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India to restore cargo shipping service with Pak NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Ahead of crucial Foreign Secretary-level talks, the Indian Government today decided to restore cargo shipping services with Pakistan after a gap of 35 years to substantially bolster sea trade. The Union Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved a revised protocol between India and Pakistan that will allow lifting of cargo between the two nations by third country vessels. Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Mohammad Khan will meet here later this month to discuss a host of issues. "It will also permit lifting of third country cargo by India and Pakistani flag vessels from each others’ ports which is expected to enhance tonnage under both the flags and also result in competitive shipping rates," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters after the cabinet meeting. The shipping protocol with Pakistan, a Confidence Building Measure after the 1971 Indo-Pak war, was restrictive in nature as it barred lifting of cargo from ports of both the countries destined for other contracting states by third country flag vessels. Describing the decision as a step towards strengthening the peace process, highly-placed government sources said the revised protocol would help in fully exploiting trade potential between the two countries. India’s trade with Pakistan was growing at a rapid pace as exports to the neighbouring nation rose by 167 per cent from Rs 850 crores in 2000-01 to Rs 2288 crore in 2004-05. India’s imports from Pakistan too increased from Rs 292 crores to Rs 417 crores during the corresponding period. The sources said deletion of clause 3 and 5 in the protocol which prevented third country vessels from lifting cargo was a positive approach towards normalising relations with Pakistan. The revised protocol to be signed at a mutually convenient place and date would also facilitate transit facilities for seafarers of either country for joining or disembarking from foreign flag vessels subject to possession of necessary valid seafarers identification documents and applicable transit visa. According to eighth paragraph of the protocol both the countries were required to extend most favoured nation treatment to the vessels of the other party in their ports. In the revised protocol MFN treatment has been replaced by national treatment to make it WTO complaint, the sources said. The revised protocol was endorsed by officials of both the nations at a meeting on December 8, 2005, the sources said and pointed out that beginning of cargo shipping services would definitely increase the country’s tonnage.(PTI) |
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Reflectors purchased
at exhorbitant rates Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 27: The State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) today registered a case against five persons including two serving Executive Engineers, a retired Chief Engineer, a retired Executive Engineer and a Chandigarh based businessman in connection with nearly Rs 15 lakh worth fraud in purchase of ‘Cat-Eye Road Studs’ (reflectors). Official sources said the case was registered against four engineers—two serving and two retired and a businessman after prima facie it was established that they were involved in the irregularities in purchase of reflectors. The engineers and trader against whom the case has been registered in FIR No. 25 of 2006 under Section 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act read with 120-B RPC have been identified as K K Arora, the then Superintending Engineer, PWD Jammu, who later retired as Chief Engineer, P K Samnotra, X-En, PWD (R&B Division) Tawi bridge and Medical College, Jammu, S P Pandoh, the then X-En (R&B 3rd Division), who has also retired and Abdul Hamid Sheikh, the then X-En (R&B 2nd Division), presently posted in Police Construction Division and Khem Prakash, proprietor of M/s R Deen Trading Corporation, Chandigarh. A handout issued by the Vigilance Organisation said investigations into the purchase of ‘Cat Eye Road Studs’ by the accused officers from R Deen Trading Corporation, Chandigarh revealed that an order for the purchase of 1432 Reflectors was placed before the Chandigarh based firm in the year 2003-04. A total of 1432 Reflectors were purchased from the firm at a cost of Rs 882.45 per piece by the then SE (R&B Circle) Jammu. Rs 99 were paid as fixing charge taking total cost per Reflector to Rs 981. The Then Executive Engineer (R&B 2nd Division) followed the suit by placing orders of 3460 Studs at the same rates. X-En (R&B 3rd Division) also purchased 400 Studs at a slightly lower rate of Rs 783.45 per piece from the same supplier. This way, Reflectors worth Rs 46.50 lakh were purchased by the Department at highly exhorbitant rates and the amount was paid to the supplier. The Studs were available in the market at one-third of the price made to the Chandigarh based supplier, sources said, adding this way nearly Rs 15 lakh were misappropriated by the accused. According to sources, the Reflectors were also purchased by the officers in bulk quantity to give benefit to the firm and, in turn, secure benefits for themselves. A total of 1265 Cat-Eye Studs were found unused in store of the Division during searches by the Vigilance team. The Reflectors were also fixed on the road at shorter distance than normal to ensure their more utilisation, sources said. Investigations of the scam are being supervised by SSP Vigilance Jammu Vijay Singh Samyal. |
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RDX recovered in
Rajouri Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 27: Two militants were gunned down by Army and police and another injured in an encounter at Kasblari in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district this afternoon while security forces and police recovered a consignment of explosives and ammunition including six kg RDX in Chingus, Rajouri. Official sources said a joint team of Rashtriya Rifles, Operations Group Poonch and Mendhar police launched a search operation at Kasblari in Mendhar tehsil at 10 am today after developing an information that a group of militants met in a dhok at Kasblari last night for a strategy session. After more than a four hour long search operation, security personnel established a contact with the militants at 2 pm. In next 45 minutes heavy exchange of firing, two militants were killed and another seriously injured. Injured ultra managed to slip deep into the surrounding forests along with his another associate. They were being searched by security forces and police, who didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation, sources said. Identity of slain militants hasn’t been established so far. Recoveries made from the scene of encounter include two AK rifles, five magazines and 70 rounds. Security forces and police recovered six kg RDX, one pistol with one magazines, one wireless set, one grenade thrower, one AK magazine and 760 rounds during a search operation at Chingus in Rajouri district. CID (CI) sleuths recovered one AK magazines with 200 rounds, six Pika rounds, 65 detonators, seven hand grenades, two IEDs, one wireless set, one silencer and one bag from Khanetar Top in Poonch district today. Troops arrested a civilian of Andhra Pradesh from Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch this morning when he was moving along LoC in combat dress. He has been identified as Nagendra Babu son of Lingmaya R/o Atma Kur, Andhra Pradesh. Nothing incriminating was recovered from his possession at the time of his arrest. He has been sent for questioning. Troops recovered eight AK magazines, 93 Pika rounds, six grenades, 19 UBGL grenades, one booster and 45 sniper rounds from village Ralmundu in Banihal tehsil of Ramban police district. Unidentified militants snatched one .303 rifle and 100 rounds from a Village Defence Committee (VDC) members Mohd Taj son of Ghulam Nabi at village Kharag in Kotranka area of Rajouri district last night. The militants were remanded to police custody for 14 days by a court here. Meanwhile, Mysore Bar Association has decided that no advocate should appear for the two militants. It would also make a request to their counterparts in the state to follow suit, an association statement said. |
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Plot to target Bangalore
foiled MYSORE/NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Two Pakistani militants were arrested here in the wee hours today after a gunbattle with Karnataka police which foiled a terror plot targetting Bangalore, the country’s IT hub, and an imposing building housing the State Secretariat and legislature there. Travelling on a two-wheeler, members of Pakistan-based Al-Badr militant group Mohd Ali Hussain and Mohd Fahad, both aged 24, were intercepted by a team of state police, Karnataka DGP B S Sial told reporters in Bangalore. Sial said two constables and a militant were injured as the two terrorists opened fire, drawing retaliation from the police. The Central Intelligence Agencies had alerted the State Police about designs of a foreign-based militant group for a ‘spectacular or devastating strike’ in bangalore with an eye on the imposing Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat and more so on ‘Vikasa Soudha’, the newly-built annexe. Sketches of "Vikasa Soudha" and vidhana soudha, an ak-47 rifle, a satellite phone with numbers of Jammu and Kashmir and pakistan, a laptop, chemicals used for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and detonators were seized from the house of the two militants in Mysore’s Vijayanagar locality, Sial said. Karachi-based Fahad, a Post-Graduate, was a chemical engineer trained by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. Hussain, a school drop-out, entered India illegally and been involved in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir before moving to Mysore about four months ago, he said. Both had surveyed ‘Vikasa Soudha’ which has less security cover than Vidhana Soudha, and informed their ‘headquarters’ about it while awaiting logistical support for their planned action, Sial said. Sial described the arrests as a ‘breakthrough’ that had averted a "major disaster or terrorist activity" and said police were looking out for possible associates of the two militants who were influenced by the ideology of Al-Badar, a terrorist outfit banned by India. The militants had also surveyed the Central Institute of Regional Languages in Mysore, a reputed institution that attracts foreign scholars and students also, he said. Karnataka Home Minister M P Prakash said documents seized from the militants pointed out that their target was ‘Vidhana Soudha’ and ‘Vikasa Soudha’. The state’s anti-terrorist cell has been put on high alert. Within hours after the two arrests, police scaled up security for Vidhana Soudha, which also houses the state legislature, pressing into service explosive detectors to screen the vehicles entering the area. Terrorists had last year attacked the Indian Institute of Science Campus, killing a former Delhi-based IIT Professor after the inaugural of an international conference with many foreign delegates. Police learnt that Fahad came through Mumbai and they would verify this by ascertaining his disembarkation point, Sial said. Prakash said there is a possibility of some more associates of the arrested militants being present and police have been working on it. Asked about it, Sial said he did not rule it out. Police were keeping a close watch on airports and railway and bus stations, he added. Asked if the terrorists had RDX with them, he said, "they may be having. We are trying to find out about their hideouts, their associates, their plan and whether they were expecting material support and from which quarter". He said the police would download the data contained in the laptop and "analyse" the telephone numbers and other information and get in touch with the central intelligence. One of the terrorists was born in Karnataka and was married before he moved to Pakistan and remarried, Sial said, adding both of them were staying in a rented accommodation at Vijayanagar. The information to be downloaded from their laptop would give clues about their operations, links and financial aspects, Sial said. The CDs recovered contained information about making bombs. Fahad was believed to have been trained by Pakistan’s ISI before he infiltrated into India to organise terrorist activities. It has come to light that both had received Rs 12 lakhs during the last eight months, Sial said. "Their plan was to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in South India, more so in Bangalore". Mohammed Fahad had come to India on a regular 45-day visa on the pretext of meeting his Malayali grandparents. The parents of Fahad, who was trained by the Pakistan-based Al-Badr militant outfit, had migrated to Karachi in 1971. After joining the militant ranks, he was used by the ISI for its operations of targeting important installations in the Indian Hinterland, especially in the southern part of the country, official sources said. Fahad, having a fair knowledge of Malayali, had got his visa stamped for Karanatka and Kolkata and arrived at the Mumbai International Airport in February this year. He came into the net of security agencies after he was spotted at Lal Chowk in Srinagar, after which surveillance was tightened on him, they said. A master of science in analytical chemistry, Fahad had sent Rs 13 lakh through normal banking channels to Al-Badr militants in Jammu and Kashmir, they said. His role in militant activities was further substantiated by Al-Badr member Samir Ahmed Bhat, who was arrested in Pulwama district and to whom Fahad had handed over Rs three lakh. During his stay in the country, Fahad had applied for an Indian passport, ration card and other documents to back his claim of being an Indian. Mohammed Ali Hussain alias Qassim, the other militant nabbed with Fahad, had come into India through Leepa valley in north Kashmir and had been staying in the Nishat area of Kashmir before moving to Mysore, the sources said. He is wanted by Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with several cases.(PTI) |
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E-mail threat to Prez, PM with reference to Kargil THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Oct 27: Days ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Kerala, top officials in the state received an e-mail containing a threat to him and the President and having a reference to Parliament attack convict Mohammed Afzal Guru, who is facing execution. Three persons, including the owner of a cyber cafe in Kochi from which the e-mail was sent, were picked up by police today for questioning. Several senior officials, including the Home Secretary and DGP, yesterday received the e-mail sent from the same ID and containing references to Mohammed Afzal Guru, facing execution for the 2001 Parliament attack, and PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani, who is being held in connection with the Coimbatore blasts. State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan — who hurriedly convened a meeting here of top officials including the DGP, Chief Secretary and Home Secretary — said there was no reason to panic but the Government had taken serious note of the matter. The message contained a threat to the lives of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is slated to visit Kerala on November one, and President A P J Abdul Kalam, State Police Chief Raman Srivastava told reporters here. There is no change in the Prime Minister’s visit, but security would be further stepped up. "The message is threatening the Prime Minister and the President of India. It is a brief message, not a long one," Srivastava said, adding there was a reference to Guru and Madani in it. Though police has some clues, the details, including the e-mail ID from which the message was sent, could not be disclosed as it would affect the investigation, he said. Asked who was behind the e-mail, Srivastava said, "we have no credible information so far. We are still investigating. We have located the source from where it was sent — an internet cafe in Kochi." The involvement of any particular outfit has not been established but surveillance of organisations like the banned simi has been stepped up, officials said. The investigation in the case would be directly supervised by Srivastava and Central Intelligence Agencies have been informed of the matter. (PTI) |
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2 cops killed in
mishaps Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 27: Kashmir valley today observed shutdown over a separatists' call against the first landing of the Indian Army in the State in 1947. Meanwhile, a police constable and a CRPF driver got killed in separate road accidents, whileas militants lobbed a hand grenade on a CRPF bunker near DC's Office here. In Srinagar and other major towns in the Valley, shops and other business establishments remained closed for the day while traffic was off the road. Almost all Government offices and educational institutions were also closed all over Kashmir valley. Call for today's shutdown was given by the pro-Pakistan faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani to register Valley's protest against the maiden arrival of the Indian Army on October 1947. Impact of today's call was all the more perceptible as the people of Kashmir are still in the festive mood, on day three of Eid-ul-Fitr, and very few are likely to return to business even tomorrow. Banks were otherwise also shut in connection with an all-India strike today. Some of the Government offices functioned at district headquarters but the attendance was extremely thin. Vehicles of Police, BSF, Army and Government officials were seen plying. Day's only untoward incident came in the evening when suspected militants lobbed a hand grenade on a CRPF bunker near the main entrance of DC's Office in Tankipora area. However, it exploded without causing any damage. Meanwhile, official sources said that a BSF vehicle, which was part of a paramilitary convoy heading for Jammu from Srinagar, knocked down Constable Zahoor Ahmed Sheikh of IRP 3rd Bn (Security Wing) when he was crossing the national highway at Khaar Morh in Awantipora town in the forenoon today. He died on the spot. The convoy proceeded towards its destination but Police chased the particular vehicle and seized it at Khannabal. Its driver was arrested and detained at Police Station Awantipore. Sheikh was a resident of Panir village of Tral. Sources said that he was returning to duty in Srinagar from his village when he was hit while crossing the road. Sources said that a CRPF vehicle turned turtle near Soura in the capital city outskirts and its driver sustained critical injuries. He succumbed to injuries when he was being rushed to a hospital. |
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2000 strong peace
rally in Baramulla Excelsior Correspondent BARAMULLA, Oct 27: Governor, Lt. General (Retd) S.K. Sinha today lamented that terrorists continue to spill blood of innocent Kashmiris and reiterated that the Government is committed to end this lunatic violence and steer Jammu and Kashmir to peace. Speaking at a function held in observance of Yaum-e-Shohda in memory of Shaheed Maqbool Sherwani at this border town today, the Governor said that terrorists have killed 20,000 civilians during the past decade and a half. "They have scant regard for human values and do not even spare the people on festivals like Eid", he said. The Governor lauded the Army for protecting citizens and improving their quality of life through various civic action programmes. He said while the Army is maintaining high degree of restraint during anti-militancy operations, they guard against collateral damages. Whenever any complaint of human rights violation is received, immediate cognizance is taken and guilty brought to book. The Governor referred to the observance of October 27 in Baramulla that witnessed horrendous holocaust in 1947 and said this day reminds us of the great sacrifices of the people and the Army in safeguarding the valley from tribal marauders. He paid glowing tributes to Shaheed Sherwani and said his sacrifice symbolized people’s faith in Kashmir’s great values and rich traditions of amity and brotherhood. He recalled the valiant uprising of people in Srinagar against Pakistan’s veiled action to trample Kashmir’s traditions and said the people raised one voice, challenging the tribals "Hamlawar Hoshiyar, Hum Kashmiri Hain Tayaar". General Sinha said that the valley has undergone turbulence but the things are changing. "A wind of change is blowing", he said while emphasizing the need for friendly relations between India and Pakistan. He said good neighbourly relations will ultimately benefit the people of the sub-continent, those in Kashmir particularly. Referring to the supreme sacrifice of Mohammad Maqbool Sherwani, the Governor said that Shaheed Sherwani laid down his life in defence of the ideals of Kashmir and India at a young age of 35 on November 7, 1947. The raiders were heading for Srinagar, fall of which would have installed theocratic Government in the State. However, between those ambitions, and the secular Kashmir, Mohammad Maqbool Sherwani stood like a rock. Deliberately misguiding the infiltrators on to wrong routes, he made them lose four precious days by which time the Indian Army was able to reach Srinagar for its defence and that proved to be a turning point for the future of Kashmir and India. Having delayed the infiltrators, he informed the high command at Srinagar but in the process was caught at Sangrama by the Pakistani intruders. In return for his safety, he was asked to raise pro-Pakistani and anti-India slogans but he refused and instead shouted "Hindu, Muslim Ithad". Peeved at this, he was brought back to Baramulla and tied to a pole near a local cinema, his body nailed and fourteen bullets pumped into him. His body was left hanging for 2-3 days till the Indian Army came and brought it down for burial at the location of present Sherwani Memorial. Veteran leader and former Minister, Ghulam Rasool Kar urged the people to help in peace process and appreciated the bold front given by them to elements inimical to peace. He said Kashmir will continue to remain a proud part of India and no power on earth can change this fact. "Pakistan understands this and has been making efforts to bridge gap with India", he said. He cautioned the vested interests not to mislead the people by empty slogans, who, he said, want to lead peaceful and progressive life. Earlier, at a peace rally, the Governor said that youth unfold a hope and promise for better tomorrow. He said their efforts in strengthening peace measures will ultimately fructify in tranquility and amity in the Valley. General Sinha said that peace will bloom in Kashmir with people especially the youth giving a united fight to the cult of violence. More than 2000 youngsters carrying tricolours participated in the peace march in Baramulla, which culminated at the Degree College. He released a couple of pigeons marking peace and visited philately and photo exhibition organized by the Army. The Governor also gave away prizes to participants in the race and freedom fighters at the main function held at Sherwani Hall in the historic town. School students presented a colourful variety programme. Corps Commander 15 Corps Lt Gen Amarjeet Singh, GOC 19 Inf Div Maj Gen Ramesh Halgaly and District Development Commissioner Baramulla Baseer Khan were present at the function. A large number of prominent citizens were present at the main function while thousands witnessed the peace march. A film on Baramulla tribal raid was screened on the occasion. |
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Nodal officers for new districts Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 27: With a view to initiate and complete preliminary work related to the setting up of administrative infrastructure for newly approved districts, the Government has ordered transfers and postings of five Nodal Officers today. BS Jamwal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Jammu has been Commissioner Nodal Officer for Samba district while Shahid Anayatullah, Special Secretary Agriculture Production has been posted as Nodal Officer, Kishtwar. A.D. Shanaz, awaiting orders of posting in the office of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu has been posted as Nodal Officer for Ramban while as Charanjeet Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kathua has been posted as Nodal Officer for Reasi District. Sheikh Mushtak Ahmed , Additional Commissioner Kashmir has been posted as Nodal Officer for Bandipora. Each Nodal Officer shall set up office at the headquarters of the newly created district in the identified Government building and in case the same is not available, the office shall be set up in a rented building. The Revenue department shall provide Revenue Officer who should be of the rank of Assistant Commissioner and rest of the staff will be provided by the General Administration Department from out of the available staff including surplus staff of PSU’s and Corporations for these Nodal Officers, an official handout said. Orders for the posting of nodal officers of remaining three newly approved districts in Kashmir Division would be issued separately, he said. |
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NEW DELHI, Oct 27: The four-week winter session of Parliament will commence on November 22, but the Government said no decision has been taken on whether Chinese President Hu Jintao, scheduled to visit India next month, will address a joint sitting. The session, which will have 20 sittings, will conclude on December 19, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters here today after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA). Asked if the change of schedule was made in view of the visit of Hu Jintao, Dasmunsi said "there is no link and no connection with the visit of the Chinese leader". To another query whether the visiting dignitary would address a joint sitting of Parliament, he said "..... Till now such a schedule is not there". The Minister said the session was being advanced because of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s pre-occupations and engagements of several Ministers and also in view of Christmas holidays that follow the end of the session. The session was earlier planned to be held from November 27. Another reason for advancing the date was to facilitate early tabling of reports by some Parliamentary Standing Committees so that one or two bills could be introduced in first week of December, the Minister said. Two important legislations likely to be introduced in the session include the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill in its present form and the Bill on OBC reservation in aided institutions. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 27: The Government today ordered transfers and postings of seven officers. Kachoo Mohammad Shah, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil has been transferred and posted as Joint Agrarian Reforms Commissioner, Kashmir relieving Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar of the additional charge of this post. Fida Hussain, Chief Project Officer, Desert Development Agency, Kargil was transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil vice Shri Kachoo Mohammad Shah. Ghulam Rasool, Project Officer, DRDA, Kargil has been transferred and posted as Chief Project Officer, Desert Development Agency, Kargil vice Fida Hussain. Mohammad Ali, Deputy Director, Employment, Budgam was transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, Kargil Development Authority relieving Deputy Commissioner, Kargil of the additional charge of this post. Mohammad Ali, under orders of transfer as Sub Divisional Magistrate, Gurez has been posted as Project Officer, DRDA, Kargil vice Ghulam Rasool. Abdul Kabir Wani, Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Baramulla was transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Anantnag against a vacancy. Mustaq Ahmad Beig, a member of J&K Revenue Services, under orders of transfer as Collector, Land Acquisition, Public Works Department, Srinagar, has been posted as Collector, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC), Uri against a vacancy. |
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DHARAMSALA, Oct 27: Jammu and Kashmir terrorists might sneak into Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh from Tissa area following pressure mounted on them by security forces’ operations, a senior Army officer said here today. One terorist was suspected to be hiding in Hamirpur district and Army operations were on to nab him, said GOC-in-C of the Rising Star Corps Lt Gen P K Rampal. As a precaution, the Army has intensified patrolling along Chamba border. He claimed Kangra district was totally free from presence of terrorists and there was no terrorist presence in Mecleod Ganj area, locating the headquarters of Tibetan Government-in-exile, as per intelligence reports.(PTI)
Minorities Comm's term extended NEW DELHI, Oct 27: Government today extended by five months beyond October 31 this year the term of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities which was set up to suggest criteria for identification of socially and economically backward sections among these groups. The decision to extend the commission’s term till March 31, 2007 would enable it to interact effectively with those concerned and concretize its recommendations in a "meaningful, practical and pragmatic" manner, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters here. The Commission was also mandated to recommend measures for the welfare of these deprived segments. This included reservation in education and Government employment. It was also asked to suggest necessary constitutional, legal and administrative modalities and give its views on certain issues raised in cases before the Supreme Court and some High Courts relating to ceiling of 50 per cent reservation as also the modalities of inclusion in the list of Scheduled Castes.(PTI) |
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One killed, 15 injured in grenade attack SRINAGAR, : One person was killed and 15 others, including three securitymen, were injured in a grenade attack by militants on a security vehicle at Sopore in Baramulla district today. The grenade was tossed at a vehicle of the 47th battalion of BSF at around 12.45 pm in the main chowk of Sopore, 55 kms from here, injuring three BSF personnel and twelve civilians, officials said here. The injured were rushed to hospital where one of the civilians, identified as Khazir Mohammad, succumbed to his injuries, they said. The area was immediately sealed by security forces and a search for the attackers launched. No militant outfit has owned responsibility for the attack so far. (PTI) |
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Pakistan opposes Amritsar-Nankana train service Islamabad : Pakistani Interior Ministry has opposed the launch of a train service from Amritsar to Nankana Sahib on the lines of a bus service already running between India and Pakistan, a media report said today. ''Neither the ministry supports the train service between Amritsar and Nankana Sahib, nor does it favour the extension of the route of Samjhauta Express up to Nankana Sahib, presently running between Lahore and Attari,'' The Daily Times quoted the ministry official as saying. A letter by the Railways Ministry recently sought interior ministry_s remarks on the proposed train service between the two cities of divided Punjab. Divided Punjab has several sacred places of Muslim and Sikh religions. Nankana Sahib is the birthplace of the founder of the Sikh religion and first Guru Nanak Sahib. The federal cabinet, in its November two meeting last year, had directed the Railways Ministry to explore the possibility of launching a train service between Amritsar and Nankana Sahib and submit a summary to the Prime Minister Secretariat for approval. The ministry, after examining the cabinet proposal, concluded that instead of launching a new train service, both countries should extend the existing route of the Samjhauta Express. For a new train service, both countries are bound to revise the already existing agreement, sources said. The Railways Ministry termed the extension of the Samjhauta Express route as 'commercially-viable' but it needed clearance from the ministries and departments concerned, including ministries of interior, foreign affairs and commerce, and Central Board of Revenue. Sources said except the Interior Ministry, the other departments concerned accorded their consent to the proposal without raising any objection. ''However, the case has been referred back to the Cabinet for discussion,'' sources said. The Amritsar-Nankana bus service was launched between the two cities of divided Punjab early this year. Besides, both countries have three other bus services running between Lahore and Amritsar, Lahore and Delhi, and Muzaffarabad and Srinagar. The Muzaffarabad and Srinagar service was suspended last year after the October eight earthquake. India and Pakistan had also launched a train service in the name of Thar Express from Khokhrapar, Pakistan to Munabao, India last year, but the service was suspended after a halt in the composite dialogue process between the two countries. (UNI ) |
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