JAMMU: Security forces today busted a militant hideout in Doda district and seized a cache of arms and ammunition.

A joint operation was launched by Rashtriya Rifles and State police after a tip-off in Marg Bhart area of Doda district, a defence spokesman said.

As many as 55 detonators, one pistol, two country-made guns, two grenades, 205 rounds of AK series rifle, two HE-36 grenades were among the arms and ammunition seized in the raid. (PTI)

SRINAGAR : The State Government today directed cancelling of the land allotment to Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) at Lassipora Industrial Estate as the public sector company failed to start project work even after several years.
“Omar Abdullah directed for taking action for cancellation of land to SAIL at Lassipora as this Authority has failed to initiate its programme at the allotted land despite the lapse of so many years,” an official spokesman said.
Omar passed these directions at a meeting held to review the development of industries and handicrafts in the State.
The Chief Minister said the land allotted to SAIL should be re-allotted to the budding entrepreneurs of the State for launch of MSME Units.
Omar also directed the Industries Department to work out a strategy for establishing proposed Textile Park at a portion of HMT Factory land as it has stopped its operations here for a long time now.
He said the matter should be pursued on fast track so that action on setting up of a Textile Park for the local entrepreneurs is taken up as early as possible.
Omar assured the representatives of industries that the Government is keenly pursuing the policy of industrialisation in the State with focus on nurturing local entrepreneurs and generating employment for the youth. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI: Outgoing Army Chief General Bikram Singh will pay homage to the martyrs of the 1999 Kargil war at Drass in Ladkah tomorrow on the occasion of 15th anniversary of the limited conflict between India and Pakistan.

The Army Chief will visit the war memorial in Drass and pay homage to the martyrs of the war fought in 1999, Army officials said here.

The ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ is celebrated on 26 July every year to mark the exit of Pakistan Army regulars and terrorists from Indian territory and Indian Army bunkers captured by them in 1999.

On July 26, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley will lead the armed forces in paying homage to the martyrs at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate complex here.

The war was fought under the NDA Government led by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The function was celebrated in a low key manner in the UPA regime and the celebrations in Ladakh were headed by local Army formation commanders. (AGENCIES)

POONCH : Goods worth over Rs 77 lakh were today traded across the Line of Control (LoC) at Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point here, officials said.

As many as 24 trucks rolled out from the Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) here to PoK, they said, adding, these trucks carried bags of bananas,tamarind and embroidery suit worth Rs 66,53,150.

From PoK, three trucks carrying bags of almonds giri, herbs and apple worth Rs 10,93,190 entered India, they said.

Officials from both sides monitored transportation of these goods twice during the day. (AGENCIES)