Pak makes full use of cease-fire, raises
defence structures close to IB: DG BSF

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 16: Director General of Border Security Force (BSF), A K Mitra has said that Pakistan has taken full advantage of the lull prevailing all along the borders after cease-fire announcement and has managed to raise massive defence structures closer to all its border with India.

Addressing a press conference here today, the BSF chief said that cease-fire has helped Pakistan in a big way in raising defence structures, bundhs and bunkers and it continued to do so along the international borders.

" I can only say what is fact. Nothing more to say over it. However, the field commanders of different units concerned have taken up the issue with their counterparts on that side about raising up of such defence works time to time. The structures are, however, defensive and not for offensive purpose, he maintained adding that such structures are not any major threat to us ." But Pakistan did the works now which they could not do in last so many decades", the BSF chief said.

Responding to a question regarding raising of bundhs along border by Pakistan, the DG said that matter has been referred to the Survey Commission to demarcate the borders and deal with any dispute over territory at certain points in Jammu sector.

While commenting on the general security situation in J&K, the BSF chief said that there has been a decline in the infiltration as compared to last year but there has been an increase in the violent incidents, especially in Kashmir valley. In some areas of Jammu region too, the militancy related incidents were higher.

Referring to withdrawal of BSF Battalions deployed to counter insurgency in Kashmir and parts of Jammu region, Mr Mitra said that 15 battalions have already been withdrawn from Kashmir and CRPF have replaced them. By the end of January 2007, ten more battalions are being withdrawn. However, in Ramban area the withdrawal of BSF companies is being delayed. He claimed that September 2007 is the time fixed for the total withdrawal of BSF battalions from internal security duty in the entire Jammu and Kashmir State.

To a question, the BSF chief said that all these battalions are being sent to North East to guard 4000 kms Bangladesh border from where the infiltration level is high. He said at present 69 BSF battalions have been deployed along Bangla border which are not sufficient. In view of the topography and nature of terrain it was not possible to fully contain infiltration along Bangla border. He however, claimed that there was not much threat from the Bangla nationals as most of them captured near IB in this sector were found to be economic migrants trying to intrude into Pakistani side for want of better jobs. No such link with the terrorist groups could be established. He however, admitted that many Bangla nationals were intruding into the Indian sides and possibility of some of them having sponsored by Pakistan’s ISI and BGFI for carrying on subversive acts can not be ruled out.

Replying to yet another question on surveillance, the DG said " we have recently acquired hand held thermal imagers which are effective during day and nights and in any climatic conditions. Already 600 such sets have been acquired by BSF and 1000 more were being procured to be installed along borders to keep check on infiltration. The BSF plans to acquire fast attack crafts which are full armoured and can carry both defensive and offensive operations. This could be deployed along the Gujarat border, especially in Sir Creek area, Mr Mitra maintained.

To a question on increasing number of suicide cases by BSF men, the Force chief said till December this year, 44 such cases have been reported while the last year’s figure was 33. He termed the increase in number of such cases as matter of serious concern and said that measures to train officers in counseling and meditation etc. are being taken. The field commanders even up to the Company level have been directed to maintain close rapport with the jawans and try to resolve their issues at lower level. He attributed family problems the major reason behind such suicides. " We are allowing henceforth that the jawans can carry their wives at the place of postings to reduce the level of tension on account of family front", he said.

Responding to another question regarding delay being caused in implementation of the project of refencing 38 kms of IB in Jammu sector, the BSF chief said that all formalities have been completed and the project may get Centre’s nod anytime now. He claimed that Rs 16 cr is being spent on this project and the fencing is going to be erected more closer to the International Border this time. It may help the border farmers in big way, he added.

Two intruders, JeM comdr killed
Young girl, boy shot dead in Budhal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 16: Militants gunned down a young girl and a boy at village Pateli Daraj in Budhal area of Rajouri district while two infiltrators of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit were eliminated by troops at Krishna Ghati in Poonch district last night. A Jaish-e-Mohammed ‘district commander’ was shot dead by security forces and police at Mahore in Reasi police district.

Official sources said two militants, one of them identified as Anwar brother of deserted SPO Yasin, struck in the house of Mohd Anwar at Pateli Daraj in Budhal area of Rajouri district at 9 pm last night.

They straightway went to the kitchen and asked Shaheen Akhter, daughter-in-law of Mohd Anwar and wife of Mohd Javed about the whereabouts of Javed.

Shaheen reportedly told the militants that Javed was working as a driver in Jammu. In the meantime, Mohd Anwar’s daughter Parveen also came to the rescue of her ‘bhabhi’ and told the gun-wielding ultras that Javed was working in Jammu.

However, the militants, according to sources, told the family that Parveen and Javed were working for Army. They tried to kidnap Parveen but their attempt was resisted by the family members.

Frustrated over the resistance, the militants opened firing killing Parveen on spot. A Matric student Liaquat Ali son of Ali Mohd R/o Morha Daraj, Budhal to whom the militants had kidnapped and brought with them to see the house of Mohd Anwar, was also injured in the firing.

Militants took Liaquat with them and left him at the nearby house of Bashir Ahmed where he succumbed to his injuries. The ultras escaped from the village.

Sources said a Self Loading Rifle (SLR) with which Yasin had deserted police force as SPO last year was reported to have been used in last night’s killings by Anwar and his unidentified associate.

Security forces and police rushed to the spot after getting a report of the killings and launched a search operation for the militants. However, no arrests have been made so far.

Sources said this was for second consecutive night that the militants faced resistance from the civilians. On Thursday night, one militant was hacked to death by the villagers at Chandiyal in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district when he along with his associate was fleeing from the village after kidnapping a girl. The girl was later shot dead by the militants.

Troops of 10 Sikh Li, 49 BSF and police intercepted a group of six infiltrators soon after they intruded into Indian territory from forward village of Nangi Tekri on Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district at 11 pm last night.

A heavy exchange of gunfighting ensued between the two sides which continued till 3 am today in which two militants were eliminated. Other militants fled towards an adjoining forest area where they are being chased. Search operation for the infiltrators continued during the day today.

Security personnel didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation. One of the slain militant has been identified as Liaquat Ali while identity of his associate couldn’t be established. Both of them were activists of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit.

Recoveries made from the scene of encounter include two AK-56 rifles with seven magazines, 42 hand grenades, two pouches, 100 AK rounds, two wireless sets, six IED batteries, Rs 20,000 in Indian currency, six kg RDX, 16 IEDs, two detonators and four bags.

Police party in the operation was led by SI Surjeet Singh.

Army, BSF and police surrounded a hide-out of the militants at village Basan in Mahore area of Reasi police district late last night after developing an information that a Jaish-e-Mohammed ‘district commander’ and his body-guard had taken shelter in the area.

SSP Reasi J L Sharma said the militant was eliminated after a two hour encounter. He has been identified as Manzoor Ahmed alias Mudasir (code name Abu Nomain) son of Mubarak Shah R/o Sildhar, Mahore. His body-guard skipped away during the encounter.

One pistol with two magazines and 20 rounds, one hand grenade, a binocular, one mobile set with a SIM card and one diary were recovered from the site of encounter. Mudasir’s rifle was reportedly taken away by his fleeing body-guard, sources said.

76 securitymen punished for rights
violations: Lt Gen Sekhon
Helpline, yoga introduced for jawans

SRINAGAR, Dec 16: The Human Rights (HR) record of the security forces is second to none as clear instructions have been issued to all the field officers that no violations would be tolerated, a senior Army officer has said.

Talking to reporters here today on the occasion of Vijay Diwas, GOC 15 corps Lt General A S Sekhon said 76 security personnel have been punished for exceeding their limits during the counter insurgency operations.

He said the HR record of the Indian security forces was much better in comparison to several other countries who are also facing similar situation and it is second to none.

Without naming Pakistan, he said, Army in our neighbourhood used helicopters and heavy arms against their own people in Baluchistan.

Lt General Sekhon said a thorough inquiry is being conducted after receiving allegations about HR violations by the troops. He said, most of these allegation are later proved wrong during the investigation.

People in some areas are levelling false allegations against security forces on the direction from militant outfits to defame the security forces, he said. However, he admitted that some times the security forces are exceeding their limits.

"We have punished 76 security personnel of different ranks for violating HR," he said adding some of the guilty personnel were dismissed from the service and jailed.

Lt General Sekhon said there are clear cut directions from the Army headquarters to avoid any excesses during the counter insurgency operations.

The same directions have been issued to field commanders that guilty personnel would be punished.

He said there is now complete understanding between the security forces and local population across the valley.

Lt General Sekhon said 40 medical centres are working in different parts of the Kashmir valley, mostly in far flung and remote areas for benefit of the people.

Similarly, the army conducted 724 medical camps where thousands of people were treated and given free medicines.

The army is running 29 goodwill schools in the valley while 210 other schools were renovated.

He said the mini hydel power projects set up by the Army in different areas were functioning normally and the local population was getting electricity from these projects.

Despite the influx of militants across the Line of Control (LoC), security situation in Kashmir was "absolutely" under control, he said.

Lt Gen Sekhon said about 200 militants might have managed to sneak into this side during this year, similar to the related figures of previous one to two years.

But, the infiltration of militants was certainly on the decline, he said while referring to the measures taken like fencing of the LoC with night vision devices to stop the ultras from crossing the border.

Patrolling has also been intensified for the past three years, for which the security situation in the State was under control, he said.

He also credited "developmental activities" taking place incessantly in the valley for the betterment of the situation.

A good tourist season, a successful Amarnath yatra and decline in militancy-related incidents were all indicators of improving situation in the Valley, he said.

"However, the terrorist infrastructure like training camps, launching pads and communication hubs were intact across the LoC," Lt Gen Sekhon said, referring to Intelligence reports.

There has been a substantial decrease in killing of civilians, IED blasts, car bombs and other insurgent activities over the past year but only the number of grenade attacks have gone up, he said.

Sekhon said the ceasefire between Indian and Pakistan along the LOC is holding good and there has been no violation in this regard.

"We are glad that our neighbours (Pakistan) have also stuck to the ceasefire which has allowed the developmental activities and also facilitated the relief work after the October 8 earthquake last year," he said.

"The security forces have managed to neutralise 844 militants in the past year which includes 112 youth," he said describing about the militants who have surrendered before the forces.

Besides border fencing, we have formed an effective infiltration control grid on the LoC, Lt General Sekhon said adding the troops guarding the border have been equipped with latest equipments, including Night Vision Device (NVD) which helps them keep a close vigil on the movement on other side of the border.

He said the fencing has been damaged due to snowfall in the past and at present it is under snow. But, he said, still the fencing has proved very effective to control the militant movement.

A positive trend has emerged this year as about 112 militants had surrendered before the troops immediately after their return from PoK, he said adding more and more militants, who had received arms training in different camps across the border, wanted to return, surrender and lead a normal life.

Lt General Sekhon said besides being fed up with the violence, the Kashmiri militants still in PoK and Pakistan, are now feeling insecure there.

They are being doubted and mistrusted by the organisers of these camps, he said and added that leaders of different outfits are living lavish lives.

The Kashmiri militants in these camps have no substitute but to return back and join the national mainstream. The authorities will provide them all possible help to restart normal life again, he promised.

A 24-hour helpline and Yoga classes, besides a relaxed atmosphere are some of the measures taken by the defence authorities to help the security forces to tackle the "work stress" and family problems, Lt Gen Sekhon said.

He said various reasons are behind the extreme steps being taken by the security forces.

"However, such incidents, including suicides and killing colleagues have come down this year as compared to previous years," he asserted.

In reply to a question he said a detailed survey, conducted by the authorities to find out why some security forces are taking such an extreme step, concluded that besides work stress, family disputes are among the problems forcing a jawan take such a step.

"Though these incidents are not alarming but we are concerned," Lt Gen Sekhon said adding a number of steps have been taken to avoid such an incidents in future.

He said separation of families was one of the main reason for taking such a step. Earlier, the family members, including children, of a jawan were being looked by grand parents or other relatives and the jawan was doing the duty without any tension. "Now he has to look after his family including their education and at the same time face the militants," he pointed out.

Lt General Sekhon said a 24-hour helpline has been set up to provide counselling to the security personnel.

"It has received encouraging response and jawans are getting benefited, : "he said.

He said yoga classes has been introduced for the security pesonnel to help them to overcome the work and family stress.

The security forces are now being provided relaxed atmosphere, including television and other facilities at their place of stay to help them to come out from stress.

On the relation between an officer and jawan, he said it is very cordial.

"The officer in the Indian army leads from the front, "he said, adding therefore the causalities being suffered by the officers were the highest in the world. "The relation is very healthy," Lt Gen Sekhon said. (agencies)

Terror infrastructure in Pak intact: Antony

NEW DELHI, Dec 16: Advising armed forces not to be complacent, Defence Minister A K Antony today said the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan was still intact despite a fall in infiltration.

"’There has been a decrease in infiltration.... But we should not be complacent," Mr Antony told a press conference after paying homage to martyrs of the 1971 Indo-Pak war on Vijay Diwas.

"Terrorist infrastructure across the border is still intact.... The terrorists are still getting support from the neighbouring country," he said.

The Minister said India remained fully committed to maintaining peace and stability with its neighbours in the region and in the global context through effective diplomacy, backed by credible military deterrence.

Antony today said he has directed that all weapons induction procesess be speeded up.

"We intend to get the best available weapons system for our armed forces", he said asserting that he had instructed that all procurement deals under process be paced up.

His remarks assume significance as Indian Air Force for the past six to nine months has been finalising international tenders for mega billion deal to acquire 126 Multi Role Combat aircraft, to shore up the forces sharp decline in fighter strength due to ageing MiG-21 aircraft.

Antony stressed that Government was contemplating bringing in more reforms in arms purchases procedure.

But, at the same time, strict transparency in all arms deals would be maintained, he said.

Asked if his clean image could hamper defence deals, Antony said "on the contrary it should scare away corrupt elements".

Sidestepping a question on the progress made in producing an indigenous nuclear submarine, he said the Government had resolved to get the most modern equipment for the forces.

Touching upon the rising cases of suicides, fratricides and fraggings in the armed forces, Antony said the Government was concerned over these, though there was no reason to panic.

He said preliminary investigations into these cases had revealed that increasing break-up of joint family system was taking its toll as jawans posted on the front had little by way of family to fall back on in case of crises and disputes.

"Tensions in the family are being translated to the frontline," Antony said, adding he was writing to state chief ministers and adminstrations to be more responsive to the problems of the jawans guarding the frontiers.

"We have set up a committee under a Director of armed forces psychological research and it has been asked to submit its report within two months," he said, asserting that when the findings will come, Government would initiate action.

The Minister said new steps were being contemplated to increase facilities given to jawans and officers.

On relations with Mynmmar, Antony said efforts were being made to improve ties in all sphere including military to military cooperation. He, however, said India was supplying medium range weapons to Yangon.

On situation in Kashmir, Antony said though there was general improvement, but there was no room for complacency. Militants were still being encouraged from across the borders, he added.

The Defence Minister, who made his first visit to border areas of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, said he intended to undertake visits to forward areas in Arunachal Pradesh, including Tawang, and other North-Eastern states soon.

"I was impressed by dedication and zeal of our forces posted on the frontline and in the hinterland", he said.

On setting up of the National War memorial, the Minister said negotiations were on with Urban Arts Commission officials as the Defence Ministry thought India Gate would be the best site for it. (agencies)

Tension in Kot Bhalwal jail; CRPF, police on high alert
Over 300 ultras refuse to go in lock-up

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Dec 16: Tension prevailed in high security Kot Bhalwal jail as over 300 militants including 40 foreign mercenaries, refused to go into the lock-up last night protesting against steps taken by new jail authorities to restore discipline, recent arrest of some militants and fearing another possible crackdown by Intelligence agencies and police to pick-up more ultras for questioning in connection with smuggling of mobile telephones with SIM cards inside the jail.

Senior police and jail officers rushed to the jail this morning but preferred not to use force against the militants, who were equipped with iron rods and a large quantity of stones and bricks, official sources told the Excelsior.

Following restriction on the movement of "undesirable elements" in the jail to meet militants and stoppage of their financial transactions, the militants including foreign mercenaries had been feeling uncomfortable. Coupled with it was the report that a high level team of International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) was scheduled to visit the jail on Monday and Tuesday.

To create trouble during the visit of international delegation, all militants refused to go into the lock-up last night and spent the night in open but under tight security by jail authorities. Today also, they didn’t go to the lock-up, the scheduled time for which was 8.30 pm.

However, they went to the lock-up around 10.30 pm after a meeting with a senior officer of Prisons Department and Superintendent Mirza Salim Beig.

As trouble intensified in the jail this morning, the Kot Bhalwal Jail Superintendent, who had been acting tough for maintaining discipline in sensitive jail, sounded top officers of Government, Prisons Department, CRPF and police.

DIG Jammu-Kathua range Niyaz Mehmood and Additional SP Jammu Shakti Pathak rushed to the jail. Senior officers of Prisons Department, who control security of the jail inside and CRPF, Incharge Security outside the jail, also reached there.

Sources said strangely, the militants were carrying with them iron rods and had piled up a large quantity of stones. How the militants managed to get iron rods and a large quantity of stones inside was also a mystery but, according to sources, this material might have been collected by the militants during construction inside the jail from time to time. As searches hadn’t been conducted inside the jail for past quite sometime, this material remained with the militants.

Not in a mood to take confrontation with the militants on the eve of ICRC delegation’s visit, jail authorities decided not to use force against them. However, presence of CRPF was strengthened outside the jail to prevent any untoward incident. Police also made elaborate security arrangements to thwart the possibility of any clash breaking out inside the jail.

Besides the visit of ICRS delegation, upcoming Assembly session and Eid were other reasons for the militants to create trouble inside the jail.

According to sources, entire drama was hatched by the militants to blackmail jail authorities who had been acting tough to restore discipline in the jail, which had recently shot into limelight following recovery of two mobile telephones along with SIM cards from the detenues. Authorities had also restricted entry of visitors to meet with the militants which had further irked the latter.

Sources said after the visit of CRPF, police and Prisons Department authorities to the jail, security arrangements both inside and outside were strengthened.

Generally, the militants and other detenues are allowed out of the barracks in the morning. They return to lock-up by 8.30 pm. This was reportedly after a long time last night that the militants including foreign mercenaries refused to go inside the lock-up. There are 343 detenues in Kot Bhalwal jail, majority of them militants including 40 foreign mercenaries.

"Without compromising with security, we persuaded the militants. Harsh measures including use of force was not ruled out if they hadn’t relented,’’ sources said.

Only few days back, one-third security staff of the jail was removed by the Prisons Department following reports that some of them might have connived with militants and facilitated smuggling of mobile telephones and SIM cards inside.

CID, which had been investigating smuggling of mobile telephones inside the jail along with police, had arrested Gurmeet Singh, a murder accused under-trial, Altaf Choudhary and Raja Muzaffar, local militants, Abdul Hai, a Pakistani and Sanjeev Samyal, another under-trial during investigations of mobile telephones smuggling. Another Pakistan Zafar Jamali was arrested from the jail for holding the then Superintendent Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who had unearthed the racket of mobile telephones, captive for sometime.

New ideas on Kashmir welcome: PM

ONBOARD PM’s SPECIAL AIRCRAFT, Dec 16: Deftly sidestepping a direct reaction to the latest Kashmir solution formula of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that he anytime welcomed new ideas from "whomsoever" it comes.

"I welcome efforts ....To normalise relations between India and Pakistan," Singh told reporters on his way back from a four-day visit to Japan.

"If anytime new ideas come, we welcome them," he said.

Musharraf had recently suggested a four-point solution to the Kashmir issue, which said there should be no changes in the boundaries of Kashmir while making borders and the LoC irrelevant, staggered demilitarisation and autonomy or self-governance with a joint supervision mechanism.

Referring to his repeated assertions that the destinies of people of South Asia were linked, the Prime Minister said because of this he was according high priority to normalise India’s relations with Pakistan by resolving all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir.

He said over the two-and-a half years, there has been intense dialogue with Pakistan.

Asked if and when he would go to Pakistan, Singh merely said he has an invitation from Musharraf which he has accepted. (PTI)

World support to peace process: Mufti

SRINAGAR, Dec 16: Former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that peace process initiated in the sub- continent for honorable and lasting resolution of issues was being appreciated and supported by the world leaders and Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).

Addressing legislators, senior party functionaries and other leaders of his People Democratic Party, Mr Sayeed said for the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir the stand initiated by his party for moving forward a peace mission has received appreciations at the international level.

It is now a well accepted fact that the peace process in the sub-continent is irreversible as the urges of the peace-yearning people cannot be undermined, the PDP patron said.

He said there can be no denying the fact that during the last four years of coalition rule in the State, political initiatives have been moving in a positive direction.

He said there are a few remarkable features about this peace process, which have a bearing on its sustainability that were not in evidence in the earlier initiatives.

Sharing his observations during the tour of United Nations he said the stand of PDP for achieving dignified and long-lasting peace in trouble-torn State has a good appreciation.

He said during his interaction with the think-tanks at Washington, the PDP vision of Self-Rule Formula was vindicated by the intellectual community and non-resident Kashmiris of both sides of LoC.

While appreciating the activities of the party activists, Mufti Sayeed underscored need for proper coordination of the party workers and leaders to carry forward the peace mission initiated by the party.

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti while highlighting the broader contours of Self-Rule Formula said that it accommodates aspirations of all the regions of the state and is aimed at empowerment of people.

She said the formula is a proper solution to address the internal and external dimensions for resolution of Kashmir issue.

She said that political activity is a must to discourage militancy so that long-lasting peace is achieved through dialogue process.

She said the goal can be achieved when cordial and friendly relations between India and Pakistan are strengthened. (UNI)

7/11 accused took training in Pak

MUMBAI, Dec 16: One of the 13 accused in the July 11 train serial blasts case has confessed that he agreed to undergo arms training in Pakistan at the instance of prime conspirator Faisal Shaikh to make up for Rs 1.5 lakh he gave to two conmen who cheated him.

"I collected approximately Rs 1.5 lakh to pay two Sudanese nationals, Jumma and Kamal, who promised they would give me a much larger amount in return," Shaikh Mohammed, an accused, who worked as a tailor in Pune, said.

According to Mohammed, he later learnt that the two had fled with his money to Dubai and therefore decided to take up Faisal’s offer to undergo training in Pakistan for which he was promised Rs 1 lakh.

The confessions of 11 accused were received by a special Court in sealed covers and were opened on Thursday. Although all of them have retracted their statements, the confessions have evidential value and their validity would be decided by the Court during the trial.

Another accused Naved Rashid Khan confessed that he had met Faisal during his visits to dance bars and decided to join his activities since Faisal had a very "colourful" personality.

Khan also told the Anti Terror Squad he had spent a lot of money in dance bars due to which his brother had argued with him provoking him to leave the city for a brief period.

Faisal has told investigators that he was a regular patron of dance bars and often visited them with his friends.

"I used to visit a dance bar in Ghatkopar frequently and was very good friend of a bar girl there. We even went to each other’s houses often," Faisal said.

Shaikh who states in his confession that he received constant funding from Azam Cheema, Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) commander, said he was admonished by the latter for failure to send sufficient persons for training in Pakistan. (PTI)

ISK seeks Division status for Ladakh

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 16: Islamia School Kargil, a politico-religious body of the Muslim community in Kargil, has called for unity among all people of Ladakh, particularly the Muslims and the Buddhists, so as to launch a struggle for an independent Division status to the lofty Himalayan region.

In a statement faxed to the EXCELSIOR, Islamia School Kargil called upon all residents of Ladakh, particularly the Muslims and Buddhists, to unite for a separate regional status, at par with the administrative divisions of Kashmir and Jammu. As of now, Ladakh, comprising the hill districts of Kargil and Leh, happens to be an administrative constituent of Kashmir division. Even at the middle rung of Police administration, DIG Srinagar holds the control of Leh and Kargil districts, in addition to his Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal Police districts.

"Today Ladakh region is a part of Kashmir Division like any other district in Kashmir valley, which in no way is justifiable from any standard" said the Islamia School statement. It said that instead of getting divided into controversial options, opinions and suggestions for a permanent settlement of the vexed issue of Kashmir, Ladakhis must unite over the most realistic, practical and achievable goal of economic justice and development.

"All the Commissions of Inquiry constituted by the state government in the past to look into the grievances of regional disparities have strongly recommended equal rights to all the regions of the State. The State Government can create a separate Province for Ladakh through an executive order in the same manner as it created eight districts for Kashmir and Jammu regions without any legal or constitutional implications" said the statement.

It claimed that the Buddhist Association of Ladakh had also agreed to raise the issue together with the Muslim community. It implored all the Ladakhi organisations---political, religious and social---to gear up for a united struggle with the realistic and practical demand of division status to Ladakh.

Paradigm shift in India, Pakistan stand on Kashmir: Mufti

SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said there was a paradigm shift in the stated positions of both India and Pakistan on the long-festering issue.

Addressing a news conference here, he urged both the countries to carry forward the ongoing and ''irreversible'' peace process.

Mr Sayeed said Jammu and Kashmir had always remained a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. ''Let it (Kashmir) now act as a bridge between the two countries,'' he added.

The former Chief Minister said both India and Pakistan have started moving away from their stated positions on Kashmir. The two countries seem to have realised the ground reality and initiated various positive measures besides offering different options as solutions to the vexed Kashmir issue, he added.

''In my opinion, this is the opportune time to break the ice and resolve the Kashmir issue permanently and amicably,'' he said.

Mr Sayeed sought to disagree with the perception, expressed by certain quarters, that India was not positively reciprocating to the flexibility shown by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

''I have met Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh on number of times. He is very keen to see the resolution of issues. He has also welcomed the Pakistan President's four-point formula on Kashmir.''

Mr Sayeed, who is also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron, said Gen Musharraf seemed to be solely in control of things in Pakistan and could speak any language.

''But, ours is a democracy. We have the right to differ...The Prime Minister will have to take everybody along,'' he added.

During his month-long visit to the United States, Mr Sayeed said he felt an urge at the international level to see the resolution of Kashmir issue.

The PDP's self-rule formula could be a viable solution, he said, adding his party would discuss and deliberate the proposal with the people of all the regions of the state.

''Self-rule is not a photocopy of autonomy. It is a much wider concept. Autonomy can be a part of the formula,'' Mr Sayeed said. (UNI )