14-year-old girl student kidnapped, rescued
3 militants of Jaish killed in Kupwara

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Feb 21: In a joint operation, Jammu & Kashmir Police and Army have killed two to three militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed guerrilla outfit in Kupwara district of north Kashmir today. Meanwhile, Police have rescued a 14-year-old girl student minutes after she was kidnapped in a three-wheeler on the National Highway Bypass in Hyderpora-Rawalpora area in Srinagar outskirts.

DIG north Kashmir, Dr B Srinivas, told EXCELSIOR that Police received specific information regarding presence and movement of a 7-member group of Jaish-e-Mohammad militants in the dense forest area of Batnar Kooligam in the snowbound Lolab valley of Kupwara district. Soon a cordon-and-search operation was launched with the support of 2 Para of Army. While the raiding party were close to the hideout, militants perched on a vantage position opened heavy gunfire. In an effective retaliation, two to three militants of the group got killed and four more, including two injured militants, managed to escape. He said that bodies of two militants had been recovered alongwith their weapons. Troops were looking for a possible casualty of the third militant who was also trying to get on the track of the escapees with the advantage of a fresh carpet of snow and a trail of fresh blood.

Dr Srinivas said that identity of the militants killed was being ascertained with the help of informants and residents of Khurhama area, though some of them insisted that the dreaded Jaish commander Pasha was among those killed. He asserted that Police and security forces did not suffer any kind of damage in the operation that took place in an open area in the jungle.

Official sources in south Kashmir, meanwhile, said that during a routine checking-and-frisking exercise in the Pulwama town outskirts on Srinagar-Pulwama road, Police got suspicious about a gift pack which a Kashmiri passenger was carrying with him in a bus. As the passenger refused to open the packing and claimed that he was himself a Constable with CRPF 183 Bn, headquartered at Pulwama, Police got him down and took him to Police Station. During the course of questioning, he revealed that it was an IED, fitted with a time device, which had been handed over to him by a commander of Hizbul Mujahideen for causing a blast in Pulwama. He identified himself as Mudasir Yousuf Bhat S/o Mohd Yusuf Bhat R/o Botengo Sopore.

When Police established contact with Commanding Officer of CRPF 183 Bn, it learned from the officials that Bhat had proceeded on leave and was "absent" in the records as he had not returned to duty on time. He was reportedly posted at headquarters of his company at Newa. One hand grenade and five rounds of AK ammunition were also claimed recovered from the CRPF constable. Authorities said that the detained paramilitary soldier was being subjected to further sustained interrogation and Police were trying to dig deep into his connections with militants. Officials said that some raids and arrests were expected by late tonight.

Meanwhile, fire broke out in a bunker of CRPF 119 Bn near the VIP Rest House at Srinagar Airport, causing extensive damage to the pillbox late last night. A light machine gun of the guard on duty was also damaged in the incident, fire brigade officials said. However, PRO of CRPF insisted that no weapon had been damaged in the blaze. He said that cause of the fire in a highly sensitive and protected area was being ascertained as both, CRPF as well as Budgam Police, had lodged separate reports and started investigation.

IGP Kashmir, Shiv Murari Sahai, revealed to a group of mediapersons that Flying Squad of Srinagar Police chased away a three-wheeler from Hyderpora Crossing on the National Highway Bypass to Rawalpora Crossing and rescued a 14-year-old girl student from the clutches of two persons and the driver who had kidnapped her earlier last evening in full view of public at Hyderpora. He said that the eyewitnesses raised commotion and alerted the nearby Flying Squad with their screaming immediately after the young girl student was kidnapped. Even as the driver and a kidnapper jumped out and they escaped, the men in uniform caught hold of one person who later identified himself as Shakeel Ahmed Khan S/o Abdul Hameed Khan R/o Humhama, Budgam.

IGP said that after recording the girl's statement, she was handed over to her parents. A class 8th student, was identified as Sehrana D/o Mohammad Maqbool Khan R/o Tengpora, Batmaloo. He said that as a result of the detained Shabir Khan's disclosure, his accomplice was identified as Fayaz Ahmed Bhat S/o Ghulam Nabi Bhat R/o Humhama. He too was arrested when Police conducted a raid on his house and possible hideouts. Cause and circumstances of the young girl's kidnapping were being ascertained as Police Station Sadar had registered an FIR and raids were being conducted to arrest the driver.

Introduced on the pattern of Delhi Police in Srinagar in year 1999, the least-dreaded yellow-colour Flying Squad comprises 25 units with one Gypsy each. With a round-the-clock duty schedule, it has been functioning under the command and control of Police Control Room Srinagar and has been usually preventing social crime, including attempts of kidnapping, in addition to maintaining surveillance on the main streets in the capital city. IGP said that the Flying Squad was easily accessible by simply dialling 100 and filing a complaint.

Hurriyat should opt for dialogue, poll process
Cong keeping options open for poll alliance: Soz

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 21: Union Water Resources Minister and newly appointed Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz has said that Congress has its options open on the issue of poll alliance with any party and the Hurriyat Conference should also opt for elections and the dialogue process.

Talking to media-persons during ‘Meet the Press’ programme at Jammu Press Club here this evening Prof Soz said," Congress will be keeping its options open for the poll alliance with any party. I think PDP will also have the same situation. But I can assure that ‘Coalition’ will complete its present term and it will be pre-mature to comment on the issue of any trucks with PDP or any other party," Prof Soz maintained.

Responding to another question, the PCC chief said with his intervention and efforts, a meeting of Hurriyat leaders with the Prime Minister was held in the recent past. It was held in very congenial atmosphere. " I can not force my suggestion or will on the Hurriyat leaders as they are most sensible, mature and respectable citizens. But it is my personal view point, opinion or you may say it as advise that gun has no solution to any problem. Any issue can be resolved with dialogue or the elections. You may take example of resolving conflicts in many countries and even our neighbour where elections were held two days back. They have these options before them and should think on those lines," the PCC chief added.

While replying to a question on the issue of demilitarisation and repealing of Special Armed Forces Act, the PCC chief said he is clear on his previous stand that there should be more space for the police force to function in the State and was not opposed to the special Armed Force Act. And it was up to the top Generals to take decision to keep required number of forces for the protection and safety of the people. He further maintained that he had said these words when the topic was hot in Valley and even now repeat the same that providing more space to local police in normal functioning will ease the problem.

When asked about the main challenges before him after taking over as new PCC chief, Prof Soz said that Congress president Ms Sonia Gandhi has given her the great responsibility and an opportunity, it will be a great challenge to come up to her expectations, strengthen the party, give sufficient time to the party, its workers as well as to look after his portfolio in the Union Ministry. He said it will be his utmost thrust to take all the people along and seek cooperation from one and all for strenthening the Party in the State.

On being asked for his opinion in case of an offer for Chief Ministerial candidate in coming Assembly elections, Prof Soz said, " it was up to the Party president and its top leadership to decide. I have to render services. If Party gives any responsibility, he will be there to accept and ready to face the challenge."

Referring to the objections raised by Pakistan on Tulbul navigational project and other J&K rivers, Union Minister said Pakistan’s objection was unjustified. He claimed that India has not violated Indus Water Treaty and was trying its best to clear this project through dialogue process. Efforts were going on to fully utilise the hydel power and irrigation potential available in State. He referred to raising two power projects on river Bersar in Kishtwar having capacity of 1020 MW and also on Ujh with 280 MW capacity, which will not affect the Indus Water Treaty. He said these projects have been approved as national projects. He disclosed that Rs 24 crore were released for flood management, Rs 141 cr for irrigation schemes and Rs 146 cr for the improvement of various existing canals in the State.

Earlier, the new PCC Chief was given grand reception on arriving here after being appointed as Pradesh Congress Committee president. He was accorded grand reception by the Party activists and leaders at Jammu airport and taken to PCC headquarters in a open and decorated vehicle. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Pt Mangat Ram Sharma, Abdul Ghani Vakil, Peerzada Mohd Sayed, MP Madan Lal Sharma, Gulchain Singh Charak and several other senior Party leaders were also present who accorded rousing reception to Prof Soz.

Addressing party workers PCC president said that he was here to "strengthen" the Party up to grassroot level and sought "cooperation" from the masses, party workers and senior leaders as well. He said aspirations of the people can not be fulfilled without the cooperation of people and the party members.

" I have a 25-year political experience, which I gained from the ground level workers. I feel that political leaders should strengthen their parties from grass root," Mr Soz said, adding that any political party with strong base appears as a hard nut to crack.

Prof Soz said his mission was to "unite" people representing Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, adding, "it took years for me to choose a genuine political party but finally I opted for Congress, which is a party with people’s agendas and it was the best decision I ever made in my life."

" Congress is the only party that can run the Government at the Centre," Prof Soz said, adding that this party had united people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Lauding UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Mr Soz said he was thankful to Ms Gandhi for appointing him as JKPCC president. "I have no words to express my gratitude to Sonia Gandhi for showing confidence and trust in me and nominating me as a PCC president. I will try to promote and unite Congress at one platform."

Zardari, Sharif join hands to form Govt

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21: Ending the suspense on Government formation in Pakistan, the two main Opposition parties tonight announced they would form a new ruling coalition but did not name any Prime Ministerial candidate.

The announcement of the two parties formally joining hands was made after a hectic two-hour negotiations between PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif after they overcame differences on some key issues.

The leaders discussed the modalities of Government formation, two days after the PPP and PML-N got majority, together bagging 153 seats in a House of 272.

"We have agreed on a common agenda. We will work together to form a Government together in the Centre and in the provinces," Sharif said at a joint news conference with Zardari, husband of the slain PPP leader Benazir Bhutto.

The announcement came as a setback to President Pervez Musharraf who was hoping to wean away PPP from the PML-N to have truck with the defeated PML-Q in forming a new Government.

"We will ensure that you complete a full five year term," said Sharif looking at Zardari, who has emerged as the kingmaker in Pakistan’s return to democracy.

Zardari said there were a "lot of grounds to cover" between the two parties but said "inshallah (god willing) we will be meeting off and on. In principle we have agreed to stay together."

The coming together of Zardari and Sharif may spell doom for Musharraf, who has rejected strident calls by the Opposition parties for his resignation. Musharraf’s Presidency ends in 2011.

"We are trying to form a national consensus Government," said Zardari.

Sharif said the two parties had overcome their differences over his demands for the immediate restoration of the sacked Chief Justice Mohammed Iftikhar Choudhry. The differences had cast a shadow on tonight’s parleys.

"In principle there is no disagreeement on the restoration of the judiciary. We will work out the modalities in the Parliament," the two-time Premier said. Zardari has insisted that the Parliament should take a view on bringing back the deposed judges.

Zardari said the coalition would not involve any parties from the alliance that backed Musharraf in the present Parliament saying "we are not looking at pro-Musharraf parties.

"We have come to the same position that we started this fight with, that we will be together in the struggle for democracy (and) we intend to stay together in the Parliament," said Zardari.

"The future of democracy is within our grasp, we will strengthen Parliament and democracy. We will work for Pakistan together and we will make a stronger Pakistan."

Asked whether the new Government would work with Musharraf, Sharif — who has insisted in the past few days that the President should quit, said: "you know my views. The nation has given its verdict. It is from every nook and corner of Pakistan. The sooner he (Musharraf) accepts it, the better it is for him."

Sharif read out a statement which said: "in principle there is no disagreement on the restoration of the judiciary. We will work out the modalities in the Parliament."

Zardari said the two leaders had agreed that the first action of the new Parliament would be to pass a resolution seeking a UN-led inquiry into the assassination of his wife Benazir Bhutto. (Agencies)

Members flay delay
Autonomy, self rule WG fails to meet for 6 months

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Feb 21: While both Centre and State Governments have even started implementing various recommendations made by four Working Groups, set up by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on J&K, the fifth group having crucial agenda of autonomy and self rule is yet to hold a meeting even after a gap of nearly six months.

The Working Group on ‘Strengthening Centre-State relations’, headed by Justice (Retired) Sageer Ahmed, had last met in New Delhi for two days on September 2 and 3 last year and discussed issues of ‘regional imbalances and backward areas’ and ‘democracy, secularism and rule of law’. There was unanimity among the high profile members of the Group to meet again shortly to take up remaining agenda but that has not happened even while six months were about to lapse after the Group held its last sitting.

Four other Working Groups had submitted their reports to the Prime Minister in third Round Table Conference (RTC), held in the Union capital, on April 24 last year. Both Centre and State Governments have already initiated several steps to implement some of the recommendations of the four Groups. Few days back, the Centre had set up a high level Committee headed by Union Home Secretary for implementation of some recommendations of four Groups.

Four Working Groups, which had submitted their reports in April last year, include ‘Strengthening Relations Across LoC’, ‘Confidence Building Measures Across Segments of Society in the State’ and ‘Ensuring Good Governance’.

Even last two days meeting of the Working Group of Centre-State Relations on September 2 and 3 was held after a gap of four months. Prior to that it met in New Delhi on March 28.

Majority of members of the Working Group to whom Excelsior spoke were surprised over such a long delay in holding the Group meeting. Some of them feared that the Group with agenda like autonomy and self rule might not be allowed to finalise its recommendations with an eye on the Assembly elections.

Official sources told Excelsior that the Working Group chairman was delaying further meeting of the Group in the absence of a consensus among major political parties on the two issues of autonomy and self rule.

While the National Conference and CPM were in favour of granting autonomy to the State, the PDP supported self rule. NC representative in the Group, Abdul Rahim Rather, who happens to be Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, had submitted a report on autonomy passed by both Houses of the Legislature to the Group and explained in detail on what the NC wants while the PDP is yet to come out with its concept of self rule. PDP has its president Mehbooba Mufti and Rafique Khan as its representatives in the Group.

Former Union Law Minister and BJP leader Arun Jaitley has made it clear to the Group that only abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution can strengthen the Centre-State relations. Congress too has three high profile members in the Group including Union Minister for Water Resources, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, who has recently been appointed PCC (I) president, Speaker Tara Chand and Choudhary Mohd Aslam, MP.

In his presentation before the Group, Tara Chand had suggested making 1975 Indira-Sheikh accord as the basis for defining Centre-State relations.

Panthers Party leader and former Minister Harshdev Singh has all along been highlighting discrimination meted out to Jammu region in Parliament and Assembly seats, a solution to the problems of 1947, 1965 and 1971 refugees etc and giving Jammu its due share failing which, he warned, the people will be forced to demand re-organisation of the State.

Ladakh MP Thupstan Chhewang had, in the last meeting, went to the extent of calling for separation of Ladakh by according it the status of Union Territory. His demand had led to a clash between him and CPM leader Mohd Yusuf Tarigami.

Panun Kashmir leader Ajay Chrungoo has also been insisting separation of the State with UT status to Kashmir, Ladakh and Panun Kashmir and statehood to Jammu while Jammu State Morcha (JSM) member in the Group, Ashwani Sharma, MLA, had also called for statehood to Jammu.

CPM leader Mohd Yusuf Tarigami, also a member of the Group, has opined that all political parties and participants in Working Group shall have to evolve a "Minimum Common Ground" so that a consensus could emerge in finding a solution to vexed issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

"From maximum position, the political parties will have to come to minimum level and work out a ‘Minimum Common Ground’ just like a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) is evolved to run a coalition Government", he observed.

"If parties stick to their known stand of autonomy, self rule, abrogation or strengthening of 370, I fear the Working Group forum will be properly utilised", Mr Tarigami cautioned.

Ashwani Sharma, MLA Bishnah observed that Jammu region as a whole is being discriminated—be it the seats of Parliament or Assembly, creation of tehsils and sub divisions, job opportunities—be it in the Government sector or self employment, development of urban and rural areas especially the border belt, issues of refugees and payment of compensation to ruralites.

Pak elections have shown way to separatists: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 21: Former Chief Minister and patron of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that outcome of the general elections in the neighbouring Pakistan has a lesson for all those in Jammu and Kashmir who don’t believe in the electoral battle. The lesson is that people in the sub-continent have been rejecting extremism and violence and adopting democratic ways to voice their issues.

Interacting with media-persons here this afternoon, Mufti Sayeed said "although it is upto Hurriyat Conference or other separatists to decide about adopting democratic ways, however, the Pakistan elections have shown the way to all", adding "no other than democratic way is proper to express ideas and this is being widely accepted by the people in this sub-continent".

He hoped that Hurriyat Conference will respond in this direction particularly in the aftermath of general elections in the neighbouring country.

Lauding the people of the Pakistan for giving great verdict in the battle of ballots, the former Chief Minister said that voting in the favour of moderate sections of the society against extremism has also proved wrong the perception that extremism was extreme in Pakistan.

Mufti hoped that uncertainty over Government formation in Pakistan will be over soon and said that India has been eagerly waiting for the installation of popular Government in its neighbourhood so that the peace process initiated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was taken to its logical conclusion.

"India has always supported people of the Pakistan in the hours of crisis and restoration of democracy in the neighbouring country is in the best interest of India in general and Jammu and Kashmir in particular", the PDP patron said, adding "all eyes have now been set on the new leadership of the Pakistan to take forward peace process".

Several decisions taken in two Round Table Conferences particularly with regard to safe passage of the misguided youth and opening of trade routes between the two countries, required to be discussed with the new Government in Pakistan for their implementation, he further said and hoped that new Government in the neighbourhood will vigorously take forward ongoing peace process and help in resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Refusing to consider the verdict in Pakistan elections as defeat of the President Pervez Musharraf, Mufti said that General Musharraf reciprocated properly to the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) initiated by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and made the border from Kathua to Kargil silent.

He, however, said that elected representatives can take forward peace process between the two countries in much better way.

Asked to comment on the National Conference’s allegations that PDP is the real Muslim United Front (MUF), the PDP patron said "I am in the politics for a long period and people know me better. Moreover, I don’t think that I should react on this issue".

He also refused to comment on the allegations of NC patron Dr Farooq Abdullah that he (Mufti) was responsible for the killing of Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq.

Earlier, former National Conference MLA Ghulam Hassan Geelani and Dr Shafi Ahmed Wani joined the PDP. They were welcomed by Mufti Sayeed in the party fold and said "PDP has emerged alternative for the people of the State and acceptability of its agenda is increasing fast".

Govt to increase SC Judges to 30

NEW DELHI, Feb 21: In a bid to clear the heavy backlog of cases and render speedy justice, Government today proposed to increase the strength of Supreme Court Judges from 25 to 30.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved a proposal to increase the number of judges in the apex court, excluding the Chief Justice, to 30.

"The increase in the number of Judges will allow Supreme Court to function more efficiently and effectively towards attaining the ultimate goal of rendering speedy justice to litigants," an official spokesperson said.

A bill to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, would be introduced in Parliament soon, she said.

In 1986, the number of Judges in the Supreme Court were increased from 18 to 25 plus the Chief Justice.

Reports said there were about 47,000 cases pending before the court till January this year.

The Government had earlier informed Parliament that the pendency of cases in the apex court had increased by about 25 per cent since 2006. (PTI)

Sumo rolls down in Chenani
Russian tourist among 6 killed, 4 injured

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Feb 21: Six persons including a Russian tourist were killed and four others received injuries when a Tata Sumo, they were travelling in, plunged into a 100 feet deep gorge at Champeri on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway under the jurisdiction of Chenani Police Station.

Reports said that all the victims were travelling in a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK14-4993 from Srinagar to Jammu when at Champeri the Sumo was hit by a speeding tractor trailer from rear side.

Due to the collision, the Sumo driver lost control of the vehicle resulting into it plunging into gorge. Before landing at the bottom of the gorge, the vehicle collided with several rocks. Soon after the accident, the tractor trailer driver fled from the spot leaving behind his vehicle on the highway.

On the receipt of information, a police party from Chenani Police Station led by SHO Sub-Inspector Pardeep Kumar Gupta swung into action and started rescue operation with the help of locals.

Additional SP Udhampur, Anil Magotra also rushed to the spot after getting information about the accident. After hectic efforts, the victims were brought out of the gorge and shifted to Sub-District Hospital, Chenani in police as well as private vehicles.

Five of the 10 occupants of the ill-fated Tata Sumo including a Russian woman were pronounced as brought dead by the doctors in the Chenani Hospital. After first aid, all the five injured were referred to District Hospital, Udhampur for specialised treatment.

However, one of them succumbed to injuries while being shifted to Udhampur hospital raising the toll in the accident to six. The condition of remaining four injured including a couple from Baramulla and driver was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

The deceased have been identified as Galeena Ulanova, a resident of Mokava, USSR, Mohan Singh and Aadesh Kumar, Head Constables of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sub-Inspector of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) J S Jalla, ASI CISF S N Yadav and Anil Manvati, son of S K Manvati of Subash Nagar, Jammu.

The injured have been identified Sunil Bhat, an employee of AG’s Office and son of B L Bhat of Sarwal, Satvir (driver of Tata Sumo), son of Sukhdev of Majalta, Amarjeet Singh, son of Moti Singh of Baramulla and his wife Sandeep Kour.

Police has registered a case of causing death due to rash and negligent driving against the erring driver of the tractor trailer and a hunt was launched to nab him. However, he could not be arrested till late this evening.

Blast in court, police official injured

SRINAGAR : A massive blast today rocked the heavily-guarded Srinagar Court Complex leaving a police official critically wounded, official sources said.

They said an explosive device went off in "mohala Khana"— a room where police kept seized goods, including arms and ammunition.

A Selection Grade Constable Mohammad Shafi, who was looking for some seized goods which were to be presented in the court as evidence against an accused, was injured in the blast.

Shafi, incharge of the room, was admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

The room caught fire immediately after the blast, they said.

The blast was so powerful that the explosion was heard in the entire area, including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital.

Fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze.

Eyewitnesses said people, including lawyers and others, ran for their safety after the blast.

Senior police and civil officials visited the spot.

Meanwhile, the Kashmir Bar Association has protested against the incident and demanded immediate shifting of the mohala Khana from the court premises. (UNI)