed in a militant’s suicide strike in Nowgam outskirts of the Capital city.

A success story in the national level politics in over 30 years, Azad said that his Government would take comprehensive measures for restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that custodial killings (by security forces and Police) would be "totally unacceptable" to his Government but added hastily that it would not be "a free for all" for the terrorists. "While we will make our forces accountable to end the culture of custodial killings, we will force the terrorists change their course", he added. When a journalist desired to know what would be his government’s new strategy in tackling militancy, Azad asserted that he would not reveal it at a news conference. He said that as head of the Unified Headquarters, he would preside over a joint meeting of all Police and security organisations on Thursday.

"Our healing touch policy, which was effectively pushed by Mufti Sahib, will continue until complete peace and normalcy was restored to this State", Azad said. He said that New Delhi’s peace process with Pakistan "as well as the peace process underway at the State level" would continue. He said that tomorrow’s Unified Headquarters meeting would examine the difficulties security forces were facing in fighting terrorism and guarding the borders.

Azad enumerated "good governance", "accountability" and "corruption-free systems" as the topmost priorities of his Government. He said that he would be pretty tough in changing the state’s work culture. He said that his Government would not punish yesterday’s corrupt elements but today onwards every public person—including Ministers, MLAs, MLCs and government officials—would not even dream of indulging in corrupt practices. "All those who are not inclined to change shall have to take leave for three years", Azad warned. In reply to a journalist’s question, Azad clarified that the autonomous State Accountability Commission would be free to initiate proceedings against any corrupt official or politician irrespective of period. He said that the infamous "transfer and appointment industry" in Jammu and Kashmir was the main root of corruption. "Without an iota of compromise, I am going to shut this shop for ever", he asserted.

The first meeting of the Council of Ministers, Azad said, appreciated and acknowledged Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s and the UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s concern for the earthquake victims in the State which resulted in unprecedented flow of a thick package of Rs 670 cr. He said that the Cabinet also conveyed its gratitude to AICC, a number of states, particularly the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, for providing substantial relief to the earthquake victims in Jammu and Kashmir. Deputy Chief Minister-designate, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who was present at the briefing, assured Azad PDP’s full support in implementation of the coalition government’s Common Minimum Programme.

10 killed, 15 wounded in car blast

SRINAGAR, Nov 2 : Barely a few hours before the swearing in of Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad as the tenth Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, a suicide attacker detonated a powerful car bomb explosion at Nowgam area on the city outskirts near the old residence of his predecessor Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today, killing at least 10 people and wounding about 15 others, some of them critically, official sources said.

However, a police spokesman tonight said six people — one constable, one militant and four civilians, including a woman, —were killed and about 18 others wounded in the explosion.

The deadly explosion took place about 15 km from Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), the venue of the swearing in ceremony, and hours before Mr Azad, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, was to take oath as the new Chief Minister of the State, replacing Mr Sayeed.

A 10-year-old boy, a female pedestrian, three Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel, including a Sub Inspector, and the fidayeen were among the ten killed in the suicide attack, the responsibility for which was claimed by the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

This is the second car bomb explosion in Kashmir in less than six days.

Giving details, the sources said a Maruti Alto car, laden with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), was asked to stop by the security forces for routine checking at the Nowgam chowk in the central Kashmir district of Badgam at 1050 hrs.

However, the driver, the fidayeen, did not stop the car, leading to a chase by the security forces on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway bypass, they added.

While the security forces were following the vehicle, the Fidayeen triggered the IED, killing ten people, including himself.

However, the police is yet to ascertain the exact number of fidayeen in the car, which was blown into pieces.

About 15 others, including a few traffic police constables, were wounded who have been shifted to various hospitals here.

Eyewitnesses said the body fragments were scattered all around near the blast site.

The impact of the blast was so powerful that it rattled the entire area and several shops in the vicinity were damaged, windowpanes of several nearby buildings also shattered.

The police spokesman said four vehicles — one Maruti car, two load carriers and a truck — were also damaged in the blast.

A caller, who identified himself as Jaish spokesman Abu Qadam, telephoned local media organisations here, claiming the responsiblity.

He said it was a suicide attack and the car was laden with about 100 kg of explosives.

The Jaish spokesman said Mohammad Mubashir, a resident of Abbaspora in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), was the fidayeen who carried out the attack. The spurt in the car bomb attacks in the past several months has shaken the security apparatus in Jammu and Kashmir.

At least 43 people, including several security forces personnel, have been killed in about seven car bomb attacks since the beginning of June this year. More than 160 people have been wounded in these attacks.

One Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed and 28 other personnel wounded, five of them critically, in a powerful car bomb blast near a Gurdwara on the historic Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road on October 26.

About 10 civilians were also wounded in the car blast, the responsibility for which was claimed by the Hizbul Mujahideen.

About 16 people, including four CRPF jawans, were wounded when militants triggered a powerful car bomb explosion at Kapran in the Qazigund area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on August 17.

On July 20 this year, three soldiers and a civilian were killed in another car bomb blast in the high-profile civil lines area near the Burn Hall school here.

Similarly on June 25, nine soldiers were killed and 17 wounded when a powerful car bomb was detonated as a bus carrying troops drove past the famous Mughal Gardens near the Dal Lake in Srinagar.

In an attack on June 13 this year, a Maruti Car laden with high-grade explosives went off in Pulwama, 40 km South of Srinagar, killing 15 people, including nine soldiers.

On May 23, 2004, militants had attacked a BSF convoy by detonating a powerful landmine, killing 33 personnel and their family members, including six women and three children, and seriously injuring two others on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

Among the dead, 15 were bsf personnel and 18 civilians travelling in a bus in the convoy. The personnel were going on a holiday with family members when the landmine went off at a culvert at Woodsa near Lower Munda, about 100 km from here. (AGENCIES)

Two Hizbul militants shot dead in Doda

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were gunned down by Army and police in an encounter at Marhoon, Gandoh in Doda district yesterday while security forces recovered a large quantity of ration from a hide-out of the militants at Chilli, Gandoh today.

Army, police and CRPF launched a joint search operation at Marhoon in Gandoh area of Doda yesterday morning after developing an information that two Hizbul Mujahideen militants had taken shelter in a dhok there.

SSP Doda Prithvi Raj Manhas said the encounter between militants and security forces continued for two hours in which both militants were killed. Hide-out of the militants was destroyed in the operation.

Security forces didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

One Self Loading Rifle (SLR), two magazines, 33 rounds, one diary, one Motorola wireless set and three Chinese hand grenades were recovered from the scene of encounter.

Slain militants have been identified as Fayaz Naseem son of Ali Mohd Bhat R/o Changam Gandoh and Itfaq Ahmed (code name Tabraze) son of Nazir Ahmed R/o Kilotran. They were active in militancy for last more than two years and were involved in a series of subversive activities.

On Sunday, a top Hizbul militant Fareed was gunned down in Doda. With this, three hardcore Hizbul militants have been eliminated in the district during last four days.

Police and security forces destroyed a hide-out of the militants where they had stocked a large quantity of ration items for winter at village Chilli in Gandoh this evening.

Recoveries made from the hide-out include five quintals rice, one quintal atta, four Army uniforms and two Khan dresses. The seized items were destroyed on spot, official sources said, adding a search operation was carried out in the area but no arrests were made. The militants were not present in the hide-out when the raid was carried out.

Troops of 20 Rashtriya Rifles and police destroyed a hide-out of the militants at Hari Mohalla in Surankote tehsil in Poonch district today and recovered two mortar rounds, two UBGL grenades, one RPG booster, nine circuits and one buoynet.

In another search operation at Pir Behra in Rajouri, security forces recovered 189 rounds of AK, 109 Pika rounds and five hand grenades. Ammunition and grenades had been dumped in a small natural cave by the militants. Security forces conducted a search operation in the area but no arrests were made.

In Gabroon area of Gandoh, security forces recovered 40 rounds of 7.62mm, six empty cases of 7.62mm and 122 AK rounds.

Sonia stresses for transparent administration
PM assures full support to Azad

NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Wishing him well in the "challenging" assignment as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured Ghulam Nabi Azad of Centre’s continued support to all the initiatives that will be taken under his stewardship in the State.

"Although there is a tinge of sadness on your departure from the Union Cabinet and you are going to be missed here, there is also a sense of joy that you are taking on a challenging assignment as the Chief Minister of J and K," Singh said in a letter to Azad text of which was officially made available today.

Singh said he had received Azad’s letter of October 31 tendering his resignation from the Union Cabinet.

"I am sure you will be able to leave your imprint on the State. I wish you well in your future efforts and assure you of the continued support of the Union Government to all initiatives that will be taken in J and K under your command," Singh said.

The Prime Minister made a special mention of the Azad’s contributions in the Government. "You have been a valued colleague in the Union Cabinet and your contributions towards the work of your department and to the work of the Government as a whole are indeed commendable," he said.

The policy initiatives launched in the urban development sphere including ground work done for the launch of the Urban Renewable Mission were going to leave a lasting impact on the urban landscape, he said.

Singh said as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Azad had contributed a great deal to the smooth and successful conduct of Government business in Parliament and ensured excellent coordination with all concerned.

Congress chief and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today asked Mr Azad to continue and build on the policies of his predecessor Mufti Mohd Sayeed Government.

"You will have to work for the continuity of policies already in place, and indeed even enhance them to reach out and protect all the people, particularly those who need it the most", she said in a message of good wishes to Azad who was sworn in to the top post.

Gandhi also urged Azad to "constantly strive for an effective and conducive working relationship with our coalition partners".

She, however, made it clear that as the new Government pursued "policies of reconciliation, it is of the utmost importance to maintain a constant vigil against the designs of those who seek to perpetrate acts of violence and terror".

Pointing out that Jammu and Kashmir has "a special place in our hearts" and "has been troubled for many years," Gandhi said the Centre was committed to finding a lasting and just solution to the problems faced by the State.

"It is necessary that as Chief Minister you provide an effective, honest and transparent administration that places the interests of the people above all else", she said.

The Congress president said "there has been enough pain and suffering and just as the Government at the Centre under the leadership of Manmohan Singh was committed to finding a lasting and just solution to the problems faced by the State, it is the responsibility of the State Government to work with single-minded devotion to fulfill the promises made".

"Ultimately, you will be judged by your government’s commitment to providing economic development, creating employment and other opportunities, especially for the youth of the State’’.

"The people of all parts of the State must feel that they have a Government that is devoted to their interests and works with integrity and purposefulness," she said.

The UPA chairperson told Azad that the terrible earthquake and its aftermath as the severe winter approaches would be "your first priority and challenge."

"I am confident that you will give your all and that you will win the hearts and minds of the people. In all these endeavours you will, of course, have my complete support and that of the party", she said.

Gandhi said "I take this opportunity to extend through you my greets for Deepawali and Eid-ul Fitr to the people of the State". (PTI)

Delhi blasts traced to Srinagar, Muzaffarabad

NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Investigations into the serial blasts in Delhi indicated linkage of Muzaffarabad in PoK to the incident and Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) is a strong suspect irrespective of its denial, police sources said here today.

At least four terrorists were involved in triggering the three blasts in the National Capital in quick succession on Saturday that killed 59 people and injured 210.

Immediately after the third blast at Govindpuri in South Delhi, a call was made from a mobile phone from the area at around 6.05 pm to another mobile phone in Srinagar, the sources said here.

The mobile phone, which received the call in Srinagar, was immediately used to make a call to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, they said.

Investigators believe that the call from Delhi was made by the terrorist to inform about accomplishment of the task of triggering blasts to his master in Srinagar who, in turn, conveyed the message to a bigger master based in Muzaffarabad.

The sources said the phones used in Srinagar and Muzaffarabad are believed to belong to LeT.

Several calls were made to the mobile phone, suspected to be used by terrorists in Delhi, from Saharanpur in western Uttar Pradesh both before and after the blasts, the sources said.

Calls were made from Delhi to Saharanpur also, they said.

The terrorists stationed in Delhi received calls from Srinagar from a particular mobile phone a day prior to the blasts.

These calls are believed to have been made to instruct the module in the Capital to carry out the blasts, the sources said.

Investigators believe that an elusive LeT commander based in India identified as Salar alias Hamid alias Afaq could be connected with the explosions.

Salar, whose name first appeared in connection with a terrorist act in 1993, is said to maintain continuous mobility, particularly between Saharanpur and Hyderabad.

He is suspected to be enjoying political patronage in Uttar Pradesh.

Delhi Police, closely working in coordination with intelligence agencies, have sent several teams to Kashmir and UP to track down perpetrators of the triple blasts.

Police are also planning to question at least 20 LeT terrorists held in the Capital in the past one year to get more leads that could help crack the case, the sources said.

Police today issued sketch of a man suspected to be involved in the blasts.

The sketch of the youth, who had allegedly left behind the bag containing the bomb in a bus, was prepared on the basis of questioning of passengers and the conductor. (PTI)

Dalai Lama backs fight against terrorism

NEW DELHI, Nov 2: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today supported the fight against terrorism but cautioned against branding the entire Muslim community as militant.

"I take appropriate action when I see malaria-carrying mosquitoes because they are not very friendly," the Dalai Lama said while answering a question about terrorism, Gandhiism and Islamic fundamentalism after a talk on ‘achieving peace in our times’ here.

But he said he did not believe that "a few mischievous Muslims" represented the entire Muslim community.

"Such people are there among Buddhist, Hindus, Jews and Christians also. But such cases should be not used to generalise...," the Dalai Lama remarked.

In another answer, he frankly admitted he would not know how even Mahatama Gandhi could have responded to terrorism.

"I really do not know. I wish Gandhi was here. Terrorism is a different problem, an invisible one," the Tibetan leader said. "It’s foolish to say compasssion when you see (charging) mad dogs," the Dalai Lama said as he deplored Saturday’s deadly bomb blasts in Delhi, in which 59 people were killed and more than 200 wounded.

He, however, said inter-faith dialogue was key to resolving religious conflicts.

Making pilgrimages to centres of other faiths was another way of promoting inter-religious understanding, he added.

"All religious leaders should come together to speak for peace and spirituality."

In his talk as part of the Indira Gandhi memorial lecture earlier, the Dalai Lama said globalisation has rendered war and violence irrelevant.

"In new realities, everything is interdependent. The concept of war is no longer relevant. It’s obsolete."

The Dalai Lama cited India as a classic example of non-violence and religious tolerance as he also appreciated the country’s democratic traditions.

He recalled that former South African President Nelson Mandela too had adopted Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of non-violence in his endeavours to end apartheid.

"But when India exports non-violence, it should also keep producing it at the same time," he joked.

The Dalai Lama praised the Indian community for its religious record of over 1,000 years, saying it has displayed a great religious tolerance.

"Some problems may have occurred here and there because of local and individual reasons, but India’s religious tolerance is really great," the Dalai Lama said. (PTI)

Cabinet reshuffle within a week

NEW DELHI, Nov 2: The much-talked about expansion-cum-reshuffle of Union Council of Ministers is likely within a week’s time to fill up nearly half-a-dozen vacancies in the Manmohan Singh Government.

Along with the changes in the Council of Ministers, there could be change of Governors as well as restructuring of the AICC Secretariat.

Political circles are agog with the talk that the Prime Minister may carry out the exercise any time now to enable his expanded team to acquaint with their work before the winter session of Parliament beginning around November 20.

The names of Vayalar Ravi, A K Antony, Ambika Soni, Giridhar Gamang, Chandrasekhar Sahu, G K Vasan and Gurudas Kamat are doing the rounds as possible ministers. If Ravi is inducted, then Antony is likely to continue with organisational work.

Either Gamang or Sahu is expected to make it to the Council of Ministers from Orissa which has no representation in the Centre.

The exercise is likely to be accompanied by changes in AICC secretariat with Rahul Gandhi, the hot favourite to be a general secretary in the new setup.

With Ghulam Nabi Azad taking over as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, there are as many as five vacancies in the Ministry.

The other four vacancies that exist in the Ministry are caused by resignations of Shibu Soren and Jagdish Tytler, K Rehman Khan becoming Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha and death of Sunil Dutt.

Besides Orissa, there has been no representation of Chattisgarh in the Ministry. Senior leader Motilal Vora and former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi hail from the State.

The exercise is expected to be mainly a Congress affair but Shibu Soren of the JMM could again find a berth in the Cabinet.

Changes in several Raj Bhawans appeared imminent along with the exercise as some Governors have completed their tenure and others are nearing the end of their term while Bihar Governor Buta Singh, who is in a eye of a storm over Supreme Court strictures on the dissolution of the Assembly.

There is also a move to shift some senior Ministers to gubernatorial posts in a move to bring young blood to the Ministry.

Following Azad’s shifting to J and K, the State also needs representation at the Centre. But it is unclear who could fill that slot. (PTI)

Another HM militant held in Jammu

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Police today arrested another Hizbul Mujahideen militant from Bhatindi and recovered one AK-47 rifle from his possession. He has been identified as Gulzar Ahmed Wani son of Mohd Afzal Wani, a resident of Akhran, Kulgam in Anantnag district of Kashmir valley.

SSP Jammu Mukesh Singh said Wani, a top ranking militant of Hizbul outfit, was arrested from Bhatindi on a specific information. He was working as an electrician in Bhatindi for past sometime to hide his activities.

Wani was a close associate of Khalid, a Hizbul Mujahideen commander and is suspected to be involved in bomb blast case at Kulgam, Anantnag in which DIG Anantnag and several others were injured.

A mobile telephone and a diary containing numbers and other information about contacts of the militants has been recovered from his possession, police said.

From the possession of militant, police recovered one AK-47 rifle and three magazines.

Police said the militant was planning to strike in the City here before Durbar move. He was being interrogated to ascertain his links in City.

Last week, police had arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen militant from Bhatindi along with his two associates and recovered one AK rifle and 10 grenades from him.

15 PoK residents return

WAGAH (PUNJAB), Nov 2: Fifteen residents of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), who had come to India on October 6th, today returned to Pakistan via the Wagah border.

The Pakistanis had got stranded after the suspension of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus due to the damage caused to the road between the two cities by the Kashmir quake.

The Government had relaxed travel rules for those from PoK wanting to go back. After the suspension of the bus service since October 8, the Government said it would allow stranded passengers of the bus to go back to Pakistan through the Wagah border on the basis of the permit issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Muzzafarabad.

This morning, eight PoK residents were brought here from Jammu in a special State transport bus amid tight security to the Wagah border. (PTI)

5 killed, 23 hurt in mishaps

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Five persons were killed while at least twenty-three others injured in various road accidents at different places since last evening.

A police spokesman said that 15 years old Pardeep Kumar, son of Ram Lochan of Bihar was hit by a vehicle at Canal Road last night. He was shifted to GMC hospital and was declared dead. The police has registered a case for investigation.

A camel rider was killed on the spot alongwith the animal when a speeding bus bearing No. JK02D/ 5893 hit them at Mela Morh today. The victim has been identified as Puran Chand, son of Chanda Ram of village Mela.

A 7-year-old boy, Rayees Khan, son of Mohd Riaz was killed on the spot after he was hit by a mini-bus at Darhali bridge in Rajouri. The police seized the vehicle and registered a case against the driver. A motor-cyclist - Surinder Kumar, son of Hari Ram of Kothi Manwal in Pathankot was injured after he was hit by a Video bus No. JK02N/ 7883 near Ghagwal last evening. He was shifted to Samba hospital where doctors declared him as dead. The police has taken cognizance.

A truck driver Pardeep Singh of Narwal in Jammu was killed on the spot after his vehicle rolled down at Nashri near Batote last evening. The body was shifted to Batote hospital.

Reports said ten persons were injured after a mini-bus met with an accident at Domana last evening. The injured were shifted to GMC hospital. Some were discharged after providing first aid. Those were admitted to hospital are identified as Naresh Kumar of Baba Talab, Ram Lal of Thathar, Tarlok Singh and Kanta Devi of Malpur, Sham Lal of Amb Gharota, and Parshotam Singh of Sobka.

Ajay Singh, son of Ram, Parsad of Ploura was hospitalised after he was injured in a mishap. Kamal Singh of Ghagwal in Hiranagar was injured in a moto-cycle accident , Krishan Chand met with an accident at Chopra Shop Udhampur, Makhan Lal of Gharota in a scooter mishap and Vicky met with an accident at Nagrota. These injured are undergoing treatment in GMC hospital.

The others who were admitted to GMC after accidents are—Hanif of Kalakot, Ganesh of Tikri, Shamsher Singh of Bishnah, Sajad Hussain, Surinder of Bhawani Nagar, Mohd Sagar of Rajouri, Ramesh Kumar of Nagrota and Traffic Constable Mohd Abdullah.
 

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