IT Deptt surveys Shiva, Trikuta Steels, Platinum Solutions
Concealment of Rs 4 cr supplies made
for border fencing detected

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Mar 25: In a major success in Jammu region during the current financial year, the Income Tax Department has unearthed concealment worth Rs 4 crore of barbed wire supplies, which were utilized for the fencing of International Borders (IB) in the State.

The IT sleuths have also surveyed the premises of national repute company’s local establishment at Gangyal and detected claim of "inadmissible" income tax exemptions worth crores of rupees.

Official sources told the EXCELSIOR that exchange of vital information from different organisations and agencies by the Income Tax Department, J&K Circle, has revealed concealment of supplies of barbed wire made by a local company for the fencing of International Borders in Jammu region during 2003-04 when the fencing was at its extreme pace to check infiltration from across the borders.

This information was further developed by the Income Tax Department sleuths deputed by the Commissioner Virendra Singh and after hectic efforts it was established that M/s Shiva Steel and Wire Industry at Gangyal had concealed the supplies of barbed wire made to the defence authorities in the financial year 2003-04.

Today, a special team of IT Department, J&K Circle conducted survey in Shiva Steel and Wire Industry owned by Anil Kumar Gupta and impounded documents pertaining to the supplies of barbed wire made for the fencing of borders in Jammu region, the sources disclosed.

During survey it came to fore that Anil Kumar Gupta made supplies worth Rs 4 crore to the defence authorities through the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited, an apex Federation of the consumer cooperatives in the country, but the supplier had not reflected the same in the Income Tax returns.

One of the main objectives of the National Cooperative Consumers Federation is to establish trade connections with manufacturers, their authorised distributors and suppliers/dealers including Government agencies and Cooperative Organisations to undertake purchase, sale and supply of various goods.

"Proprietor of M/s Shiva Steel and Wire Industry concealed the supplies in order to evade the income tax on the same", the sources said, adding "though the payment for the supplies of barbed wire was made to the firm through cheque yet the same was also not reflected in the bank accounts of supplier".

The documents of M/s Shiva Steel and Wire Industry which were impounded during the survey also revealed that Anil Kumar Gupta was also running another unit—Trikuta Steel Industries at Gangyal on the name of his wife.

On the basis of these revelations, the IT sleuths also conducted survey in the premises of Trikuta Steel Industries and impounded accounts books for scrutiny to establish the role played by this unit in concealment of defence supplies and any other transactions, the sources disclosed.

"It is also being ascertained as to whether the barbed wires supplied by M/s Shiva Steel and Wire Industry were of required quality", the sources said.

They disclosed that as per the Income Tax laws, the Department can conduct survey in the transactions made by any company during the past six years.

Meanwhile, the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax Department conducted survey in the premises of M/s Platinum IT Solutions, Gangyal to verify the genuineness of the Income Tax exemptions worth Rs 1.76 crore claimed by it under industrial benefits granted by the Central Government.

"The survey at Jammu premises of national repute company was conducted on the directions from the IT authorities at New Delhi", the sources disclosed and said that offices of the company at Mumbai and Sikkim were also surveyed by the IT sleuths from these States.

After complete scrutiny of the impounded documents relating to the IT exemptions claimed under industrial benefits, the IT Department’s, J&K Circle will submit a report to the authorities at headquarters to verify the exact quantum of ‘inadmissible’ IT exemptions claimed so far, the sources said.

It is pertinent to mention here that M/s Fil Industries, owned by a Kashmir based industrialist and Tawi Chemicals owned by Jammu based industrialist Raju Choudhary have also claimed ‘inadmissible’ IT exemptions worth Rs 50 crore and Rs 25 lakh respectively and the same was detected during the surveys conducted by the Income Tax Department earlier this month.

When contacted, Income Tax Commissioner, Virendra Singh confirmed that some surveys have been conducted on the basis of specific informations and incriminating documents have been impounded.

He further said that exact details about the evasion of income tax will be known only after the detailed scrutiny of the documents. He, however, said that tax evadors, who have not yet come forward, have been left with few days to disclose their actual income and file IT returns accordingly failing which strict action will be taken against them.

PCC being re-constituted within a month: Soz

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Mar 25: Hinting at the early formation of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) after his taking over the charge in J&K, new PCC chief and Union Minister for Water Resources Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz has said that new Committee is being reconstituted within a month in the State.

Prof Soz, who was here to interact with the Party leaders and the workers to hold discussions and seek their opinion before going in for the bigger exercise in the State, told the media-persons here that he held talks with the Ministers, provincial bodies and District Congress Committees of Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Ramban, Jammu, Kathua and various other units including YCC, INTUC, Mahila wing and Seva Dal.

"The purpose is to carry along all the people within the party to have close coordination with them and take gross root level inputs from each and every unit about the party State of affairs in the State. He said the exercise of reorganisation of the new PCC has already begun and the efforts were on to accommodate all the people," Prof Soz maintained.

When asked about the time limit, Prof Soz said new PCC will be reconstituted shortly, may be within a month. He said that he has received good inputs from all the parts of the State and was satisfied with the performance of the Party and its working. He hoped that in coming elections Congress will be able to bring good results as it is gaining strength day by day in all the regions of the State.

At the same time, the PCC leader stressed for the close coordination between the Party and the Government in order to come up to the expectations of the people and the workers at gross root level. Mr Soz made his intentions known to one and all that all party leaders irrespective of their role or status whether in Government or in the Party will have to work together to strengthen the organisation.

In response to a question on pre-poll alliance, Prof Soz said alliance of Congress with PDP was going on and will end till Government continues. At the time of elections, the Party high command will take an appropriate decision which will be in favour of the Congress. The PDP leadership would obviously like to do whatever it suits them. So, at this time, it would not be right to comment, he maintained.

Referring to the reports coming up in the media regarding emergence of a strong Third Front in the State, the PCC chief said when the elections draw near, every time such things come into the air. Many political groups and parties start airing such views as per their suitability. Congress need not to worry about the formation of any Front. Let them prove their strength in coming Assembly elections. Their role will be considered relevant if they prove their sufficient strength on ground, Prof Soz added.

Replying to yet another question on any decision of the Congress Party regarding projection of Chief Ministerial candidate in the State, Prof Soz said quipped, "the decision rests with the Party president Mrs Sonia Gandhi and top leadership in the Party. It will be premature to say anything on the issue." He however, admitted that he was ready to accept any responsibility given to him by the Party chief.

Commenting on the peace process with Pakistan, the Union Minister said that restoration of democratic Government in Pakistan was a good sign. Now it depends, how new Government responds to the ongoing peace process initiated by India. He hoped that peace process would go along smoothly as the people on both the sides want peace and the resolution of all the pending issues.

Police suspects ‘in-house fraud’
Rs 10 lakh ‘looted’ from J&K Bank branch

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Mar 25: Mystery shrouded an alleged burglary in Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s Thanna Mandi branch in Rajouri district this morning in which Rs 10.06 lakh were found missing from the ‘safe’. While the treasury cashier, who was admitted in District Hospital, Rajouri after the alleged loot, claimed that some unidentified persons decamped with cash after throwing chilly powder in his eyes and rendering him unconscious, police asserted that they were also working on the theory of "inside involvement".

DIG Rajouri-Poonch range Prithvi Raj Manhas said a direction has been issued to police officials to take the treasury cashier, Khadim Hussain, a resident of Tota Morha, Rajdhani, Thanna Mandi into custody as soon as he was discharged from the hospital for questioning due to his alleged ‘dubious role’ in the entire episode.

Police and bank version revealed that JKBL’s Branch Manager Kewal Krishan asked Khadim Hussain to bring the cash from the ‘safe’ in ground floor at about 10.30 am today. Khadim Hussain went down but didn’t return for nearly 15 minutes after which the Manager asked Bashir Ahmed, a peon to go to the ‘safe’ to see why Khadim has not returned along with the cash.

Bashir Ahmed told police and Bank authorities later that he saw strong room of the bank locked from outside and Khadim Hussain lying inside unconscious.

The Bank authorities raised an alarm and called police. Senior police officers rushed to the bank and saw some notes, which were later counted as Rs 90,000, lying scattered on ground along with some chilly powder. The treasury cashier was shifted to District Hospital where his statement has been recorded.

He was reported to have told police that as soon as he approached the strong room he was overpowered by some unidentified persons after throwing chilly powder into his eyes and then rendered unconscious. He claimed that he regained consciousness only after Bank and police authorities had reached the spot.

Bank authorities told police that there were Rs 10,96,720 in the ‘safe’ yesterday afternoon when the cash was counted and put in the locker. After the alleged loot, the Bank authorities counted the notes scattered near the safe at Rs 90,000 which indicated that Rs 10.06 lakh had either been looted or were missing from the bank.

Mr Manhas said the entire episode appeared to be mysterious. None of the bank staff members saw any persons coming in or going out during the time when alleged robbery took place. Also no one heard the cries of Khadim Hussain, who would have shouted when he was overpowered.

None of the staff member was threatened at gun or any other weapon point which could have been the case in the robbery worth more than Rs 10 lakh. Moreover, if no bank staffers saw the robbers coming in or moving out how they reached in the strong room and escaped along with the cash, Mr Manhas added.

Nevertheless, he said, police have registered a case for investigations. Statements of some Bank officers and officials have been recorded. In view of mysterious role of Khadim Hussain, SHO Thanna Mandi police station has been asked to take him into custody after he is declared fit by the doctors.

Police suspected that the amount might have been embezzled during past one or two days and a drama enacted to show it a robbery.

However, all options have been kept open. At the same time, a robbery has also not been completely ruled out. "We are working on all angles—militancy, robbery by criminals and misappropriation by bank staff. Things would be clear in a day or two especially after the questioning of Khadim Hussain.

The report of bank dacoity has created panic among the people of Thanna Mandi and Rajouri as this was after a long time that such a major robbery has been reported in the border district.

Implement WG recommendations: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

Pulwama, Mar 25: Welcoming the formation of a new Government in Pakistan, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the stabilization of democratic and political institutions in that country has rejuvenated the hope for a peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue.

"With the political situation evolving positively in Pakistan, I see hope in the air and promise in the environment for the people of Jammu & Kashmir," he said.

Addressing a public meeting here, Mr Sayeed, while felicitating the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sayeed Yousuf Raza Gillani on assuming office as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, expressed the hope that new Government would ardently pursue peace process with India to permanently end the six decades of hostilities, violence and economic deprivation in region. He said the PDP president Ms Mehbooba Mufti, who is visiting Pakistan from March 28, would carry to the new Government and the people there the message of goodwill from the people of J&K.

"I foresee effective prospects of peace, dignity and prosperity for J&K in a refreshing environment of Indo-Pak friendship and co-operation," he said and added people of J&K have been worst sufferers of the region's hostilities and both the countries must now jointly work towards shaping up a new peaceful and prosperous future for the region.

Mr Sayeed said while the peace process has provided a sound foundation of mutual trust and confidence to build upon, the vital question is how the different players respond to the emerging situation, ripe for major initiatives for peaceful and ultimate settlement of the issue. "While the Government of Pakistan must now facilitate the much-awaited cross-LoC movement of people and goods, the Government of India must, with a fresh resolve, work through reconciliatory political measures and through public participation towards the resolution of State's political and economic problems," he said and added that speedy implementation of the recommendations of Prime Minister's Working Groups could be one of the appropriate measures in that direction.

The PDP leader pointed out that while the holding of three successive Roundtable Conferences and constitution of Working Groups had stimulated desired process of addressing internal dimensions of the problem through political, democratic and reconciliatory means, delaying implementation of these recommendations has once again started brewing serious doubts in the political and public domain over the veracity of the whole exercise.

"Such dallying approach is not only detrimental for the peace process, but has the potential of negating the very spirit with which the process was initiated," he said and added that the State Government also must, with greater resolve, press for implementation of these recommendations in the interest of the State's peace and stability.

The Mufti emphasized that there is a compelling need to make the process of political reconciliation more comprehensive and meaningful and not allow it to lapse just as a symbolic exercise. "The Government of India must, as a confidence building measure, repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) imposed in the State for almost two decades now and speed up the troop cut process," he said and added that some other reconciliatory measures that need to be taken immediately as has been recommended by the Working Groups as well include, complete curb on human rights violations, rehabilitation of the victims of violence irrespective of their affiliation and safe passage to the local boys who had gone across for arms training and are now eager to return and live peaceful lives.

Mr Sayeed said the political reconciliation process must be supplemented with measures that are economically beneficial to the State. "One such measure could be transfer of some mega power projects to the State as has been recommended by the Prime Minister's Task Force on Jammu & Kashmir," he said and added that given the grave challenge of unemployment confronting the State, the Government of India must seriously consider an employment package for the educated unemployed youth of the State.

PDP leaders Mohammad Khalil Band, Sayeed Bashir, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain and Abdul Razaq Zawoora also addressed the meeting.

HM ‘area commander’ shot dead in Reasi

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: An ‘area commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was gunned down by police and Army in an encounter at village Moori, Gulabgarh in Mahore area of Reasi district. Slain militant was operating in Gool-Gulabgarh-Mahore belt for last more than a decade and was involved in a series of militant activities.

SSP Reasi J L Sharma said a joint team of police and Army launched a joint search operation in Gulabgarh area last night after developing an information about the movement of a top Hizbul Mujahideen militant in the area.

A contact with the militant was established this morning. The militant, hiding in a dhok, opened firing on police and Army and tried to escape. He was chased in the forests and engaged in gun-battle, Mr Sharma said, adding cross-firing between the two sides continued for about an hour in which the militant was killed.

Police or security forces didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

Slain militant has been identified as Bahar Din alias Zulfa son of Sikander Nag, a resident of Peda Dewal, Gulabgarh in Mahore area. He was an ‘area commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen and was operating in militancy since 1998.

Before joining militancy, the ultra had undergone training in a camp in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) for more than eight months. He had returned from PoK via Poonch sector and reached Mahore where he was operating in different areas for last more than 10 years.

Recoveries made from the scene of encounter include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, one grenade and some incriminating documents.

Police and Army continued searches in Moori forests anticipating that a couple of colleagues of Bahar Din might have taken shelter in the area. Searches were going on when the reports last came in.

Killing of Bahar Din was a major setback to Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in Mahore belt, sources said.

Few days back two hardcore militants of Hizbul Mujahideen has surrendered before Reasi police and made some important disclosures about their outfit.

Cong haunts Advani on Kandahar revelations

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: The Congress today said BJP leader L K Advani was a "lame duck" as Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister under the NDA rule, and asked why he did not resign if he was not happy with the decision to release the three Kashmiri terrorists in Kandahar in lieu of 161 passengers on board the Indian Airlines flight hijacked on December 24, 1999.

Referring to Mr Advani’s revelations in his latest book "My Country, My Life" and also in a television interview that he was not consulted nor was he aware that the then Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh would be personally going to Kandahar to secure the release of the passengers, AICC general secretary Veerappa Moily told mediapersons that "this goes to prove that Mr Advani did not enjoy the trust of his Ministry, officials and the Cabinet".

"The incident had also betrayed the failure of the Cabinet system for the first time in the country," he said, adding that Mr Advani, who was the "weakest and the shameful Home Minister," was not taken seriously by even his own party colleagues.

Asked if the then Prime Minister A B Vajpayee was also the weakest, Mr Moily said he had a lot of sympathy for him.

"He (Mr Vajpayee) is the object of sympathy...Who could not understand and communicate. As Prime Minister he was not allowed to function."

"The NDA Government, it appears, has no thought-out policy on how to deal with terrorism. Its reaction to the Kandahar hijack episode and the revelations made recently (by Mr Advani) go to show that the NDA Government’s reactions were knee-jerk and not well deliberated."

In this context, Mr Moily said the lack of communication and understanding between the members of the Cabinet of the NDA Government were clear in the Kandahar episode. The Home Minister (Mr Advani) not being privy to the decision to send Jaswant Singh to Kandahar showed the peculiar fashion in which the NDA Government functioned.

"Can it then be understood that it was not the well deliberated stand of the NDA Government but different Ministers of that Government working at different tangents?"

Asked how the Congress would have handled a Kandahar-like situation, he said "the handling of Kandahar hijack is in contrast of the brilliant manner in which the capture of Hazratbal mosque in Kashmir in 1994 by the then Congress Government was dealt with resulting in the terrorists eating humble pie."

However, the then NDA Government straightway played into the hands of ISI.

AICC spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi, who was also present, said the book of Mr Advani was written to conceal than to reveal. (UNI)

Sarabjit’s family to visit Pak

JALANDHAR, Mar 25: Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh’s sister Dalbir Kaur today said she along with other family members would soon visit Pakistan to meet her brother and submit a fresh petition seeking clemency for him.

"Caretaker Human Rights Minister of Pakistan Ansar Burney has expressed hope that the new Government may consider mercy for Sarabjit on humanitarian grounds and also extended us an invitation to visit Pakistan to enable us to meet Sarabjit", Dalbir Kaur who was here to apply for passports told reporters.

Stating that the change of Government in the neighbouring country had strengthened their hope for the release of Sarabjit, Kaur said she would go to the Pakistan High Commission to apply for the visas immediately after obtaining the passports.

Once in Pakistan, she would try to meet the newly sworn-in Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, Ansar Burney and even seek an appointment with President Parvez Musharraf, Kaur said.

Revealing her plans to meet Pakistani prisoners lodged in Amritsar jail before leaving for Pakistan, Kaur said she would also meet other Indian prisoners besides her brother in Pakistan.

"I will also carry the statement of Saleem Shoukhat, an eye witness in the Lahore bomb blast case, who said that he cannot identify Sarabjit", Kaur said, adding that she would even meet the families of the bomb blast victims to seek the release of "innocent" Sarabjit.

Sarabjit faces death sentence for his alleged involvement in the Lahore bomb blasts.(PTI)

Manmohan speaks to Gillani

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD, Mar 25: In the first high-level contact with the new leadership in Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today felicitated his counterpart Yousuf Raza Gillani and conveyed a desire for transforming the bilateral ties into the "best ever" for which an "opportunity" has come.

Gillani, for his part, told Singh that Pakistan remained committed to seeking a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with India, including the Kashmir.

Soon after Gillani assumed office, Singh sent a letter to the Pakistan Prime Minister and later called him up to greet him with a hope that the two countries would work expeditiously towards "agreed solutions of pending issues".

Singh hoped Gilani would build on the initiatives taken by the then Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif as also President Pervez Musharraf to improve the bilateral relations.

"We have an opportunity to transform our relationship into the close, cooperative and mutually-beneficial partnership that should be normal between neighbours like India and Pakistan," Singh said in his letter to 55-year-old Gillani who is heading the PPP-PML(N) Government.

"I hope very much that we can build upon the progress already achieved and work expeditiously, through the dialogue process, towards agreed solutions of pending issues," Singh said.

A statement from Gillani’s media office said Pakistan is committed to seeking a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with India, including Kashmir.

Gillani expressed satisfaction over developments in bilateral relations and "emphasised the need and importance of peace and stability in the region for the common benefit of the people of the two countries".

Pointing out that the two countries are "already engaged in a peace process and agreed on a number of confidence-building measures including people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges and trade, Gillani expressed the hope the relations would further grow for mutual benefit of the people of the two countries. (PTI)

CM welcomes popular Govt in Pak

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 25: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has welcomed the installation of an elected Prime Minister in Pakistan, hoping that the return of democracy in the neighbouring country would usher atmosphere of peace and amity in the region.

In a statement, he described Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani’s taking oath as head of the new Government in Pakistan following general elections as a positive development for the growth of democracy there. He said this would also end the uncertainty prevailing in Pakistan for the last one year which had also slowed down the dialogue process with India.

"With an elected Government in place in Pakistan, I am hopeful that it will work towards consolidation of the peace process initiated by the two countries four years ago’, Mr Azad said, adding that an atmosphere of peace and amity was in the best interests of the people of the region and the world at large. He expressed optimism that the new Government would build on positive change in thinking of the leadership of Pakistan and let the ongoing phase of reconciliation and harmony in the sub-continent develop further.

"I hope Mr. Gillani will reinforce India’s efforts for promoting peace, friendship and trust in the region", the Chief Minister said. The UPA Government headed by Dr. Manmohan Singh, he recalled, was deeply committed to warm and cordial relationship with Pakistan and its initiatives during the past four years had facilitated closer people-to-people ties and improvement in bilateral relations.

Mr. Azad said that he was looking forward to early resumption of the dialogue process between India and Pakistan.

Infiltrator killed near LoC

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 25: Troops gunned down a militant immediately after sneaking into this side from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Keran sector while as a HM ultra surrendered before the security forces while another of Al Badr outfit was apprehended in Kashmir valley.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said that troops guarding the Line of Control (LoC) noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side early this morning under the cover of darkness.

When challenged and asked to surrender near a particular place on this side of the border, militants opened fire. Troops also returned the fire and killed the infiltrator.

One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militant, he said.

Meanwhile, a terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit surrendered before the Commanding Officer 5 Rashtriya Rifles at Ganderbal. He has been identified as Iqbal Chechi, son of Mohd Yousaf Chechi of Bazipura.

One AK rifle, three AK magazines and 80 rounds of ammunition were handed over to the security forces by the ultra.

The spokesman said that troops of 35 RR apprehended Ahmed Ganai, son of Abdul Majid of Zubgull, Beerwah, an activist of Al Badr.

When the troops challenged the Al Badr activist at general area Muqam, Budgam, the suspect tried to get away but was overpowered and caught by the troops, the spokesman said, adding two hand grenades were recovered from his possession.

KmC chief steps down

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 25: President of Kathua Municipal Council (KMC) Naresh Sharma today resigned after a ‘no confidence motion’ was moved against him by 10 members in the house of 17 including eight from Congress.

Mr Sharma, who belongs to Congress party tendered his resignation today. He had been asked by the Executive Officer to prove majority in the house today but before going in for the exercise, he resigned as he found himself unable to garner enough support. Even four members from his own party voted against him and supported Sohan Lal, Block Congress president and Councilor from Ward No. 15 of the town.

The EO handed over the charge to the vice president of KMC, Mohinder Singh. In the 17 member KMC, there are eight Congress members, 4 from BJP while five independents. The fate of Sohan Lal, having support of at least 10 members will be decided shortly.

Talks on for release of Indo-Pak POWs

ATTARI, AMRITSAR : Pakistan and India are having talks for release of prisoners of war of 1965 and 1971 conflicts, who are languishing in jails in the two countries, a senior Pakistani Army officer said today.

Major General Muhammad Haroon Aslam, who is heading a 14-member delegation of Pakistani Rangers for a bi-annual meeting with Border Security Force in Chandigarh, said the issue of PoW is being taken up by both the countries at the level of foreign ministeries.

"This issue is being taken up at higher level between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on both sides and both sides are working on it and there is certain hope of release of prisoners," he said here as the delegation crossed over into India through the border post here.

This would be the first bi-annual meeting between the two border forces after the installation of the new government in Pakistan.

On Indian charges about cross-border smuggling of narcotics, Aslam said, "As such nothing is coming from Pakistan but even then such issues will be discussed in the three-day meeting with the top officials of BSF and all such confusion prevailing on both sides would be sorted out."

To questions on smuggling of narcotics from Afghanistan to India through Pakistan, Aslam said, "These are mere allegations and nothing else."

He said, "During the meeting, illegal border crossing including those inadvertently and human smuggling on both sides will be the core issues to be discussed thoroughly."

Aslam said, "We are here to discuss the professional matters in the most professional manner but we will not hurl any vague allegations against each other."

POWS.PG..1/COL.3

Talks on for release of

Indo-Pak POWs, says a Pak Gen

ATTARI, AMRITSAR, Mar 26:

Pakistan and India are having talks for release of prisoners of war of 1965 and 1971 conflicts, who are languishing in jails in the two countries, a senior Pakistani Army officer said today.

Major General Muhammad Haroon Aslam, who is heading a 14-member delegation of Pakistani Rangers for a bi-annual meeting with Border Security Force in Chandigarh, said the issue of PoW is being taken up by both the countries at the level of foreign ministeries.

"This issue is being taken up at higher level between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on both sides and both sides are working on it and there is certain hope of release of prisoners," he said here as the delegation crossed over into India through the border post here.

This would be the first bi-annual meeting between the two border forces after the installation of the new government in Pakistan.

On Indian charges about cross-border smuggling of narcotics, Aslam said, "As such nothing is coming from Pakistan but even then such issues will be discussed in the three-day meeting with the top officials of BSF and all such confusion prevailing on both sides would be sorted out."

To questions on smuggling of narcotics from Afghanistan to India through Pakistan, Aslam said, "These are mere allegations and nothing else."

He said, "During the meeting, illegal border crossing including those inadvertently and human smuggling on both sides will be the core issues to be discussed thoroughly."

Aslam said, "We are here to discuss the professional matters in the most professional manner but we will not hurl any vague allegations against each other."

About the impact of joint patrolling on both sides of the Indo-Pak international borders by the Rangers and the BSF, Aslam said, "Joint patrolling is going on for the long time and has shown good results and even helped in sorting out the common problems faced by both sides on the spot. Joint patrolling also helped to built up mutual confidence".

However, he said that despite ‘joint patrolling", both sides were making allegations against each other with regard to infiltration. This issue would be discussed "seriously" during the meeting, he said.

On Indian complaints about constructions on the Pakistan side within 500 metres of the international border, Aslam said, "There is nothing as such but some regular work of maintenance of concrete cemented pillars, depicting the international boundaries are on progress".

When asked about any changes on issues of policy with regard to Pakistani Rangers after the formation of new Government, Aslam said, "It does not come in my preview."

To a question about the delay in repatriation of Indian people who cross the international border inadvertently, Aslam said, "Our border guarding forces have some reservations of their own and work in the same manner as India does. Sometimes when India delays the repatriation of inadvertent crossers, such things also happens on Pakistan side."

Besides Aslam, the delegation includes Major General Liaquat Ali, Brigadier Ghazanfar Ali Bhatti and several others senior officers. All the Pakistani officers have come to India with their families. (PTI)