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6 CRPF men among 14 hurt in
Bhadarwah blast Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 24: Security forces and police gunned down two top militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit including an ‘area commander’ belonging to the minority community at Kalihand, about 18 kms from Doda in early hours of this morning. This is for the first time that a minority community militant has been killed in the region though a couple of them had been arrested earlier. Another militant, a ‘section commander’ of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) surrendered before security forces in Kishtwar today while 14 persons including eight civilians and six CRPF personnel were injured in a grenade blast at Seri Bazar in Bhadarwah tehsil of Doda tonight. Official sources said security forces and police launched a search operation at Kalihand under the jurisdiction of Doda police station after developing an information that two Hizbul militants were likely to meet in the village last night for devising further ‘operational strategy" of the outfit. Security forces observed mysterious movement inside the house of one Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din at Kalihand and surrounded it. While Mohi-ud-Din was not present in the house, some women and children were present inside. Jawans and cops had to exercise restraint to avert civil casualties. After about one and a half hour long efforts, security forces succeeded in bringing out the women and children from inside the house. Later, they asked the militants to come out and surrender but one of them lobbed a grenade on the security personnel. The grenade, however, exploded harmlessly. Security forces and police opened firing killing both militants on spot. Bodies of the slain militants were recovered from the house this morning. They have been identified as Kuldeep Kumar alias K K Sharma alias Kamran alias Waqar, 27, son of Neel Kanth R/o Zihand, Doda, an ‘area commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen and Abdul Latief alias Khalid Kashmiri, a resident of Srinagar. Four grenades were recovered from the slain militants, the sources said. "This is for the first time that a militant of minority community has been killed in the region though a couple of them had been arrested earlier", they said pointing out that Sham Lal was another top militant of Hizbul Mujahideen from minority community who has been operating in Rajouri district. Body of Kuldeep Kumar was handed over to his family at Zihand this afternoon after post-mortem. Police sources said KK was active in Hizbul Mujahideen since 1998 and was also reported to have converted to Islam. The family members hadn’t performed his last rites till tonight. KK’s name had also figured in a series of subversive activities including attacks on security forces and some massacres. Killing of both the militants was a big blow to Hizbul Mujahideen, the sources said. A militant lobbed a grenade at Seri Bazar from Khakhal Mohalla lane in Bhadarwah town at 7.30 pm today targetting a Police Gypsy ‘Rakshak’ and CRPF personnel patrolling the town. A Balero car carrying passengers was also hit by splinters of the grenade besides the CRPF jawans. Fourteen persons including eight civilians and six CRPF personnel were injured in the blast. Police parties led by SP Bhadarwah Ashok Sharma, DySP Arif Rishu and SDM Talat Aziz rushed to the spot. Police and para-military personnel cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. The militants, however, remained untraced. Injured were shifted to Bhadarwah hospital. They have been identified as Mukhtar Ahmed son of Mohd Iqbal R/o Idgah Road, Meraj Din son of Ghulam Mohd R/o Saraf Road, Zahoor Ahmed son of Mushtaq Ahmed R/o Bhadarwah, Arjun Kotwal son of Manmohan Singh R/o Khakhal, Kewal Krishan son of Shiv Lal R/o Seen Dara, Bhalla, Dalip Kumar son of Shiv Saran Nath, an Assistant Manager in PNB Bhadarwah and a resident of Jain Bazar, Jammu, Sohan Lal son of Hans Raj R/o Ramnagar and Manmohan son of Om Prakash R/o Adalgarh, Bhadarwah. Six CRPF personnel injured in the blast include Hari Shankar and Hari Ram Kevat, both Havildars, Varinder Singh, R P Ambedkar, Dharamvir Rajan and Kum Bahadur, all constables. Rajouri Police today recovered 14 kg RDX, 20 time devices, 20 electric detonators, 3 RCDs and some documents from a hide-out at Gurdanbala, Rajouri. Police party was led by DySP Headquarters K S Jasrotia under the supervision of SSP Rajouri Farooq Khan. Meanwhile, a HUJI ‘section commander’ Nazeer Hazaam alias Sajid son of Nasirullah Hazaam R/o Nagini today surrendered before security forces at Kishtwar in Doda district. He handed over one AK-56 rifle, two magazines, eight rounds of AK and three Chinese grenades. The militant has been sent for questioning. |
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Azad hopes Hurriyat will muster courage to join talks SRINAGAR, Aug 24: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed the hope that the Hurriyat Conference will muster enough courage to join the ongoing dialogue process aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in the strife-torn State. Mr Azad said this while interacting with a high-profile media delegation from Bangladesh, which is currently on a first ever visit to the Kashmir valley, here last evening. The delegation comprised editors and executive editors of prominent newspapers of Bangladesh. In reply to a question, the Chief Minister said there was an open invitation to the Hurriyat leaders to join the negotiation table. Mr Azad said he and his Government had repeatedly announced that any group which believes in peace and disassociates itself from violence was welcome to join the dialogue process for restoration of normalcy in the troubled State. "I hope the Hurriyat Conference will muster courage to join the dialogue process," he added. Mr Azad informed the delegation the steps being taken to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and also told the members that the thrust of his Government was on creation of development infrastructure which had been destroyed in the past 17 years. He said it is the first State in the country which has introduced separate power budget this year with the aim of strengthening this sector. Azad said with the support of Central Government to his Government would be able to usher the State towards a definite path of progress. Mr. Azad informed the visiting Editors that people of Kashmir have started believing in democratic system which is evident from the fact that during recent by-elections, 76% people exercised their franchise which is far above the national average. He also informed them that the impression which has been created by the vested interests through out the world about Kashmir situation is totally unfounded, adding that people of Kashmir are most secular and have high traditions and culture who believe in the doctrine of Kashmiriyat. He said that people should remember 1947 when Muslims and Hindus were butchering each other in the entire sub-continent and frenzy of communal violence devoured lakhs of innocent people, it was only Kashmir which was beacon light for all. He said the history is witness that the people of Kashmir protected lives and properties of their Hindu brothers. The Chief Minister briefed them that there is no record that people of Kashmir restored to any communal violence at any time. He said it is unfortunate that a bad image of Kashmir is being created which is required to be dispelled and world informed about the high values of Kashmiriyat which believes in mutual brotherhood, love and hospitality. Mr Azad said the Editors agreed with him that creation of Bangladesh was a big defeat to communal forces and a proof that nations can not be created on religious and theological basis. He pointed out that tourism of Jammu & Kashmir State particularly of the Valley is the backbone of development and with the arrival of large number of tourists, about 7000 per day during this year in April, May and June, the tourism industry had got a new boost. However, the militant activities adversely affected the tourist arrival. He expressed hope that people’s determination would isolate the militants and revive the confidence of tourists to visit the State particularly the Valley. He also informed the media delegation that new tourist destinations are being developed fast in the State. While replying to a query regarding two decades prolonged phase of violence in the State particularly in Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that it proved very unfortunate for people of Kashmir. He said with its great resources, potential of development, beautiful environment, rich fruits and horticulture industry and extra ordinary hydropower potential of 25000 MW capacity, the State would have been prosperous state as compared to all other States. He said however gun culture destroyed all sources of its development during last 17 years. He informed the Editors that he is happy to note that people in general have realized this fact and they fully support his Government for massive developmental programmes which have been launched in all parts of the State. Mr Azad informed the guest Editors that he is personally against any religious exploitation and coining emotional slogans to mislead the people on one pretext or the other. He said that those who are well wishers of people of Kashmir should guide them towards the right path rather than to put them in disaster conditions for their personal vested interests. He informed the delegation that he has opted to come to Jammu & Kashmir State with the pious mission to develop it at all levels with full utilization of Central and State funds. He said that Central Government has brought Jammu & Kashmir state as a special category state under various developmental programmes where under 90% grant is being given by the Centre which includes even salaries of the employees. The members of the Bangladeshi media delegation were Bangladesh Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, New Age Executive Editor Narul Kabir, Sangbad Editor Bazlur Rehman, Ajber Kagoj, ex-edior Kazi Nabil Ahmad and Purbabone, ex-editor Dr Ramizuddin Chowdhury. |
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Rafeeq Nai’s brother arrested By Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Aug 25: Special Operations Group (SOG), Jammu arrested three activists of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen from Tikri on Jammu-Srinagar national highway this morning when they were shifting a hawala consignment from Rajouri to Kashmir in a hired TATA Sumo. Of three arrested militant activists, two belonged to Kashmir valley and third one to Rajouri district. Official sources told the Excelsior that a SOG Jammu team, on a specific information, intercepted a TATA Sumo, which was operating as a taxi, at Tikri, short of Udhampur on Jammu-Srinagar national highway this morning on a specific information that three suspected militants were travelling in it carrying a hawala consignment between Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh with them. The SOG team apprehended the trio from the Sumo along with the hawala consignment and brought them here this afternoon where they are being subjected to sustained questioning to ascertain the source of money and their other links in Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit. Trio have been identified as Abdul Ahad Bhat of Handwara, Bashir Ahmed of Rajouri and Mohd Amin Bhat of Srinagar. During preliminary questioning, they disclosed that they were shifting the consignment from Rajouri to Srinagar and had to deliver it to the militants. They had already made several trips to Srinagar carrying hawala consignments. According to sources, the militants had been shifting hawala amount to Valley in installments to ensure that even if one group was arrested, the financial loss was very less. This was the reason that three militants were in possession of only Rs one lakh. The SOG Jammu has sounded Rajouri Police about the arrests and sought their assistance in tracing the source of money. Some more arrests in hawala network were expected, the sources said. Early this month, the SOG Jammu had eliminated two militants including a Pakistani at Jagti, Nagrota on the eve of Independence Day. Meanwhile, two students of 10th class and 9th class including the one who happened to be the brother of top Lashkar militant Rafeeq Nai, presently operating from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), were arrested by security forces and police this morning from Surankote tehsil in Poonch district today. Mohd Naseer, brother of Rafeeq Nai, a 10th class student of Government School Harni and Azad Mohd Khan, a 9th class student, both residents of Naka Majari were arrested by security forces and police on a tip off that they possessed a consignment of arms and ammunition, meant for Rafeeq Nai. On the disclosures of Nai’s brother, security personnel recovered one pistol, two magazines and 16 rounds. Both of them have been taken for questioning. |
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Prabhunath Singh resigns NEW DELHI, Aug 24: The Lok Sabha today witnessed a new low in MPs’ behaviour with members of JD(U) and RJD almost coming to blows and exchanging unparliamentary epithets and JD(U) member Prabhunath Singh, the man at the centre of the uproarious scenes, resigning his membership. An obviously upset and angry Speaker Somnath Chatterjee described the incidents in the House as "condemnable" and warned that "strongest-possible action" would be taken if they were repeated. After an adjournment and when peace was restored Lalu Prasad apologised for the behaviour of RJD MPs but made it clear at the same time that no member or minister would remain a silent spectator if he was subjected to invectives. In response, Prabhunath Singh, Lalu Prasad’s political rival in Bihar, walked up to the Speaker and handed over his resignation. Outside he demanded action against Sadhu Yadav and challenged Lalu Prasad to contest elections against him in his constituency Maharajganj or Lalu’s seat Chhapra. Singh, whose targetting of Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad in the past had often created trouble in the House, again triggered the problem today when he attacked Lalu Prasad while referring to a rape case in Bihar during zero hour proceedings. His remarks provoked adjournment of the proceedings by the Speaker and as the members were preparing for the break, Lalu Yadav’s brother-in-law Sadhu Yadav, a backbencher, was seen menacingly approach Prabhunath Singh in the front rows in the middle. Singh’s NDA colleague, the burly Braj Bhushan Singh, rushed and blocked Sadhu Yadav’s progress. BJP member M A K Swain, who had also intervened to avoid trouble, earned the wrath of RJD member Rajendra Rana who threw a microphone at him. It failed to hit the target because it was wired. Singh’s remarks infuriated Lalu Prasad, who was heard trading charges, and his party members who rushed to the front benches. As the House reassembled, the Speaker said the incident had brought a bad name to the Parliament. "Our very existence is for this institution. Let us not destroy it." After Lalu’s apology, Prabhunath Singh contended that he had not insulted anyone but said action should be taken against him if he was found guilty. He also said he was not fit to be in the House and walked to the Speaker, gave his resignation and left the House. Swain said after nine years in the Lok Sabha he was frightened today after the incident. "Should I come to the House with my bodyguard?" he asked the Speaker. "You will be fully protected," Chatterjee told the BJP member adding that all the members had the right to be fully protected. Earlier, the Speaker’s attempt to bring peace with an adjournment failed to work when the members trade charges and the House was adjourned against till 1400 hours. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 24: Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today awarded State Awards to 50 distinguished persons including journalists, academicians, writers, artists, sports persons and bureaucrats etc for excelling in their fields. The glittering award ceremony was organised at SKICC and was attended among others by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, several Ministers, legislators, High Court Judges, Army officers, Chief Secretary C Phunsog, DGP Gopal Sharma and other civil and police officers among others. The awards carried a cash prize of Rs 51,000 and Rs one lakh, a medal and a citation. The citation to the awardees was presented by Principal/Secretary GAD Khursheed Ganai. This was for the first time that citations were shown on the digital screens, the arrangements for which had been made by the GAD. Three journalists decorated with the State Awards include Sanjeev Pargal, Jammu Bureau Chief, Daily Excelsior, Ahmed Ali Fayyaz, Srinagar Bureau Chief, Daily Excelsior and Bashir Ahmed Bashir, Cartoonist, Srinagar Times. The award on behalf of Mr Pargal was received by Madan Mantoo, Director Public Relations, Raj Bhawan as Mr Pargal couldn’t make it to the award ceremony due to pre-occupation in Jammu. The citation awarded to Mr Pargal read: "Mr Pargal had been extensively covering important newsbeats like crime, militancy, politics, legislature, education and healthcare for more than a decade. He has become a symbol of courageous and bold reporting and is known for breaking stories in crime, militancy and exposing scandals in different Departments. He is known for balanced and in-depth reporting and objective handling of news. Through his stories, he has also been raising public opinion against social evils prevailing in the society leading to social consciousness and public awareness". As reported, Mr Pargal is the only journalist from Jammu region to get the State Award. The citation granted in favour of Mr Fayyaz recorded that "Ahmed Ali Fayyaz is a well known journalist who had done commendable work for the Daily Excelsior newspaper from Kashmir during the last about a decade and a half. He has been a symbol of journalism of courage and in doing this he has even risking his life considering the situation in Kashmir during the said period". It added: "His balanced and informative reports have gone a long way in creating a more informed appreciation of the situation in Kashmir. He is also a popular news analyst with TV channels in the State". The citation awarded to Ashraf Sahil, Director Doordarshan Chandigarh read: "Mr Sahil had done a commendable job in reviving the programmes of Srinagar Doordarshan Kendra which had been disrupted in 1990. He headed DD Srinagar and Radio Kashmir in difficult times and revived cultural activities and electronic media. He played an important role in the launch of Kashir Channel. A Masters in English, he was an Associate Professor of Journalism in Kashmir University". The citation given to Dushyant Sharma, a sportsman presently posted as DySP PCR noted that he was a winner of national gold medal in wrestling 10 times and bronze medalist in Takhti World Wrestling in Iran. He has been a permanent member of USA Wrestling Federation and had earlier been awarded Sher-i-Kashmir Sports Medal. The citation given to Master Karam Chand Raseutra, who was awarded posthumously and whose award was received by his younger son Prof Nutan Raseutra highlighted his contribution in the field of education. He was a winner of President’s Teacher Award and had launched first evening newspaper of J&K. He also promoted Hindu-Muslim amity after his migration in 1947. Citations of other awardees were not available immediately. The other award winners are Prof. Ram Nath Shastri (a writer and Sahitya Akademi award winner), Amin Kamil, Abdul Majid Kakroo, Ranjeet Singh Chib, Ghulam Mohammad Wani, (posthumously), S K Khandely of Chenab Textile Mills, Veerana Aivali, former Additional DGP J&K (posthumously), Rigzin Namgyal Kalon, (posthumously), Prof. M. Y. Qadri (former Vice Chancellor Kashmir University), Prof. M. A Charoo (former Chairman J&K State Board of School Education), Prof. Aman Rathore (former Secretary Board of School Education), H. S. Gupta (former Power Development Commissioner), Dr. Tara Singh, Wazir Ali, Bhanvar Puri, CGM, NABARD, Master Mustafa Muazam, Fazil Kashmiri (posthumously), Kavi Rattan (artist and writer), Rita Jitendra (former Principal Women College), Sonam Gyaltson, Farooq Ahmed Shah, KAS, Eijaz Ahmed Kakroo, KAS, Ms Sonia Sharma (sports category), Sonaullah Panzoo, Dr. Jitendra Udhampuri (former Director AIR Jammu), Ghulam Hassan Sofi, Dr. K. C. Sharma (a prominent surgeon of Udhampur), Dr. G. Q. Allaqband, Sonam Wangyal, Mrs. Lalita Sharma (social worker), Master Rakesh Kumar (posthumously), Nisar Ahmad Naikoo, Dr. Champa Sharma (former HoD Dogri Jammu University), Thupstan Paldan, Ghulam Ahmed Sofi (posthumously), Rajesh Anand, Ms Tsering Ladol, Mohammad Maqbool Khaksar, (posthumously), Ali Mohammad Beigh, Khazir Mohammad Qasba, Ganesh Kumar Sharma, Khazir Mohammad Wani, IAS, Pardeep Gupta, IAS and Jaipal Singh, KAS. All 50 awardees received their awards from the Governor. However, three awardees Ved Rahi (a Bollywood personality), Prof. R. R. Sharma (former Vice Chancellor, Jammu University) and Dr. Tsering Narboo could not receive their awards on the occasion for not being in a position to reach the venue. |
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No offer to restore pre-53 status NEW DELHI, Aug 24: Government today said Pakistan has made several proposals for resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue, including its joint management, but made it clear that there can be no compromise on the sovereignty of India over the State of Jammu and Kashmir and India’s unity. "Concepts such as joint control or joint management of Jammu and Kashmir, proposed by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, cannot be the basis of a settlement of the issue because the State is an integral part of India. "There can be no compromise on the sovereignty of India over the State of Jammu and Kashmir and on India’s unity", Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. He said India has conveyed to Pakistan, at the highest level, that the dialogue process between the two countries would be undermined unless Pakistan takes effective action to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism, including training camps, launch pads and communication links between terrorist groups on Indian side and their handlers on the Pakistan side. Pakistan, Ahamed said, needs to take these steps in fulfilment of the commitment given by it in the joint press statement of January 6, 2004 that it would not permit any territory under its control to be used to support terrorism in any manner. He also informed the House that there are reportedly 52 terrorist traning camps in Pakistan and PoK. To another question, Ahamed said India has not offered to Pakistan to restore Jammu and Kashmir to pre-1953 status. Ahamed said Indian insurgent groups continue to misuse Bangladesh Territory for sanctuary, training camps, transportation of arms, and transit. These insurgents are being supported by intelligence agencies, both civilian and military, of Bangladesh. A list of 172 Indian insurgent group camps and 307 criminals/insurgents was handed over during the DG level Border Security Force-Bangladesh Rifles talks held in September-October, 2005, he said. The Minister further informed the house that Pakistan has continued raising the Kashmir issue at various international fora. In reply to another question, Ahamed said there was no definitive information on the size of Pakistan’s Nuclear arsenal. However, he said a U S based Non-Governmental Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), in a report has stated that Pakistan was making a second heavy water production reactor which was capable of producing enough plutonium for 40-50 nuclear weapns a year. He said India has conveyed to Pakistan its protests against the proposed construction of Basha Dam in territory that is part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir which is an integral part of India. (PTI) |
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CJM gives 3 weeks time for objections in Pathribal case Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 24: Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, M Y Akhoon has given three weeks’ time to Commanding Officer of 15th Corps to file his objections in Pathribal killings. According to reports the Pathribal incident came to hearing in the CJM’s Court today on the production of Challan by CBI. CBI was represented by Investigation Officer, Ashok Kalra while Army was represented by Maj. J L Manhas. The CJM informed the Court that he has received two letters from 15 Corps in which it has been stated that CBI was not given any authority by Union Government to take up the case. Hence the Court should turn down the charge sheet presented by the CBI in the Pathribal Case against the five Army officers including Brig. Ajay Saxena, Lt. Col P B Singh, Maj Saroop Sharma, Capt. A Saxena and Sub.R S Khan. The CJM also told the Court that this case can’t be heard in the CJM’s Court but in the Court of Session Judge. He said that serious allegations have been leveled against the Army and now it has to be seen whether the Army has properly utilized its powers or misused them. The CJM Mr Akhoon further said that Court has to see that the Army has not misused the Kashmir Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1990 and whether CBI was bound to take the permission from Union Government to take up this case. But CJM however rejected these pleas of Army and gave the three week’s time to Gen. Officer Commanding of 15th Corps whether the case against five Army officers against whom CBI has produced the challan be heard in Military or Civil Court. The Court also extended the date of next hearing in this case till September 15. |
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Two Pak militants planned to
attack 5 MUMBAI, Aug 24: The Anti-Terrorist Squad today said the two Pakistani terrorists, one of whom was killed in an encounter on Monday, had plans to attack five places in Mumbai including Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) at Anushakti Nagar and Siddhivinayak Temple. During interrogation, Mohammad Riaz Nawabuddin, who was arrested on Monday, has revealed that the duo was also planning to attack Western Railway line, Byculla and Bandra. "We have recovered a map from deceased Abu Osama’s place in Antop Hill in which the places have been highlighted. We suspect Siddhivinayak temple would also be on their list as the place where the temple is located has been marked as ‘SW’ on the map," ATS chief K P Raghuvanshi told reporters here. Nawabuddin has disclosed that the duo had obtained training in Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Pakistan, Raghuvanshi said. He said Osama had come to Mumbai three days before he was killed and Riaz was in Mumbai for the last "five-six" months. "Riaz worked as a fitter in Discon company near Dehradun for around seven months. He had lured one local Jitender Gupta for getting a job in the Gulf and had joined the company with his documents," Raghuvanshi said. "As of now, Riaz is claiming that he does not know much about Osama," he said adding Riaz was in India for a long time and had come to Mumbai via Kashmir and Delhi. The registration number of the car used by Riaz has turned out to be fake one, the ATS chief said adding other information like where did the ammunition cache arrive from will be disclosed later. (PTI) |
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SRINAGAR, Aug 24: One person was killed and four others critically wounded when their vehicle was hit by an Army truck in Pattan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district last evening, official sources said today. They said a maruti car with five people was on its way to Baramulla from here when it was hit by a speeding army truck coming from the opposite direction at Tappar in Pattan area. The sources said while one of the occupants of the maruti car was killed on the spot, four others were critically wounded. The injured have been hospitalised. Police have registered a case against the driver of the army vehicle for negligent and rash driving, they added. (UNI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Aug 24: Two thefts were reported from Nagri and College Road areas of Kathua today. In one incident, Rs 4.50 lakh cash was stolen from a Maruti car parked outside the shop of M/s Chajju Ram & Sons, on College Road Kathua at around 9 am. The cash had been kept in a bag. The owner of the shop just went inside the shop after parking vehicle on the road and found his cash stolen from the vehicle when came back. A report was lodged with the police in this connection. In yet another incident, some thieves broke into the house of one Mohinder Paul and decamped with 11 tola gold ornaments and Rs 5000 cash last night. A report has been lodged with the police. |
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SRINAGAR, Aug 24: Two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants were arrested in Kupwara district today. Defence spokesman said that the duo, identified as Gulshan Ahmed, a resident of Kishtwar area of Doda district, and Tariq Ahmed Hazzan of Botingu-Sopore in Baramulla district, were nabbed from Gund Manchhar near Kupwara, the spokesman said. He said troops, on observing suspicious movement of the two, challenged them. Both the militants tried to escape but the security personnel chased and later apprehended them. Describing them as active militants of JeM, he said troops recovered three AK magazines, 67 rounds, four hand grenades and five kg RDX from them. They have been handed over to police for legal action, he added. |
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