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NEW DELHI, Nov 14: Providing evidence with regard to Pakistani linkages to terror acts here, India today asked Islamabad to cooperate in fighting terrorism as the two countries resumed their composite dialogue after a four-month lull. At the conclusion of the first day of two-day Foreign Secretary-level talks, the two countries were close to an agreement on nuclear risk reduction as part of Non-Conventional Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs). Formation of the joint anti-terror mechanism is expected to be announced tomorrow at the conclusion of talks between Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan. The meeting also discussed Jammu and Kashmir and conventional CBMs like cross-LoC people-to-people contacts. Siachen, on which Pakistan has claimed that resolution is a "matter of days", was discussed informally by the two Foreign Secretaries at dinner last night and today. Formal deliberations on it along with that on Sir Creek will be held tomorrow. "Considerable time was spent on terrorism in the context of Havana declaration," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here, refusing to give details. Sources, however, said India gave evidence with regard to Pakistani linkages to terrorism in this country, including in the July 11 Mumbai blasts. New Delhi had earlier said that it would table evidence with regard to terror acts to "put Pakistan to test". Khan called on External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee who underlined the "need to fight terrorism together", Sarna said. Mukherjee gave Khan his viewpoint on why it is "important for both sides to fight the menace of terrorism jointly," the spokesman said. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pervez Musharraf met at Havana in September in the aftermath of the Mumbai blasts and agreed that terrorism is a scourge that needs to be dealt with. They decided to put in place an anti-terrorism institutional mechanism to identify and implement counter-terrorism initiatives and investigations. At the talks between Foreign Secretaries, the two sides reached an understanding on setting up a mechanism for release of each other’s nationals imprisoned for minor offences. Among the civilian CBMs discussed were the launch of truck service on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route and start of bus service between Kargil and Skardu in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Cross-LoC CBMs, which have been implemented partially, besides economic and commercial linkages were also deliberated upon at the day-long meeting. Mukherjee, during his meeting with Khan, welcomed resumption of composite dialogue and underlined the need to address all issues as part of this process. There are eight issues being discussed under the composite dialogue which include Jammu and Kashmir, terrorism, Siachen and Sir Creek. The External Affairs Minister referred to "some of the achievements of the dialogue process that have borne fruit like very positive change in the atmosphere in the relationship between the two countries," Sarna said. He said the change was very much evident in the aftermath of last year’s quake when India and Pakistan collaborated in rehabilitation work across the LoC. Mukherjee also stressed to the delegation the need to take further action so that expectations of people of both countries can be fulfilled, the spokesman said. Sarna said the Foreign Secretaries held detailed and extensive discussions in a "constructive and positive atmosphere". (PTI) |
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Narrow escape for Maj, Dy Comdt Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 14: As many as 28 persons, including a Major of Army and a Dy Commandant of Indian Reserve Police (IRP), sustained injuries in two powerful blasts that targeted a military convoy in Baramulla and a battalion headquarters of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Srinagar today. Meanwhile, death toll of the Friday last blast in Tahab, Pulwama, has reached 7 as one more of the critically injured has breathed his last at a hospital and two of the seven holed up militants have got killed in the major combing operation in Kupwara forests. Informed sources told the EXCELSIOR that militants caused a grenade blast on a road leading to the headquarters of CRPF 67 Bn at Karan Nagar Chowk at 1600 hours today. It was not immediately clear whether it was a hand grenade or a rifle grenade. As Police and paramilitary personnel were cautiously proceeding towards the spot, militants caused a powerful IED blast in a blue-colour old model Maruti-800 car, most probably with a remote control device. Police sources said that 12 CRPF and J&K Police personnel, besides 8 civilians, sustained injured. They were quickly evacuated and admitted to SMHS Hospital. Sources said that the Maruti car, laden with a massive quantity of explosive material, was completely ripped and its mangled remains, which lay in 50 meter radius, were too deformed to identity its make and model. Bonnet of the blown up car was recovered from the premises of the renowned physician Dr G Q Allaqaband's clinic, about 40 meters from the site of the blast. It was the only object to suggest that the car used for the blast was a blue-colour old model Maruti-800. Sources said that a Deputy Commandant of IRP 4th Bn, Mrs Shehzada, had parked her plain Gypsy, JK02L-8459, on the road and she was at the premises of a retired Dy SP, Jameel Ahmed Lone, when the deafening explosion occurred. She and her two PSOs sustained minor injuries but she was lucky enough not to come out immediately after the grenade blast. Had she been a little quicker, she and her PSOs would have faced the first brunt of the car bomb blast. Still, her vehicle was damaged and two of her PSOs sustained injuries. She escaped with minor injuries. Head constable Maqsood Ahmed of Police Station Karan Nagar, who was among the injured, had also a narrow escape. Four CRPF personnel, who were walking in the direction of the killer car, were also injured in the blast. While all the injured civilians were discharged from SMHS Hospital after the first aid, sources said that seven of the injured Police and CRPF men were still under treatment at the hospital. Main entrance of the CRPF 67 Bn headquarters is less than 25 meters from the site of the blast. J&K Police headquarters, including the offices of DGP, IGP Kashmir, DIG Central Kashmir and SSP Srinagar, is less than 300 meters from the site of the explosion. IGP Kashmir, S M Sahai, claimed that militants fired a rifle grenade with the objective of attracting the Police and CRPF officials to the particular spot and then detonated the car to ensure maximum possible damage. It was, however, their good luck that the IED went off seconds before their reaching at the spot. Meanwhile, official sources in north Kashmir said that militants targeted a military convoy while detonating an IED at the Baramulla town outskirts of Khanpora on Baramulla-Uri highway. Six civilians and 2 Army personnel sustained injuries. They included Major Amit and Havildar B Bangra of 73 Heavy Motors. Sources said that some vehicles and shops were damaged. The injured officials were rushed to Srinagar and admitted to Army's 92 Base Hospital, where they were reportedly stable. Meanwhile, a critically injured Maulvi Mohammad Yaseen Shah, who was among the five people killed and 60 others wounded in a grenade blast at Tahab in Pulwama on Friday last, has breathed his last at a hospital. With this, the death toll of the grenade blast has reached seven. Sources in north Kashmir said that seven to eight militants have been trapped by security forces and Police in a major combing operation in Gulgam forest area in Kupwara district. As already reported in this newspaper, the massive operation, involving four battalions of Army and units of SOG Kupwara, had been launched over a specific information last evening. Sources said that four militants of the group were found hiding at the house of one Bashir Ahmed Jatil S/o Nayak Jatil at Sangran Patti in Warsun forest area late last night. During the operation today, troops of 17-Dogra and SOG Kralpora unit killed one militant. Sources said that three more militants were still trapped and their death was almost certain by tomorrow. Three to four militants of the group were trapped in another cordon at Cherwari. Heavy exchange of gunfire took place between the holed up militants in the jungle and the troops of RR 41 Bn and 1/11 GR besides SOG Kupwara. One militant was killed and two Army Soldiers were injured in the operation. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 14: Asserting that ideology and philosophy of Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru are more relevant in present day scenario, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today called upon the teachers to get inspiration from first Prime Minister of the country and train young minds accordingly. Addressing a biggest ever gathering at Maulana Azad Stadium to mark the celebrations of Children’s Day, Mr Azad said for Pt Nehru real education was happy blending of academics and developing professional skills alongwith character building among young minds so that they could better serve the society and nation. He called upon the teachers to get inspiration from Pt Nehru’s philosophy before training young minds on those lines and stressed upon the youth to contribute their full might in development and prosperity of the State. Paying tributes to the first Prime Minister of India on his birth anniversary celebrated as Children’s Day, Mr Azad said nation was indebted to Pt Nehru for his remarkable contribution and added that Pt Nehru was a great son of Jammu and Kashmir for which State is proud of. He further said "it is also a great honour for the State that its son has been the first Prime Minister of India". It was for first time that unprecedented Children’s Day function was organised in the State. About 50,000 children from different schools of Jammu province participated in the function. The Government had made arrangements for their transportation and food. As the MA Stadium was so jam- packed with the children, many of them had to sit on the ground. The composite cultural programme comprising Dogri, Kashmiri, Ladakhi and Punjabi folk songs and dances was the main attraction of the function. Mr Azad appreciated the captivating colourful cultural programme presented by the children and lauded the hard work put in by them for the purpose. He also presented medals to students who had participated in Bharatiyam on Republic Day at M A Stadium this year. Minister for School Education Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed also recalled Pt Nehru’s contribution in building the country on modern lines. He said Pt Nehru was a great champion of democracy, secularism and socialism that became a buzzword for everyone. He announced that all Government schools will remain closed tomorrow. Ajaz Ahmed Khan, Minister of State for Higher Education also threw light on the importance of Children’s Day and said that it is a great occasion to recall the contribution of Pt. Nehru for the nation. Minister of State for School Education Manjit Singh said that teachers are doing their best in all areas of the State to improve the quality of education. Later, Mr Azad presented State Awards to three teachers and District Level Awards to 12 teachers from Jammu division. The first State Award carried a cash prize of Rs one lakh and a certificate was given to Seema Sharma, teacher of GHS Hiranagar. The second award of Rs 75000 cash and certificate was given to Kulbhushan Chander Chalotra, Master HS Jammu Cantt. Third State award was given to Pushkar Goel, GHS Ranjari Vijaypur. The third award carried a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a certificate. District awards of Jammu were given to Prabjot Singh, Master GMS Mill area R S Pura and Madhu Kiran, Senior Teacher BPS Rajpura Magotrian. The awards of Udhampur district were given to Prabhakar, Lecturer BHSS Udhampur and Koushalya Devi, teacher GPS Puria Udhampur. The recipients of Poonch district awards are Shabir Hussan Shah, Master GHS Harni and Kailash Kamal Dutta, Master HSS Mandi. The award of Kathua district were given to Kuldeep Kumar, teacher HSS Mohanpur and Santosh Kumari, teacher PS Chak Dewan Kirpa Ram. District Doda awards were given to Manohar Lal, teacher PS Jas Padder and Nirmal Kumari, Master GHS Nogri while recipients of district Rajouri awards are Vijay Kumar Sharma, Master BMS Rajouri and Shub Lata, master HS Thanna Mandi. The district awards carried a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 and a certificate. Wife of CM Shamima Azad, Health Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak, MoS Industries Dr Ramesh Sharma, Chairman Legislative Council Abdul Rashid Dar, MPs and legislators were among others attended the function. |
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SVO unearths nexus of Banks,
corrupt officers By Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Nov 14: The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) has detected a unique modus operandi being adopted by corrupt officers to hide their wealth. Managers of some banks were helping such officers. Action is being taken against the Managers and the SVO has also decided to write to the Bank authorities to stop connivance of their staff with corrupt officers. Official sources told the Excelsior that during investigations of a disproportionate assets case against SICOP’s Deputy General Manager (DGM), Srinagar, Mushtaq Khan, the Vigilance found four accounts of his wife in one branch of a bank on Residency Road, Srinagar. The accounts had been opened on her original name but using four different surnames. Accounts were being operated on the names of Sameena, Sameena Khan, Sameena Akhter and Sameena Mushtaq. Transactions worth lakhs had taken place in all four accounts of Sameena, sources said. "But for computerisation of the branch, it wouldn’t have been possible to detect four accounts of a woman in one branch of the bank", sources said, adding this unique modus operandi had been adopted by the officer to hide his illegal wealth. Authorities in the Bank branch couldn’t give any explanation for opening of four accounts of a woman. All four accounts have been temporary sealed and a detailed statement sought from the bank on transactions. "Operation of four accounts could have been easily detected by the bank authorities from photographs of the woman though she had used different type of photographs while opening all four accounts", they said, adding "it appeared that the accounts had been opened and were being operated with connivance of the Bank authorities". The Managers, who were at the helm of affairs when the accounts had been opened, are being called for questioning. Further, the SVO was in the process of writing to Bank authorities in J&K to take departmental action against the staff and ensure that such accounts are detected in all branches. Mushtaq Khan’s palatial bungalow at Sanat Nagar By-Pass near Airport Road, Hyderpora in Srinagar, was raided by the Vigilance Organisation on November 2. Estimated cost of the bungalow was stated to be Rs 3 crore. In another case, the SVO have detected Rs 40 lakh balance in accounts of Hamid Shawl, an Executive Engineer of Power Development Department (PDD), Bijbehara. Shawl has been booked by the Vigilance Organisation for possessing Rs 3 crore worth assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. Rs 40 lakh have been found in his bank accounts during investigations of the case, sources said. |
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Create infrastructure for new districts: Omar Excelsior Correspondent REASI, Nov 14: National Conference president, Omar Abdullah has demanded that the creation of infrastructure for new districts be taken up on priority and the same completed within six months. " The new districts created by the Government have no meaning unless and until this infrastructure is created", Omar Abdullah said while addressing a public meeting here today. Further, mechanism be evolved with the Union Government that while presenting the budget for the year 2007-2008, it should be ensured that the newly created districts do not feel shortage of funds, he said. The National Conference President expressed concern over the rise in corruption system and said that the intentions of the Government to curb the corruption doesn’t seem to be bonafide as much hyped State Accountability Commission was not functioning as per the declared intentions of the Chief Minister. Speaking on the occasion, leader of the Opposition, Abdul Rahim Rather said that the Government has failed on all fronts as it has not fulfilled the promises made to the common masses. Among those who spoke on the occasion, included former Ministers Jagjeevan Lal and Harbans Singh, Provincial president of NC, Ajay Sadhotra and MLAs Mushtaq Bukhari and G M Jan. |
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Riaz meets Kashmiri separatists NEW DELHI, Nov 14: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammed Khan today met leaders of different separatist groups from Jammu and Kashmir, including hard-liner Syed Ali Shah Geelani, but his efforts to forge unity among them apparently did not succeed. The separatists left no stone unturned in making their differences obvious, with Geelani refusing to enter Pakistan House, the Pakistani High Commissioner’s residence, when leaders of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat led by Abdul Gani Bhat were closeted with Khan. Geelani parked his taxi on the road and refused to enter. He was overheard talking to Pakistan officials, saying he had been promised that he would not have to "see the faces" of other Hurriyat leaders. After a long wait of 25 minutes, Geelani went in for talks with Khan, following which the other Hurriyat faction exited after a 45-minute meeting with the Pakistan Foreign Secretary. The Bhat-led Hurriyat team did not stop to talk to the waiting media. Later, Bhat told PTI the meeting was one of "familiarisation" with Khan, who recently took over as Foreign Secretary. Asked whether there was any attempt to create unity among the separatist leadership, Bhat said, "not in so many words but we were asked to be united at least on the issue of Kashmir." The first meeting of the Pakistani officials today was with Shabir Shah. "We proposed a working group of Kashmiri leaders who will liaise between India and Pakistan," Shah told reporters after his brief meeting with Khan. He said Khan was informed that the atmosphere was conducive for resolving the main issue of Kashmir. "The Kashmir issue is causing hindrance for India in becoming a superpower. So why not to solve it?" he asked. Geelani left without talking to the media. The last meeting that the Pakistani officials held was with JKLF leader Yaseen Malik, whom Islamabad has been trying to bring into its fold. Malik, who wants independence for Jammu and Kashmir, is being seen a crowd puller in the West and Pakistan is keen to rope him into the group of separatists siding with it. Further details of discussions during the meetings held by Khan were not immediately available. (PTI) |
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Taj to lead delegation to European Parliament conference By Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Nov 14: A 15-member delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, led by Minister for Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and senior Congress leader, Taj Mohiuddin is leaving for Brussels to participate in a seminar on South Asian peace process being organised by the European Parliament on November 21. Authoritative sources told the Excelsior that the conference is being initiated by the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on South Asian Peace Process: Kashmir and Afghanistan and the Delhi Policy Group. Besides the Kashmiri leaders including two from Pak occupied Kashmir, Chairman Delhi Policy Group, Shanker Bajpai, Radha Kumar (Director Peace Process prog) Professor of Peace & Conflict Studies Jamia Millia Islamia, Imran Nabi Member-Delhi Policy Group, Wajahat Habibullah, Chief Information Commissioner of India, Vice Admiral-Yashwant Parsad, former Vice Chief of Naval Staff of India and Parveen Swami from Frontline are also participating. The members from Pak occupied Kashmir will include Irshad Masood from Islamabad Institute of Policy Studies ( Rawalakot, PoK) and Ismail Khan-Consultant Northern Areas, Pakistan Administered Kashmir. Besides J&K Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin, former Dy Chief Minister and senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig, National Conference president Omar Abdullah are also attending.The other members from Jammu and Kashmir are-Nusrat Andrabi-Educationist and Member Waqf Board Jammu and Kashmir, Pinto Norbu, Member Legislative Assembly J&K, Asgar Karbalaie -Chairman Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Council, former Minister of State for Home and senior NC leader Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy and president of Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu, Ram Sahai. The sources said that the names of the participants for the conference were cleared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after consultation with the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The aim of organising this conference to increase knowledge of European approaches to peace-making in this part India and the Indian approaches in restoring peace in Europe and South Asian region including parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation is leaving on November 19. The conference will focus specifically on the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan and in Afghanistan, looking at their significance for the South Asian region and beyond their present state and needs and how the European institutions think tanks and civil society can help support or strengthen them. Referring to the issues likely to be raised by the J&K delegation, the sources said that recent developments in the State and initiatives by the Union Government regarding formation of five Working Groups to strengthen ongoing peace process between the two countries, opening of roads to facilitate the meeting of people on both sides of the divided Jammu and Kashmir, opening of trade routes and setting up of joint counter terrorism mechanism by India and Pakistan are likely to be discussed during the deliberations in the South Asian peace conference. The European Union may seek Indian Government’s support for the Afghan peace process consisting of civilian aid. The role of Taliban fighting in Afghanistan and their support to the Pakistani armed groups fighting in Kashmir may also come up for discussion. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 14: The State Cabinet is meeting here tomorrow under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. While no major transfers are expected in the meeting, K B Jandial, who was given additional charge of Secretary Health and Medical Education Department by the Government recently, will be confirmed on the post, authoritative sources said. Mr Jandial will be relieved of the charge of Secretary Agriculture Production. The Cabinet is also expected to appoint chairperson, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), a post lying vacant after the transfer of Tanveer Jahan as Secretary Power Development Department (PDD). The cabinet is expected to take a decision on encroachment of State land worth 20 lakh kanals. While the encroached land has to be vacated, the Cabinet is expected to decide on cost of the land to be charged where construction has already been made, sources said. |
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SC need not be always correct: CJI NEW DELHI, Nov 14: In the midst of a raging debate over the powers of various organs of the Constitution, Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal today said no institution was infallible and the Supreme Court need not always be correct but what it said was final. "The Supreme Court decision is final not necessarily beacuse it is right. Every human being, every institution has limitations. No institution is infallible. But since we are final, we are called Supreme Court," the CJI said in reply to a question from a child at a function on the national child rights week at the Apex Court premises. This was the first time such a function was organised in the Apex Court on the occasion of Children’s Day. The CJI advocated the necessity of concerted steps for the upholding children’s rights. (PTI) |
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Student rescued, grenade defused Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 14: Doda police last night rescued a student from captivity of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). He was kidnapped by the militants last month when he was going to Jammu for computer training. The militants wanted to recruit him into militancy. In other incidents, CRPF defused a grenade near Kishtwar Bus Stand while PSO of a National Conference activist was shot at and injured by the militants in Thathri in Doda last night. Security forces and police continued searches for an injured militant, who had yesterday escaped from Malla Parot between Khour and Sunderbani sectors. Two Army jawans and a militant were killed in the operation while three security personnel were injured. Security forces and police today shifted area of operation from Malla Parot to Jogma where the injured militant was reported to be hiding in the forests, official sources said. However, a contact with the militant hasn’t been established so far, they added. The absconding militant was hit by a bullet on his legs during day long operation at Malla Parot yesterday but he had managed to escape while his associate was eliminated by Army and police. Additional SP Jammu Shakti Pathak was supervising police team in the operation. SSP Doda Manohar Singh said Doda police last night rescued a student Khalid Latif Bhat, 20, son of Abdul Latif Bhat, a resident of Sazan Kotal, Doda. He was kidnapped by the militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) on October 5 this year when he was going to Jammu for computer training. The militants wanted to recruit Bhat into the militancy forcibly. Mr Singh said the youth was rescued during an operation carried out by Doda police last night in Sazan forests. He was restored to his family after questioning by police. A live grenade was detected by a civilian Ramesh Chand, lying near his house, about 400 meters from Kishtwar Bus Stand in Doda district. Jawans of CRPF’s 147 battalion rushed to the spot and defused the grenade. A major tragedy has been averted with timely detection of the grenade, sources said, adding after the recovery CRPF and police cordoned off the area and carried out a search operation. However, no arrests were made. Militants opened firing on Special Police Officer (SPO) Darshan Kumar R/o Pathshalla, who had been posted as PSO with Haji Bashir Ahmed, an activist of National Conference. He has been hospitalised. The militants escaped after the incident. Security forces and police recovered two pistols with two magazines, three AK magazines, 120 rounds, 14 UBGL grenade and 12 hand grenades from Nadian forests in Mandi sector of Poonch district today. |
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Customs Deptt summons Aishwarya MUMBAI, Nov 14: The Customs Department has called bollywood star Aishwarya Rai for questioning in connection with a packet in her name, that contained undeclared 23,000 Euros (Rs 13 lakh) in hard currency, received by the Foreign Post Office here. "We have called Ms Rai to our office for questioning but no case has been registered in this matter so far", said A K Prasad, Customs Commissioner (Imports). Prasad said the packet from a gentleman in the Netherlands and addressed to Aishwarya Rai had a declaration attached to it that it contained electronic items, which was found true. But it also contained a white packet containing some foreign currency which was not declared, he added. "So definitely, there is some mis-declaration. So, we are trying to establish whether she (Rai) is aware of it or she is part of it or it’s done without her knowledge", Prasad said. However, it is unfair to say one way or the other about her involvement without questioning her, he said. The packet addressed to Rai landed in the Foreign Post Office a month ago, Prasad said adding "after that we started a preliminary inquiry". He did not divulge the identity of the sender. Under the Customs Act and FEMA, receiving an amount above Rs 5,000 by post is an offence which can attract a maximum punishment of three years in jail and fine, Prasad said. He said a case can be said to be registered in such a matter only when a show cause notice is issued. So far, no such notice has been issued to Rai, he said. There has been no communication from the actress in this regard, the Customs official said. Prasad said hopefully Rai would be in the Customs office sometime next week. (PTI) |
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SRINAGAR, Nov 14: 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 maintenance 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 Srinagar 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, particularly life saving drugs could be airlifted from Kashmir. (UNI) Economic integration must for Kashmir solution: Mufti WASHINGTON, Nov 15: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has called for the creation of ‘a common economic space’ for the people of the State as a step for a solution to the Kashmir issue. "Let the market override the dividing line," he said while speaking on the Kashmir issue at a think tank here yesterday. He made out a strong case for the economic integration of Kashmir through Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), creation of common market and introduction of free trade in goods and services. Mr Sayeed said he would approach the Kashmir issue from the trade angle. He said a small beginning had already been made by allowing people to travel across the border. "We can have a Common Disaster Management machinery," he said referring to last years earthquake in Pakistan occupied Kashmir(PoK). He said India-Pakistan peace process which began three years ago was irreversible though it has moved ahead in fits and starts. To drive his point home, he said both New Delhi and Islamabad had given up on their ‘old rigid’ positions which demonstrated their desire to come to a settlement. The former Chief Minister said "another important development is the involvement of the people of Kashmir in the peace process as never before." In this context, he referred to the discussions that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had with the Kashmiri leaders both in Srinagar and New Delhi. Asked about the incidents like Mumbai local train bombings which created problems for the peace process, Mr Sayeed said such problems would remain as there existed elements opposed to a peaceful solution through dialogue. However, he was confident that the joint mechanism against terrorism agreed to by the Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf during their meeting in Havana could help deal with such problems. (UNI) 8 militants and a soldier killed SRINAGAR, Eight militants and a soldier were killed and four security personnel,including an officer, were injured in the Kashmir valley overnight. A defence ministry spokesman said troops on a specific information conducted search operation at Warsu Lolab in the frontier district of Kupwara late last night to nab militants. However, when the troops were sealing the area, militants attacked them with automatic weapons and also hurled hand grenades. Troops also retaliated and in the fierce clash four militants were killed. Four A K Rifle and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. Sources said few houses were damaged in the clash. In a night-long joint operation Jammu and Kashmir police and security forces killed militants at Cherwani Gulgam early this morning. The encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants. One security force personnal also lost his life and four others, including an officer, were injured. Another militant was killed in a similar operation at Magam, Handwara in north Kashmir. (UNI) India, Pakistan agree to set up joint anti-terror mechanism New Delhi, Nov 15 : Resuming the derailed dialogue process, India and Pakistan today agreed to set up a joint anti-terror mechanism but made little headway on Siachen. At the end of the two-day Foreign Secretary-level talks, the two sides decided to set up a three-member anti-terror mechanism to be headed by K C Singh, Additional Secretary in the External Affairs and his Pakistani counterpart Tariq Osman Haider. Its mandate would be to consider counter-terrorism measures, including through the "regular and timely" sharing of information, said a three-page joint press statement issued after two days of talks between Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan here. Asked whether there was any progress on the Siachen issue, Khan gave no hint of it but instead made a mention of the complexities involved. The statement merely said the two officials exchanged views on Siachen. "If there is a desire for indication of the present positions, that in any agreement, if at all reached, would be possible to be accomodated. That concern can be met. But if the intention is to seek endorsement of certain claims, then it becomes difficult," he said. Menon at a separate press conference said India raised the cross border links to terrorist acts in this country with Pakistan and hoped that the joint anti-terror mechanism will take some action in this regard. He said during the talks India handed over some information to Pakistan about some recent terrorist incidents in India but not about the Mumbai blasts because a chargesheet is yet to be filed in the July 11 attack. He said Islamabad has been told that it should take action to stop the activities of banned organisations like LeT from undertaking terrorist activities in India. Khan said "some material" was give by the Indian side but it did not relate to the Mumbai blasts. The material referred to certain linkages of banned groups in India and Pakistan. Menon said evidence including documents on the Mumbai blasts were not given to Pakistan because of the legal process involved like chargesheet yet to be filed in Mumbai court and the government did not not want to commit contempt of court. But, he maintained, India has been discussing the Mumbai incidents with Pakistan on various occasions. The press statement said the two sides exchanged views on the Jammu and Kashmir issue "in the spirit" of the Havana decision after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. It was then agreed that the two sides would hold "purposeful" discussions, build on convergences and narrow down divergences. "They agreed to fully implement measures to enhance interaction and cooperation across the Line of Control including the early operationalisation of truck service for trade on agreed items", the statement said. Experts from the two countries will meet on December 22-23 to decide on the coordinates for joint survey of Sir Creek and adjoining areas "without prejudice to each other's position, as well as to simultaneously conduct discussions on the Maritime boundary". The joint survey is to be completed by February, 2007. The two sides initialled the agreement on reducing the risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons and agreed on its early signing. (PTI) |
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