Kashmir, terror to top Pranab's Pak visit agenda

ISLAMABAD, May 15: Pakistan today said terrorism and the "core issue" of Jammu and Kashmir will be high on the agenda when External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi meet here next week to review the composite dialogue.

Describing terrorism as a "common threat" to the two countries, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said there is a need to eliminate the menace from the region.

Pakistan also hoped that progress would be made during the talks on the "core issue of Jammu and Kashmir", he said.

"Pakistan desires to have friendly and good neighbourly relations with India, and a stable and prosperous South Asian region. We are committed to the peace process and seek peaceful resolution of all issues, including the Kashmir dispute," Sadiq told a weekly news briefing.

Mukherjee and Qureshi will meet here on May 21 for a Ministerial-level review of the fourth round of the composite dialogue that ended in November last year. Their meeting will be preceded by consultations between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries on May 20.

This will be the first high-level contact between the two sides since the PPP-led coalition Government came to power in March. Talks will be held on the eight issues that are part of the composite dialogue process, including peace, security and confidence-building measures, the Kashmir problem, Siachen, Sir Creek, terrorism and drug trafficking and economic cooperation.

Condemning the bomb blasts in Jaipur that killed over 60 people, Sadiq said that "being a victim of the scourge of terrorism itself, Pakistan denounces Terrorist Acts all over the world. We are committed to fight these deplorable and cowardly acts."

There is a need, he said, to make the region "free from terrorism".

The talks under the composite dialogue process have been "very positive" and Pakistan hopes to be able to make more progress in the upcoming meetings, he said.

"There has been clear and visible progress in the past four to five years," Sadiq said.

"Diplomacy moves very slowly and at almost glacial speed. Complex issues are involved and we need more time to resolve them. We hope we will be able to make progress on the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir."

The forthcoming review meetings will help the two countries "to assess the progress made in the fourth round of talks on the eight segments of the composite dialogue process and deliberate how to address the outstanding issues in a more meaningful way", Sadiq said.

Replying to a question on premier Yousuf Raza Gilani’s recent comments that proposals discussed by President Pervez Musharraf in his talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were "half-baked", Sadiq said Pakistan’s foreign policy is "determined by national interests and not by individuals".(PTI)

Ample scope for adventure tourism: Gill
Azad for inclusion of mountaineering in curriculum

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, May 15: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today highlighted the need for introducing mountaineering as a subject in curriculum to create interest among the younger generation about nature's gift. He said J&K has best mountains of the world.

Addressing the inaugural 3-day function of year-long golden jubilee celebrations of Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) here, Mr Azad said the introduction of mountaineering in curriculum would help in better appreciation of mountains and sensitise the younger generation about environment conservation. He felt that this should have been in focus much earlier. He said the presence of huge mountains could place the youth of the State in better stead to give lead in mountaineering.

He said the State offered much potential for promotion of adventure sports that needs to be optimally tapped for generating greater avenues of employment and activating economy. He said the State had the rare combination of places both for adventure and leisure tourism. "Snow clad mountains not only add to the scenic splendour and help keep the climate soothing in summers but also serve as our protectors," he said, adding "we should be proud of our mountains and there was need to explore them."

The Chief Minister congratulated the IMF and its functionaries for choosing Kashmir as the venue for holding its golden jubilee inaugural function and suggested for organizing the concluding function here as well.

Mr Azad thanked the IMF for setting up of its centre at Leh and urged for creating such a facility at Srinagar. He said this would attract mountaineers from within J&K and neighbouring States. He also asked the concerned authorities to revive the store facility to provide state-of-the-art mountaineering equipment.

Referring to efforts being made for revival of tourism in the State, the Chief Minister said that the State was participating in several travel marts all over to woo domestic and foreign tourists. He also underlined the need for creating new attractions to prolong their stay in the State. He said promotion of mountaineering related activities could be one of such attractions.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, M. S. Gill said that Jammu and Kashmir had unparalleled natural beauty and offered ample scope for promotion of adventure tourism for which he assured full support of his Ministry for the purpose. He emphasized the need for protecting environment particularly in activities like mountaineering.

Dr Gill said since tourism provides vast employment opportunities, youth should set up their self-employment units in the sector. He said Ladakh, known as moonland, also offers tremendous opportunities for tourism.

The Union Minister expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for hosting the IMF meet.

The Chief Minister launched posters in English and Urdu on saving Himalayas besides inaugurating a photo exhibition on the subject.

A power point presentation on the activities of IMF was also made on the occasion.

Minister for Industries and Commerce, Nawang Rigzin Jora appreciated IMF for organizing its special event here. He said there was need to attract more and more tourists to the State.

President IMF, H. P. S. Ahluwalia threw light on the activities of the organization during the past 50 years and its future plan of action to promote mountaineering.

Vice President, IMF, Mohammad Ashraf and Director Tourism, Kashmir also addressed the inaugural function.

Union Secretary Youth Services and Sports and a number of mountaineers and representatives of clubs from across the country are attending the 3-day mega event.

33 kg RDX, 5 IEDs seized in Rajouri
Two SPOs among 8 held for LeT links

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 15: Doda police today arrested eight persons including two Special Police Officers (SPOs) for their links with militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen outfits while security forces and police today recovered a large quantity of explosive devices including 33 kg RDX and five IEDs in Rajouri district.

Twenty seven kg RDX, 3 kg aluminum and two IEDs were recovered by security and police from Garyal, Kandi in Rajouri district by troops of 17 Punjab and police. Six kg RDX, three IEDs, one AK-56 rifle with 10 rounds and two magazines were seized by security forces and police from village Panihal, Taryath in Kalakote tehsil during a search operation, official sources said.

Search operations were supervised by SSP Rajouri Rajesh Kumar and DySP Special Striking Reserve (SSR) Abdul Qayoom.

Recovery of a large quantity of explosive devices had thwarted the militants’ plot to strike in a big way in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, sources said.

Search operations in both areas was going on to nab the militants responsible for dumping the explosive devices.

Meanwhile, Doda police today arrested eight persons including two SPOs involved in militancy.

SSP Doda Manohar Singh said the arrested persons were helping the militants to carry out their activities by transporting arms, ammunition and explosives for them besides providing food, shelter, items of daily use and important information about movement of militants and security forces.

They have been identified as Abdul Gafoor son of Abdullah Khan R/o Chiralla, Thathri, Mohd Shafi son of Juma Sheikh R/o Deedni, Doda, Mohd Abbas son of Mangta Khandey R/o Chilli Bala, Gandoh, Atta Mohammad son of Abdul Aziz Sheikh R/o Deedni, Doda, Shakeela Begum wife of Mohd Iqbal Malik (a district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, who was killed on April 9 this year) R/o Tantna, Doda, Ghulam Rasool son of Bashir Ahmed Sheikh R/o Chilli Bala, Gandoh, brother of Hizbul Mujahideen tehsil commander Tariq Ahmed, SPO Farooq Ahmed Batt (No. 3560) son of Ghulam Hussain Batt R/o Bhatyas, Gandoh and Barkat Ali (SPO No. 3446) son of Abdul Rashid Bhat R/o Bhatyas, Gandoh.

Both the SPOs were posted in Gandoh area and they used to leak vital police information to militants of LeT and HM outfits, sources said.

All arrested persons including the SPOs are being subjected to sustained questioning to know their involvement in more militant activities and their associates.

Cases against them have been registered at Gandoh and Doda police stations for further investigations.

Heroin, fake currency haul in RS Pura sector

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 15: The Border Security Force (BSF) today recovered 60 kg heroin worth Rs 300 crore in the international market and Rs 16 lakh worth fake currency from forward village of Makwal in RS Pura sector. The narcotics smugglers managed to escape.

Official sources said the BSF jawans of 141 battalion observed movement of narcotics smugglers at Durga Tower along the international border in Makwal area of RS Pura sector in early hours of this morning.

With the help of Night Vision Devices, troops saw the narcotics smugglers moving towards Indian territory at 2.30 am and asked them to surrender. However, they fled back to Pakistan leaving behind a consignment of narcotics and currency which they were smuggling to this side of the border.

In the morning, security forces conducted searches in the area and recovered 60 packets of heroin, wrapped in a bag, weighing 60 kg and Rs 16 lakh worth fake Indian currency.

Currency include five packets of Rs 1000 denomination and 22 packets of Rs 500 denomination.

A BSF handout said the seized narcotics was valued at Rs 300 crore in the international market.

Sources said the BSF continued searches in the area but no arrests were made from the spot. It was believed that the narcotics smugglers had managed to escape leaving behind the consignment after observing movement of security personnel on the border.

Seized heroin and fake Indian currency have been handed over to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for further disposal.

Girls sweep Arts faculty
Boys dominate 'Top 10' in Science, Commerce

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 15: In a major reversal of past trends, boys dominated ‘Top 10’ in Science and Commerce faculties in Higher Secondary Part-II examinations, the results of which were declared today by the State Board of School Education. However, girls maintained their supremacy in Arts.

Out of 11 positions declared in Science, boys got eight leaving behind only three for girls while in Commerce, they had seven top slots as against six of the girls. Among 13 positions in Arts, girls had 10 while boys were left with only three.

In view of their advantage in Arts, girls, clubbed together, got 19 positions and boys 18 out of a total of 37 place in merit list.

Overall pass percentage in the exam stood at 44. A total of 38,474 students had appeared in the exam.

Ankit Sambyal of SRML Higher Secondary School (HSS), Parade Ground got prestigious first position in Science faculty taking 701 marks out of a total of 750 (93.4 per cent). He was followed by Mahima Sharma of RS Jagriti Niketan HSS, Kathua, who got 693 marks (92.4 pc). With just one mark shot at 692 (92.2 pc), Atul Vij of Model Academy HSS, BC Road stood third.

Vinay Gupta of Shiksha Niketan HSS, Jeevan Nagar was the topper of Commerce faculty with 670 marks (89.3 pc). Sushant Gupta of Little Flower HSS, Greater Kailash and Diksha Kashyap of New Modern HSS, Lower RN Bazar shared second position in Commerce taking 652 marks each (86.9 pc). With 651 marks (86.8 pc), Mayuri Aggarwal of Mont Nargis Dutt Public School stood third.

Sarika Sudan of RS Pura GHSS had the distinction of clinching first slot in Arts with 675 marks (90 pc). Reetika Dhawan of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Public HSS Kunjwani and Pallvi Verma of Mubarak Mandi GHSS (Girls) claimed second and third position in Arts securing 653 (87 pc) and 640 (85.3 pc) marks respectively.

Fourth position in Science was shared by two students of Happy Model HSS Udhampur—Puneet Gupta and Sumeet Heera, both of whom had 684 marks (91.2 pc). Fifth position was bagged by Harshindu of Shiksha Niketan HSS, Jeevan Nagar with 683 marks (91 pc). Two students of SRML HSS, Parade Ground—Neel Fotedar and Abhinav Gandotra got sixth and seventh positions respectively with 682 (90.9 pc) and 681 (90.8) marks respectively.

Eighth, ninth and tenth positions in Science went to Neha Majotra of St Peter’s HSS, Karan Bagh, Nancy Bharti of Shiksha Niketan HSS, Jeevan Nagar and Nitish Sharma of RS Jagriti Niketan HSS, Kathua who took 679 (90.5 pc), 676 (90.1 pc) and 675 (90 pc) marks respectively.

In Commerce, fourth position went to Akash Mahajan of Shiksha Niketan HSS, Jeevan Nagar, who took 643 marks (85.7 pc) while Pawan Anand of SM Jain HSS, Jammu got fifth slot taking 641 marks (85.4 pc). Navleen Kour of Shiksha Niketan HSS, Jeevan Nagar and Pranav Jain of Little flower HSS, Greater Kailash secured sixth and seventh positions taking 639 (85.2 pc) and 636 (84.8 pc) marks respectively.

Eighth position in Commerce was shared by Suksham Nanda of Kotwal National Institute of Teaching and Krishma Arora of Tawishi Scholars P School, Trikuta Nagar, both of whom took 635 marks (84.6 pc). Ninth position was again shared by two students—Ravi Jain of SM Jain HSS, Jammu and Kanak of Vidya Peeth Public HSS Chogan Salathian, who bagged 632 marks each (84.2 pc). With 625 marks (83.3 pc), Saguna Gupta of Shiksha Niketan HSS, Jeevan Nagar got 10th position.

Fourth position in Arts went to Anjil Singh of Doda GHSS (Boys), who had 639 marks (85.2 pc) while sixth position was clinched by Mohd Asif of Himalayan Education Mission HSS, Rajouri with 622 marks (82.9 pc). Seventh position was shared by two students of Mubarak Mandi, GHSS (Girls)—Arooj Raja Chib and Akriti Rajput, both of whom had 617 marks (82.2 pc).

Eighth position in Arts went to Ashwarya Jain of Mubarak Mandi, GHSS (Girls) with 614 marks (81.8 pc) while ninth position was shared by Priya Sharma and Manju Choudhary, both students of RS Pura, GHSS, both of whom secured 612 marks (81.6 pc). Tenth position was again shared by two students—Imran Ahmad Kichloo of Islamia Faridia HSS, Kishtwar and Pooja Pandit of Udhampur, GHSS (Boys), who took 606 marks (80.8 pc).

IRP cop held in City with LeT letter pads

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 15: Gandhi Nagar police today arrested a police constable of Indian Reserve Police (IRP) for his links with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit and recovered letter heads of the LeT outfit and code worded messages from him.

The IRP 7th constable identified as Sikander Azam son of Mohd Muzaffar, a resident of Gursai, Mendhar in Poonch district, was arrested at a police naka at Belicharana when he was heading towards Vikram Chowk this afternoon.

From his possession, police recovered five letter heads of LeT outfit and a card containing messages in codes.

The police constable was immediately whisked away to an unidentified location for sustained questioning to ascertain his links with the militants.

Political parties dividing Gujjar, Paharis: Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent

ThaNna mandi, May 15: Once again cautioning people of the State against divisive forces, who are hell bent to divide people on the name of religion, cast and region, former Chief Minister and patron National Conference Dr Farooq Abdullah has urged the people to stay united and frustrate all such nefarious designs, which may prove fatal for unity and integrity of the State.

Dr Abdullah, who was addressing a public meeting here today, said that attempts are being made by some political vested elements to divide people of the State for their short term political interests.

'They are dividing the people in the name of `Paharis and Gujjars', `Jammuites and Kashmiris' and `Hindu and Muslims'", which, he said, is not only unfortunate but even fatal for composite culture of the State.

The politics of deceit, he said, is being played by such vested interest politicians which is condemnable and people should united to fight this menace and frustrate the designs of such elements.

"We believe in equitable development of all three regions, community and caste", he said adding: "National Conference has always stood for secular values and will remain committed for socio-economic and political development of all sections of the society and shall fight such divisive forces who are hell bent upon to create wedge between Gujjar and Paharis tooth and nail.

The NC, Dr Abdullah said, believed that unity and peace are basic needs for economic development of the State and "my party shall fight for the cause of Pahari and Gujjars and will ensure that interests of both the sections are protected".

He asked the people to be vigilant against such forces who, with an eye on the upcoming elections, want to divide the people on communal lines.

Dr Abdullah criticized the State Government for neglecting far flung areas of the State, where development is far from the reality. He said condition of the remote areas of Rajouri is very miserable and even the essentialities of life like drinking water, electricity, motorable roads and effective communication system has not been provided.

"The miserable condition of the people of these far flung areas itself speak volume about the developmental claims of the present regime," he said.

Among other who were present addressed the meeting on the occasion included Ajay Sadhtora, provincial president and Mian Altaf Ahmed, MLA.

Prominent among others who were present on the occasion included S. Harbans Singh, senior vice president, Rattan Lal Gupta, Mohd Alam Khan, MLA, Kr. Rachpal Singh, MLA, Mirza Abdul Rashid, ex-MP, Ch. Talib Hussain,ex MP, M.R. Qureshi, MLC, Bashir Ahmed Wani, District president Rajouri Urban, Bimla Luthra, provincial president Women Wing, Shafayat Khan, Parvez Ahmed, Advocate, Mirza Ashraf, Ch. Darbar and others.

Unemployed youths climb mobile tower

SRINAGAR, May 15: In a novel way to draw the attention of the Government, three members of the All Jammu and Kashmir Unemployed Forestry Graduates Association (AJKUFGA) today climbed a mobile tower in the city.

According to reports a group of AJKUFGA took to streets at Abi-Guzar near here demanding jobs.

Raising anti-Government slogans, when they tried to move towards the main road, police swung into action and arrested half a dozen agitators.

However, three of them managed to escape and later climbed on Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) tower at Abi-Guzar.

Later they were brought down and taken into custody.

The agitators alleged that despite repeated assurance by the Government to adjust them, they are without jobs for years. (UNI)

Soz discusses J&K situation with PM

NEW DELHI, May 15: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Saifuddin Soz today informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the political and security situation in the State following a spurt in infiltration and firing from across the border, sources said.

Prof Soz called on the Prime Minister and also briefed him about the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the wake of coming State Assembly elections, scheduled for September-October this year, they added.

Prof Soz, who is also the Union Water Resources Minister, gave a detailed account of the party affairs in the State.

The sources said the JKPCC Chief impressed upon the Prime Minister to resume the dialogue process with the separatist groups, including the moderate Hurriyat Conference, ahead of the Assembly elections.

Reports emanating from Kashmir suggested that several separatist leaders were ready to participate in the polls.(UNI)

Defence supplies in Ladakh pilfered

LEH, May 15: Eight persons were today arrested in connection with pilfering lakhs of rupees worth of equipment, vehicles and sundry items meant for Defence personnel in Ladakh frontier region, allegedly in connivance with some Army officers.

The arrests were made following the recovery of pre-fabricated huts, telephone wires, low-tension electric conductors, diesel barrels and a number of stolen vehicles, senior Superintendent of Police S R Samuel told reporters.

He said a police team led by Leh SHO Suresh Singh raided the house of one Habibullah Bhat at Choglamsar, 10 km from the town, where the items meant for Northern Command personnel posted in the frontier region were stored.

"Preliminary investigations indicate some Army Officers and other officials may be involved in the scam," Samuel said.

The main suspect Mohammad Bilal, who hails from Kolkata, six locals - Jamyang Tshering, Tshering Phunchok, Ishey Dorjay, Sonam Stanzin, Padma Tshering and Padma Thinley -besides the house owner have been arrested, he said.

He said a case has been registered against the eight and investigations are on to find out "who are the real culprits".

The arrests come a fortnight after Defence Minister A K Antony informed the Rajya Sabha that Indian Oil Corporation tankers were filled with water instead of diesel for Defence supplies in Ladakh in July 2005.

Disciplinary action was initiated against a Brigadier and Lieutenant Colonel after a court of inquiry indicted them along with the lorry drivers.(PTI)

Five officers transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 15: Government today ordered following transfers and postings with immediate effect.

Tsering Marooq, Deputy Director Employment, Kargil has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil vice Fida Hussain.

Fida Hussain, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil has been transferred and posted as Project Director DRDA Kargil.

Khadim Hussain, Sub-divisional Magistrate Drass has been transferred and posted as General Manager, DIC Kargil vice Gulzar Husssain. Khadim Hussain shall also hold the charge of the post of Deputy Director Employment Kargil

Ghulam Rasool, Chief Project Officer Desert Development Agency, Kargil has been transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate Drass vice Khadim Hussain.

Gulzar Hussain, General Manager DIC Kargil has been transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Development, Kargil against available vacancy.

Security alert sounded in HP

SHIMLA, May 15: In the wake of serial bomb blasts in Jaipur, security alert has been sounded across Himachal Pradesh and vigil in Chamba bordering Jammu and Kashmir stepped up, police sources said today.

All the Superintendents of Police along with the concerned security agencies have been directed to be vigilant and maintain high level security across the hill State, Additional Inspector General of Police and State Police spokesman V K Dhawan told today.

Officials have been told to be more vigilant in the crowded public places to ward-off any untoward incident, he added.

Security in Chamba bordering Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir has been stepped up to prevent any infiltration.(PTI)