FIA headquarters destroyed
32 killed in twin car bombings, shooting in Pak

LAHORE, Mar 11: At least 28 people were killed and 170 injured in two devastating suicide car bombings that destroyed the Federal headquarters of Pakistan’s premier probe agency and a house near PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari’s residence here today.

Hours later, unidentified gunmen opened fire at a passenger train here, killing four persons and injuring three others, police said.

The blast that ripped through the seven-storey office of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) located on Temple road at 9.23 am killed at least 24 people and injured scores.

The explosion destroyed the entire front of the building. Walls, stairs and columns collapsed as several of the lower floors were reduced to rubble. The terrorist strike in the Capital of eastern Punjab province comes a week after the attack on a Naval college in the city.

Officials said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who drove a van packed with over 60 kg of explosives through the gate and rammed into the wall of the FIA office before blowing himself up. The attacker’s severed head was found by police and sent for DNA tests.

The blast triggered fires in the FIA office and CNG tanks of cars in the parking lot. At least 12 cars were destroyed and several of them exploded due to intensity of the flames.

The blast, which created a five-foot deep crater, also damaged several nearby buildings, including the office of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and a school run by a christian organisation. Many students of the school were injured by shards of glass from shattered windows.

In the second blast that occurred almost simultaneously in the Posh Model Town residential area, two suicide bombers drove a pick-up truck into the compound of a house that had been rented by an advertising agency and blew themselves up.

Reports said the suicide bombers might have mistakenly hit the house as their real target could have been the nearby residence of an army officer or Bilawal house, the residence of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

Besides the bombers, the blast killed two children of the gardener who worked at the house, parts of which were reduced to rubble. Two persons, including the gardener, were seriously injured in the blast, said police officer Azmat Gondal.

The blast created a seven-foot crater and smashed the windows of all houses within a radius of 100 metres.

The attack on the FIA office created panic in the nearby Mall road area, a bustling commercial area where shops and commercial complexes were opening for the day when the blast rocked the area.

Over 100 FIA employees had already reported for work when the blast occurred. FIA Director General Tariq Parvez said 16 employees of the organisation were killed.

The city administration declared the FIA office as unsafe and ordered everyone except rescue workers to leave the structure. Officials said they had recovered the close circuit cameras and video recorders fitted to the front of the building and these would be analyzed to see whether they had captured the suicide attack.

Lahore has witnessed three deadly suicide attacks this year. Last week, two suicide bombers had targeted the Pakistan Navy’s War college on Mall road, killing seven persons and injuring over 20 people. In January, a suicide attacker had struck a police picket near the high court, killing 26 people.

President Pervez Musharraf strongly condemned the bomb blasts, saying such "acts of terrorism cannot deter the Government’s resolve to fight the scourge with full force". In a message, he said the masterminds behind the attack would be brought to justice.

The attack was also condemned by PPP co-chairman Zardari, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Several hours after the twin car bombings, four persons were killed and three others injured by unidentified gunmen who sprayed bullets at a coach of the Badar express that was coming to the city from Faisalabad.

The assailants fled after the attack.

No one has claimed responsibility of the attack. The motive behind the attack was not clear, police said.(PTI)

‘Muftis to face many surprises in coming days’
Third Front will emerge shortly in J&K: Mir

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 11: Former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir has said that a Third Front would emerge soon in Jammu and Kashmir before coming Assembly elections.

Mr Mir, who was expelled from the Party hardly two days back told at ‘Meet the Press’ program held at Press Club Jammu that the Third Front would come out as ‘big force’ after Assembly elections and would play crucial role in the State politics in coming months.

"Third Front is bound to come up as many political leaders and parties are not in line with the aims and objectives of coalition partners Congress, PDP and opposition National Conference", Mr Mir added.

Without indicating as to which political leaders and parties in the State will join the Third Front, Mr Mir who represents Tangmarg Assembly constituency in Kashmir said, "it will be a strong front with representatives from all the three regions of the State and not only from Kashmir."

In reply to a question whether Hurriyat leaders would also be a part of the front, Mir said there is no harm in talking to them. He however, opined that they should also come out for contesting polls.

Mr Mir was expelled by the disciplinary committee of PDP headed by Minister for Agriculture Abdul Aziz Zargar from the primary membership of the party for the alleged anti-party activities on Sunday.

On his difference with the party leadership on nomination of Deputy Chief Minister, the expelled leader said that he was never a contestant for this post, instead the main confrontation was that the party never took a collective decision on any issue, rather, decisions were thrust upon the party functionaries by one person.

"We had formed PDP with an object that it will be a democratic alternative to NC but the party has not been running in that direction and people there are feeling suffocated", the leader said adding that many more in PDP may take a decision in course of time to part ways with the party because of the undemocratic and dictatorial attitude of the leadership.

The Party is being dominated by ‘Muftis’ and others have no say in any decision. Though many in the party were feeling uneasy under such circumstances but due to some compulsions and power with the ‘Muftis’ they are unable to take a bold decision. But time has come and Party will face many surprises in coming days. But if any damage is caused, Mufti family will be responsible for it, Mr Mir indicated.

Launching scathing attack on NC and Mufti families, he said both encouraged family rule and kept aside the most dedicated and senior members in the cadre. This undemocratic move of these families will cost them dearly. He maintained that for him there was no much difference in both these families. He however, claimed that third front will be formed with the groups of democratic and secular ideology who will take along the public representatives and give due place and status. Unfortunately most of the parties have tried to divide the people from all the three regions, but third front would focus on joining people from all the regions and take along all people having same ideology.

Coalition can go to any extent for power: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 11: National Conference president Omar Abdullah today promised special package for Kandi belt of the State which will include special recruitment drives and modernization of irrigation,agriculture and water supply schemes.

Addressing a public rally in Budhi, Kathua, he said the Kandi areas have been deprived of its due share in all sectors during the coalition regime, which has turned the situation from bad to worse.

Asserting that National Conference has always projected the cause of people living in Kandi areas, who have been facing tough climate and living conditions, "he said: Our election manifesto, which will be released shortly, has special focus on Kandi areas".

"We are planning special recruitment drive and employment package for Kandi areas", Mr Abdullah said.

"If we are voted to power by the people we will ensure that Kandi areas will get their due share in all the sectors especially developmental and employment", Omar said adding, "we are also looking forward for creation of special fund for the development of Kandi areas and will keep provision for modernization of irrigation canal of these areas of the State particularly in Jammu division".

Observing that majority of population of these areas rely on agriculture, the NC president said that modern agriculture schemes will be launched to ensure improvement in agricultural outcome of these areas.

Expressing surprise over halting of recruitment process by the coalition Government, he termed the move as an election strategy of the ruling alliance at the cost of unemployed youth.

He said that the recent Government order directing the administrative departments to stop referring the vacancies to the recruitment agencies is the testimony of the Government's functioning.

"It is clear that the Government wants to befool the people with employment packages before the next Assembly elections", Omar said adding; "the Government wants to stop the recruitment process so that the coalition alliance can vow voters with false promises".

He said that all this was being done at the cost of unemployed youth who were already facing hardships due to lack of employment avenues.

Mr Abdullah added that the National Conference, if voted to power, will have special focus on unemployed youth of the State. "We are formulating strategy to meet unemployment challenge as youth will have a special focus in our election manifesto".

Coming down heavily upon the coalition alliance, Omar observed that the ruling coalition can go to any extent to remain in power. "There are every possibility that the Government will jeopardize the role of recruitment board, which seems to be a design to adopt the policy of favoritism and nepotism in recruitment process".

He, however, added that the Government officials of the State have always held high the rule of law by not succumbing to pressure. He appealed to the all Government officers to live up to their reputation by being impartial and committed towards their duties like past.

Those who accompanied Mr Abdullah included Ajay Sadhotra, Rattan Lal Gupta, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Devender Singh Rana, Thakur Kashmira Singh, Sahib, Bimla Luthra, Brij Mohan Sharma, Ajit Kumar, KK Bakshi, Dhian Chand, Shakeel, Tony, Bharti Sharma, JP Singh, Prem Mehta, Faqir Singh, Ganesh Dubey, Mukhtiyar Chand, Neelam Sharma, Narayian Mehta, S. Isher Sigh, Rajinder Zalam and others.

Chugging of trains likely in June
Work on Anantnag-Rajvanshar complete

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Mar 11: The summer capital of the State is likely to witness chugging of regular trains during the peak tourist season as work on Anantnag-Rajvanshar project has been completed and final inspections of the track will be conducted during next two months.

Authoritative sources told the EXCELSIOR that all sorts of work on 75 kilometre Anantnag-Rajvanshar rail line has been completed by the IRCON India International, a Government of India Enterprise, and now the executing agency was primarily focusing on finishing work wherever required.

Of this 75 kilometre track, the inspection of 25 kilometre Kakapor to Budgam has already been completed and this section is at present fit for chugging of the trains, the sources disclosed and said that the inspection of remaining portion of this track will be carried out in two phases.

The inspection of 20 kilometres track between Awantipora and Panjgam will be carried out by ending April while those of remaining 30 kilometres stretch from Bijbehara to Anantnag and Budgam to Rajvanshar will be conducted in May, the sources said.

The inspection for signalling, track geometry, panelling, bridges, culverts, yards, stations and quarters for staff will be conducted by a team of Railways Engineering Wing on 50 kilometres of track at the first instance followed by speed trials on the entire 75 kilometre track, they disclosed.

There will be nine stations at Anantnag, Bijbehara, Panjgam, Awantipora, Kakapor, Pampore, Srinagar, Budgam and Rajvanshar on the 75 kilometre track.

The cost of this project which was initially worked out at Rs 1600 crore was later revised in the Railways Budget at Rs 2500 crore keeping in view various factors including price escalation of material required for laying of track, the sources said.

Of the total Rs 2500 crore earmarked for entire railway project in the Kashmir valley, around Rs 2200 crore have so far been spent on making 75 kilometre track complete by all means and executing major work on the remaining stretch of Qazigund to Anantnag and Rajvanshar to Baramulla.

They disclosed that the work on 18 kilometre Qazigund-Anantnag and 28 kilometres Rajvanshar-Baramulla sections was apace in order to complete the entire 120 kilometre Qazigund-Baramulla track ready as per the target given by the Railways Ministry.

Sources said that since the final inspections of the 75 kilometres track will be over in April-May, the possibility of chugging of regular trains by June cannot be ruled out keeping in view the demand of the people.

"The another factor which would also pave the way for commissioning of the track in June is that by that time the tourist inflow to the summer capital of the State will be at its peak and chugging of first ever train will be a boon for the tourism promotion", the sources said.

HM comdr reveals strong political connections
*Haul of arms, explosives in Reasi

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Mar 11: Mumtaz Ahmed alias Tahir Siddiqui, a district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, who had been operating in Arnas-Mahore-Gool-Gulabgarh belt for last more than a decade and was involved in several militant activities, has admitted having strong political connections.

Mumtaz had surrendered before Reasi police, Army and BSF on Sunday along with a battalion commander of the outfit, Anzar Ahmed alias Arslan, a resident of Kenthi, Mahore.

During his sustained questioning, Mumtaz was said to have confessed his links with prominent political leaders of ruling party. Even when he was operating as a top militant in Mahore-Gool-Gulabgarh area, he had managed his marriage with Mubeena Akhter, a real cousin of a prominent politician, official sources said.

Following his marriage in political leader’s family, he had developed good political contacts, they added.

Mumtaz, who was an active militant for last 13 years, was a frequent visitor to politicians’ houses in view of his marriage with Mubeena even as police and security forces were constantly searching him as he was involved in a series of subversive activities in Mahore-Gool-Gulabgarh belt.

Mumtaz, who was operating as district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen at the time of his surrender, was just 12 when he was lured into militancy. He was later taken to Pakistan by the Hizbul commanders for arms training. After his return, he participated in several actions.

Mumtaz and Anzar are being sent to Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) to gather more details about Hizbul Mujahideen outfit’s network in Udhampur, Reasi and Ramban districts, sources said.

According to sources, the ruling party’s political leader has voiced his displeasure to police for projecting his cousin’s husband as district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen.

Meanwhile, police parties have busted a couple of major hide-outs of Hizbul Mujahideen at Nari Sangar in Reasi on the disclosures of two surrendered militants and recovered a huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives.

DIG Udhampur-Reasi range Alok Puri and SSP Reasi J L Sharma supervised the search operations which led to huge recoveries including four AK rifles, 27 AK magazines, two Chinese pistols, two remote control IEDs, five hand grenades, eight UBGL grenades, eight I Com wireless sets, 107 electronic detonators, nine wireless set antennas, eight RPG rounds, 785 ammunition of different weapons, five pouches, two bandoliers and eight pistol magazines besides calculators, audio cassettes, pocket diaries, maps and letter heads of Hizbul Mujahideen.

During last few days, police and security forces have busted a number of hide-outs of Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and some other militant outfits at Challad, Bharkh Nallah and Arnas. During searches, a large quantity of arms, ammunition, explosives and documents have been seized.

Sources said the surrender of Mumtaz and Anzar has virtually finished top Hizbul cadre in Arnas-Mahore-Gool-Gulabgarh belt.

6 militants held in Pattan

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 11: Army today claimed to have arrested six militants with a seizure of arms and ammunition from their hideouts in Pattan area of Baramulla district, in north Kashmir.

A Defence spokesman said that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 29 Bn, alongwith SOG Pattan, apprehended eight suspects from general area Hamre on the evening of March 8. During sustained interrogation, the detainees identified a hideout in an orchard in Chanderhama village. Subsequently, the hideout was raided and a quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered. The seizure included one AK rifle, six magazines, 2010 rounds of AK ammunition, two pistols, three magazines, eighteen rounds of pistol ammunition, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), one hand grenade, six IED circuits, ten liters of liquid explosive, one radio set and other administration stores.

The spokesman identified the six detainees as Gulzar Ahed Ganai S/o Ghulam Hassan Ganai R/o Chanderhama, Bilal Ahed Bhat S/o Mohammad Subhan Bhat R/o Hamre, Gulzar Ahmed Lone S/o Ghulam Ali Lone R/o Chanderhama, Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani S/o Mohammad Ramzan Wani R/o Chaksaree and Altaf Ahed Bhat S/o Ghulam Ahmed Bhat R/o Andergam, Pattan. He described all the six as militants and said that they had been handed over to Police Station Pattan and a criminal matter had been registered against them. The spokesman said that two persons, whose involvement was not established to be serious, were released after questioning. He identified them as shaukat Ahmed Chiti S/o Ghulam Ahmed Chiti R/o Andergam and Shamim Ganai S/o Ghulam Ali Ganai R/o Chandarhama.

Prof Tripathi elected new JUTA president

By Devender Padha

JAMMU, Mar 11: The much touted elections of Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) today concluded with the victory of "Dark Horse" Prof. N K Tripathi, who was elected as president after a triangular contest.

Prof. Tripathi, tipped by most as the silent assasin, completed victory over his nearest rival and former JUTA president, Prof. R D Sharma by a comfortable margin of 17 votes, as the former got 112 votes, while the latter could manage only 95. Meanwhile, the third contestant Dr. Arvind Jasrotia finished with 82 votes.

The contest for vice-president also witnessed a keen fight. But, it was Dr. Neeru Sharma who finally prevailed upon. She got 99 votes, while her nearest rival Dr. P K Srivastava secured 61 votes. The other three contestants namely Raman Gupta, Prof. Purshottam Sharma and Dr. Ashok Sharma got 47, 47 and 33 votes respectively.

In a straight fight for the post of secretary, Dr. Rajeev Rattan Sharma defeated his lone rival Dr. Abha Chauhan with a heavy margin of 78 votes, as the former secured massive 183 votes while the latter managed only 105.

A keen traingular contest was also witnessed for the post of secretary, wherein Dr. Lalitsen Sharma got the maximum votes (150) and emerged victorious, whereas other two contestants Dr. Sapna K Sangra and Dr. Parmil Kumar secured 91 and 44 votes respectively. It is to mention that Dr. Sapna contested the election for the first time and managed overwhelming support in the election though she failed to finish on winning note.

Dr. Virender Koundal with a total of 146 votes got elected as JUTA treasurer. He defeated his lone rival Ramesh Magotra with a narrow margin of just 8 votes. Magotra got 138 votes.

Earlier, a total of 289 members, out of the total 304 , exercised their franchise in a fair and smooth manner. Prof. Lokesh Verma did the duty of election commissioner, while Prof. Vachaspati Magotra and Dr. Mubarak Singh coordinated along with him.

Meanwhile, talking to the EXCELSIOR, Prof. N K Tripathi, just elected JUTA president listed his priorities and vowed to continue with the efforts to highlight the problems of the university teaching fraternity. He also prioritized the provision of research facilties to young teachers.

Later in the evening, JUTA organized a function at Brig. Rajinder Singh Auditorium in JU. Outgoing JUTA president, Prof. N R Sharma, in his welcome address, thanked the Vice Chancellor and administration for getting teachers demands fulfilled, which included conversion of CP fund to GP fund, career advancement scheme with arrears in 2-3 instalments, initiation of process of Central status to the university etc.

On the occasion, both the outgoing president and new incumbent felicitated Prof. Amitabh Mattoo on being nominated for Padam Shree award. A cultural programme was also organized to mark the occasion.

2 killed, 43 hurt in Nandni mishap

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 11: Two persons were killed and 43 others received injuries when a bus, they were travelling in, plunged into a gorge near Nandni late tonight.

The ill-fated video coach bus bearing registration number JK02S-8276 was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar when 20 metres short of Nandni the drunken driver failed to negotiate a sharp curve resulting into vehicle plunging into the gorge.

Two persons including a minor died on the spot while 43 other passengers sustained injuries, some of them critically.

The shopkeepers at Nandni immediately informed police about the accident and a police team swung into action. Additional SP Jammu Shakti Pathak also reached the spot to supervise the rescue operation.

After hectic efforts of police as well as locals, all the occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were brought out of the gorge and shifted to Government Medical College Hospital in police as well as private vehicles.

The condition of some of them was stated to be critical when reports last came in. However, the identity of the deceased as well as injured could not be established till filing of this report.

MLA’s 2 brothers among 4 held

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 11: Police today arrested two brothers and two nephews of Panthers Party MLA Faqir Nath while the MLA was absconding when his house at Akalpur, Domana was raided. The MLA, as reported, has yesterday assaulted SPO Sukhdev Singh Manhas, who was posted at his residence.

Additional SP Jammu Shakti Pathak said Faqir Nath’s two brothers—Darshan Lal and Rattan Lal and two nephews—Sham Lal and Tara Singh alias Fattu were arrested for their involvement in the assault on SPO.

The MLA was not present in the house. If he didn’t make himself available for arrest, a warrant will be procured for arresting him, sources said.

A case against the accused has been registered under Sections 353, 323 and 506 RPC.

3 cops suspended for extortion

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 11: District police authorities have ordered suspension of three police constables including a driver of Gangyal police station for extortion of money from shopkeepers and rehriwallas in Gangyal area.

Police sources said action against the accused was ordered after a discreet inquiry conducted by a police officer confirmed allegations against the three police personnel that they were involved in charging ‘hafta’ from shopkeepers and rehriwallas.

While two constables—Noor Mohd and Rattan Lal have been suspended, driver Natha Ram has been attached to District Police Lines, sources said.

Further action against the accused is being initiated, sources added.

Infiltration in decline along Indo-Pak border: Govt

NEW DELHI, Mar Cross-border infiltration along the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh Border has declined and there is no significant incidence of foreign intrusions on other borders, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil, in reply to a question, said to contain cross-border intrusions the Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach, including round the clock surveillance, patrolling, setting up of observation posts and upgrade of intelligence setup.

"Construction of border fencing and flood lighting, introduction of modern and hi-tech surveillance equipment and coordination on intelligence sharing between Centre and state governments is also being done," he said.

The Minister said in 2005 there were total of 6,586 attempts of foreign intrusion, 5,258 in 2006 and 4,334 in 2007.

About the India-Nepal border, Mr Patil said the Government is trying to increase the number of BSF personnel since the border was not fenced.

"This 1,500 km long-border is not fenced and the terrain is difficult.... We are trying to improve manning at this border. And so is the case for Bhutan and Myanmar," he added.

About securing India’s coastal borders, the Minister said coastal sea police is being set up to assist the navy and the coast guard.

"Money has been given to State Government’s concerned for securing the about 7,000 km sea borders," he told the House.

He pointed out that officials have been raising the issue of training camps in neighbouring countries with respective Governments.

"Diplomatic channels are being used for the purpose," he added. (UNI)