‘Partners’ India, China on path of nuke cooperation

NEW DELHI, Nov 21: Scripting a new chapter, India and China today decided to "promote" civil nuclear cooperation and accelerate efforts to arrive at a boundary settlement while declaring that they are "not rivals" but "partners for mutual benefit".

After wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao, the two sides came out with a ten-pronged strategy to intensify cooperation in all areas and to give "greater content" to their strategic partnership.

The two sides affirmed their commitment to resolve outstanding differences, including on the boundary question through "peaceful means and in a fair, reasonable, mutually-acceptable and pro-active manner".

While this process goes on, it would be ensured that "such differences are not allowed to affect the positive development of bilateral relations".

Significantly, at the joint press interaction held after 100-minutes of one-to-one and delegation-level talks, no questions were allowed. Both Singh and Hu read out brief statements and later an eight-page Joint Declaration was issued.

"Cooperation in the field of civil nuclear energy will be promoted," Singh said.

India and China are "committed to non-proliferation objectives and agree to expand their dialogue on the related issues, in bilateral and international fora," the declaration said.

It said global energy systems should take into account and meet the energy needs of both the countries, as part and parcel of a stable, predictable, secure and clean energy future.

"In this context, international civilian nuclear cooperation should be advanced through innovative and forward-looking approaches, while safeguarding the effectiveness of international non-proliferation principles," the declaration said.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said China was "willing to conduct cooperation on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy with all countries, including India, on the pre-condition that all parties should honour their international obligations."

On the vexed boundary issue, the two sides said an early settlement will "advance the basic interests of the two countries and shall, therefore, be pursued as a strategic objective."

The two sides will continue to intensify work as per the ‘Political Parameters and Guiding Principles’ to find a solution to the problem, said Hu who is the first Chinese President to visit India in a decade.

Describing China and India as "true friends", he said they would work hand-in-hand to promote peace and development.

Singh said the two special representatives - National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and his Chinese counterpart Dai Bingguo — were being asked to "accelerate their efforts" to arrive at a boundary settlement on the basis of the agreement on political parameters and guiding principles signed in May last year.

"Both sides hold the view that there exist bright prospects for their common development, that they are not rivals or competitors but are partners for mutual benefit," the declaration said.

They agreed that there is "enough space" for them to grow together while playing their respective roles in the region and beyond, "while remaining sensitive to each other’s concerns and aspirations".

It said as two major countries in the emerging multi-polar global order, the simultaneous development of India and China would have a positive influence on the future international system.

The two countries signed an agreement for the promotion and protection of investments. The accord, signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath and his Chinese counterpart Bo Xilai, provides for a framework for bilateral investment flows between the two countries.

"This will send a positive signal to prospective Indian and Chinese investors and contribute to strengthening of the economic engagement between the two countries."

Twelve other accords were signed by the two sides in the presence of Singh and Hu.

The two countries have decided to establish a hotline between the two foreign ministers. A protocol in this regard was signed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing.

Another protocol was inked by the two ministers for the setting up of an Indian consulate general in Guangzhou covering the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Hainan, Yunnan, Sichuan and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

It was agreed that the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata will cover the five states of West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar.

On the issue of Indian Consulate General’s property in Shanghai, it was agreed that China will provide India a plot measuring 5,000 square metres, free of charge, for construction of the premises of the mission. This will be in lieu of the old property and bring an end to the 40-year-old issue.

Addressing a press conference later, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said the two sides had agreed to step up cooperation in civil nuclear technology, both bilaterally and internationally.

Describing the talks as "open, positive and constructive," he said both Singh and Hu enjoyed "good rapport".

Observing that both sides were "very satisfied" with the progress in all respects of the strategic partnership, he said "we have to bring to a new level and add depth to it".

Menon said the issue of terrorism and UN reforms came up during the talks. The Chinese side has assured that it will not be an "obstacle" in India’s bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. (PTI)

Grenade attack on Surankote PS
Arif Tunda, associate shot dead

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Two top militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit including Arif Tunda, a district ‘area commander’, operating in Banihal-Ramban belt for last 12 years, were gunned down by troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Ramban police at Kawana near Khari in Banihal tehsil of Ramban police district this morning.

In another incident, militants lobbed a grenade at Surankote police station in Poonch district this afternoon but failed to cause any casualties or damage.

SSP Ramban Basant Rath said troops of 23 Rashtriya Rifles and police launched a joint search operation at Kawana near Khari, about six kms from national highway in Banihal tehsil last night after developing an information that Arif Tunda along with his associate were camping at Kawana after shifting to plains from upper reaches following snowfall. They were staying in the house of Bashir Ahmed son of Noor Mohd R/o Kawana.

Army and police personnel challenged the ultras and asked them to come out and surrender. However, the militants resorted to heavy firing on the security personnel and lobbed two grenade.

Troops opened heavy retaliatory firing and gunned down both the militants in an hour long operation. Army or police didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

Fareed Gujjar alias Arif Tunda son of Abdul Rashid Gujjar R/o Kawana and his associate Shabir Ahmed alias Abdullah son of Abdul Rehman R/o Sahalpura, Magam, Banihal were killed in the gun-battle. Tunda was a ‘district commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen and was operating in Banihal-Ramban belt for last 12 years. He was among six longest surviving militants in Banihal-Ramban belt, sources said.

Police party in the operation was led by SDPO Banihal Yogesh Sharma.

Shabir Ahmed was operating for last six years and was among the top militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. Both of them had got training in Pakistan in arms and handling of explosive devices.

Recoveries made from their possession include two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, one radio set, 32 rounds, one pouch, one Hizbul Mujahideen letter pad and some incriminating documents.

Elimination of Arif Tunda was a big blow to Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, sources said.

Militants lobbed a grenade at Surankote police station in Poonch district at 3 pm today, SSP Poonch S D Singh Jamwal said.

The grenade, thrown from distance, hit an outer wall of the police station and exploded on ground without causing any casualties. Outer wall of the police station suffer minor damage in the grenade blast.

Local police and para-military personnel immediately swung into action and cordoned off the area to trace the militants responsible for throwing the grenade. Police have rounded up seven suspects in connection with the blast but the militant remained untraced. Searches in the area were on till this evening.

Creation of new distts apolitical decision: CM

Excelsior Correspondent

DODA, Nov 21:Holding that there was no political consideration or any other motive in creating eight new districts and other administrative units in the State, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that the sole aim behind such decision was to take the administration to the remotest areas and address the development needs of the people, especially living in backward areas.

Addressing a well attended public meeting at Doda town and Bhalla, Mr Azad said that the creation of new districts was the need of an hour to accommodate the long-pending aspirations of the people across the State. "Equitable development of all the areas and all people without any consideration of region is the prime agenda of my Government", Mr Azad said.

The Chief Minister said massive infrastructure development and launching of schemes for welfare and economic upliftment with the liberal and unprecedented Central assistance require missionary spirit and commitment to deliver the goods. He said well-knit administrative set up quick to people’s needs and transparent in managing the affairs from village level to the top is a must in the gigantic task of all round development. He said measures have already been initiated to create such an administrative system equipped with honest, capable and performing functionaries working in healthy work culture.

Azad said when he as Chief Minister scanned through the development profile and people’s requirements, he found that a lot has to be done in every sphere of development, as such, a comprehensive and integrated development policy has been formulated and set in place to work for providing better healthcare, potable water, road communication, education and other basic amenities to the people especially in rural and far-off villages.

He said construction and upgradation of new roads and bridges to open up cut-off areas for economic development and tourism activities has been launched under Bharat Nirman. Similarly, all villages have been targeted to be covered under protected water supply by 2009 and electrification of left-over villages and hamlets is attended on priority under Rajiv Gandhi village electrification programme.

Asking the people to get involved in development process at all levels and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and harmony to help realize the goal of prosperity speedily, Chief Minister directed the administration to translate the development policies of the Government into reality so that benefits accrue to the people without delays.

Chief Minister said that district Doda possesses vast potential for tourism like other areas of the State, as such, requires attention to be properly brought on tourism map and showcased for large scale tourism. He said recognizing this fact Government has given proper thrust for promotion and upgradation of tourist facilities in the areas like Doda district.

The Chief Minister laid foundations of Rs. 1.75 crore 54 metres span steel motorable bridge at Bhalla over Neeru nallah on Bhalla-Tesna road and Rs. 2 crore 56 metres span steel motorable bridge at Malnai on Berru-Barasoo road on the same nallah. On completion, the duo bridges would benefit 20000 population of Sohra, Kungla, Kandusa, Tesna, Chabra, Jajinda, Darsu, Dandi, Kahla,.Kathiara, Sindra, Chakrabhati, Tandora, Chondri and Barasoo in Barashiva area and across Neeru nallah.

The Chief Minister also laid foundation of Rs. 2.85 crore outdoor stadium at Doda to be built on an area of 3500 square metres and distributed appointment letters to 68 persons under SRO-43.

He also laid foundation of indoor patients block in district hospital Doda to be completed at a cost of about Rs. 16 crore within two years. He also inspected OPD block and diagnostic block of the hospital at Doda which are nearing completion.

Speaking at public meetings, Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak gave details of the works undertaken during last one year across the State giving special reference of projects taken under the Azad-initiated double and triple-shift system of work.

MLA Abdul Majid Wani welcoming Chief Minister for taking historic, innovative and far-reaching decisions aimed at people’s benefit said that the dynamism of Azad has yielded more results on ground in shortest span of one year.

Former Minister Mohammad Sharief Niaz highlighted the efforts of Chief Minister in providing all basic amenities to the people in rural and backward areas.

Ration dealer, another held for links
3 impersonating as militants nabbed

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Nov 21: The police nabbed three youth, impersonating as militants and looting innocent public at gun-point in Gambhir Muglan area of Rajouri last night while Army arrested two persons including a Food & Supplies ration dealer from Mahore area of district Udhampur today.

A police spokesman told the Excelsior that Rajouri police during a surprise naka near Gambhir Muglan area last night, captured three masked gunmen when they were proceeding on their "mission". The trio when challenged by cops, raised their hands and meekly surrendered before the heavily armed jawans, who also opened some warning shots in the air.

It was a matter of sheer surprise for the cops after they came to know that to whom they were taking as terrorists, turned out to be the impersonators in the full dress of militants. The police found them equipped with toy pistol and another self-made fake-gun by using an ordinary pipe just to terrorise the innocent villagers during night operations. They were taken to police station and placed under preliminary interrogation.

All the accused were in early twenties. They have been identified as Jahangir Ahmed and Javed Ahmed, both sons of Mohammed Bashir, resident of Ghambir Muglan and Mohd Hanief, son of Abdul Karim, also hailing from the same area. The youth admitted that they used to loot locals at gun point by entering forcibly in their houses during night. They confessed having looted Rs 20,000 from a house recently. They revealed to police that they devised this method to make easy buck and spend lavishly. A case was registered against them and further investigation was in progress.

Meanwhile, the Army arrested a ration dealer, Qamardin (54), son of Abdul Gaffar and Mohd Ashraf, son of Mohd Abdul from Kandansul village in Mahore tehsil of district Udhampur today. Both were picked up by the troops for their alleged links with the militant organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The security forces had information that militants were managing supply of ration from this F&S deptt outlet in the remote area of Mahore. After preliminary questioning, both of them were handed over to Mahore police by Army, a defence spokesman said.

Committee to be set-up for fixing price
Govt to grant freehold rights to occupants of State land

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Nov 21: The Government today promulgated an ordinance vesting ownership rights among the persons, who have encroached upon State land. The ordinance was issued after Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha signed it yesterday.

The four page ordinance, which is required to be passed by both Houses of the Legislature within next six months for making it a legislation, sought to amend Jammu and Kashmir State Lands (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Act, 2001 substituting the word "available land" in the previous Act with "available State land" in the Principal Act.

If the ordinance is not made a legislation within six months due to some compulsions, it has to be issued afresh by the Governor for next six months.

Surprisingly, the Ordinance No. II of 2006 titled J&K State Lands (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Amendment Ordinance, 2006, had no mention of a bar on lower courts jurisdiction on granting stay in case the Government wanted to get the encroached land vacated.

According to Law Minister, Tariq Hamid Qarra, this subject (a bar on lower courts) was not part of original discussions held in the cabinet when the Ordinance was finalised. This was, however, stated by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad at a public meeting here on November 19. "This part can be issued separately in the form of another Ordinance", Mr Qarra told the Excelsior.

"Without prejudice to powers of the Government to lease out State land under J&K Land Grants Act, 1960, the State may auction land in favour of permanent residents of the State in four forms including 1) vacant land for commercial use, 2) State land for commercial use in Srinagar and Jammu cities and tourist resorts, 3) State land for commercial use in other cities and towns as may be notified by the Government from time to time and 4) State land for commercial use in such rural areas as notified by the Government", according to the Ordinance.

However, this will not take away powers of the Government to lease out land on bid or negotiated basis for development of tourist resorts in tourist areas.

According to the Ordinance, reserve price for land for development of tourist resorts in any specific area shall not be less than registered sale price of the migrant property in such area or market value of land determined for purpose of stamp duty under the Stamps Act, 1977 and rules made thereunder or highest sale deed registered in the area, whichever is higher.

A Committee will be set up by the Government to determine price of the land. The Committee will be empowered to fix higher reserve price, in respect of any State land, wherever it is of the opinion that reserve price fixed is lower than potential value of the land.

Regarding State land in possession of an authorised occupant, the land will be converted into freehold rights in favour of the occupant unless he opts for exercising his lease hold rights.

"State land in possession of an occupant at the commencement of Jammu and Kashmir Lands (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Amendment Act 2004, will be considered for conversion into freehold rights by the Committee in prescribed manner.

"The State will consider only that land for lease hold rights initially for a period of 40 years which falls within 50 feet and 75 feet from the centre on either side or any interior road and highway respectively. This will be subject to conversion in the term of lease or resumption of such State land in public interest on expiry of initial term of lease", the Ordinance said.

Occupants of land should have applied or they shall have to apply in prescribed manner for transfer of vesting of land in their possession within the period the Government may, from time to time, specify. The land shall be used by the right holder in conformity with provisions of the Master Plan, wherever existing. In the areas where there is no Master Plan, it shall be put to prescribed land use, if any, according to the Ordinance.

The occupants shall have to deposit prescribed price as determined and notified with the concerned District Collector. The Collector will then issue a formal order conferring ownership rights upon the occupants.

The Ordinance said the Finance Department will create a separate Fund under a proper account in Jammu and Kashmir Bank in each district or allot an account head in which cost of the land realised under this Act shall be deposited.

Application for vesting of freehold rights on the State land shall be determined by the Committees to be set up by the Government. The Government will prescribed different Committees for different areas.

"An authorised occupant, authorised over-stayed occupant or unauthorised expectant occupant shall be entitled to vesting of freehold right on the State land upto one kanal for residential purpose subject to overall ceiling of 10 kanals on payment of price determined by the Committee", the Ordinance said.

It added that pending cases, if any, on the commencement of J&K State Lands (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Amendment Ordinance, 2006, shall be decided in accordance with provisions of this Act as amended by the said Ordinance.

Militants warn Kashmiris joining security forces

SRINAGAR, Nov 21: Four militant outfits today warned Muslim Kashmiri youths against joining security forces and threatened to target their families and relatives if they chose to do so.

"Muslim youth of Kashmir should refrain from joining the Indian Army or else their families and relatives will be targeted," a spokesman of the self-styled ‘G-4’, comprising Al Nasireen, Farzandan-e-Millat, Save Kashmir Movement and Al Istiqlal, said in a faxed statement.

He said joining the security forces was an "unforgivable sin" and unemployment in the state was no excuse for it as other avenues of earning livelihood were present in abundance.

"Odd jobs and working as a labourer is far better and dignified than joining the Indian Army," he said.

The spokesman said under a conspiracy, Muslims were being inducted into home and hearth battalions which will not be allowed to succeed. Those who are strengthening the designs of New Delhi in Kashmir will not be tolerated, he added.

The spokesman said the G-4 has also decided to suspend Al Arifeen till it refutes a newspaper report in which it distanced itself from a decision of the amalgam.

Al Arifeen, one of the founder members of the grouping, has been permanently replaced by Al-Istiqlal, he said. (PTI)

Land lease to have implications: Mirwaiz

SRINAGAR, Nov 21: The Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has said the decision to lease out land at Gulmarg and other tourist resorts to multinationals and non-State subjects could have "serious implications on the ongoing peace process."

At a meeting here, the amalgam took great exception to the decision and vowed to resist it tooth and nail.

"Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally-accepted disputed territory and no authority could take any decision having far reaching effects on the coming generations of this land until the issue was finally settled," the meeting said.

Even the UN Security Council resolution of 1957 had laid down that any administration cannot take any decision which may change the status of the territory of the State, the Hurriyat said.

"The present Government in Jammu and Kashmir, imposed by New Delhi and devoid of any legitimacy and mandate of the people, has no legal or a moral authority to take any such decision," it added.

At the meeting, the Hurriyat Conference vowed to resist any such decision with all force to ensure that the rights and interests of the people of State were safeguarded. (UNI)

JE, KU student killed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 21: A junior engineer of the Power Development Department as also a student of Kashmir University have been killed by suspected militants in two separate incidents of violence in Kashmir valley since last evening.

Informed sources told the EXCELSIOR that two unidentified youth, believed to be militants, appeared at bus stand in Mamoosa village of Pattan, in Baramulla district, at 1100 hrs today. One of them drew a pistol from his jacket and fired several shots on 45-year-old Bashir Ahmed Tantray S/o Abdul Jabbar Tantray. While the duo vanished, a critically injured Tantray was rushed towards a hospital in Pattan. However, he succumbed to injuries en route to hospital.

Sources said that Tantray had been working with PDD and he was posted as JE in a power project in Kangan area. Apparently, he had no militant, counter-insurgent or political connections, though his brother-in-law was reportedly a released militant and was running separatist activity while working with a Christian missionary school as a teacher. Some civilian sources said that a section of the village population had appeared to be inclined to Christianity in the last 8 years and militants as well as separatist leaders had expressed apprehensions of conversions in Mamoosa area.

Sources said that the dead body of one Mohammad Yusuf Dar S/o Ghulam Mohiuddin Dar R/o Amlar, Tral, was spotted and recovered today at Gulab Bagh, Naudal, in Tral area of Pulwama district. It appeared that Dar had been physically tortured and hanged to death by militants. Inquiries revealed that he was a post-graduation student of the Department of History at University of Kashmir. He had been kidnapped by suspected militants from his village on November 18th. Reports said that previously suspected militants has gunned down one of his cousins who happened to be a junior employee.

Even as no militant outfit had claimed these killings till late tonight, official sources claimed that absence of a public protest in Sopore and Tral was suggestive of the fact that it was the handiwork of militants.

Gola Shah gets bail

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 21: Chief Judicial Magistrate Jammu, Sanjay Dhar today granted bail to Ravinder Kumar alias Gola Shah in four cases registered against him u/s 420 RPC (Cheating) registered in P/S City and three with the P/S Gangyal subject to furnishing of bail bond with one surety in the amount of Rs 25000 in each of the four cases.

Court directed accused to cooperate with the investigating agency and shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses.

Gola Shah, who was detained under PSA and lodged in the District Jail Jammu when he was released from the said jail, the police had arrested him in the four cases registered against him u/s 420 RPC.

The CJM Jammu after hearing both the sides and also after going through the police report as well as objections filed by the CPO, observed that the accused in all the cases is alleged to have committed offence u/s 420 PRC, which is bailable in nature, hence he can claim bail as a matter of right. Accordingly, accused was admitted to bail in all the four cases.

According to the police reports, One Surinder Kumar S/o Om Parkash lodged a report with P/S City on September 29, 2006 alleging that he had purchased a shop No 5 at Denis Gate Jammu for Rs 3.5 laces from Ravinder Kumar which complainant had paid in advance. Despite receipt of full sale consideration the accused did not execute sale-deed. On this report FIR No 75/2006 u/s 420 RPC was registered against the accused. In other FIRs No. 103/06 of Police Station Gangyal that on October 6, 2006 Brigadier MK Ganjoo lodged a report that on February 1991 he purchased land at Greater Kailash from accused Ravinder Kumar but the accused did not hand over the possession of the plot. According to FIR No. 95/2006 P/S Gangyal Shashi Bushan Sharma lodged a complaint in which he had submitted that he purchased a plot situated at Greater Kailash on August 17, 1993 from the accused but the possession of that plot was never handed over to him.

According to FIR No. 101/06 of P/S Gangyal, on October 10, 2006 one Naveen Chander purchased a plot of land measuring one Kanal four Marla from accused and when he started construction on the plot, he was obstructed by the accused and his associates from doing so. Complainant was told that he will be given another plot but till date he has not given the plot. Cases were registered u/s 420 RPC which is bail able offence.

Bid to black-market LPG foiled

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 21: Police today foiled an attempt to black-market Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) meant for Bhaderwah area and arrested two persons. A truck loaded with 309 cylinders was also seized.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Udhampur, Prithvi Raj Manhas said that acting on some complaints about the black-marketing of LPG, a police team headed by SHO Katra Police Station Inspector S S Sambyal and Incharge Police Post Tikri Sub-Inspector Raghubir Singh conducted a raid in Tikri area and noticed unloading of LPG cylinders illegally from a truck.

The owner-cum-driver of the truck identified as Swarn Singh, son of Karnail Singh of Mishriwala, Jammu and shopkeeper Mangat Ram, son of Munshi Ram of Tikri were immediately arrested.

From the shop, police recovered 10 filled up cylinders and equal number of empty cylinders. The truck loaded with LPG was seized.

During interrogation, the truck driver revealed that the entire supply was meant for Bhaderwah area and he had sold in black about 10 cylinders to a shopkeeper.

The preliminary investigation and questioning of the arrested persons revealed that drivers of most of the trucks transporting LPG to far off areas used to sell several cylinders in black to the shopkeepers on the National Highway.

Police have registered a case under Essential Commodities Act in this regard and started further investigations. The Indane Company was also informed about the seizure of the truck and LPG cylinders.

The attempt to black-market LPG was foiled by Katra Police under the direct supervision of Additional SP Katra Ashok Sharma and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Dr Ramneesh Gupta.

Bodha appointed Spl Secy Agri

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: Government today ordered transfer of two senior officers of the rank of Special Secretary and an Additional Secretary.

G N Bodha attached with the General Administration Department has been posted as Special Secretary to Government, Agriculture Production Department against an available vacancy.

Khurshid Ahmed Shah, Project Director Technical Education has been transferred and posted as Additional Secretary to Government, Power Development Department against an available vacany.

It has further been ordered that the charge of post of Project Director, Technical Education will be held by the Secretary in the Higher Education Department in addition to his own duties till a substitute is posted.

Two LeT militants arrested from Dwarka, RDX, cash seized

New Delhi, Delhi police today arrested two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives from Dwarka sub city in the Capital's southwest.

Special cell of Delhi police arrested Imran Ahmad Kirmani (25) and Ghulam Rasool (45), both residents of Jammu and Kashmir, from Dwarka shopping complex early this morning, police said.

About 2 kg RDX, timers and Rs 4.5 lakh cash was recovered from them.(UNI )

National Highway close due to landslide

JAMMU, : The 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for the vehicular traffic following landslides triggered by heavy rains in Ramban, 150 kms from here today, official sources said.

Heavy downpour of rains in Doda district

caused landslides in Panthal area of Ramban belt resulting in the closure of the Highway where 150 vehicles are stranded since today morning, they told .

The workers of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are working to clear the Highway of landslides and pave way for the resumption of the vehicular traffic on the road, they said.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is the only surface link between Kashmir and the rest of the country. (PTI)