Third gunbattle in Mendhar in one week
3 more militants shot dead, another trapped

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Feb 12: Army and police today gunned down three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants in an encounter at village Sarhuti under the jurisdiction of Mendhar police station in this border district taking toll of the militants killed in past one week in Mendhar sector to nine including six infiltrators.

Official sources said troops of 37 Rashtriya Rifles and police launched a search operation at Sarhuti in general area of Mendhar this morning after developing an information that a group of four Lashkar militants had come down to plains from upper reaches, which were lashed by heavy snowfall few days back.

Troops surrounded the village and observed movement of militants near an abandoned dhok at about 10 am. The militants took shelter inside and opened heavy firing on Army and police personnel, who retaliated. A heavy exchange of gun fighting between the two sides continued till late this evening when the reports last came in and before it turned dark.

Three militants had been killed in the operation while their fourth associate managed to escape and took shelter in a nearby small forest area. Additional re-enforcement of security personnel was rushed to the forests this evening to ensure that the militant didn’t manage to escape taking advantage of darkness.

The forest area has been cordoned off, sources said.

Army or police didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

So far, security forces have recovered three AK rifles, one pistol, eight AK magazines, 35 rounds, one radio set, one mobile telephone with SIM card, two rucksacks, some eatables, explosives and documents from the scene of encounter.

Sources said at least one militant was still reported to be hiding in the forests and efforts were on to eliminate or apprehend him.

Identity of the slain militants has not been established but two of them were believed to be foreign mercenaries and another one a local. Besides AK rifle, one of the militant, who was suspected to be a mercenary, was also carrying a pistol in his pocket which indicated that he could be of the commander rank.

Last week, Army and police had killed six infiltrators in Ghani forests and Kasbrari, three each in two separate encounters, in Mendhar sector.

With today’s elimination of three militants, death toll of militants in Mendhar sector alone during one week has gone up to nine.

In addition to nine fatalities of militants in Mendhar, security forces have also killed four infiltrators in Sunderbani sector during last fortnight and recovered a large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives from their possession.

Killing of 13 militants, 10 of whom were confirmed infiltrators, within a fortnight was a clear indication that infiltration from across Line of Control (LoC) has gone up, sources said.

Meanwhile, LeT spokesman Dr Abdullah Gaznavi has taken responsibility of a civilian’s killing on LoC in Poonch the other day describing him as informer of security forces. He said the informer was killed by a fidayeen Abul Qasim.

Trade target of 10 bn dollars by 2010
Russia to build additional nuclear reactors in TN

NEW DELHI, Feb 12: Russia today affirmed its commitment to build additional nuclear reactors in Tamil Nadu under an agreement for which negotiations have been completed.

The strategic partners also decided to step up all-round cooperation with particular focus on defence, hydrocarbons, trade and economic ties during talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian Prime Minister Victor A Zubkov here.

They set a bilateral trade target of 10 billion dollars to be achieved by 2010, for which the recommendations of a joint task force would be implemented and Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) considered.

Addressing journalists after his 90-minute meeting with Zubkov, Singh said the two sides discussed issues related to civil nuclear cooperation.

"We have finalised negotiation in regard to reaching agreement on building additional nuclear power plants in India," he said in the presence of the Russian Prime Minister.

Zubkov affirmed his country’s commitment to building the nuclear plants in Kudankulam.

Under the agreement, Russia is to build four additional reactors in Kudankulam but it will have to await a waiver from NSG, for which efforts are underway.

The agreement was to be signed during Singh’s visit to Moscow in November last year but it was put off because of lack of NSG waiver.

The two countries signed two MoUs-one on development of cooperation in matters of customs and another in the field of archives.

Referring to the defence relations as an "important pillar" in Indo-Russian relationship, Singh said the two sides expressed commitment to build on these ties.

Singh said the two sides agreed that "vast potential" existed for cooperation in the field of hydrocarbons.

He hoped that the ongoing discussions between oil and gas companies of the two countries will result in finalisation of joint projects in India, Russia and third countries.

Recognising the potential in the field of trade and economy, the two leaders agreed on stepping up efforts to tap it.

"We agreed to redouble our efforts to tap full potential of our two countries’ economies," Singh said, adding the two sides felt the need for diversifying the trade basket and expanding cooperation in the areas of minerals, diamonds, transport, services, investment and high technology.

Zubkov said they set priorities, with particular attention to trade and economic relations.

"Trade last year grew by 30 per cent touching by five billion dollars. If the speed remains the same, I am confident 10 billion dollar mark will be achieved," the Russian Prime Minister said.

He added that the two countries had huge resources and political will that will help them achieve the target. (PTI)

1000 mw thermal power project sanctioned
Azad briefs Sonia on snow situation

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Feb 12: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today called on UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi here and briefed her about the situation arising out of the heavy snowfall in the State and measures taken by his Government to deal with the crisis.

He apprised the Congress president of the emergency-like situation unfolded by severe snowfall and his Government’s quick response to restore facilities and disrupted communication besides the supply network.

He informed her about the difficulties faced by the State administration in view of the tough topography and lack of communication links in the worst-affected areas.

Despite severe geographical problems, the Chief Minister said the State administration lost no time in putting in place relief and rescue operations besides monitoring mechanism which helped in saving human lives and immediate restoration of services.

He said the restoration efforts were on in snow-hit areas and teams of ministers and senior officers were constantly monitoring the situation there.

Mr Azad said he had himself extensively toured the affected areas across the State.

The Congress president expressed satisfaction over the measures taken by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in dealing with the situation and minimising human and property loss despite the calamity.

Meanwhile, the Union Power Ministry would set up a 1000 MW thermal power project in Jammu & Kashmir to be completed in three years. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting Mr Azad had with Union Power Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde here this evening. The Economic Advisor to J&K Government, Dr. Haseeb Drabu and Union Secretary for Power, V. K. Razdan were present along with senior officers of the Union Power Ministry including Chairman, NHPC and Chairman, NTPC.

The thermal power project would be set up at Udhampur. The State Government would provide 700 acres of land and equity. The project would be completed in three years. It was also decided that Baglihar hydel power project, Phase I and II, would be jointly funded by the Central and State Governments. The Union Power Ministry would support the State Government both in terms of raising loans and providing equity.

The Union Power Ministry has also agreed to examine the proposal of setting up of a power trading company in J&K State.

5 militants arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 12: Police has apprehended five HM militants and recovered some sophisticated weapons from their possession.

An official spokesman said that Pampore Police has apprehended two militants of the banned militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen namely Abdul Qayoom Bhat alias Kelli, son of late Abdul Rahim Bhat of Pal Mohalla Khrew Pampore and Nazir Ahmad Rather alias Afridi, son of Ali Mohammad Rather, of Dadsar Tral during a cordon and search operation of village Dusu.

On the disclosure of these militants one AK 47 rifle, four AK magazines, 151 rounds of ammunition, one Chinese Pistol, eight rounds of Pistol ammunition, one pistol magazine, four grenades (destroyed onspot), one 100 gms PEK ready-made IED and one Detonator were recovered.

Further investigation into the matter is going on and subsequent arrests are expected very soon, the spokesman said.

Three more militants were apprehended by the security forces. They have been identified as Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh, Sharief-ud-Din Wani, son of Abdul Rahim Wani, both the residents of Mohalla Khrew Pampore and Feroz Ahmad Dar, son of Nazir Ahmad Dar of Samboora Pampore.

One UMG, 80 rounds of UMG ammunition, one AK 56 rifle, three AK magazines and 94 rounds of AK Ammunition have been recovered from their possession.

Arrested ultras wanted to carry out suicide attacks

NEW DELHI, Feb 12: The Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, arrested in connection with the strike on CRPF camp in Uttar Pradesh, had a plan to first carry out a suicide attack on an Army convoy which passes through Rampur but it was shelved.

The plan was worked out by Suhail and Arshad Ali alias Baba, both residents of UP, Fayheem, a Pakistani national, Sallahuddin, a resident of Madhubani in Bihar, and Imran and Farooq, both from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), official sources said today.

The sources said the spot from where the attack could be carried out was also selected, the sources said, adding the plan was not executed because there was no particular timing for the movement of the convoy. The Army has a formation in the adjacent Bareilly area, 60 kms from Rampur.

The militants were apprehensive over coming out in the open with their weapons as they feared that they might be caught, if there was no movement of the Army convoy , the sources said.

After much deliberations , the CRPF camp at Rampur was chosen as an alternative target for the attack, they said.

The six militants were also working on plans to leave for Mumbai to carry out a terror strike and also made a recce of the Bombay Stock Exchange. Fahyeem had arranged for logistics in Mumbai, the sources said.

According to the arrested militants, the arms and ammunition were brought from the Lashkar’s south Kashmir-based commander codenamed "Aatif". The weapons were brought to Uttar Pradesh inside the cavity of a Tata Sumo car.

Sallahuddin, alleged to be the mastermind of the attack on the CRPF camp in Rampur on this new year’s day, was in close contact with Aatif besides taking directions from across the border, the sources said.

The authorities were now probing their roles in other incidents which continued to remain a mystery for the Central security agencies.

Sallahuddin told interrogators about "his involvement" in the attack on the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore on December 28, 2005 in which a professor of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi — M C Puri — was killed and four others were injured, the sources said.

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 though the Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) was their initial target. (PTI)

Govt to revamp arms purchase policy

NEW DELHI, Feb 12: With the country’s defence market poised to touch an all time high of a billion US dollars by next year, Government is all set to revamp its weapons purchase policy to make sure frontier arms technology takes shape in the country.

For the second time since it came into force in 2002, Government is undertaking a comprehensive revamp of the defence procurement policy that could include setting up of a mechanism to register arms agents, a defence official said today.

"We would have a new policy ready by April this year", new Defence Production Secretary Pradeep Kumar said amplifying that the revamp was a means to fine-tune arms purchases through experience gained over the past few years.

Kumar said the highlight of the revamp would be to focus on new concept in India of defence offsets. "We want to use these offsets to make sure that we gain the knowhow to design and field futuristic weapons systems".

The thrust on means to gain capability to build weapons systems of the future comes as the Indian defence industry, even after being operational for the past four decades, still struggles to build fighters, tanks and missiles.

Asked whether the revamp of the policy would entail setting up of separate organisation to deal with Defence offsets, Kumar said though he directly did not deal with the framing of the policy, "but I can say that in the exercise all options would be considered".

A number of suggestions have been received from vendors and Chambers on offsets, Kumar said to questions on whether the major international arms firms had asked New Delhi to give them choice of going in for indirect offsets.

Government recently held consultations with multinational vendors, after they publicly voiced reservations whether the Indian defence industry could absorb the quantum of offsets which would be generated as the country goes in for multi billion mega deals in next three to four years.

The Defence Procurement Policy of 2006 makes it mandatory for all companies bagging mega defence contracts to go in for offsets only in the Defence sector. All major deals beyond the value of Rs 300 crore have mandatory 30 per cent offsets clause.

However, Government recently on floating its biggest ever global defence tenders for purchase of 126 medium range combat aircraft hiked the offsets to 50 per cent of an estimated 10 billion US dollar contract.

Secretary Defence Production said henceforth it would be the Government’s prerogative to fix the quantum of offsets between 30-50 per cent.

Asked for Industry’s views on the issue, Director General Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Lt Gen (retd) S S Mehta who was also present at the news conference held to give details of the upcoming Defence-Expo, said "industry wants to be given an equal opportunity to raise the threshold of Indian defence industry".

On whether the Government wanted to take measures to legalise arms agents and frame rules in the new Defence Procurement Policy, Kumar said "please wait till April".

His remarks are significant in the wake of recent suggestion by the Minister of State for Defence, Rao Inderjit Singh that arms dealers should be legalised.

However, the Secretary Defence Production brushed aside suggestions that Indian defence industry was not yet geared up to absorb huge quantum of offsets which would be generated.

"I am confident that the Indian industry has the capacity to absurd offsets as these are likely to be spread over the entire period of the contract".

On the delay in registering private industries as Rakshya Udyog Ratna (RUR) which would enable them to be in reckoning to vie for Defence Offsets, Kumar admitted that the idea had come up with opposition from the powerful defence PSU’s unions.

But, he said the Government would take action to implement it soon. (PTI)

6 Departments remain ‘corruption prone’
Govt sanctions 68 cases for prosecution by SVO

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Feb 12: The State Government has accorded sanction in 68 cases, investigated by the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) involving Government officers, for presentation of their challan in the court of law, according to official sources.

The SVO has also averted losses to the State exchequer to the tune of Rs 77.40 crores which include misappropriation of funds, disproportionate assets of Government officers and preventive actions.

Sources said it was only during the years 2006 and 2007 that SVO was accorded sanction by the Government in 70 and 68 cases respectively to challan the officers and officials involved in corrupt practices. In 68 cases sanctioned for prosecution, 105 Government officials including 30 Gazetted officers were involved. During 2003 and 2004, prosecution sanction was given only in 16 and 12 cases respectively.

Prosecution sanction has gone up nearly 5 times last year as compared to 2003 and 2004, which was quite significant, sources said. Prior to 2006 and 2007, a maximum number of sanctions for prosecution of the officers were 56 in 1999.

The SVO registered 81 fresh cases last year including 41 traps and challaned 88 cases.

Most significant part of SVO’s investigations, however, remained preventing Rs 77.40 crore worth losses to the State exchequer including Rs 58.05 crore in misappropriation of funds, Rs 12.61 crore in disproportionate assets and Rs 6.74 crore in preventive Vigilance.

The trap cases (apprehending officers/officials red handed taking corruption) have gone up from 5 and 8 in 2001 and 2002 to 46 and 41 in 2006 and 2007 respectively, sources said.

According to sources, Revenue, Education, Police, PHE, Rural Development and Health remained the most sensitive departments from where 50 per cent of the total complaints received by the SVO were pouring in.

Most of the complaints from Revenue Department pertained to wrong mutations, usurping of Government land and change of ownership etc while in Education Department, bulk of complaints related to appointments of Rehbar-e-Taleem, mid day meal scheme, construction of school buildings and misappropriation of funds.

Bulk of similar complaints came from other "corruption prone departments", sources said.

The SVO now planned to extend its area of operations to semi-urban and rural areas. It has already decided to open full fledged offices at Poonch and Doda in Jammu, Kupwara and Anantnag in Kashmir and Leh in Ladakh.

However, conviction rate still remained an area of concern for the Vigilance Organisation. Over last 10 years, the conviction rate remained unimpressive at 12 per cent due to prolonged investigations and long trials which are detrimental to successful prosecution.

The SVO has already projected the demand for creation of two additional courts of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption for speedy trial of cases.

CM seeks report on forests

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has sought a factual report on the alleged transfer of more than 600 kanal of forest land for setting up of a Muslim Migrants’ Colony within 48 hours.

An official spokesman said that Chief Minister has directed Commissioner Secretary, Forest and Vice-Chairman, Jammu Development Authority (JDA) to submit report on the issue within 48 hours.

Mr Azad has also taken serious note of the news carried by the section of the press that Government has decided to transfer more than 600 kanal of forest land for setting up of Muslim Migrants Colony.

"Mr Azad is neither aware of any such decision nor has he passed any such direction", the spokesman said, adding "no representation has been received from the Chief Minister regarding such a subject".

Make LCA a success: Antony

BANGALORE, Feb 12: Defence Minister A K Antony today asked scientists to make the home-grown Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) ‘tejas’ a success to further the process of indigenisation of the country’s defence system.

Addressing scientists at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) here, Antony, while congratulating them, called on them to make the LCA a success.

"The entire country is watching for the day when LCA becomes a success," the minister said after taking stock of the prestigious project which has repeatedly slipped into time and cost overruns.

He also emphasized the need for indigenisation of the country’s defence system and felt that the "year 2008 would be crucial," according to a Defence press release.

The media was not invited for any of the Minister’s engagements here.

Antony, who was briefed on the status of the LCA project, witnessed a demonstration flight of ‘tejas’ here.

Piloted by group captain Harish, the Tejas PV-2 executed skillful manoeuvres such as the 360 degree roll and loop at low speed, tear drop turn, "derry turn", high ‘g’ turn before flying past the VIP dais in a ‘wrong side up’ (inverted position). This was followed by a display by the Dhruv advanced light helicopters.

The Minister was given a briefing on the smart technology initiatives.

Later, he went to the ADA’s system design and evaluation facility where the minister entered the cockpit simulation facility of ‘tejas’ to get a first-hand experience of the pilot’s view. He also toured the ADA’s weapons integration laboratory and the mobile telemetry facility at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited .(PTI)

BJP questions Cong on POTA

NEW DELHI, Feb 12: Condemning relief packages for the dependents of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP today asked the Congress to spell out how it proposed to punish the six Lashkar-e-Toiba militants who had confessed to their roles in the attack on Rampur CRPF camp, and revealed plans to attack the Bombay Stock Exchange and the Church Gate station without an anti-terror law like POTA.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said of the six LeT operatives, including three Pakistan nationals, arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police had confessed to their role in the attack on CRPF camp, attack on Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, besides admitting to their plans to attack places in Mumbai.

If POTA were to be in statute books, these confessions would have been treated as evidence, but the first thing the Congress-led UPA did was repeal the law without any alternative legislative support to deal with terror. Now India is the only country which does not have an anti-terror law despite losing thousands of innocent lives, he added.

He alleged that the Congress could not fight terror without a proper law, political and diplomatic response because it was tied down with vote bank politics.

He said the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s decision to announce a package for the families of terrorists was only tantamount to rewarding the terrorists killing brave soldiers and innocent citizens. No country in the world can come out with such a bizarre scheme, he said.

Touching upon the issue of attacks on migrants in Mumbai by the activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Mr Javadekar said the BJP had clarified that the Constitution allowed every citizen to live and work anywhere in the country.

The Congress, which has alliance with Raj Thackeray’s MNS in six Municipal Corporations, including Mira-Bhayander, should clarify if they would continue with their truck with the MNS. (UNI)

Up convoy on Highway today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: Several vehicles heading towards the winter capital of the State got stranded at different places because of extreme slippery conditions between Batote and Patnitop this evening. However, there will be up convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway tomorrow.

SSP Traffic, National Highway, Danish Rana said that though the vehicular movement on the highway was smooth through out the day today yet in the evening hours, the slippery conditions between Batote and Patnitop created many problems leading to stranding of several passenger vehicles as well as load carriers at different places.

"The civil administration immediately made arrangements for the stay of the stranded passengers", he disclosed and said that tomorrow the preference will be given to the clearance of stranded vehicles before allowing up convoy (Jammu to Srinagar).

The traffic police personnel at Jammu have been directed to allow vehicular movement only after receiving green signal from their counterparts at National Highway, he said.

SHRC issues notice to IGP

SRINAGAR, Feb 12: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) today issued notices to Inspector General of Police Kashmir range and Deputy Commissioner Kupwara asking them submit a report on the alleged firing by Army on protestors at Kupwara on Saturday.

Taking suo moto cognisance of reports in local media about the incident, acting Chairman of the SHRC H U Bhat directed IGP S M Sahai and Deputy Commissioner Asfandyar Khan to submit the report by Feb 25.

Jahangir Ahmad Mir, a Headmaster at a Government School, was allegedly thrashed by Army troops which led to protests from the locals.

The Army personnel allegedly opened fire to disperse the protestors.

While issuing the notices, the SHRC Chairman said "thrashing and intimidating people is violating the basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution and by the provisions of the J&K State Human Rights Protection Act."

The Commission also issued notice to the Headmaster for recording his statement before it on Feb 25. (PTI)

Soz formally appointed J&K Congress chief

NEW DELHI :Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin

Soz will be the new president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), the party announced today.

The move is aimed at strengthening the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir at a crucial time when the troubled state goes to polls later this year.

Prof Soz replaces Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed who had resigned from the post on January 17 following allegations of bribery levelled against him by a sitting legislator.

In a statement, the party said Congress president Sonia Gandhi has approved Prof Soz’s name in consultation with the general secretary in-charge of the state affairs.

Prof Soz would, at least for the time being, retain the portfolio of Water Resources Ministry.

Sayeed had also resigned from the state Cabinet as Education and Haj and Auqaf Minister.

Independent legislator Shoaib Lone had alleged in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on January 11 that Sayeed demanded and took from him Rs 40,000 for giving permission to his sister to open an elementary teacher training institute in the Valley.

The Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to be held in September-October this year. (UNI)