Intense interrogation on
Ex-Kashmir ultra behind UP fidayeen attack?

LUCKNOW, Jan 3: Even as the investigating agencies were yet to receive any formidable lead on the CRPF group centre attack at Rampur on new year, the security forces are interrogating a CRPF jawan — a former Kashmir militant — for his suspicious role during the attack.

Though officials are yet to confirm the questioning of the said jawan, who hails from Baramulla in the Kashmir valley, sources maintained that the suspect jawan has been brought to the State capital for intensive interrogation.

According to highly placed sources, the suspect CRPF jawan, who was once a militant but surrendered in Kashmir and joined the central force, was on duty at the control room-2 where the terrorist attacked first and shot dead a security man.

As per the version of the CRPF jawan, he was sleeping there but could not justify his statement when he was shown marks of at least 16 bullets on the wall of the control room. He also could not convince the investigators as to why he did not react after hearing the gunshots, in which one of his colleague died.

Sources maintained that at present in the Rampur Group Centre, there are 68 jawans and officers hailing from the Kashmir valley, including eight jawans who have joined the force after leaving the various terrorist outfits.

Meanwhile, telephonic record and other details of the suspected CRPF jawan was being investigated by the security forces. The investigating agencies are also looking into the links of the terrorist groups of the Kashmir valley into the attack.

Yesterday too, police had picked up two suspects for questioning.

Meanwhile, IG (CRPF) Karmveer Singh said the new year bash at the Rampur CRPF Group Centre ended at 1230 hrs. "There was no lapse in the security set up...The men killed or injured in the attack were not drunk," he added.

Meanwhile, sources said at least two people were detained for questioning at Rampur. A senior police official, who is part of the investigating team, said several people were being questioned. But he denied that anyone was detained or arrested so far. "Questioning is a part of the investigation process," he added.

Condemning the fidayeen attack, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has blamed paramilitary forces for the incident.

"Despite several alerts by the intelligence agencies and the UP Government, the CRPF did not make suitable arrangements to fend off such an attack," she lamented. "They should have been more careful following the threat perception," Ms Mayawati added.

Sources said the jawan belongs to the 16th battalion of CRPF. While the battalion was deployed in the Valley, the jawan himself was on deputation at the Group Centre, which came under fidayeen attack. (UNI)

8 Army officials summoned in Siachen pilferage scam

NEW DELHI, Jan 3: Jammu and Kashmir Police has summoned eight Army officials, including a Lieutenant Colonel of Leh-based 14 Corps, in connection with the alleged pilferage of food and clothes meant for troops at the Siachen Glacier.

Sources in the State Home Department said that summons were issued after three local shopkeepers, arrested in connection with the pilferage, recorded their "confessional statement" under Section 164 of Criminal Procedure Code before a Magistrate.

The sources said in view of the confessional statement, six Army officials of Third Infantry Division, who had performed their duties as Officer Commanding, and two Army officials, including a Lieutenant Colonel of the Corps Headquarters, were required for questioning for their alleged role in embezzlement and pilferage of special ration, clothings and equipments meant for Siachen sector.

This is the third and final notice and after this the police will approach court for issuing non-bailable warrant against the officials which include four Majors and two Captains, besides seeking its direction for the Army to provide details about the scam, they said.

Defence Minister A K Antony had informed Parliament in December 2007 that after an internal probe by the Army into the pilferage scam, the authorities had initiated administrative action against three officers and three Junior Commissioned Officers.

The entire scam came to light after the police found special rations meant for soldiers serving in Siachen Glaciers being sold in open market.

The sources said the police also sought a report from the manufacturers of the seized ration items, to which some responded by providing with the name of the units of Army Supply Corps (ASC) to which it was supplied.

The ration was supplied to Leh Corps by Pathankot-based Regional Headquarters and Store Depots (RHSD) and the police had also written a letter to its Commanding Officer as well for furnishing the details, the sources said, adding a reply was still awaited.

The police have registered 11 FIRs since July 2007 after finding food packets and other equipment meant for Siachen being sold in the open market but the Army has refused to cooperate in the probe.

Police arrested 31 people, including shopkeepers, in various areas in this Himalayan town located in North Jammu and Kashmir. Police registered the first FIR against shopkeepers and unknown Army officers under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code related to cheating.

The Army had filed a complaint against Leh’s Senior Superintendent of Police Alok Kumar for his alleged aggressive attitude towards its personnel deployed in Leh, a charge vehemently denied by the State Government.

An IPS officer of 1997 batch, Kumar was instrumental earlier in busting a petrol and diesel scam, where few Army officials allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy with petrol dealers and sold the oil in open market while filling the tankers with water. (PTI)

Minus 7 degree hits normal life
Snow, rain still elude Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Jan 3: As snow and rain eludes the Kashmir valley owing to low Western Disturbances (WD) from Arabian Sea, severe dry cold because of minus 7 degree temperature, coupled with unscheduled and frequent power failure and water shortage affected normal life.

Cold-related diseases, particularly among children and elderly persons, are on the rise and long queues could be seen outside the medical shops in the Valley.

A weather office spokesman said people reeled under severe cold as the minimum temperature continued to remain below minus seven degree celsius.

After the coldest night yesterday, when the temperature dipped to minus 7.4 degree, a temperature of minus 7 degree was recorded this morning, which was five degree below normal.

The day was also comparatively cold with a partially cloudy sky.

The spokesman said the Western Disturbances, originating in Arabian Sea, are heading towards the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan. We expect some relief, including snow or rain during the next three days, he said, adding it mainly depends upon how strong Western Disturbances are.

He said we are not receiving proper Western Disturbances and the entire region, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, is facing dry, but cold, weather.

In Kashmir, long queues could be seen outside the medical stores as people complained of cold related diseases, including cough, bad cold and fever, because of dry weather.

Experts have warned that children and elderly persons should avoid venturing out early morning and late in the night, when the temperature goes down.

Temperature will improve once there is snowfall or rains, which will also help contain cold related diseases, they said.

Water in the Dal lake remained frozen and children were seen throwing stones and walking on its surface.

People in Kargil, Leh and Drass, the second coldest place in the world too are reeling under severe cold with minimum temperature still remaining between minus 14 degree to minus 16 degree celsius. (UNI)

4 Revenue officials, 5 land grabbers chargesheeted

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 3: Four Revenue Department officials and five land-grabbers were chargesheeted by the Crime Branch.

An official spokesman said that Police Station Saddar Srinagar received a written complaint from Abdul Rehman, son of Abdul Khalik Bhat of Gupkar Road, Srinagar wherein it was alleged that one Wali Mohammad Malik, son of Lasi Malik of Peer Bagh, Hyderpora in connivance with employees of Revenue Department has transferred land owned by the complainant and others at Rawalpora by way of forgery.

On the receipt of complaint, a formal case was registered for detailed investigation. However, at later stage the investigation of the case was transferred to Crime Branch.

During the course of investigation, the record pertaining to the case was seized and persons acquainted with the facts were examined. It emerged during investigation that accused persons in connivance with Revenue Department officials hatched a criminal conspiracy and fradulently mutated land owned and possessed by the complainant by forging signatures of actual land owner.

The services of Forensic Science Laboratory were utilized and it was established that the signatures of land owner and other witnesses were forged one.

On the basis of investigation, prima facie case of cheating was established against Bashir Ahmad Naqashbandi, the then Tehsildar, son of Saif-ud-Din of Malik Sahib Soura, Mohd Sahban Ganie, the then Girdawar Rawalpora, Gh Mohd Sofi, the then Patwari Rawalpora, son of Mohd Subhan Sofi of Krumshara Budgam, Ghulam Mohammad Ganie, the then Patwari Rawalpora, son of Abdul Rehman of Arigam Budgam and land-grabbers Wali Mohd Malik, son of Lassi Malik of Hyderpora and Ghulam Nabi Mattoo, son of Ghulam Rasool of Balgarden Srinagar.

After completion of investigation, the Crime Branch produced chargesheet against all the six accused persons before the court of law for judicial determination.

In another case of similar nature, Crime Branch produced challan against three land-grabbers identified as Abdul Hamid Mir, son of Mohd Rajab, Abdul Gani Akhoon, son of Ghulam Ahmad and Mohd Rajab Reshi, son of Ghulam Ahmad of Brain Nishat, Srinagar.

According to the official spokesman, 2nd Munsiff Srinagar forwarded a complaint to Police Station Maisuma wherein it was alleged that Abdul Hamid of Brain Nishat impersonated as Samad Bhat, son of Nabir Bhat for effecting registration of land in the Court.

Smelling something fishy, the Judge asked for identity card from the person, who failed to produce his I-card. Later, his identity was ascertained through a lawyer, who identified him as Abdul Hamid Mir instead of Samad Bhat.

During the course of investigation, the prima-facie case was established against three land-grabbers, who were accordingly chargesheeted.

68 cross sides at Kaman Post

SRINAGAR, Jan 3: As many as 68 people, including 25 women and seven children, on board the Karvaan-e-Aman buses, crossed sides at Kaman post today, the last Indian military post on the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector in Kashmir.

Official sources said 39 people, including 14 women and five children, left here for Kaman post this morning in Karvaan-e-Aman buses under tight security arrangements.

At Kaman post, they deboarded the buses and crossed the Aman Setu on foot to reach other side of the LoC from where they were taken to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) capital, Muzaffarabad.

They said there were 14 people, half of them women, who were going to PoK for the first time to meet their relatives separated in 1947 partition.

Twenty-five others, including seven women and five children were going back to PoK after meeting their relatives here for the first time since partition, they added.

Similarly, from PoK 14 people, including six women and a child, arrived here for the first time to meet their relatives while 15 others, including five women and one child, returned here after meeting their relatives in PoK.

About 6000 people have visited their relatives here and in PoK since the cross-border bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad has been started.

The bus service between was launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from here on April 7, 2005, after nearly 58 years following an agreement reached between India and Pakistan to allow families, separated since 1947, to meet each other.

The 170-km Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, also known as the Jhelum Valley road, was closed for traffic on October 27, 1947, when "kabailis" (tribesmen) invaded parts of Jammu and Kashmir which later came to be known as PoK. (UNI)

Athar behind JeM fidayeen attacks outside J&K

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 3: Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, a Britain born Pakistani militant commander of Harkat-ul-Ansar (HuA), who was among three militants freed by the Indian Government in exchange of 188 passengers and crew of a hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 184 on December 31, 1999, has been motivating youths in Gulf to join militancy for ‘jehad’ in Kashmir and other parts of the country.

Sheikh remained active in training camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit after virtual disband of HuA after his release from jail in exchange of hijacked passengers. However, about six to eight months back, he was sent to Dubai by Jaish chief Maulana Masood Azhar in search of some youths to act as fidayeens for launching terror attacks in India.

This information has been revealed by some of the recently arrested militants of JeM outfit.

Official sources said the arrested Pakistani militants have disclosed that Omar Saeed Sheikh had become a close associate of Masood Azhar after he reached Pakistan from Kandahar on being freed by the Indian Government for securing release of passengers on board the hijacked plane.

It was on the directions of Masood Azhar that Saeed Sheikh has been deputed to Dubai now to motivate some of the local youths in Gulf countries to join the ‘jehad’.

It may be mentioned here that there has been very less involvement of Gulf youths in militancy though, of late, it has been observed that Gulf businessmen have become very active in funding jehad in India especially in Jammu and Kashmir.

The arrested militants have disclosed that Saeed Sheikh after spending a couple of years in hibernation after his release in lieu of hijacked passengers had become a close associate of Masood Azhar, who too was released along with him by the Indian Government. Third released militant, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar alias Mushtaq Latram of Kashmir was keeping a very low profile though his services are being utilised by the militant commanders to train ‘jehadis’ in PoK training camps. Latram was also not keeping very good physique as he used to be.

Ibrahim Athar, who was among five Jaish-e-Mohammed militants, who had hijacked Airbus A300B2 on way from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal to IGI Airport, New Delhi nearly eight years back, was also reported to have become very active in Jaish outfit and was currently directing most of the operations in Indian States other than Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.

Athar was reported to be behind the Jaish plot to kidnap a VVIP in Lucknow to get a large number of Kashmir and Pakistani militants freed from the jails in exchange of the hostage. The plot, however, failed as all three Pakistani militants (Mirza Rashid Beg alias Raja Kazaki of Gujranwala, Mohd Abid alias Fateh of Lahore and Mohd Yusuf alias Faisal of Sialkot), who had gone to Lucknow from Kashmir, were arrested by the police in UP on November 16 last year.

Athar and his four associates—Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim and Shakir had hijacked Indian Airlines Flight 814 on December 24, 1999 shortly after it entered Indian airspace from Kathmandu and after halts at Amritsar, Lahore and Dubai was flown to Kandahar in Afghanistan. The passengers were freed on December 31 after a week long captivity.

Interrogation of the militants has revealed that Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim has died a natural death.

Villager killed by militants

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 3: A villager was killed by some unidentified militants in South Kashmir today.

An official spokesman said that militants kidnapped Bashir Ahmad Rather at Kilabal Shopian few days ago. His throat slit body was recovered at Braripora in the same district today.

He was the first civilian killed by militants in 2008.

More illegal constructions in Dal removed

SRINAGAR, Jan 3: As part of a drive against encroachments and illegal constructions on the world famous Dal lake, six structures were demolished today by a special squad.

Hundreds of illegal houses and other structures, besides more than three lakh trees, were removed from the lake following court orders last year to clear all encroachments on the water body in an attempt to restore its pristine glory.

Official sources said the demolition was carried under the supervision of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mehboob Iqbal.

They said 23 houses and other structures besides small tin sheds had been demolished last week.

The demolition drive has been launched to safeguard the world famous Dal lake, which is a major tourist attraction.

Assisted by police, the officials of different departments had razed to ground more than hundred structures, constructed illegally at Chuntkul, an outflow channel of the lake, despite some resistance last week.

A petition, filed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, alleged that despite spending crores of rupees during the past 15 years, the condition of the lake had deteriorated.

Despite court orders, illegal construction on and around the lake, including the green belt, was going on. Half a dozen officials of the Lakes And Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) were suspended for allowing illegal construction on the lake after court orders.

To curb the fresh illegal construction, the authorities have decided to disconnect electricity and water supply to all houses and other structures constructed illegally on the lake, official sources said. (UNI)

Two Bangladeshis held in Ramgarh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 3: Police and Territorial Army today arrested two Bangladeshi nationals in Ramgarh sector when they were trying to exfiltrate to Pakistan.

They have been identified as Mohd Hafiz Mian son of Ambar Ali and Mohd Qaiser son of Mohd Abdul Ali, both residents of Kishoregunj, Dhaka. Arrests were made by a Ramgarh police station party led by SHO Inspector Harjit Singh along with a team of Territorial Army.

SSP Samba Rajinder Gupta said the Bangladeshis initially disclosed their identity as Rattan Ghosh and Muthu Dass, residents of 24 Parganas, West Bengal. However, on being quizzed further, they admitted that they were Bangladeshi nationals and intended to cross over to Pakistan.

Mr Gupta said the Bangladeshis have disclosed identity of two persons who were helping Bangladeshis cross Indo-Bangla border in West Bengal and reach Jammu to cross over to Pakistan.

While Qurban Mian of Bangladesh was assisting Bangladeshis to cross border and reach West Bengal, Rattan Dass of Bengaon, West Bengal guided them to Jammu, he added.

Cabinet to approve Governor Address

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 3: The State Cabinet is meeting here tomorrow under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The Cabinet is scheduled to approve Governor’s Address to joint session of Legislature on January 7, marking start of the budget session.

Authoritative sources said there was no other important agenda before the Cabinet except for approving the Governor Address.

No rift on leadership issue: BJP

NEW DELHI, Jan 3: Rubbishing speculation of a rift at the top level, the BJP today said senior leader L K Advani will lead the party in the next Lok Sabha elections and party president Rajnath Singh’s role would be to ‘supplement’ his efforts in the most challenging task after the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.

Talking to mediapersons while clearing the air regarding problems betweeen Mr Advani and Mr Singh following the appointment of Om Mathur as Rajasthan BJP president, BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the party president had himself announced that Mr Advani will steer the party in the next Lok Sabha elections and any suggestions or speculation indicating towards any misunderstanding between them was "illusionary and imaginary".

There have been news reports stating that Mr Mathur had been entrusted with the responsibility as Rajasthan party president against the wishes of Mr Advani and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

The spokesperson declined comment on that the Chief Minister had offered to resign in protest against the removal of Mr Mahesh Sharma as state BJP president.

Meanwhile, Ms Raje, who was here in Delhi, left for Jaipur as BJP president was in Karnataka to attend an election rally in Raichur.

Referring to the Congress claim that their party would do well in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh after it received a drubbing in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, Mr Rudy said the party seemed to have forgotten that they also had a Government in Delhi, which will also to go to the polls next year.

"This is an admission that they have already lost the Delhi Government," he said, recalling how Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had conceded defeat in Gujarat even before the elections when he had said that the BJP had projected Mr Advani as Prime Ministerial candidate fearing that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi would stake claim at national level after the State polls. (UNI)

Mobile phones, SIM cards seized

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 3: Security forces and police today recovered mobile telephones and SIM cards of BSNL and a Pakistan mobile service provider after an encounter with militants at village Narole in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district.

Encounter between the two sides continued for an hour but the militants managed to escape, reports said.

From the hide-out where the militants had taken position, security forces and police recovered three mobile sets along with three BSNL SIM cards, one Pakistani SIM card, two mattresses, eight blankets, two LPG cylinders, each weighing five kg, 10 kg flour, five kg mustard oil, five kg sugar, one pillow and one gas stove.

Security forces continued searches for the militants.

In another search operation at Gajna, Surankote in Poonch, troops recovered one Nokia mobile phone, 15 AK rounds, one satellite phone charger with solar panel and one audio cassette.

6 killed in temple stampede

VIJAYAWADA, Jan 3: Six people, including five women were killed and 15 injured in a stampede at Sri Durga Malleswara Swami Temple, atop Indrakeeladri Hill here, this morning.

Police said while five people died on the spot in the stampede at ‘Omkar’ turning, one Eswaramma (46) of Visakhapatnam succumbed to injuries at the Government General Hospital here.

Today being the last day to end their ‘Feeksha’ (austerity), more than two lakh pilgrims (Bhavanis) thronged the temple since 2300 hrs last night.

The other deceased were identified as Rambabu (8) of Eluru, Kesibai(21) of Kurnool, Chuvadda Lakshmi (23) of Vijayawada, Sunita (38) of Kakinada and Ramulamma (50) of Visakhapatnam.

The stampede occurred as the surging pilgrims from the bridge and ghat road assembled at the turning and jostled each other, police added.

There were no barricades and only an Inspector and three constables were present to control the crowd, eye witnesses said.

Meanwhile, Krishna District Collector Navin Mittal ordered an inquiry by Joint Collector S Suresh Kumar into the incident.

City Police Commissioner C V Anand, who visited the spot, said the Devasthanam officials had not heeded their advice to take precautionary measures to avoid any such incident.

He said the stampede occurred as there was only one way for the pilgrims to enter and exit and alleged that the temple officials did not agree to make foolproof arrangements.

Regretting the incident, Andhra Pradesh Endowments Commissioner said action would be taken against the officials responsible for the mishap.

The bodies were shifted to the Government General Hospital here for a post-mortem.

The injured were also admitted to the hospital where their condition was stated to be stable.

The Collector, who visited the spot accused the temple authorities of not making adequate arrangements to control the crowd.

He also warned of stringent action against them, if found guilty.

Earlier, Commissioner of Police C V Anand and member of Parliament Lagadapati Rajagopal visited the victims at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister J Ratnakar Rao announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh each to next-of-kin of the deceased and Rs 10,000 each to the injured.

State Endowments Commissioner Sundar Kumar would also conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit the report to the State Government.

Temple sources said that about three lakh devotees had visited the temple and it was opened for ‘darshan’ at 0300 hrs today.

About two lakh devotees had ended their ‘deekshas’ since December 30, the sources added.

Every year more than five lakh ‘bhavanis’ from all over the State visit the temple to relinquish their 41-day-long austerity.(UNI)

Pak sets free 4 hijackers

ISLAMABAD, Jan 3: Pakistan today freed four Palestinians convicted of the 1986 hijacking of an American airliner in Karachi that ended with the death of 22 people including an Indian flight purser Neerja Bhanot, who helped passengers aboard escape.

The hijackers, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, were set free from Adiala jail in Rawalpindi and put on an international flight to the Gulf region, local TV channels reported.

A group of Palestinians hijacked a Pan Am Boeing 747 carrying 400 passengers while it was being parked at the Apron in Karachi in September 1986. The cockpit crew escaped through the emergency hatch but senior flight purser Bhanot stayed on helping passengers escape.

Twenty-two people, including Bhanot, died when Pakistani commandos stormed the flight to end the 16-hour siege. Bhanot was awarded Ashok Chakra posthumously by the Indian Government. She was at that time the youngest and till date the only woman Ashok Chakra awardee.

The Palestinians were handed down the death penalty during the regime of late Gen Zia-ul-Haq for hijacking the plane. One of the hijackers, who was injured in the commando operation, died in jail.

The sentence of the others was later converted to life imprisonment in 1988 when slain Premier Benazir Bhutto was in power.(PTI)