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2 Al-Badar militants
killed at SI's home in Shalimar Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 20: With a mass protest over a midnight assault on the Imam of a mosque in Rajbagh area of this capital city, Police and CRPF today eliminated two militants of Al-Badar outfit at the residence of a Sub Inspector of Police in Shalimar area. Meanwhile, one boy died and another sustained critical injuries in a grenade blast in Lolab valley of Kupwara district and three more militants have been killed in Gurez-Machhil area of the same district in north Kashmir. Residents in the posh Rajbagh area told the EXCELSIOR that a CRPF soldier fired upon the Imam of Usmaniya Masjid in Pathan Bagh locality, near Modern Hospital, late last night. Identified as Mohammad Altaf Shah S/o Mohammad Yusuf Shah R/o Sheeri, Baramulla, the Imam sustained a gunshot wound and collapsed in a pool of blood. He was evacuated and admitted at SMHS Hospital where doctors removed his bullet in an hour-long surgery and described him as stable this evening. Residents said that the Imam in early 30s had been living in a rented room close to the mosque with his young wife. They said that he had been conducting the mass prayers at the mosque and simultaneously pursuing his studies at University of Kashmir, Hazratbal. Initially the residents suspected that a militant had fired upon the Imam and left him wounded. However, in the morning today, about a thousand people gathered in the locality and they began holding the CRPF responsible for opening fire. They shouted slogans against security forces and alleged that a "ghastly assault" had been carried out on the Imam on Jumatul Vida, the last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan. They demanded registration of a murder case against CRPF, a judicial inquiry, identification and punishment to the culprit. However, they did not specify any motive behind the shootout. As the gathering squatted over Abdullah Bridge on the Jhelum and disrupted the vehicular traffic movement, Police swung into action with baton charge and tearsmoke to disperse the crowd. DIG Central Kashmir, Farooq Ahmed, said that Police registered an FIR and began investigation. He confirmed that the bullet recovered from the injured Imam's body was that of an SLR, usually held by CRPF, but added that the shootout was "mysterious" and it would be premature to hold anybody or any organisation responsible for it in absence of a thorough investigation. Informed sources said that SOG Srinagar and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation at Banigam locality of Shalimar, close to SKUAST headquarters, on the basis of a specific information in the morning today. During the search operation, at least two militants were found hiding at the residential house of a Sub Inspector of Police (Ministerial), namely Ghulam Mohammad Bhat. The SI has been posted with Forensic Science Laboratory of J&K Police. No sooner did the Police-CRPF combine zero in on the target house than the holed up militants opened fire. They were both killed when CRPF, for the first time, used rocket-launchers and Police blew up the house with IEDs during a fierce gunbattle. The militants killed in action were identified as Javed Ahmed Bhat alias Imran Gul S/o Gul Mohammad Bhat R/o Aglar Pulwama and Suhail alias Abu Ma'az. SSP Srinagar, Syed Ahfadul Mujtaba, said that the two militants killed in the operation were both members of Al-Badar Mujahideen. Their AK-56 rifles and dead bodies were recovered after Police completed the searches in a cluster of houses this afternoon. He said that Imran Gul had been instrumental in engineering killing of over a dozen Police personnel and civilians, mostly in Srinagar and Zakoora-Shalimar belt. Meanwhile, reports available from north Kashmir said that with the death of two more militants, a total of six militants have died in an encounter with security forces in Lashkot-Sonapindi belt, close to LoC, in Kupwara sector. Sources said that four militants had died two days ago and the dead bodies of two more infiltrating militants have been recovered today. Sources said that one more militant has got killed in an encounter with security forces at Karam Post in Gurez sector. Police in Kupwara, however, insisted that no dead body had been recovered or handed over to Police so far in Kupwara district. Informed sources said that a 7-year-old boy, namely Bilal Ahmed Tantray S/o Ghulam Nabi Tantray, and 10-year-old, Showkat Ahmed Tantray S/o Abdul Jabbar Tantray, sustained critical injuries when a live grenade exploded near their residence at Khud Mohalla, Dardpora, in Kupwara district in the morning today. While Bilal succumbed to injuries, Showkat sustained critical injuries. He was referred to a Srinagar hospital where he had not been declared "stable" till late this evening. Even as the family members deposed that the tragedy struck when the children duo was playing cricket, official sources said that it was a matter of investigation as playing or venturing out for the young boys did not appear possible due to heavy raining in that area since this morning. Reports from south Kashmir said that Police and security forces recovered a 4-kg IED in Yaripora, Kulgam today. One Irshad Ahmed Wagay of Kanji Kullah, Kulgam, has been picked up by forces for sustained questioning. |
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Mar-Apr to be devoted
to working season
AMMU, Oct 20: To ensure that working season (on development front) didn’t suffer in March and April when it usually picked up with improvement in weather in the State, the Government is all set to advance and hold for the first time budget session of the State Legislature in December-January. The idea was debated upon among senior leaders of the coalition partners a day before and has found favour amongst all of them, official sources told the Excelsior. They said Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, majority of Ministers and other senior leaders of the coalition parties were of the view that working season during March-April, when budget session of the State Legislature is generally held, is badly affected due to the session as entire bureaucracy—right from a Junior Assistant to Chief Secretary in all Government offices and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) remained busy attending upon the queries and other Legislative business. Normally, the budget session last more than one and a half month. This year the session was curtailed to one month with grants of several Ministries clubbed for passing with an assurance by the Government that a month long session will be held in Srinagar, summer capital of the State. The proposal, however, didn’t mature and only a week long session with four sitting was held in first week of August in Srinagar, which was addressed by President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The week long session was not adjourned sine die by Speaker Tara Chand, as a result of which it was not prorogued by the Governor then. The session was only adjourned as the Government had promised on floor of the House that it would be resumed in September with a month long session. With Civil Secretariat, seat of the Government, now moving to Jammu, winter capital of the State, in next one week, the Governor had only yesterday prorogued the session. According to sources, a fresh notification is required to be issued for holding the budget session. The notification, under rules, has to be issued a month in advance to give time to the legislators to submit questions, private member’s bills and resolutions etc. "While there is no legal hurdle, or any other financial problem, in passing the budget in December or January, the Appropriation Bill (Finance Bill) is required to be passed by the end of March", sources said, adding for the purpose, a brief session of four to five days is likely to be held in March end next year. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Hameed Qarra, who also holds Finance portfolio and will present his maiden budget in the Legislative Assembly for next financial year, confirmed, while talking to the Excelsior, that the Government was planning to advance the budget session to December-January to ensure that working season is not affected in March and April when it was expected to gain momentum with improvement in weather after January-February’s snow and chill. However, Mr Qarra clarified, a final decision will be taken by the Cabinet. Legally, the Government had to convene a session of the Legislature before February 4 next year. Under rules, the Legislature must be convened once in six months. The Legislature had adjourned on August 4 this year. According to sources, barring Legislative business which include both official and private member’s bills and resolutions, all other business including questions submitted by the legislators, is lapsed once the session is prorogued. Therefore, the questions pending since brief session in first week of August this year, too have lapsed. Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather, when contacted, said the National Conference wanted Legislature session to be convened at the earliest—whether in the form of budget session or winter session. "We have number of issues to raise in the Assembly and draw the Government’s attention towards increasing problems of the people", he added. |
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Power restored in
City, snapped in other areas Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 20: With people preparing for the festival of lights, the power supply to several portion of Jammu district remained snapped as authorities of the Power Development Department (PDD) could not completely repair the damaged transformers, transmission lines and install uprooted poles till late tonight. The non-availability of electricity in the major portion of Jammu district till late tonight coupled with rainfall dampened the spirit of Diwali—the festival of lights with all the markets remained plunged in darkness since yesterday. Though electricity supply to entire Jammu city was restored late tonight yet all the outskirts remained in darkness. According to the officers of PDD, around 150 electricity poles in entire Jammu province, mostly in the Jammu district got uprooted due to strong winds yesterday evening. It was a tough time for the PDD staff to restore supply as local faults, damage to transformers and transmission lines were so severe that despite hectic efforts most of them remained unattended. Chief Engineer of PDD D S Pawar told the EXCELSIOR tonight that electricity supply to districts of Udhampur, Kathua, Poonch and Rajouri was going on smoothly but in Jammu district the supply remained snapped because of multiple faults at several places till 11.30 pm. He said that power supply to outskirts of Jammu like R S Pura, Bishnah and Samba would be restored tomorrow as major damages to electric poles, transformers and transmission lines were reported from these areas. He further said that Nandpur, Suhagpur and Sherachak grid stations could not be made functional and would be made operational tomorrow. Meanwhile, divisional administration has issued instructions for assessment of the loss to the agriculture crops because of heavy rainfall and hailstorm. Reports said that damage to the standing crops in R S Pura, Bishnah, Udhampur and Kathua was more as compared to other areas of the province and exact loss would be known after some days. Reports said that Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for about one hour in the morning due to landslides at Ramban. However, the traffic was immediately restored and going on smoothly. According to Director of Indian Meteorological Department L C Ram, Jammu district witnessed more severe rainfall and thunderstorm as compared to other areas of the State. "This was a local phenomenon and witnessed in Jammu after a quite long-time", he added. The rainfall in Jammu District was recorded at 63.8 mm followed by holy town of Katra where 32.8 mm rainfall was experienced. Batote and Banihal recorded 29.2 mm and 23.2 mm rainfall. Pahalgam witnessed 14 mm rainfall while Bhaderwah experienced 10.6 mm rainfall. Qazigund and Srinagar experienced 7.6 mm and 1.8 mm rainfall respectively. The Met Department has forecast of rainfall and thunderstorm in almost all the places and heavy rain and snowfall in isolated places of the State during next 48 hours. |
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Mirwaiz Umar's next
destination is again Islamabad Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 20: Relieved over suspension of the implementation of the black warrant against Afzal Guru, Kashmir valley today observed Jumatul Vida---the last Friday of the holy month of Ramazan---as Yaum-ul-Quds, with thick congregations of afternoon prayers inside mosques and thin demonstrations outside pledging liberating of Masjid-ul-Aqdas from the Israeli occupation. On the Hurriyat Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's call, this day was also observed as a day of expressing solidarity with Kashmiri prisoners and detenus by the Valley's separatist circles. The largest congregation of the Jumatul Vida was witnessed at the historic Jamia Masjid where a gathering of about 50,000 devout Muslims performed the afternoon prayers inspite of continuous downpour. In his ceremonial address, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq explained the importance of Jumatul Vida. In the political segment of his speech, Mirwaiz announced that he would soon visit Pakistan to interact with that country's leadership and common people over the latest political situation, the Kashmir crisis and Indo-Pakistan relations. He said that in his recent tour of America, he had perceived a great potential of a breakthrough in the Kashmir crisis but insisted that associating the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the New Delhi-Islamabad peace initiative was key to the success of the whole process. As usual, Mirwaiz charged New Delhi with "rigidity" and asserted that a unity in the separatist leadership was a must "to defeat the Indian rigidity". He said that talks, rigidity and human rights abuse by armed forces could not run together. "We believe in resolving the crisis by talks. But a dialogue for the sake of dialogue would be nothing but an exercise in futility", Mirwaiz said. He said that this day was being observed as a day of solidarity with both, the people of Palestine and the Kashmiri prisoners languishing in dozens of jails and interrogation centres. Skipping Islamabad, Mirwaiz asked New Delhi to be "sincere" and accelerate the peace process. He claimed that Pakistan had shown a great deal of flexibility but the same had not been reciprocated by India. Maintaining his silence over the brutal killing of a dental surgeon in Sopore last week, Mirwaiz blamed Police for killing a Kashmiri, Irshad Ahmed Lone, in Gurgaon. He claimed that this incident had spread a wave of terror among Kashmiri students, workers and businessmen all over India. He asked New Delhi to take care of their security. Mirwaiz called upon all the Muslims of the world to unite and assert pressure on Israel for liberation of the Al-aqdas mosque from Israeli occupation. After the prayers concluded at Jamia Masjid, demonstrators clashed with Police at Nowhatta. Police used baton charge and tearsmoke to disperse the crowds. Muslim League, a constituent of Hurriyat (Geelani) staged a similar but thinner demonstration at Shaheed Gunj. ML leader and a Geelani confidante, Massarat Alam, was detained at Police Station at Shaheed Gunj alongwith his associates for three hours. Other big congregations of the Jumatul Vida prayers were seen at Hazratbal and the major mosques all over the Valley where the observance was restricted to the religious practice and rituals with no politics. |
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RDX, Rs 10 lakh cash seized NEW DELHI, Oct 20: On the eve of Diwali, police today said it has foiled a major terrorist plot to carry out bomb blasts in the capital by arresting a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant with three kilograms of RDX. Pervez Ahmed Radoo alias Raju landed in police net on October 14 when he arrived in the capital with the explosives along with a pencil timer and a detonator, Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Karnal Singh said. The militant, who was arrested from near Azadpur Fruit Market, was to deliver the explosives to a Jaish module which was planning to strike terror in the capital during Diwali, he said. "They wanted to carry out a blast before Diwali. We are still looking for the module. But as of now we have foiled their attempt," Singh said. A Post Graduate in Zoology, the 29-year-old resident of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir had procured the explosives from Pune, where he was staying till 2003, Singh said. He was working for the chief of JeM in Srinagar identified as Sherjil, he added. Police also recovered Rs 10 lakh and a matrix-like coded-language material used by the Pakistan-based terror outfit for communication. During interrogation, Pervez told police that he started working for Jaish in 2002 after coming into contact with one Ghulam Rasool, who had set up a base in Pune. Rasool was killed in an encounter in April, 2006. Pervez then started working for Badar, the former chief of JeM Srinagar, who was also liquidated in June, 2006. "He is basically a carrier. His job is to collect and deliver explosives and hawala money," Singh said. He was produced before a local court on October 15 which remanded him to police custody. The arrest comes at a time when the capital is in a State of high alert in the wake of intelligence inputs warning of terror strikes in some parts of the country. Police has stepped up patrolling, tightened access control measures and beefed up checking and frisking at major market places, cinema halls, metro, train and bus stations as part of the security measures. Besides directing cyber cafe and PCO booth owners and second-hand car dealers have been asked to maintain a tight vigil on all customers. "We have intensified checking at parking lots of all crowded places including markets, putting in place a tight access control mechanism and coordinating with intelligence agencies on various inputs," a senior police official said. (PTI) |
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Decision on Afzal's mercy plea soon NEW DELHI, Oct 20: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight said Government is in the process of deciding on the plea for clemency for Mohd Afzal sentenced to death in Parliament attack case and a final call will be taken by the President. "The process is on," Singh told reporters at the Iftar dinner hosted by him on being asked about the status of the mercy plea filed on behalf of Afzal. "The final call will be taken by the President," Singh said. The mercy plea has been sent to the Union Home Ministry by President A P J Abdul Kalam for the Government’s view. The Home Ministry is awaiting a report from the Government of Delhi, where the crime had taken place, on the issue. A trial court had ordered Afzal’s hanging today but the execution of the sentence has been put on hold following the mercy plea. While Afzal was given capital punishment in the December 13, 2001 attack, Shaukat Hussain Guru was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 20: A militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was gunned down by Doda police and security forces in an encounter at Joura Walla in Gandoh area of Doda district last night. SSP Doda Manohar Singh said a police team intercepted a top Lashkar militant at Joura Walla in early hours of this morning. After a fierce exchange of gun-fighting, a top LeT militant, identified as Shabir Ahmed alias Rizwan son of Fin Mohd Sheikh R/o Joura was killed. One AK rifle along with one magazine and a wireless set were recovered from him. The militant was active since 2001 and was involved in a series of subversive activities under the jurisdiction of Thathri and Gandoh police stations. Search operation was going on in the area in anticipation that one more militant might be hiding there, Mr Singh added. |
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Unhindered air traffic to Kargil NEW DELHI, Oct 20: In a major relief to people in Kargil, Indian Air Force and Airports Authority of India today signed a memorandum of understanding under which the IAF would ensure unhindered air traffic to this Himalayan township. According to an official release, IAF would carry out all necessary repairs and maintenance of the airfield and try and ensure working of the small air strip round the year. "With the signing of this MoU, an arrangement has been made, which will facilitate the IAF to undertake operations and maintenance of the Kargil airfield effectively. This will ensure unhindered operations of the civilians during the period when the road is closed," it said. Since January 2003 till May this year, the IAF has already undertaken 122 sorties in which 11,000 civilians of the State have been benefitted. The frequency of the service, which was earlier once a week, has been increased to twice a week since December 2004, pursuant to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s decision after his visit to Kargil, close to the Line of Control. The agreement was signed between officials of the IAF and AAI in presence of Principle Secretary in the Prime Ministers’ office T K A Nair and Resident Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir Government. (PTI) |
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Minor changes in Cabinet shortly NEW DELHI, Oct 20: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he would be making "minor changes" in his Cabinet and a new External Affairs Minister will be in place "as soon as possible". "Minor changes," he said when asked by reporters at an Iftar he hosted at his residence here whether he would be making changes in the much-speculated reshuffle or expansion of the Union Cabinet. However, he preferred not to comment when asked whether the changes would be made from within the existing Council of Ministers or with inductions from outside. "I don’t want to comment," Singh said. "You will have one soon," he said when plied with questions on how soon the country would have a Foreign Minister he has been talking about. Asked whether the new External Affairs Minister would be inducted before the next Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan early next month, the Prime Minister said "hopefully as soon as it is possible". (PTI) Mufti asks Govt to initiate discussion over Musharraf’s offer NEW DELHI, Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to initiate serious discussion with various political parties on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s offer of self-rule and enhanced autonomy to the strife-torn State. Mr Sayeed, who met Dr Singh here before leaving for New York to attend the UN General Assembly session, called for increasing the role of state police in tackling militancy and reducing the involvement of the Army and Para-Military Force task in counter-insurgency operations. He told the Prime Minister that the present situation in the State was not conducive for finding a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue. "The present status quo is not acceptable to the people and the Government should initiate serious dialogue with political parties on Pakistan’s offer of self rule and autonomy," he said. The former Chief Minister favoured a joint mechanism to deal with problems between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir specially natural disasters and other non-political issues. Welcoming the formation of a joint mechanism to fight terrorism between the two countries, Mr Sayeed said, "this is a very encouraging and bold step taken by the leadership of the two countries and it demonstrates that they are willing to tackle the menace seriously." He urged the Prime Minister to involve all separatist groups in the peace process. The separatists have boycotted two roundtable conferences on Kashmir, convened by the Prime Minister to discuss the various aspects of the Kashmir issue. "Seperatists should become a part of the Confidence Building Measures," Mr Sayeed further added. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including the steps taken by the Government to restore peace in the insurgency-hit State. Mr Sayeed said the Prime Minister should immediately appoint a chaiman of the Centre-State Committee, announced by Dr Singh at the second roundtable conference. The committee has been empowered to look into Centre-State ties in the context of Article 370 of the Constitution. The Mufti also wanted the Government to allow a safe passage to about 2000 Kashmiri youths stranded across the border for several years. Referring to the liberalisation in travel guidelines across the LoC, he said journalists and other professionals should also be allowed to cross over through the LoC. (UNI) Militants blast railway bridge SRINAGAR, Militants damaged a railway bridge on the Qazigund-Baramulla track in north Kashmir yesterday when they triggered a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near it, a police spokesman said today. He said militants detonated the IED planted near the railway bridge at Repora, Palhalan in Pattan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. The bridge was partially damaged due to the blast, the spokesman said, adding there was no loss of life in the explosion. (UNI) XV Corps bids farewell to Gen Dhillon; transferred to Delhi SRINAGAR, The General Officer-in-Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based XV Corps, Lt Gen S S Dhillon, has been appointed as the Master General Ordnance at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi, a defence spokesman said here today. Gen Dhillon had taken over as the Corps Commander of XV Corps, also known as Chinar Corps, on June 17 last year. However, his replacement was not immediately known. The spokesman said he was commissioned in the Grenadiers Regiment in 1968 and has had an illustrious career spanning 38 years. He graduated from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, attended the Senior and Higher Command Courses at the Army War College and is an alumni of National Defence College at New Delhi. The spokesman said Gen Dhillon took part in active operations during the 1971 war. He has held a number of prestigious command and staff appointments at various levels during his career. As an Infantry Officer, he was privileged to command an Independent Mechanised Brigade. After command of the Infantry Division in Baramulla, it was the unique honour to again come back to serve as Corps Commander at Srinagar. The GOC has served in the Army Headquarter in the Perspective Planning and Military Operations Directorates, been a Senior Instructor at Staff College, Wellington and was posted abroad as the Commandant of the Indian Military Training Team, Bhutan during the crucial counter ULFA Operations in 2003. Gen Dhillon is at present the Colonel of the Grenadiers Regiment and has been honoured with Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vishist Seva Medal for his distinguished service and for the conduct of counter insurgency operations. The spokesman said it was during his tenure that the massive earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck parts of Jammu and Kashmir on October 8 last year. Though it suffered casualities, the Army under his able guidance and zeal was quick to provide relief to all, saving many lives. He has been the driving force behind the rehabilitation of many villages and a pioneer for Teethwal and Churunda model villages. A total of 550 micro hydel projects have been commissioned under his command providing electricity to remote areas of the Valley. The progress and vision among the youth in Kashmir has personally been monitored by the GOC in conjunction with the State Government through a host of vocational training centres, computer centres, goodwill schools and orphanages being run by the Army. "He has enjoyed an excellent rapport with all the people of the Valley. The XV Corps bids farewell to Gen Dhillon and wishes him good luck for his new tenure," the spokesman said. (UNI) |
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India has good evidence of ISI involvement in blasts: NSA New Delhi : National Security Advisor M K Narayanan today said that India has "pretty good" though not possibly "clinching" evidence of Pakistan Inter Services Intelligence's involvement in Mumbai train blasts. He also said India would share intelligence with Pakistan under the joint anti-terror mechanism only if New Delhi sees a "great deal" of cooperation from the neighbouring country. "I would heistate to say we have clinching evidence but we have pretty good evidence", he said when asked by Karan Thapar in his "Devil's Advocate" programme on CNN-IBN whether the evidence India had against ISI in the Mumbai blasts case was clinching or merely suggestive. "......I think it is as good evidence as we can possibly get in terrorist cases. Whether it is clinching, it is for the courts (to decide). We have connectivity, linkages, confessions. We have a number of arrests which are pretty good but there are pieces of puzzle which are not available", Narayanan said. He said the "pretty good evidence" of ISI's involvement in the Mumbai blasts would be shared with Pakistan after "certain legal issues" are clarified and hoped this would be done before the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries meet in New Delhi during November 13-15. Asked if intelligence would be shared with Pakistan under the joint anti-terror mechanism, Narayanan said it was an "entirely a counter-terrorism investigation mechanism... "If the anti-terrorism mechanism goes forward and we see there is a great deal of cooperation forthcoming from Pakistan and there is a great deal of comfort between India and Pakistan, then may be we could (share intelligence)," Narayanan said. (PTI) |
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