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15 held, 11 Pak nationals involved MUMBAI, Sept 30: Claiming to have solved the July 11 train serial blasts that killed nearly 200 people, Mumbai police today blamed Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI for masterminding the explosions which were executed by activists of the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba and SIMI here. Fifteen persons have been arrested in connection with the blasts in which 11 Pakistani nationals were directly involved, Police Commissioner A N Roy told reporters here. "We have solved the 7/11 bomb blasts case," he said adding the attacks were planned by ISI in Pakistan and carried out by Pakistan-based militant group LeT with the help of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). He denied any involvement of Al-Qaeda or any link with the 9/11 attacks in the US. Of the 15 arrested, three might be released if nothing was found against them, but 12 people were directly involved in the explosions. Roy said one of the Pakistanis involved was killed in the blast in one of the trains, while another was gunned down by police in an encounter at Antop Hill later. The remaining have either escaped to their country or are hiding in India, he added. "The conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan’s Bahawalpur in March this year with the training of the Indian LeT and SIMI members, some of whom went to Pakistan two or three times," Roy said. The conspirators came from Pakistan in groups crossing over from Nepal, Bangladesh and the porous border in Gujarat, he said. Of the 11 Pakistanis, five had come from Bangladesh, two from Nepal and four from across the porous Gujarat border, Roy said. He said 15-20 kg of RDX used in the blasts were brought from Pakistan by Ehsanullah. Four kg of Ammonium Nitrate, which was mixed with the RDX, was provided by local groups. The bombs were put together in Chembur area between July 8 and July 10 at the house of Mohammad Ali in Shivaji Nagar in north east Mumbai and then taken to mastermind Faisal Sheikh’s home in Bandra. The conspirators had bought eight pressure cookers to put the explosives, but only seven were used, while one remains untraced and efforts are on to locate it, Roy said. Two to two-and-half kg of the explosive, attached with Quartz Timers, was stuffed into each pressure cooker and kept in a bag covered with newspapers and umbrella. Seven such explosive-laden bags were transported to Churchgate in taxis and placed in the first class compartments of seven Western Railway suburban trains during the peak hours of July 11, the police chief said. This operation was carried out by seven different teams, each comprising an Indian and a Pakistani, who placed the bags on the trains and alighted midway. However, one of the Pakistanis, identified as Salim from Lahore, could not get down from a packed train and was killed in the blast between Khar and Santacruz stations, Roy added. Another Pakistani conspirator, identified as Mohammed Ali Abu Osama alias Abu Umer, was killed in an encounter with police at Antop Hill on August 21. LeT commander based in Pakistan’s Bahawalpur district, Azam Cheema, who also runs training camps for recruits from India, was the brain behind the conspiracy, Roy said. The Indians who planted the explosives have been identified as Faisal Sheikh, who placed the bomb on the local train at Jogeshwari, Kamal Ansari at Matunga, Ehteshaam Siddiqui at Mira Road and Mohammed Naved at Khar. Police are on the lookout for the other Indians who planted the bombs in three trains at Borivali, Mahim and Bandra. "The blasts were carried out in a very professional, well planned and precise way and there was no evidence left at the sites. There was no trail.... It was nearly a blinder," Roy said. Terming the probe a "beautiful piece of highly professional investigations", Roy said the analysis of phone calls made from Mumbai gave the first clue in the case, leading to the arrest of Kamal Ansari. Ansari had made several calls to Nepal from Navi Mumbai. The first of the detentions in the case was made on July 14 and 15 with the help of local intelligence. Those arrested so far in connection with the case are —Kamaluddin Ahmed Ansari, Khalid Aziz Shaikh, Mumtaz Ahmed Chaudhari, Faisal Sheikh, Muzammil Sheikh, Tanvir Ansari, Zamir Chaviwallah, Sohail Sheikh, Ehteshaam Siddiqui, Akmal Hashmi, Mohammed Shafi, Shaikh Mohammed, Mohammed Majid, Abdul Vahiuddin and Mohammed Naved. Faisal was the local pointsman in the conspiracy and had also managed the finances of the group, Roy said. "We have recovered 26,000 Saudi Riyals from him. During interrogation he had confessed to having received Rs 60 lakh through hawala transactions in the last four years." Faisal facilitated the stay of the conspirators in Mumbai in the run-up to the blasts on July 11, Roy said. "He had rented flats in Malad and Borivali for the stay of other accused. Apart from that, one Abdul’s flat in Mumbra and Faisal’s own Bandra home were used as hide-outs." Giving an account of the flow of money through hawala channels, the police chief said: "Lashkar’s money from Pakistan was sent to another LeT operative based in Saudi Arabia, Rizwan Dawre, who in turn sent it to Mumbai to be collected by the local modules." He said police have identified and interrogated Indian hawala operators, but did not give their identities. According to police, the case against three of the 15 arrested — Mumtaz Chaudhari, Khalid Sheikh and Akmal Hashmi — is a little weak, but that against the others are watertight. "We are now on the lookout for five Indians involved in the blasts, including three of those who planted the bombs, and have solved the case entirely," anti-terrorism squad chief K P Raghuvanshi, who also addressed the press conference, said. Roy identified Faisal Sheikh, Ehteshaam Siddiqui and Kamal Ansari as the prize catches in the case. "(they) were tough to crack, as they were taught to mislead interrogators during their training in Pakistan," he added.(PTI) |
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3 SEs promoted, CEs transferred Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 30: The State Cabinet which met in Srinagar under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today ordered placement of three Superintending Engineers of R&B Department as Incharge Chief Engineers. They are Iftikhar Ahmad, Nazir Ahmad Shah and Mir Shafi Ahmed. Iftikhar Ahmad, In-charge Chief Engineer has been posted as Managing Director, J&K Housing Board, while Nazir Ahmad Shah, In-charge Chief Engineer was posted as Chief Engineer, R&B, Kashmir; Mir Shafi Ahmad, In-charge Chief Engineer has been posted as JDC (Works)/ex-officio Chief Engineer, Mughal Road Project, an official handout said. The Cabinet also accorded sanction to placement of Dr. Suresh Chander Gupta and Dr. Surinder Prakash Sharma, Joint Directors, Animal Husbandry Department as Director Animal Husbandry Department Jammu and Kashmir regions respectively. The Cabinet ordered confirmation of the appointment of Showkat Rashid Wani as Development Commissioner (Power). It ordered revival of the post of Executive Director, J&K State Power Development Corporation and placed V. K. Malhotra, Chief Engineer (Planning and Design Wing) as In-charge Executive Director, J&K PDC. The Cabinet transferred Masood Ahmad Dar, In-charge Chief Engineer (System and Operations) Jammu and posted him as In-charge Chief Engineer, Generation (PDC) vice R. K. Seli, who has been posted as Chief Engineer (System and Operations) Jammu vice Masood Ahmad Dar. Shamsher Singh, In-charge Superintending Engineer (S&O Circle-I) has been posted as In-charge Chief Engineer (Planning and Design) V. K. Malhotra. Dharam Vir, In-charge Superintending Engineer (Inspection-Circle) has been posted as In-charge Chief Engineer (Procurement and MM) relieving Mr. Malhotra of additional charge of the post. The Cabinet also approved promotion of T. Angchok, Joint Director Fisheries, as Director Fisheries. The Cabinet accorded sanction to the renaming of Government Degree College Budgam as Sheikh-ul-Aalam Memorial Degree College, Government Degree College Reasi as General Zorawar Singh Memorial Degree College, Government Degree College Leh as Eliezer Jolden Memorial College, Government Degree College Hiranagar as Girdhari Lal Dogra Memorial Degree College and Government Degree College Bandipore as Hassan Khoyihami Memorial Degree College. The Cabinet also approved renaming of Tankipora road Srinagar as Mehjoor Road. The Cabinet decided to appoint all remaining Junior Engineers selected by the District Level Committees on contractual basis. Their orders of appointments will be issued within a week’s time, the release said. The Cabinet noted with satisfaction that 976 Junior Engineers in various engineering departments have been appointed on contractual basis as per the decision taken in the Cabinet meeting on June 24, 2006. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has ordered concerned Revenue authorities to provide relief to the migrants of Jammu division who have migrated from their home before September 13, 2005: Free ration at the scale of 9 kg of atta and 2 kg of rice per persons per month and 2 litres of kerosene oil per person subject to a maximum of 10 litres per family per month, will be given to the migrants. |
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UPA adopting weak kneed policies on terrorism: Javedkar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 30: Accusing United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government of adopting weak kneed policies on terrorism, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), today said the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA has fallen a prey to Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s mechanisation on cross border terrorism. Party’s national spokesman Prakash Javedkar while talking to mediapersons here this afternoon said the Congress and other partners of UPA will be soft towards terrorism had become evident during the election campaign of 2004 when they made public commitments to withdraw POTA. After coming to power, they revoked it without thinking of replacing the Act by any other anti terrorist law. He said later the statement of Prime Minister in Kashmir valley that there will be zero tolerance for army accesses, is another indication that UPA was totally soft towards the "traitors" of the nation. Such statements of PM have demoralized the security forces fighting the terrorism, he asserted. The BJP spokesman alleged that Chief Minister of J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad has surpassed all when he pleaded pardon for Afzal Guru, a dreaded terrorist involved in December 2002 Parliament attack. He said it was strange, that Mahatma Gandhi had said "quit India and now Mr Azad says quit Guru." He warned that BJP will mobilize public opinion against the weak kneed policies of UPA Government as it will not allow to make the peace process a tool to give liberty to terrorists. He maintained that BJP favours a tough action against terrorists. He also blamed the UPA of making the parleys with Pakistan a Kashmir centric issue while the NDA made it the issue of cross border terrorism. He said the first blunder done by UPA led Government was that it allowed Hurriyat leadership to visit Rawalpindi and Islamabad without visa and passport giving an opportunity to Pak President to say that India also accepts Kashmir a problem as Hurriyat leaders came without passport and visa. Secondly the Prime Minister discussed Musharraf agenda of self rule, autonomy and demilitarization in round table conference, he said, adding Indian leadership is banking on Pakistan which has perpetrated a war in disguise against us and there are hundreds of instances that Pakistan is involved in cross border terrorism. He said when it is evident that Pakistan has a hand in terrorism why Congress can’t see it. |
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SHOs among 101 Inspectors transferred Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 30: Director General of Police (DGP) Gopal Sharma today ordered transfer of wings of 101 Inspectors including some Station House Officers (SHOs). The Inspectors transferred from Jammu zone to CID are Kapoor Chand, Anil Kumar, Bharat Bushan Gupta, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahid Parvez, SHO Channi Himmat, Parvez Ahmed, SHO Bari Brahmana, Rajinder Kumar and Azad Hussain. SHO Rajouri Inspector Devinder Singh has been transferred from Jammu Zone to Traffic Police while SHO City Inspector Diwakar Singh has been posted in Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA) Udhampur. Those transferred from CID to Jammu zone are Surjeet Kumar, Mohd Aslam, Kamlesh Shoor, Kamal Dev, Kuljeet Singh, Tejinder Singh, Swaran Singh Jangi and Arvinder Kotwal. Inspectors Tahir Kounser, Shabir Ahmad and Mohd Yousuf were transferred from Kashmir zone to Crime and Railways (C&R). Inspector Mukhtar Ahmad was transferred from Traffic Police to C&R, Inspector Nazir Ahmad from Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA) Udhampur to C&R, Inspector Nisar Ahmad from Police Headquarters (PHQ) to C&R and and Inspector Mohd Younis from Jammu zone to C&R. Inspector Nisar Hussain had been shifted from C&R to CID. The Inspectors transferred from Kashmir zone to CID are Abdul Rashid, Mohd Yousuf, Bashir Ahmad, Ghulam Geelani, Mushtaq Ahmad, Balbir Singh and Hamidullah. Those transferred from Traffic Police to CID are Balwant Raj, Anita Chopra, Shiv Kumar, Chimba Samastan, Zafarullah, Gurmeet Singh and Naresh Sharma. Inspector Ghulam Jeelani has been transferred from CID to FSL. Inspector Tilak Raj has been transferred from PTS-K to Jammu zone while Inspectors Ashok Kumar, Pawan Kumar and Lal Chand have been transferred from SKPA Udhampur to Jammu zone. Inspectors Nisar Hussain and Zahid Saif Wani have been transferred from Vigilance Organisation to Jammu zone while Inspectors Reyaz Ahmad and Parvez Ahmad have been transferred from C&R to Kashmir zone. Inspectors Farooq Ahmad, Ghulam Mohd Rather and Mohd Abdullah have been transferred from CID to Kashmir zone while Inspector Aijaz Ahmad has been shifted from CID Cell New Delhi to Kashmir zone. Inspector Bashir Ahmad has been transferred from PTS-Manigam to Kashmir zone. Inspectors Abdul Rashid and Mohd Bashir have been transferred from Security to Kashmir zone while Inspectors Adil Hussain and Abdul Majeed have been shifted from Traffic Police to Kashmir zone. Inspectors Rafiq Ahmad, Abdul Rashid, Mehraj-ud-Din and Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din have been transferred from Vigilance Organisation to Kashmir zone while Inspector Mohd Ashraf has been transferred from Vigilance to PHQ. Inspector Pawan Khajuria has been transferred from Jammu zone to PTS-K and Inspector Harish Choudhary from Jammu zone to PTTI-Vijaypur, Inspector Syed Ahmed goes to PTS-Manigam from CID while Inspector Ajay Anand has been posted in Security (AWP) from Armed zone. Inspector Mufti Ghulam Hassan has been transferred from Traffic Police to Security. The Inspectors transferred from Jammu zone to Security are Sajad Ali, Marrof Ahmad, Arun Jamwal and Nisar Ahmad, Inspector Ajay Kumar has been shifted from Armed zone to Security (AWP). The Inspectors transferred from Jammu zone to SKPA Udhampur are Tarsem Raj, Devinder Singh, Mohd Akram, Mohd Shafi and Anil Raina. Inspector Krishan Singh (Jammu zone) and Inspector Kuldeep Kumar (C&R) have been shifted to SSG. Inspectors Yashpaul Verma, Nazir Hussain and Bodh Raj were transferred from Jammu zone to Traffic Police while Inspector Raj Kumar was shifted from C&R to Traffic Police. Inspector Nazir Ahmad (Kashmir zone) and Inspector Sunmati Gupta (SKPA Udhampur) have been shifted to Traffic Police. The Inspectors posted in Vigilance Organisation are Brij Mohan (Jammu zone), Mohd Shaffi (Traffic), Jeetanji Matoo and Abdul Qayoom (C&R), Surinder Kumar (Jammu zone), Ali Mohd (Kashmir zone), Manzoor Ahmad (Traffic), Bashir Ahmad, Syed Fayaz and Farooq Ahmad (Kashmir zone) and Ram Singh (CID). Inspector Inderjeet Singh has been adjusted in Jammu zone, Inspector Barkat Hussain in SKPA Udhampur, Inspector Gurmeet Singh in Jammu zone and Inspector Nazir Ahmad in Kashmir zone. |
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Total healthcare on Trikuta
foothills By Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Sept 30: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which has been running a University and taken up massive development works at Katra, Vaishno Devi Bhawan and enroute, has decided to give the Jammu its first Institute of Medical Sciences, which will have all super specialities, a Medical College, Nursing College, Research, Holistic and Meditation centres. To be named as Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, Katra, the multi-crore project will be raised in three phases, most likely in a five year period in 45 acres of land at Painthal near Mata Vaishno Devi University. First phase of the Institute, as already decided by the Shrine Board, will be a Cancer Hospital, which will come up nearly in 15 months time, according to official sources. In the second phase, four Super Specialities will be added to the hospital which include Neurology, Cardiology, Orthopedics and Trauma Centre. In addition, all diagnostic equipments, required for maximum usage for all common patients, will be added in the second phase. In the third and final phase, the Institute will become a complete health centre, the first of its kind not only in Jammu and Kashmir but in many States as it will also have Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, Yoga and Faith besides a Medical College, Nursing College, Research Centre, Holistic Centre and Meditation Centre. Proposal of the Institute has been conceived by Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, who is also chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and is being given final touch by SMVDSB members, CEO Arun Kumar, Additional CEO Puneet Kumar, Health Advisor Dr Vijay Gupta and other concerned officers. The Institute will be at par with the Post Graduate Institute (PGI) of Chandigarh, according to sources. ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ (foundation) of the first phase (the Cancer Hospital), which will also be first of its kind in Jammu and Kashmir, will be performed either by the end of October or in the first week of November. The SMVDSB has finalised with some modifications the architectural plan for first phase of hospital. The Institute will also have a grand temple, a lake named Vaishno Sarovar, herbal plantations and landscaping. With this an effort will also be made to attract the tourists, mostly the Vaishno Devi pilgrims to the Institute, the sources said. Cost of first phase of the hospital has been estimated at Rs 42 crore while cost of two other phases is being worked out. A number of regular visitors to Mata Vaishno Devi ji shrine and Non Resident Indians (NRIs) have already offered huge donations for the hospital, which will be in addition to their regular offerings for the shrine. According to sources, a detailed plan for charges for the hospital is yet to be finalised but efforts will be made to keep the charges subsidised "as much as possible". Several proposals in this regard are under consideration which include free treatment for the people living Below Poverty Line, a token fee for poor sections and "affordable charges" for executive class. Besides, the patients and their attendants will be free to offer donations after their treatment. A final decision on the charges is, however, yet to be taken by the Board. "Ever since the Shrine Board mooted the hospital proposal, we have been receiving a number of offers of donation and queries for donations. The donations are expected to increase when the donors get an idea of the Board’s total healthcare Institute", the sources said. They said the Shrine Board has a surplus corpus of Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore. An estimated Rs 100 crore worth offerings including cash and jewellery are made by the devotees at Vaishno Devi shrine and through other means of donations every year. About Rs 60 crore are spent by the Board on development works, maintainance and providing food and other eatables at no-profit-no-loss basis through the Board outlets annually. According to sources, the Shrine Board also planned to utilise a part of the surplus funds for construction of the Institute and purchase of machinery. The Board will also shortly shortlist a firm for construction of the hospital. The hospital will be constructed in such a way that patients can have a clear view of the Trikuta hills from its compound and Wards and can offer prayers while getting treatment, the sources said. |
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Jandial is Media Advisor to CM Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 30: The State Cabinet today ordered appointment of K B Jandial, Secretary, Agriculture Department as Media Advisor to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Mr Jandial’s new assignment as Media Advisor to the Chief Minister will be in addition to his posting as the Secretary, Agriculture Department. |
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Cabinet hikes ‘C’ grade apple rates Exceslior Correspondent Srinagar, Sept 30: The State Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has accorded sanction to the modification of Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for the year 2006-07 and enhanced procurement rate from Rs. 4 to Rs. 5 per kg in case of C-Grade apples and Sandy Pears under MIS for the year 2006-07. |
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PoK resident seeks State Subject rights Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Sept 30: Another resident of Pakistan occupied Kashir (PoK), Syed Alam Shah, presently at village Surahati Tehsil Mendhar District Poonch has filed a writ petition in the State High Court, seeking permanent resident status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In the petition, 70 year old Syed Alam Shah submitted that in 1947, he was compelled to leave his native place and now came on visa, which is going to expire on October 30, 2006. According to the petitioner, he approached Ministry of Home Affairs, Union of India for according Indian Citizenship. In the petition the petitioner further submitted that after the expiry of visa, he is apprehending his deportation and prayed before the Court for issuing directions to the respondent State of J&K, Union of India and others not to treat the petitioner as foreigner and restrain them to depart him. |
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3 injured in two blasts in Valley Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 30: Two soldiers and a girl student sustained injuries in two wayside blasts in Kashmir valley today. Informed sources said that targetting a patrol party of Rashtriya Rifles 42 Bn, militants caused an IED blast on Marhama-Sangam Road in Bijbehara area of south Kashmir. Two soldiers sustained injuries. Hizbul Mujahideen has reportedly claimed responsibility. Sources said that militants lobbed a hand grenade towards an army convoy in outskirts of Pattan township on Srinagar-Uri Road. It missed the intended target and exploded near a heritage site, causing minor injuries to a Class 12th girl student, namely Momina D/o Abdur Rahim Allai of Pattan. Troops observed restraint and did not open fire for fear of civilian casualties. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 30: Security forces today recovered 50 kg RDX and other explosive devices during a search operation at Tharal in Mahore area of Reasi police district. Recoveries were made from a natural cave, official sources said. Besides 50 kg RDX, 59 detonators, a Chinese hand grenade, 25 meters cortex and five meters wire were also recovered from the cave. A major tragedy has been averted with the recoveries, the sources said. Troops of 60 RR recovered one pistol with three magazines and 15 rounds and a radio set during searches at Kounthal in Kandi area of Rajouri today. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 30: Police today arrested three hard-core criminals and recovered two pistols with live cartridges, one revolver and narcotics from their possession. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu Mukesh Singh said that hard-core criminals were arrested from different locations under the jurisdiction of Gandhi Nagar Police Station by SHO Inspector Gian Chand Sharma under the direct supervision of Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) City South Shiv Kumar Singh Chouhan. The arrested criminals have been identified as Baldev Singh alias Laba, son of Gagan Singh of Sector 13 Nanak Nagar, Gulcharan Singh, son of Kirpal Singh of Simbal Morh, Govindpura Basti and Baba Kalu alias Chhotu, son of Baba Shanty Nath of Pathankote and presently residing in Qasim Nagar area. From the possession of Baldev Singh, police recovered one pistol with five live cartridges and huge quantity of poppy straw and charas. He has been booked under Arms Act and Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSA). Gulcharan Singh was arrested with a country made pistol while a revolver was recovered from the possession of Baba Kalu. Both have been booked under Arms Act. The SSP said that Baldev Singh and Gulcharan Singh were involved in several cases including murders and attempts to murders and wanted by Miran Sahib, Bakshi Nagar, Satwari and Pacca Danga Police for the past quite long time. He said that a special drive launched against the criminals has been yielding positive results. |
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NEW DELHI, Sept 30: An AIIMS student died of Dengue today taking the toll from the disease to 11 in the national capital which is already hit by nearly 350 Dengue afflicted cases this year. Kamal Raj Kiran, a fourth-year student, died in the day due to the deadly disease which has spread its tentacles across the AIIMS campus hitting as many as 11 medicos and five other staff members. Earlier this week the 17-year-old daughter of a medico couple died due to the disease in AIIMS. In view of the spurt in Dengue cases, the AIIMS authorities have begun a drive to check all the coolers in the hospital premises. Coolers are the main culprit in the spread of the disease, with the Aedes mosquito that is the Dengue vector breeding in the water left over from the summer season. Of the nearly 350 Dengue cases this year, the majority of them were reported during the months of July and September, a senior MCD official said. On an average 22 to 25 cases of Dengue are reported everyday, the official said.(PTI) India to confront Pak with latest evidence: Menon NEW DELHI, : With probe into July 11 Mumbai serial blasts proving involvement of ISI and Pakistan-based terror groups, New Delhi today said it will confront Islamabad with the latest evidence and judge it by actions and not words. Taking charge as Foreign Secretary, Shiv Shankar Menon rubbished Islamabad’s denial of involvement of ISI and Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) in Mumbai train bombings and said India wants Pakistan to "not only talk but act also". "We will take up the issue (of involvement in Mumbai blasts) with Pakistan in view of the new evidence," he told reporters here, a day after Mumbai Police said its investigations had proved that the serial blasts which killed nearly 180 people and injured over 800 were planned by ISI and carried out by LeT. Menon, who was High Commissioner to Pakistan before his appointment as Foreign Secretary, said India will provide evidence with regard to the Mumbai blasts to Islamabad and see what it does to act on it. Yesterday, Mumbai Police Commissioner A N Roy, while claiming to have cracked the case, said ISI’s involvement had clearly emerged in investigations. He had said the terrorists who had carried out the blasts included Pakistanis sent here in batches via Nepal, Bangladesh and Gujarat especially to carry out the nefarious task. The Pakistan Foreign Office had immediately rejected Mumbai Police’s claim which, it said, was "unsubstantiated" and "baseless". Menon, a 1972 batch IFS officer, succeeded Shyam Saran who has retired. Saran has been appointed Special Envoy on negotiations with regard to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. On the fate of the nuclear deal, the new Foreign Secretary said it enjoys bipartisan support in the US Congress and hoped for early passage of a bill that will pave the way for resumption of civil nuclear trade with India. (PTI)
Suspend peace talks with Pak: Rajnath asks UPA Chandigarh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh today demanded that government to suspend peace talks with Pakistan till it stopped sponsoring cross-border terrorism. Talking to reporters here, the BJP president said there was no relevance in pursuing peace talks with Pakistan as it failed to dismantle terrorist training camps on its soil. Mr Singh called for a diplomatic offensive against Pakistan to persuade the UN Security Council to impose economic sanctions against that country and get it listed as a rogue state. He also demanded that Pakistan intelligence agency ISI be put under International watchlist for sponsoring terrorism. He said the probe in the July bomb blasts in Mumbai had once again proved that the ISI was masterminding terrorist attacks in India using its modules spread over different parts of the country and neighbouring nations like Bangladesh and Nepal. Asked if India should take recourse to direct intervention to wipe out terrorist training camps, he said if Pakistan failed in dismantiling these camps Indian Parliament should take a decision with the consensus of all parties. |
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