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4 wireless sets seized in Surankote
4 top LeT, HUJI ultras killed in Doda, Poonch
*Woman employee shot dead

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 25: Security forces and police today gunned down four top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) militants in four separate encounters in Doda and Poonch districts while police recovered four wireless sets and a large quantity of ammunition and destroyed a hide-out of the militants in Snehi forests in Surankote. A woman, who was an employee of BDO office Bhadarwah in Doda district, was shot dead by the militants in her house last night. DIG Udhampur-Doda range Lalatendu Mohanty said a dreaded HUJI militant was eliminated by CRPF, police and security forces after a fierce exchange of gun-battle at Nagni in Gandoh area of Doda district tonight. Identified as Riaz Ahmed (code name Manzoor) son of Mohd Rafiq Wani R/o Tanta Draman, Gandoh, the militant was killed after a two hour long encounter, he added.One rifle, one magazine, two rounds and one grenade were recovered from the slain militant.........more

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad presiding over a high level meeting at Srinagar.

CM warns against delay in completion of projects
40 new hospitals to come up soon: Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Aug 25: Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad has called for speedy execution of developmental infrastructure in the State. He said executing agencies of national repute are being involved in massive development works launched throughout the State. "The Government is actively considering handing over the construction work of 7 new degree college complexes to National Building Construction Corporation New Delhi (NBCC). A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for early execution of these projects is being signed soon. The projects comprise Degree Colleges Beerwah, Budgam, Pattan in Kashmir Province and Degree College complexes of Samba, Kathua, Mendhar and Basohli of Jammu Division. Funds for this purpose have already been released," he said..........more

Uproar over Farooq's remarks in Parliament
*Comments personal: BJP

NEW DELHI, Aug 25: The last day of the Monsoon session of Parliament was marred by adjournments in both Houses over National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah’s reported statement of release of a LeT terrorist by the NDA Government.........more

Working to be resumed from Tuesday
Bar calls off strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 25: The Jammu Bar Association today called off its 59 days long strike but it decided to resume work from Tuesday as the infamous Srinagar sex scandal case has been listed for hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday............more

Hurriyat favours resumption of talks

SRINAGAR, Aug 25: The Hurriyat Conference today urged the Centre to take serious steps to resume talks with Pakistan and the separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the Kashmir issue...........more

Seats to be increased
Reservation bill introduced in LS

NEW DELHI, Aug 25: The controversial Quota bill to provide 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in Central Educational Institutions, which is to be made operational from the academic year 2007, was introduced by HRD Minister Arjun Singh in Lok Sabha today........more

Sinha suggests 3-pronged strategy to contain terror

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Aug 25: Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S. K Sinha today said that terrorism continues to be a big challenge in Jammu and Kashmir, which has to be fought with an iron fist along side winning over hearts and minds of the people........more

Grenades seized near Kathua

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Aug 25: Security forces today recovered six grenades, one rocket launcher and 250 AK rounds during a search operation at Palli Morh in this district...........more

Two kidnappers held, car seized

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 25: Vijaypur police tonight arrested two kidnappers, rescued a Government employee kidnapped by them and seized a TATA Indica car from their possession, which was used in the offence...........more

Vohra calls on Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Aug 25 : Special Representative to Government of India for dialogue on J&K N N Vohra today called on Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here and discussed with him various issues pertaining to peace and development of the State..........more

Gavit gets clean chit

NEW DELHI, Aug 25: With the CBI giving a clean chit to Minister of State for Home Manikrao Gavit over an alleged conversation with a jailed criminal, the Government today said an inquiry will be conducted to ascertain who actually talked to the prisoner...........more

Militant killed, 4 fake ultras held

SRINAGAR, Aug 25: Security forces shot dead a militant during an encounter while as an ‘insane’ created panic in the main market of Kupwara district. Official spokesman said that security forces cordoned off Lalpora village of Kupwara district late last night following a tip-off. During the operation, militants opened fire on the search party which was retaliated and in the ensuing encounter one ultra was killed...........more

Bhoot, associate held with pistol

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 25: Anti-Goonda Squad of Jammu Police today arrested two miscreants and recovered a pistol and ammunition from their possession. SSP Jammu Mukesh Singh said Vipan Gupta alias Vipan Bhoot, a resident of Shakti Nagar and Purshotam Samyal alias Abhi son of Rattan Singh, a resident of Durga Nagar were arrested this afternoon...........more

FPF foils smuggling bid

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Aug 25: Forest Protection Force (FPF) has unearthed smuggling of large quantity of plywood veneers to Punjab and seized 14 trucks carrying 4610 bundles of the veneers. Disclosing this to the EXCELSIOR, Deputy Director Forest Protection Force Kathua said that on a specific information a team of FPF laid a special naka near Lakhanpur and checked several vehicles for violation of Forest Act and Rules...........more