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Foreign Secys' two day meet
begins today NEW DELHI, Nov 13: India and Pakistan will talk terrorism and Jammu and Kashmir besides Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) when their Foreign Secretaries meet here tomorrow to resume composite dialogue after four months. At the two-day talks, India will give evidence of Pakistani linkages to terrorist activities in this country, including the Mumbai blasts, and make it clear that Islamabad’s commitment to fight the scourge will be tested on the ground. On the eve of the parleys, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said a resolution to the vexed Siachen issue was a "matter of days" given the political will. Arriving here for talks with his Indian counterpart Shiv Shankar Menon, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan said he was looking forward to "very constructive discussions". Khan, who is heading a 12-member delegation, was received by Menon at the airport. During the meeting, terrorism will be the dominant theme of discussions. The two sides are also expected to give shape to the joint anti-terror mechanism at the parleys, besides reviewing the progress of discussions on various outstanding issues like Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek. Progress on finalisation of various Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) like reduction of nuclear risks is also expected at the talks. The two sides have already signed an agreement on pre-notification of fligh testing of ballistic missiles and are discussing a similar pact for cruise missiles. Discussions are also expected on civilian CBMs like launch of truck service on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route and starting a bus service between Kargil and Skardu (in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). There are at least 110 CBMs under discussion, mainly covering people-to-people contact. The Foreign Secretary-level talks were slated to be held in July at the end of the third round of the composite dialogue but were postponed indefinitely by India after the serial blasts in Mumbai that were blamed on Pakistan’s ISI and terror groups based there. Official sources said the Pakistan Foreign Secretary will also call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. He will also meet Kashmiri separatist leaders Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, Yaseen Malik, Shabir Shah and hardliner Ali Shah Gilani at a dinner tomorrow. Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will not be able to attend as he is presently out of the country. The Pakistani delegation comprises Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) Akhtar Tufail, Additional Secretary (UN) Tariq Osman Hyder, Director-General (South Asia) Jalil Abbas Jilani, Director-General (UN) and spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, Director (India) Irfan Ahmad, Director (Kashmir Affairs), Mariam Aftab, Director (Foreign Secretary’s office) Moin-ul Haq and Assistant Director (India) Qamar Abbas. Pakistan’s outgoing High Commissioner to India, Aziz Ahmed Khan, and High Commissioner-designate Shahid Malik will also join the delegation in Delhi. The sources said the talks between the two Foreign Secretaries would be followed by a meeting of the Foreign Ministers sometime later. However, details about the Foreign Ministers meeting had not been worked out and any such decision would be taken at the Foreign Secretary-level discussions.(Agencies) |
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CM shares Govt's achievements with MPs, legislators Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 13: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today shared the achievements of his one-year old Government with Congress Member Parliaments (MPs), his Cabinet colleagues, Legislators, Cooperators, heads of frontal organizations and senior party leaders of Jammu district. During this mega meeting held here this evening, Mr Azad said that the entire energy has been put in during the last one year by the Government to seek welfare of the people, upliftment of socio-economic conditions, cultivation of peace and creation of infrastructure in the sectors of Health, Education, Public Health Engineering ( PHE), Roads and Buildings, Industries and Rural development in the State. Mr Azad said that the Wazir Commission recommendations which were pending for over 25 years have not only been implemented but Government has gone far beyond by creating eight new districts, three sub-divisions and 13 tehsils paving way for development of all areas of the State. The Chief Minister while thanking UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for taking keen interest in the development of the State said that the liberal funding and sanctioning various mega projects in the state has been because of their personal interest. He said that during his recent meeting with Prime Minister in New Delhi, Dr. Singh has given directions to the concerned Ministry to include payment of compensation for the land being acquired for construction of roads under Bharat Nirman programme which will help massive road connectivity in the State. Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for School Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak, Mayor Jammu Municipal Corporation Manmohan Singh, Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma, legislators Sham Lal Sharma, Raman Bhalla, Yogesh Sawhney, Gharu Ram, Suman Lata Bhagat, Mula Ram, S. Praduman Singh and Arvinder Singh, Corporators and senior leaders of the party were among those who attended the meeting. Mr Azad said that 550 works are being executed under double-shift system of work in the State which have yielded very good results and several works have been completed even before their targeted time. Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has already become first State in the country which has enacted a legislation for confiscating ill-gotten property of proven corrupt elements. The act was not only enacted but has been implemented as well. Similarly, action is being initiated for retrieval of 13 lakh kanals of state land usurped by land mafia. Mr Azad said that Jammu and Kashmir has also the distinction of being the first State during last one year which has presented a separate power budget which helped for taking new initiatives to generate power. He thanked Prime Minister for agreeing to the transfer of mega power project Pakal-Dul of 1000 MW capacity from the centre to the State which will further enrich power generation. Chief Minister said that now very soon Jammu and Kashmir State will assume another distinction of being the first State of completing process of passing the budget in the month of January so that we are able to utilize February and March for execution of development works. Mr. Azad said that passing of anti-defection legislation, downsizing the council of ministers and enactment of law for constitution of finance commission are other landmark achievements registered by the Government during the past one year. Chief Minister said that share of districts in development plans has been increased from 30 per cent to 40 per cent this year while the Government is contemplating to further enhance it to 50 per cent to empower the districts in development process. Dwelling on other important initiatives taken by the Government during the past one year, Mr. Azad said that additional district development commissioners have been posted in all the districts to monitor execution of development works on ground and this mechanism too has been introduced for the first time in the country. He said that discernible results of healthy work culture, focused attention on massive infrastructure development of all the areas of the state and speedy implementation of welfare schemes have started becoming visible across the State. President JKPCC and Minister for School Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed speaking on the occasion threw light on the historic initiatives taken and achievements registered in the State during the last one year. Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma also spoke extensively on the important achievements of the Government during the past one year. He said that the new initiatives taken would soon make Jammu and Kashmir a highly developed State. |
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Two soldiers, militant
killed; 3 hurt in Khour encounter Exce‘lsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 13: Two Army jawans and a militant were killed and three security personnel including two police constables and an Army soldier were injured in an encounter at Malla Parot in Dugi Dhar between Khour and Sunderbani sector this evening. In other incidents, a civilian was beheaded by the militants at Kuchal, Kishtwar while a Hizbul Mujahideen ultra surrendered before Doda police and Army today. SSP Jammu Mukesh Singh said Army and police launched a joint search operation after developing information from civilians that two militants were moving at villages Malla Parot and Pally Faal along Dugi Dhar falling between Khour and Sunderbani sector after infiltrating into Indian territory from across Line of Control (LoC). In day long gun-battle, troops of 21 Sikh and Jammu Police eliminated one militant this evening. Three Army jawans and two police personnel, posted at Malla Parot police post, were injured in the exchange of firing. Reports said that two Army soldiers later succumbed to their injuries. Injured Army and police personnel have been hospitalised. Additional SP Jammu Shakti Pathak supervised police party in the operation while SOG team was headed by DySP Shailey Singh. Two Army jawans, who were killed in the operation, have been identified as Sepoy Daya Singh and Sepoy Jagtar Singh. The injured solder was identified as Havaldar Gurmohan Singh. Body of slain militant has been recovered but his identity hasn’t been established so far. He was believed to be a foreign militant, sources said. One AK rifle four magazines, 30 rounds and three Chinese hand grenades have been recovered from the slain militant. A Hizbul Mujahideen militant Muzaffar Hussain alias Zahid Kamran son of Abdul Latief R/o Sarlia, Gandoh, today surrendered before 26 RR and Doda police, SSP Doda Manohar Singh said. The militant handed over one sniper rifle, one magazine, 10 rounds and some incriminating documents at the time of surrender. Muzaffar Hussain alias Kamran, 22, S/o Abdul Latif Zargar had joined Hizbul Mujahideen in August this year and was involved in some militant activities. Mr Singh said the surrender was result of the meetings held by Doda police officers with parents and other family members of militants. More surrenders are in the pipeline, he added. According to him, this was after a long time that a sniper rifle has been recovered from any militant in Doda district. The militant has been sent for questioning. Two militants struck in the house of a civilian Bashir Ahmed son of Noor Din at village Mehar in Kishtwar tehsil of Doda and kidnapped him. The militant was taken to Kuchal where he was beheaded. Police recovered headless body of the militant this morning and handed it over to his family members. A child Shaukat Ali S/o Mohd Ali R/o Pukharni, Nowshera was injured in a mine blast. Two Chinese pistols, 12 Chinese hand grenades, six rockets and 14 UBGL rounds were recovered by security forces and police in Doda forest today. |
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Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Nov 13: An Army jawan was killed in firing on Line of Control (LoC) at forward Kirpan Post in Salhutri area of Poonch today. He has been identified as Gurpreet Singh of 10 Sikh Li. Official sources said Gurpreet Singh was hit by a bullet while manning Kirpan Post leading to his on spot death. It couldn’t be ascertained immediately as to who fired the shot—the militants or Pakistan army jawans. |
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Head Warden, Warden
replaced Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 13: Stepping up investigations in smuggling of mobile telephones inside Kot Bhalwal jail, CID (CI) sleuths today picked-up two more jail staffers. Official sources said Head Warden, Tara Mani, who had been designated as "Chakkar Havaldar" and Warden Ghulam Nabi Sheikh were picked-up this morning by a CID team and whisked away for questioning. Both of them had been looking after the barracks for last six months, where the militants including Pakistani ultras were freely using mobile telephones issuing directions and settling deals to other militants. Immediately after the Head Warden and Warden were whisked away by the CID sleuths for questioning in smuggling of mobile telephones inside the high security jail, Kot Bhalwal Jail Superintendent Sheikh Abdul Rashid appointed three new "Chakkar Havaldars". They are Krishan Lal, Ashwani Kumar and Prakash Jamwal. Last night, the CID sleuths had picked-up four Assistant Superintendents from the jail after gathering "clinching evidence" about the involvement of jail staff in smuggling of mobile telephones in the jail premises. According to sources, some more members of jail staff, especially those concerned with frisking and keeping a vigil on the militants inside barracks during last three to four months when the mobile phones found their way inside the jail, will be quizzed. Questioning of some senior officers, who were at the helm of affairs at the time of smuggling of phones in the jail, was not ruled out. Meanwhile, Jail authorities have decided to lodge a FIR against Hizbul Mujahideen militant Showkat Ahmed Bhadarwahi, who had assaulted a Sub Inspector and a constable inside the jail on Saturday afternoon for delay of few minutes in arranging his meeting with the Superintendent. Only yesterday, police had arrested a Pakistani militant Zafar Jamali as soon as he returned from court attendance in Poonch and charged him with holding the Jail Superintendent as hostage and beating-up a local militant, who tried to rescue the Superintendent. While Jamali has been arrested by police, another Pakistani militant Abdul Hai and Raja Muzaffar of Uri, Baramulla were arrested by the CID along with two under-trials Gurmeet Singh and Sanjeev Singh Samyal for smuggling and using mobile telephones in the jail. |
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Latest details about
encroachments sought By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Nov 13: As the Deputy Commissioners across the State have been directed to update information about encroachments on Government land in their respective districts, the figure of 13 lakh kanals which was compiled about three to four months back is likely to shoot up. Authoritative sources told the EXCELSIOR that on the instructions of the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, all the Deputy Commissioners across the State have been issued fresh directions by the Revenue Department to reconfirm the figures by verifying the same on ground. This is being done as Government has received large number of inputs about several encroachment attempts during the past three months and it is not ready to rule out that at most of the places the encroachers had succeeded in their attempts across the State", the sources said. They added that soon after the receipt of updated information from the Deputy Commissioners, the Government would wage an offensive against the encroachers. "In this regard, special teams have been constituted by the Deputy Commissioners so as to collect latest figures about the encroachments on the Government land", they said and added that the latest details would be made available to the Chief Minister within couple of days. When contacted, Commissioner Secretary Revenue, Masood Samoon confirmed that re-verification orders have been issued to the Deputy Commissioners about the encroachments on Government land. "In the past not much attention was paid towards the encroachments on the Government land but Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has taken this issue on priority and asked the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to submit updated information at the earliest", he said. To a question, he said during re-verification, the figure is likely to go upto alarming 20 lakh kanals from the 13 lakh kanals thereby necessitating initiation of strict action in this regard. About the Roshni scheme, Mr Samoon said "it is not working upto the desired level and certain changes are required to be brought into it", adding "there are several cases where the people continued to hold land even after the expiry of the lease period". Minister of State for Revenue Prem Sagar Aziz, when contacted, said the terms and conditions of Roshni scheme are also being updated and the process would be completed by the end of current month. "Government is also contemplating to provide incentives to those employees of the Revenue Department, who would settle the cases under the Roshni scheme within shortest possible time", he disclosed. |
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Army expresses inability to conduct court martial SRINAGAR, Nov 13: The Army today said it would not be able to initiate Court Martial proceedings against five of its officers accused of killing five civilians in a fake encounter at Pathribal in March 2000, without sanction for prosecution from the Centre. The counsel for General Officer Commanding of the Army’s 15 Corps, arguing a review petition before Additional Sessions Judge Gousia un Nisa Jeelani here, said prior sanction from the Central Government was necessary for initiating Court Martial proceedings against the accused personnel. The CBI had filed a chargesheet on May 11 before Srinagar Chief Judicial Magistrate against Brigadier Ajay Saxena, Lt Col Brahendra Pratap Singh, Major Saurabh Sharma, Major Amit Saxena and JCO Idrees Khan regarding the alleged Pathribal encounter that took place in the wake of Chittisinghpora massacre in March 2000. Counsels of both the Army and the defence had contested the chargesheet saying it was not maintainable in a court of law without prior sanction from the Centre. However, CJM M Y Akhoon set aside the objections raised by them, observing the issue of seeking sanction can be decided during trial or even at its conclusion. He also gave the GOC of 15 Corps an option to Court Martial the accused officials or let civil courts continue the trial. Both Army and defence counsels challenged the order in the Sessions Court and pleaded for setting it aside. The arguments on the petition would continue tomorrow. The defence counsel maintained that since the accused were operating in their area of jurisdiction, any action taken by them was in line of duty.(PTI) |
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CM convenes high
level meeting tomorrow By Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Nov 13: While work on "ambitious project" of Government Medical College, Jammu, was yet to take off even after more than two and a half year of its announcement, the project today suffered a setback when the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry suddenly reduced its cost from Rs 120 crore to Rs 90 crore. Official sources said Special Secretary in Union Health Ministry, Deepak Gupta, has conveyed to Health and Medical Education (H&ME) authorities in the State that cost of the project, to be borne by the Centre, has now been reduced to Rs 90 crore. Initially, the Centre had sanctioned Rs 120 crore for the project. An additional one-sixth amount of Rs 20 crore had to be contributed by the State Government, which was released last year. Now, the Union Health Ministry has told the H&ME authorities that Rs 120 crore project cost included Rs 20 crore contributed by the State, which has reduced the Central funding to Rs 100 crore. Further, Rs 10 crore have been deducted as processing cost of the project, reducing its total cost to Rs 90 crore. "During all previous conversations and documents, we were told that project cost was Rs 120 crore. By adding Rs 20 crore released by the State, we had been working cost of construction of new building, purchase of equipments, expansion of Emergency and setting up of a Nursing College, Now, suddenly we have been left to re-adjust the entire plan", GMC Jammu Principal, Dr Mumtaz Goni told the Excelsior. "As per the re-adjusted plan, Rs 45 crore have been kept for construction of a new building, Rs 50 crore for purchase of equipments and Rs 5 crore for computerisation", she said, adding they have been asked to adjust cost of Nursing College within Rs 100 crore. Rs 10 crore cost will be deducted from the three projects. Rs 20 crore sanctioned by the State are to be spent on upgradation of existing specialities and expansion of Emergency. On the other, the Centre has increased the cost of Advance Institute of Traumatology, Srinagar by Rs 20 crore, sources said. Earlier, the Centre had sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the trauma hospital out of which Rs 20 crore were to be contributed by the State. The Centre had now raised cost of the Trauma Institute in Srinagar to Rs 120 crore. Dr Goni admitted that it would be virtually impossible to complete the project in the given cost. The project was sanctioned about two and a half years back and since then cost of construction and medical equipments has increased manifold. However, Health and Medical Education Secretary, Dr K B Jandial claimed that funds wouldn’t be a hindrance in the project. "Our main problem is to select site for construction and once the project got underway, funds can be managed from the Centre or contributed by the State", he said. Mr Jandial disclosed that Chief Minister has summoned a high level meeting to discuss project site on Wednesday in which a final decision was likely to be taken. The options under consideration for construction of new building complex include demolition of a portion of Chest Diseases (CD) Hospital by confining the TB patients to two Wards and later construction of a new building for CD Hospital at a place earmarked for ‘sarai’ or purchasing 50 kanals land from Jammu Kashmir Industries (JKI) at Resham Ghar to keep the CD Hospital working. A number of health experts and environmentalists had been opposing demolition of CD Hospital on the ground that it was only environment and patient friendly hospital in Jammu region. This had made the Government to re-consider its demolition. As the JKI is seeking Rs 50 lakh per kanal rate of the land, purchase of 50 kanals will cost Rs 25 crore, which will be difficult for the project to bear. A proposal under consideration is to purchase two kanal land at JKI to construct new building for CD Hospital if a decision is taken to demolish it. |
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Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 13: While militants have gunned down a civilian at his home in Sofshali village of Kokernag, three soldiers of JAK LI have got buried under a massive snow avalanche near Jeevan post in Nowshera Naar, on the LoC in Gurez sector of Baramulla district today. Informed sources told the EXCELSIOR that unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants, barged into the residence of one Pir Mukhtar Ahmed at Shofshali village of Kokernag in Anantnag district at 2100 hours tonight and shot the house owner dead. Being allegedly linked to security forces is said to be cause of the militant strike. However, sources said, the picture would become clear not before Tuesday morning. Sources said that a massive snow avalanche rolled three soldiers of 3-JAK LI near Jeevan Post on the LoC in Nowshera Naar of Gurez sector today. They were reportedly in movement from one post to another when a snow avalanche hit them. All the three got buried alive and their dead bodies had not been recovered till reports last came in tonight. On Saturday and Sunday, high altitude reaches in Kashmir valley, including those of Gurez sector, had witnessed second snowfall of the season. Reports say that 5 to 6 ft snow accumulation was recorded on upper reaches of Gurez and Tulel areas. Sources said that the dead body of one Farooq Ahmed Rather S/o Abdul Wahab R/o Bumthan, Qazigund, was recovered near a water storage plant at Bumzu, in Mattan area of Anantnag. Preliminary reports said that there were no torture marks or gunshots, usually found on such bodies, on the dead body of the 35-year-old who worked at a local stone crusher. Authorities have launches an inquiry into the death in mysterious circumstances. Meanwhile, Police have fished out the dead body of one Mushtaq Ahmed Shah of Nopora, Salamabad, from river Jhelum in Uri. Shah and another passenger had drowned to death when their Tata Sumo vehicle plunged into the river near Param Peelan in Uri on November 2nd. Reports from Handwara said that masked gunmen appeared at Pahru Peth village late last night and they held inmates of four families on gun point. The gunmen withdrew after looting gold ornaments, cash and other valuables. Police have taken cognizance but failed to arrest the gunmen responsible for the plunder. Reports from Kupwara said that four battalions of Army launched a massive cordon-and-search operation in Gulgam forest villages of Warsun and Helmatpora after learning reliably that a group of 8 heavily armed militants were hiding in the area this evening. Search operation was underway but none of the militants had been spotted till late tonight.
Bail plea in sex case reserved CHANDIGARH, Nov 13: The Punjab and Haryana High Court here today reserved the judgment on the bail applications of former Jammu and Kashmir Minister Raman Mattoo, BSF DIG K G Padhi and other accused in the Srinagar sex scandal case. The decision was reserved by Justice Rajive Bhalla at the conclusion of day-long arguments by CBI standing counsel Rajan Gupta, who reiterated opposition to the grant of bail to the accused. The CBI counsel submitted that the accused were influential persons and could tamper with the evidence and influence the witnesses. The accused are presently lodged at the Burail Central Jail here. (UNI)
George opposes Siachen dimilitarisation BANGALORE, Nov 13: NDA convenor George Fernandes has strongly opposed demilitarisation of Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, saying vacating the glacier by India would mean inviting Pakistan to "come in without any botheration". "It (vacating) has to be resisted. It is not just concerned with those involved in defence matters. The whole country should stand up to oppose it", Fernandes told reporters here last night. The former Defence Minister said, "handing over the glacier to Pakistan will mean inviting them to come in without any botheration" and cited the China factor also. Asked about the fate of the Indo-US nuclear deal in the light of the victory of democrats in elections to the American senate and regaining control of Congress, he said, "from the look of it, it (the deal) does not seem to be going through. The democrats have their own views on this". On Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s memoir, "In The Line Of Fire" and references contained in it about the Kargil war (when Fernandes was Defence Minister), he said he had not gone through the book. But, Fernandes said, "from whatever people say, it is all rubbish. Musharraf is trying to project himself as the one who can keep his country going. He has said things which are stupid or some things which have not happened". On NDA, he said it would be strengthened and "it has to be strengthened". Ahead of the coming Parliament session, the NDA would hold a meeting, he said. "I will do my best to see that we expand our membership". NDA would take up issues relating to price rise and farmers, among others, he said. (PTI)
SRINAGAR, Nov 13: Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, today said he would meet the visiting Pakistani delegation headed by Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan and convey to it that the only way to resolve the Kashmir issue was to hold a plebiscite there. "I am going to put my viewpoint across to the delegation," Geelani told reporters here before leaving for Delhi. The Hurriyat leader said Pakistan and European countries, supporting the Kashmiris’ cause, should persuade India to implement United Nation resolutions on Kashmir, adding that a plebiscite be held there. He said the issue should be addressed in its historic perspective. He also flayed the UN for "not acting as per its mandate to resolve issues facing the world".(PTI)
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 13: Police today arrested another land grabber from Paloura and was searching three more in connection with 45 kanals land encroachment worth nearly Rs 3 crore at Roop Nagar, which was got vacated by police, Revenue and Forest Departments on Saturday. Devinder Singh Manhas, a resident of Paloura was arrested by a Janipura police party headed by SHO Inspector S S Bloeria under the supervision of SP City (North) Sanjay Kotwal this afternoon. Manhas was arrested on the basis of a statement given by Parbhat Honda, a jeweller, who was taken into custody along with three criminals while carrying out construction at the State land. Honda has told police that he had ‘purchased’ the land from Arun Arya of Rehari Colony and Devinder Singh Manhas of Paloura. Police said they were searching Arun Arya, Kakku Pant of Janipura and a criminal Pinka of Jhullaka Mohalla. All three were untraced, they added. A case against the land encroachers has been registered at Janipura police station under Sections 16 Forest Act, 447-A RPC and 4/25 Arms Act.
7000 snow warriors trained every year SIACHEN BASE CAMP, Nov 13: Braving hostile weather conditions, almost 7000 soldiers are trained every year in the Siachen Training Area, near here and deployed in the world highest battlefield, the Siachen Glacier. Commanding Officer of Training Area Colonel R L Patro said the soldiers here are trained for three weeks. These ‘spidermen’ are taught snow climbing and how to survive in snow clad areas. Col Sunil Kumar of 5 Rajputana Rifles said 7000 jawans are trained here every year. Every soldier posted in Siachen has to undergo training here. The soldiers, also known as ‘spidermen’, are taught the intricacies of surviving in high altitude areas, as well as climbing snow clads mountains. These jawans are taught how to fight the enemy and nature and emerge victorious. These jawans regularly carry 20 kg on their training sessions and are equipped with ice picks and ropes, among other things. Col S Shankar said 80 per cent of the Siachen area comprises peaks above a height of 16000 feet. The highest peak Bana Point is at an altitude of 21667 ft.(UNI) Srinagar-Leh highway closed for six winter months SRINAGAR, : The 434-km-long Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway was officially closed for six winter months from today due to snowfall. The highway was scheduled to be closed for winter from November 15 but was closed earlier following snowfall between Sonamarg-Zojila and Gumri. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintinance of the highway linking the Ladakh region with the rest of the Jammu and Kashmir, pressed into service using sophisticated machines to clear the accumulated snow. However, it was decided to close the highway for six winter months to avoid any accident as the road was slippery due to snowfall. A traffic police official said that all the vehicles, including passenger buses and trucks, stranded on Zojila Pass, were allowed to proceed towards their respective destinations. However, no vehicle was allowed from Leh, Kargil, Drass and Sriangar today, he said adding the road was slippery and that the traffic police officials deployed on the highway are being withdrawn. Meanwhile, the authorities claimed to have stored all essential commodities, including rice, atta, cooking gas, kerosene oil and other eatables in Leh, Kargil and other far flung areas of Ladakh. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil chairman Asgar Karbalayee said that all essential commodities for six winter months have been stored in the entire Kargil district. However, he said, in case of any emergency, medicines, particuarly life saving drugs could be airlifted from Kashmir. (UNI) India does
not appear to share Pak view on NEW DELHI, : India today did not appear to share Pakistan’s view that a resolution to Siachen issue was a "matter of days" as it said the talks on the subject are going on. "Our position has been stated earlier," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here responding to claim by Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri yesterday about possibility of settlement on Siachen in the near future. Mukherjee said the two countries are having "several rounds of talks on Siachen" and "it is not necessary for me on every occasion to respond to observations made by some foreign dignitary." New Delhi has made it clear that the vexed issue can be settled promptly if islamabad agrees to its terms, particularly proper authentication of present troop positions of the two countries at the world’s highest battlefield. There are no indications yet regarding Pakistan’s acceptance of the terms, External Affairs Ministry sources said. India wants "iron-clad" authentication of the troop positions as it is wary of a repeat of Kargil when Pakistani forces occupied mountain heights in 1999. Kasuri said yesterday that "given the political will, we have narrowed down our differences enough for us to have a decision within a matter of days, not even weeks." The two countries had agreed to demilitarise Siachen but have failed to reach a common position on how to do it. (PTI) |
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Soldiers missing after heavy snowfall Srinagar : Three Army personnel were missing after the upper reaches in the north Kashmir experienced heavy snowfall resulting in the closure of several roads to far off places, official sources said. A defence ministry spokesman told UNI here that three soldiers went missing in Machil sector after they were caught in heavy snowfall. He said a team from High Altitude School has been rushed to Machil sector to rescue the soldiers. The team is assisted by a trained dog squad, he added. Sources said the entire upper belt in the twin border districts of Baramulla and Kupwara experienced heavy snowfall for two days on November 12 and 13. The sources said x x x Eds: Picking up from para 3 of DR 18 '' Weather Kashmir avalanche''. (UNI) |
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