NH reopens partially, few vehicles cleared
IAF airlifts 1701 stranded passengers, 1073 troops

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 9: In a prompt response to the State Government’s request after the unprecedented snowfall, Indian Air Force (IAF) today launched ‘Operation Hamsafar’ and airlifted 1701 stranded passengers and 1073 Army and Para-Military personnel from the twin capital cities and Udhampur.

These civilians and the troops were stranded at Jammu, Srinagar and Udhampur for the last six days as massive snowfall and rains blocked the highway connecting twin capital cities at many places. Even on the 7th day today, the highway remained closed for the normal vehicular traffic. However, after hectic efforts, the Border Roads Organisation partially reopened the highway this evening that too for very few stranded light motor vehicles.

Defence spokesman said that Indian Air Force (IAF) immediately responded to the request of State Government and launched Operation Hamsafar this morning to provide free air service to the passengers and troops stranded at Jammu, Srinagar and Udhampur.

The heavy and medium planes were pressed into service and IL-72 and AN-32 planes conducted several sorties till late tonight from Jammu to Srinagar and vice-versa, he said, adding in these sorties a total of 1456 stranded passengers were airlifted, which included 507 from Jammu to Srinagar and 949 from Srinagar to Jammu.

Besides 1456 civilians, 973 military and para-military personnel were also airlifted to and fro twin capital cities, the spokesman further said, adding even the Udhampur base was also put to use for airlifting stranded passengers as well as troops. From Udhampur Air Force Station, 245 civilians and 100 Army personnel were airlifted to Srinagar.

He said that if the State Government would request for shifting more stranded passengers the IAF will continue Operation Hamsafar tomorrow also but no such request was made till late this evening.

It is worthwhile to mention here that Operation Humsafar was also launched during last year following closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for several days together.

This time the stranded passengers were charged Rs 215 by the civil administration so that only genuine persons could avail the benefit of air service.

The decision to charge the stranded passenger was taken keeping in the view last year’s experience when several people misused the free air service for joyride, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sudhanshu Pandey said.

"People should not be in the impression that State Government is getting free service from the IAF", he said and disclosed that Government will have to make payment of crores of rupees to the IAF for airlifting the stranded passengers.

He also disclosed that all the 11 persons who were missing even since they had gone to hunting in Bhal Pari area of Bhaderwah on February 4, were rescued by the Doda Police with the assitance of Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper

Meanwhile, the highway was partially reopened this evening but only few vehicles were allowed to ply due to extreme slippery conditions.

SSP Traffic, National Highway, Danish Rana said that since this morning the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel remained busy in removing accumulated snow and debris from the highway and at around 4.30 pm the highway was restored for one way traffic.

Similarly, the Doda-Batote and Doda-Kishtwar roads were also restored and light motor vehicles were allowed to ply. However, the Doda-Bhaderwah road continue to remain closed.

"We initially allowed about 50 light motor vehicles carrying passengers to proceed towards Jawahar Tunnel from Banihal and all safely crossed the tunnel", he said, adding "later around 80 trucks were allowed from Chanderkote to Banihal". However, these trucks were not allowed beyond Banihal because of the slippery conditions and the highway was closed at around 6 pm.

If the weather remains favourable the trucks carrying essential commodities and passenger vehicles will be allowed to proceed towards Srinagar, Mr Rana said, adding "the drivers have been advised to drive with utmost precautions keeping in view slippery conditions and threat of avalanches".

Azad visits snow hit areas in Doda
*Administration asked to restore road links, power

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Feb 9: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today undertook an extensive tour of snow hit districts of Doda and Kishtwar to assess the situation and instill confidence among people living under extreme hostile weather conditions for the past week.

Accompanied by Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda and Principal Secretary to CM, Anil Goswami, Mr Azad taking the advantage of first sign of improvement in weather in many days, flew to Bhadarwah and interacted with people there to have first hand feedback on the situation. Bhadarwah town has about 5 ft snow while the upper reaches had about 12 ft snowfall.  Power supply in the town has been restored while snow clearance from roads was being taken up on priority.  

The Chief Minister also flew to Sherkhi village where the snow has accumulated up to 17 ft. He also made an aerial survey of adjoining villages of Thanala and Bhejja which, like rest of habitations in the upper reaches, are totally cut off.

Mr. Azad also visited Kishtwar and besides meeting with local people, had a meeting with civil, Army, police and security forces officers about the situation and measures being taken to provide relief to the people.

Later, the Chief Minister visited Doda and took a similar meeting there. Before his return to Jammu, he also visited Dessa to ascertain the problems being faced by the local people. Since the two districts had an unprecedented snowfall this time, disrupting communication and blocking roads, it was not possible for the Chief Minister to move into interiors of the towns and villages.

Talking to media persons, Mr Azad said that he had been trying to visit badly affected areas in the two districts for past few days but due to continuous snowfall was not able to do so. However, he said, today when the sky opened up, he seized the opportunity and flew in to have feel of the situation and be with the people in their hour of need.  

He said that he had sent teams of ministers to other areas in the State affected by the heavy snowfall on an assessment visit and beefing up efforts of the administration to reach out to the people in distress. He said this would continue for a couple of days to make full assessment of damages caused by the snowfall. He said since road and communication facilities have been badly affected, it was not possible to give clear picture of the damages caused to life and property. He said directions had been passed on to the administration to obtain complete details which, he added, would take some days.

Mr. Azad said the Government was according priority to restoration of road links, power and water supply and providing ration and LPG to the people in the affected areas. He said stranded passengers in Jammu and Srinagar were being airlifted by IAF planes.  He said free food was also provided to the stranded people.

The Chief Minister said that the administration was fully geared to meet the challenge and provide all possible assistance to the affected people.

Meanwhile, on the instructions of the Chief Minister several teams of ministers visited the affected areas in the State today. Minister for R&B, Jugal Kishore and Minister of State, Aijaz Ahmad Khan along with MLA Banihal, Molvi Abdur Rashid made an aerial survey of Mahore, Banihal, Gool, Panchnari, Latti and Mahu Mangat. They also landed at Panchnari, Latti and Mahu Mangat and interacted with people.

The team headed by Minister of State for Social Welfare G. M. Saroori, who was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sudhanshu Pandey, visited Inshan, Navapachi, Paddar, Gulabgarh, Atholi and Dachhan and interacted with people at these places.

Another Ministerial team comprising Minister of Agriculture, Abdul Aziz Zargar, Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Mohammad Dilawar Mir,  and Minister of State for Health, Peer Mohammad Hussain made aerial survey of Noorabad, Kulgam, Qazigund, Kond, Kapran, Kokernag, Pahalgam, Tral and Shopian in Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam districts. The Ministers also had a meeting with district officers at Khanabal and issued instructions for meeting the situation effectively. Mohammad Dilawar Mir later visited Baramulla to make an on spot assessment of the situation.

Minister for Transport, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin visited Beerwah and Khag in Budgam district to take stock of the situation following heavy snowfall in these areas. He also chaired a meeting of district officers at Budgam to chalk out strategy for dealing with the situation.

Meanwhile, as the assessment of loss of life and property has been initiated, the reports so far received indicate that in Kashmir valley 10 people have died while two others were missing. These include 6 deaths in Kapran, 1 in Gulab Bagh , 1 in Gurez and 2 in Tangdhar. Two persons are reported missing in Gurez. Two houses have been reported as fully damaged  in Kulgam district while 23 houses were partially damaged across the Valley.  Six people are reported to have received injuries.

In Jammu division, 9 persons including 6 in Ramsu, 1 in Assar and 2 in Chenani, have been reported dead. The damage to property was being assessed. 

Four suspended, magisterial inquiry ordered
Old man hangs himself in police lock-up

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 9: A 60 year old man allegedly hanged himself inside the lock up of Vijaypur police station in early hours of this morning. Authorities have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death and suspended SHO Vijaypur besides three other police personnel for de-reliction of duty.

Official sources said 60 year old Om Prakash son of Dewan Chand, a resident of Ward No. 7, Vijaypur, who had been arrested by police in connection with a theft case on February 5, was found hanging inside the lock-up at 5 am by the ‘sentry’ on duty.

Om Prakash had reportedly used a piece of cloth, used for cleaning toilet, to hang himself with a tap in the bathroom, attached to the lock-up.

The ‘sentry’ saw him hanging at 5 am and immediately sounded police station officials. He was brought down but by that time he had died. His body was later shifted to Government Medical College, hospital where a Board of Doctors was set up for post-mortem.

The post-mortem was performed in the afternoon and the body was handed over to family this evening. Om Prakash was cremated in the evening at Vijaypur cremation ground.

Family members and relatives of Om Prakash besides some local people met SSP Samba Rajinder Gupta, who was camping at Vijaypur police station since this morning, and alleged that he has been killed in custody due to torture.

Mr Gupta told the people that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the death by Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Saurabh Bhagat, which will be conducted by Additional District Magistrate, Samba, Rishi Kumar Gupta. Besides, he said, the post-mortem has also been conducted by a Board of Doctors of the GMC Jammu.

"If there was any foul play, it will come out", he told the people.

DIG Jammu range Lalat Indu Mohanty and the Deputy Commissioner, Samba also visited the spot.

In the evening, a large number of people besides police officials joined cremation of the victim.

Police authorities have, meanwhile, ordered suspension of SHO Vijaypur police station, Inspector Khalil Rehman, Munshi Gopal Singh and two Special Police Officers (SPOs) Vinod Kumar and Vijay Singh, who were on guard duty at police station at the time of the hanging of Om Prakash.

Inspector Arun Jamwal has been posted as new SHO of Vijaypur police station.

Sources said the ‘sentry’ on duty, in his statement to the SSP Samba, revealed that he saw Om Prakash at 4.40 am in the lock-up and then came out on main gate. At 5 am, the ‘sentry’ again came towards the lock-up and found him hanging.

This indicated that the detenue had allegedly hanged himself between 4.40 am to 5 am. He had tied a piece of cloth, used for cleaning the toilet, in his neck and hanged himself with a tap installed at five and a half feet height.

Authorities have, however, assured the people, who were questioning the police theory, that a free and fair magisterial inquiry will be conducted in the death and, if anyone was found involved in the "foul play", action will be taken against him.

Police have also assured the people that a dependent of the victim will be recruited as VDC-SPO in Samba district to help the poor family.

According to sources, Om Prakash was running a small denting shop at Vijaypur from where police had allegedly recovered some stolen cable wire of BSNL. He was arrested on February 5 and since then was in police custody.

Snow cutters out of order in Valley
Rural areas remain cut off

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Feb 9 Despite the official claims that road communication and essential supplies have been restored in the Valley, the most of the rural areas are still disconnected and without water and electricity after heavy snowfall derailed the normal life here.

Mechanical Engineering Department (MED) has pressed 42 snow clearing machines and three snow cutters into service in the Valley but 12 of them are out of order. Even at some places the machines are sans fuel. This situation has forced the district administration to start snow clearance manually at some places.

According to credible information collected from different parts of Valley, 12 snow clearing machines are out of order which is becoming a hurdle in clearing the roads. An official source told EXCELSIOR that the snow cutter deputed at clearing the snow at Kulgam-Noorabad road is lying idle at Manzgam as the fuel could not reach there on time.

Most of the trunk roads in Bandipore, Budgam, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag are still not cleared of the snow. Some of the roads which have been though cleared but partially make the vehicular movement very difficult. According to reports, Pakhirpora, Wattu Nasnur, Danev Kandi Marg, Rasnangri Ramnagri, Kapran, Kanjiullar, Verinag Kapran, Sadew, Branil Lammar areas including many others are still not connected to their respective district headquarters.

Inhabitants of these areas are now facing problem of some essentials needed to be purchased from the markets. Abdur Rehman, a resident of DK Marg, who has remained indoor from Monday, told on phone that he needs to purchase some medicine for his old mother but due to blocked of road he could not go to Damhal market which is otherwise only five kilometers away to purchase these needed medicines.

The inhabitants of these far flung areas claim that the other problem they are facing is if somebody gets ill he could not reach to hospital for the treatment and the problem gets complicated when some expected mother has to deliver the baby.

Chief Engineer MED, Gul Mohammad denied that 12 snow clearing machines are out of order. He said that some of the machines may have got defunct but they are constantly being repaired and put back into service.

On the shortage of fuel at some places, Gul Mohammad said, "I have no such information. It would be only that fuel would not have reached on time due to some problem. I will personally look into it."

However, Chief Engineer MED admitted that there is problem in clearing snow at some places. "We have some problem areas like Veerinag-Kapran road and Chrar-e-Sharief-Pakharpora road as there is heavy snow accumulation at these places which needs sophisticated machinery. But we are lacking that presently which has become the main hurdle."

Though electricity in Srinagar city and all the district headquarters have been restored but 70 percent villages of Valley are still without power. "Electricity in Shopian town has been restored partially but in rural area especially the Kandi areas will need some more days. The electricity poles have got damaged and wires are lying on the ground. It will take some days to repair it", said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Hill District Shopian, Mohammad Yusuf Zargar.

The condition of water is more severe as the water supply schemes have got damaged or blocked. Even the canals have changed the course or have blocked due to the land slides or snow avalanches.

Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Taj Mohi-ud-din, who is presently in Valley and specially deputed by the Chief Minister after the snowfall to look after the affairs here, said, "190 out of 196 receiving stations which got damaged due to heavy snow, have been repaired and are able to supply electricity. The work is going on war footing bases. We here hope that in next few days electricity will be restored through out the Valley." He said there is problem of water supply at many places due to landslides or snow avalanches but the work is going on to restore the supply to people.

India, Pak may open Kasur route

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: Ganda Singhwala border near Kasur could be reopened as another trade route to boost trade between India and Pakistan, a senior Pakistani Revenue Official said today.

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman Abdullah Yousaf said the board would soon present a report to the Government for opening this route.

The FBR chairman also announced that a new gate will be opened at the Wagah border to facilitate round-the-clock bulk transportation of trade goods.

‘‘The gate will be constructed close to the previous border crossing gate, and both the sides have planned for it,’’ Mr Yousaf said while speaking at the inauguration of passenger facilitation centre, Wagah (rail and road) in Lahore.

He informed that the new centre would reduce customs clearing time of a bus-load of passengers to 25 minutes, which earlier took about two to three hours through manual clearance. For a train, the time would be reduced to an hour-and-a-half, from the earlier five to six hours, he added.

Calling for improving rail-link between India and Pakistan, the FBR chairman said sufficient number of wagons for goods trains between the two countries are needed to boost trade through railways.

Earlier speaking on the occasion, caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro asked officials concerned to open more trade routes with India to facilitate export of cement and other products to New Delhi.

Mr Soomro said such facilities will improve trade and cut cost of business between the two countries, adding that promotion of trade between the two neighbours will also help rationalize rates of different commodities across the border.

The Prime Minister also underlined the need for promoting people-to-people contacts. (UNI)

J&K seeks 15 more IRP battalions
*Rs 93 cr modernisation plan

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Feb 9: Police have sought 15 more battalions of Indian Reserve Police (IRP) to overcome manpower shortage, further strengthen its position in militancy infested areas and gradually replace para-military forces in some pockets of the State.

Official sources said the issue has been taken up with the Union Home Ministry by the State Government and the Centre’s response was very positive.

In view of Assembly elections due in the State in later part of this year, the Centre was expected to sanction some battalions immediately while sanction for other battalions might come in near future.

"We have projected our demand based on emerging situation in the militancy infested State and increased role of police especially in tackling militancy", sources said, adding the Centre has given very "positive feelers" to State police demand.

One IRP battalion has a strength of 1000 police constables and, if approved, 15 police battalions will employ 15,000 youths.

The Centre has also agreed to release Rs 93 crore for modernisation of Jammu and Kashmir Police this year.

Under the modernisation plan, police planned to strengthen its weaponry, mobility and communication network.

The funds were likely to be released shortly to help police gear up well in time for the Assembly elections, which were due in September-October this year.

Police authorities planned to purchase hi-tech gadgetry from the Central funds to take on militancy.

Police, according to sources, has drawn a plan for smooth conduct of the Assembly elections.

"A detailed plan has been worked out to provide fool proof security to candidates besides the political leaders, both from Centre and State", sources said, adding several meetings with security officials of the Centre have also been held to give a final touch to the plan which will be put in place once the elections are announced.

Some urgent requirements of police during the elections have been conveyed to the Central officials. The Centre has agreed to provide all the facilities required for the purpose of smooth conduct of elections, sources said, adding the police requirements will be met before the announcement of elections.

In this connection, a series of meetings have also taken place between top police officials of the State and Union Home Ministry, sources said.

Police authorities were anticipating that in run up to the elections, violence might flare up in the State. However, they said, an effective mechanism has been prepared to tackle the violence.

Speedy justice possible through Lok Adalats: Azad
Executive neglecting judiciary on
infrastructure development: CJI

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Feb 9: Expressing serious concern over the failure of various States including Jammu and Kashmir to create better infrastructure for the judiciary, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice K G Balakrishnan today said that judiciary empowered with adequate infrastructure can contribute to the overall growth of the country.

"It is pity that executive is neglecting judiciary while carrying out infrastructure development. Executive should keep in mind that we don’t have any financial output", he said while addressing valedictory function of Lok Adalat Week in the High Court Complex, here this evening.

Unless executive comes forward with funds to provide adequate infrastructure to the judiciary the latter will not be able to contribute better to the society, he said, adding States have to find a way out to bring judiciary out of the infrastructure constraints.

Stating that judiciary also inspires growth, Justice Balakrishnan said that even the multi-national companies invest in a country where the judiciary is most efficient and effective. "The sufficient infrastructure will help judicial officers in clearing the back-log and this will ultimately project the judiciary as efficient and effective", he elaborated.

He hoped that the double and triple shift system evolved by the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in Jammu and Kashmir would also augur well for the judiciary.

Justice Balakrishnan disclosed that Centre has decided to create model courts throughout the country under which 50 per cent funds are being provided by the Government of India and equal share is to be provided by the State Governments. He hoped that Jammu and Kashmir would come forward and march ahead of other States in this regard.

Revealing the scenario of pendency in the courts, the Chief Justice of India said that the number of cases pending in courts across the country has gone up to 3 crore from previous pendency of 2.65 crore. In Supreme Court alone, the number of pending cases has risen to 62000 from earlier figure of 28,000 thereby registering 23 per cent increase. In Bangalore, a total of 7400 cases were filed by a company in a day under Negotiable Instrument Act.

"Judges are not responsible for increasing pendency but number of such cases", he clarified and said that Lok Adalats and Mediation Centres have been playing pivotal role in deciding cases promptly.

Disclosing that mediation centres in Delhi, Karnataka and Madras have been yielding encouraging results in early disposal of the cases, he stressed that senior counsels and retired judges should help in settlement of family disputes cases through mediation which otherwise get delayed in normal process. He added that problem of staggering arrears in the courts could be mitigated by Lok Adalats, mediation and conciliation mechanism.

Chief Justice of State High Court, Justice K S Radhakrishnan said that the system of Lok Adalat has come to stay as a reliable mechanism of disputes resolution and it is most suitable in J&K where the people mostly live in far-flung and difficult areas.

He said that Lok Adalat is a speedy, inexpensive and quality justice delivery system, adding the outcome in Lok Adalat is mutually agreed upon and both the parties depart as friends.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said "Lok Adalat is one of the most important institutions for ensuring timely and affordable justice", adding "it has been gaining popularity quite steadily since its introduction in the present form in 1982".

"Though Lok Adalat is a relatively new system yet it is an entirely indigenous institution which has been developed by the people themselves for social justice", he further said and added that emergence of alternative dispute resolution has been one of the most significant movements as a part of conflict management and judicial reform, which has now become a global necessity.

The Chief Minister said "alternative dispute resolution has infact been a vital and vibrant part of our historical past, adding "Lok Adalat concept and philosophy is an Indian innovation, which should be regarded as a great contribution to world jurisprudence".

He said it has proved to be a very effective alternative to litigation which is made possible by adopting persuasive, commonsensical and human approach to the problems of the disputants with the assistance of specially trained and experienced members of a team of conciliators.

Pointing towards the issues raised by Justice Nissar Ahmed Kakru, the Chief Minister said "we will find suitable incumbent for the post of Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority", adding "the Government will also try its level best for raising appropriate infrastructure for judiciary".

Judge of the State High Court and Executive Chairman State Legal Services Authority, Justice Nissar Ahmed Kakru, in his welcome address, said that despite heavy snowfall, a large number of cases were settled across the State during Lok Adalat Week.

Highlighting several commitment which have not been fulfilled by the Government, he stressed the need for ensuring buildings and other infrastructure for the judiciary.

He said that functioning of courts in private buildings also affects judicial system.

Justice Nirmal Singh delivered vote of thanks.

Civilian shot dead in Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Feb 9: A civilian, who was working as a source of security forces, was gunned down by unidentified militants in his house at village Thera near Line of Control (LoC) in Salhutri area of this district last night.

The victim has been identified as Haji Sharif, 45, son of Nawab Ali, a resident of Thera.

SSP Poonch Jagjit Kumar and SHO Nissar Hussain Shah rushed to the spot this morning after getting a report of the killing. Body of the civilian was handed over to his family this afternoon after post-mortem.

Sources said two militants were believed to have pumped four bullets in the body of Haji Sharif from point blank range leading to his death in sleep.

Police have launched a search operation in the area to apprehend the militants involved in the killing. Some suspects were being questioned.

JMC terminates two officials

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 9: Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has terminated services of two officials for their involvement in large scale financial irregularities.

The termination order was issued today after a thorough probe conducted by an Enquiry officer confirmed their involvement in financial embezzlement.

A JMC release issued here identified the two terminated officials as Krishan Lal, Senior Assistant and Jawahar Lal, Incharge cashier.

Jawahar Lal had embezzled more than Rs 10 lakh by not showing the revenue received from different sections on books while Krishan Lal had misappropriated Rs 3.50 lakh revenue.

Recovery proceedings have been initiated against them, the release said.

Both the officials used to enter actual amount received as revenue on main copy of the GR but showed a nominal amount on duplicate office copy. Charges against them were established during the inquiry.

6 LeT militants involved in CRPF camp,
IISc attacks arrested

LUCKNOW : In major breakthrough in cases of terror strikes on a CRPF camp in Rampur and IISc in Bangalore, Central security agencies and Uttar Pradesh police today arrested six suspected LeT militants from two places in the state as they were planning to move out to Mumbai-their next target.

Three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants-Suhail and Arshad Ali alias Baba, both residents of UP, and Fayheem, a Pakistani national-were arrested from a state roadways bus in Rampur when they were planning to go to Mumbai, sources said.

In Lucknow, three militants-Sallahuddin, a resident of Madhubani in Bihar, and Imran and Farooq, both from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) -- were nabbed when they were trying to leave the city, they said.

Sallahuddin was allegedly the mastermind of the attack on the CRPF camp in Rampur on this New Year’s day. The attack by heavily-armed militants on the camp, in which eight persons including seven security personnel were killed, was allegedly executed by Suhail, Arshad and the two militants from PoK-Imran and Farooq.

According to the sources, the two PoK residents had been tasked to act as suicide attackers while the two others provided cover to them. However, in the melee, all the four had managed to escape.

One of them, who was suspected to have received a bullet injury, was in fact hit by a splinter from a grenade that was thrown by him at the CRPF recruitment camp.

The arrested militants were moving in two separate groups and their next destination was Mumbai where Fayheem had hired a room, the sources said, adding they were waiting for fresh instructions from across the border.

Hand grenades and RDX were seized from their possession, the sources said.

During questioning, Sallahuddin told his interrogators about "his involvement" in the attack on the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore on December 28, 2005 in which one professor of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi-M C Puri-was killed and four others injured.

He is claimed to have said that he had hired a room in Bangalore where the planning was done to carry out the sensational attack on IISc.

Sallahuddin had also arranged for the logistic support to militants in carrying out attack on the recruitment centre of CRPF.

Fahyeem, who is from Mumbai, had obtained Pakistani citizenship and the security agencies recovered a Pakistani passport from him. He had arranged for stay of all of them in Mumbai where they were planning to carry out a terror attack, the sources said. (PTI)