Pak spending millions to
arm militants
JAMMU, Oct 9 — Though the seizure of weapons, ammunition and explosives in the past over nine months is only a fraction of the total arms sent by Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir the haul indicates that Islamabad is either spending millions of rupees on arms smuggling or has received supplies from its friendly countries for enhancing the striking capacity of the militants operating in the state.
3 foreign militants killed in encounter
SRINAGAR, Oct 9 — In the stepped up violence in Kashmir, at least six persons, including three foreign mercenaries, were killed, while the security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition in search operations.

Pak spending millions to arm militants
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Oct 9 — Though the seizure of weapons, ammunition and explosives in the past over nine months is only a fraction of the total arms sent by Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir the haul indicates that Islamabad is either spending millions of rupees on arms smuggling or has received supplies from its friendly countries for enhancing the striking capacity of the militants operating in the state.

In the past over nine months the security forces, including the Army have recovered nearly 2250 kg of explosives which includes about 100 kg of RDX. As many as 10,000 grenades were seized by the police and the Army from different militant hideouts and during encounters. As far as the assault rifles are concerned the security forces seized about 1800 rifles of the AK-47 and AK-56 series.

Senior government functionaries said the militants had over the years dumped large quantities of arms and ammunition at several places in the state and most of the seizures had been effected in the border villages right from Kargil to Poonch and Rajouri. Among the weapons recovered in the last nine months include as many as 700 pistols, 125 LMGs and UMGs, 255 rocket launchers and over 1.50 lakh rounds of ammunition of the AK series of rifles, 55,000 rounds of pistols, UMG and snifer rifles.

In the militancy-related incidents as many as 1250 civilians have been killed out of which nearly 500 lost their lives in random firing. That militants, especially foreign mercenaries, resorted to gruesome way of eliminating mainstream political leaders, informers and pro-India elements is borne out by the fact that more than 95 civilians were first kidnapped and then tortured to deaths.

Against the killing of 1250 civilians not more than 1077 militants, including over 300 foreign mercenaries fell to the bullets of the security forces. During the same period the security forces intensified their operations against the insurgents and the state registered as many as 825 encounters.

On the Line of Actual Control there were 63 intrusions in which the Army killed 119 infiltrators. More than 207 militants were arrested by the troops and 76 insurgents surrendered to the Army along with large quantities of arms and ammunition. However, against these killings and arrests a large number of militants especially foreign mercenaries sneaked into the state from across the border. Their infiltration was facilitated by Pak soldiers who resorted to heavy shelling on the border villages and Indian pickets to provide fire cover to the intruders.

The Pakistan Army, reports said, devised a new strategy. Under this plan Pak soldiers kept the Indian troops engaged in border skirmishes and pushed rebels from the unconventional infiltration routes. Once these foreign mercenaries fanned into different parts of the state, it became an arduous task for the security forces to eliminate or arrest them.

The Indian troops have further strengthened the Indo-Pak border making it difficult for the militants to cross into Jammu and Kashmir from across Uri, Kupwara, Tangdhar, Kargil, Poonch and Rajouri. To overcome this hurdle Pak agencies have started exploring the possibility of sending militants from across Kathua. In this connection large groups of militants have been brought to areas in Sialkot, Wazirabad and Gujranwala for pushing them into Kathua side.

Once the militants sneak into Kathua they could take short mountain routes to reach Bhaderwah and Kishtwar in Doda district. The BSF has been directed to mount vigilance in the Kathua border belt and prevent infiltrations.

3 foreign militants killed in encounter
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 9 — In the stepped up violence in Kashmir, at least six persons, including three foreign mercenaries, were killed, while the security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition in search operations.

Three foreign militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Panchkote in Kupwara district the police here today said. Three AK assault rifles, four hand grenades, a wireless set, four rifle grenades, a grenade launcher and a diary was seized.

Three pedestrians were injured in two grenade explosions in the city yesterday, while the police and the security forces have apprehended two suspects from Baramula and one from Srinagar, the spokesman said.

Three pedestrians were injured in a grenade explosion at Unta Bhavan in Soura locality on the outskirts of the Srinagar yesterday. The grenade targeted on a security force vehicle missed the intended target and exploded on the road, injuring three persons. A girl was among those injured. They have been hospitalised.

Militants hurled a grenade on a picket of the security forces at Kaka Sarai here last evening, which missed the intended target and exploded on the road. No damage was reported in the explosion, the police said today.

A police spokesman said here that a constable of the IRP (Indian Reserve Police), was killed when militants opened fire at the house of former Principal of the Regional Engineering College, Mr Ali Mohammad Bhat. The constable on guard duty at the house has been identified as Nizamuddin, a former militant. The militants also took away the rifle of the constable from the residence of Mr Ali Mohammad Bhat at Bhagwanpora in Lal Bazar locality here last evening.

Militants shot dead a policeman on guard at the Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch at Rainawari here on Friday. He has been identified as Ghulam Mohiuddin. Another policeman on duty at the bank, was injured in the attack, the police said. It added that the militants took away the rifles of the policemen.

The security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition during search operations at four different places in Kupwara district, the police stated. These included five 107 MM rockets recovered from Tangdhar forests. In another search operation at Afan in the Lolab valley of Kupwara district, the security forces recovered one UMG, 700 rounds of ammunition, 7 RPG rockets, a remote control device, 18 hand grenades, 16 detonators and 14 kg of explosives.

At least 8 kg of explosives were recovered during a search operation in a hideout at Helmetpora in Kupwara district. In another joint search operation by the Jammu and Kashmir police and the security forces at Kurpan Gali forests, 720 rounds of ammunition sealed in a box were recovered.

The police apprehended one militant from Batamaloo locality here yesterday from whose possession one pistol, three magazines and four rounds of ammunition were recovered. Two suspects were held from Kunzar, Tangmarg in Baramula district, they are being questioned, the police said.

Militants' links with Laden "not confirmed"
Tribune News Service and PTI

SRINAGAR, Oct 9 — Chief of the Army Staff, General V. P. Malik today said that so far there were no indications that Saudi millionaire Osama-bin-Laden had links with Kashmir militants.

"So far we have received no indications of any direct linkage with Laden", General Malik told a press conference here. He was speaking to the mediapersons on the occasion of the presentation of colours by the President of India, Mr K.R. Narayanan, to "Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment (JAK LI). The Army chief, however, admitted that there were Afghan and Pak militants operating in Kashmir, adding that Pak army supported the militants from across the border. He said it was a challenge before the troops and that "trend is not going to reverse".

The Army chief said it was a good thing that the Prime Minister of India and Pakistan has agreed to talk on various issues. "We are happy ... we wish Pak well" the general said in reply to a question.

He said militants were being helped, sponsored and trained by Pakistan to continue proxy war in Kashmir. We shall not permit proxy war on our soil .... There is no way that Jammu and Kashmir or any part of the country will be permitted to be taken away", General Malik said.

The Army chief said Pakistan now provided more training, more sophisticated weapons and more money to militants in Kashmir. He added that "more people are made sacrificial goats" on the other side of the border adding that more foreigners were being sent in.

Referring to the prevailing tension between Iran and Afghanistan, the Army chief said whatever happens in Afghanistan it will have its fallout in the entire region.

The Army chief expressed his optimism over the "improvement" in the situation on the militancy front in the state. He said there was a lot of cooperation from the people who were getting disenchanted with the militancy. "There is a great deal to be satisfied about", he said. In this connection he referred to the visits of tourists, yatris, sport events, functions, the visits of the President and the Vice President of India and the revival of trading in the valley.

Answering a question, the General said situation in the Kargil area of the Ladakh region, that witnessed heavy firing and shelling during the past three months, was not bad. He added that there was no hindrance in the movement of vehicles to the region for stocking essential commodities. General Malik clarified that 15 per cent appointments of officers in the Army were made over and above the required quota this year only. He denied reports regarding the shortage of officers in the Army.

The Army chief extended congratulations to the officers and men of "Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry for having been awarded President's colours and honour.

"For us, the military and the Army, it has great significance to be presented colours — symbol of the nation and country's constitution", he said.

Complimenting the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry for winning several battle of honours during the past 50 years, he said the baby regiment of the Indian Army had achieved many successes since it was raised in 1948 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Many APHC leaders resent Pak move
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Oct 9 — The Pakistan’s declaration on Wednesday in Islamabad that it was negotiating on behalf of Kashmiri people has put the All Party Hurriyat Conference leadership in a fix.

Even after 24 hours of an emergency meeting of the executive committee of the APHC, held in Srinagar yesterday, an official response to the Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Mr Shamshad Ahmed’s statement on Kashmir in Islamabad on Wednesday was still awaited.

Sources said the meeting was stormy with all APHC constituent representatives, barring Prof Abdul G. Butt, had expressed their reservations over Pakistan’s effort to arrogate the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Only Prof Butt extended open support to the Pakistan’s stand saying that the move should not be seen with concern, but as a gesture for furthering our interests, sources said adding that Islamabad has been our consistent friend.

However, Prof Butt’s stand at the meeting is being viewed with suspicion by his Hurriyat colleagues who have been heard saying that he was in know of the development. An insider told the TNS that Prof Butt was in New Delhi recently when he had couple of meetings with the Pakistan High Commission officials.

The Deputy Chairman of the JKLF, Mr Bashir Ahmed Butt, had earlier told the media that Pakistan cannot be a master of our will and aspirations. His statement was widely reported by the valley press. Mr Butt had expressed his reaction in the absence of the JKLF Chairman, Mr Yasin Malik, who was away to Jammu. Mr Malik could not even attend the executive committee meeting. Mr Malik has been consistent in demanding "Azadi".

What has baffled the APHC leaders and particularly the JKLF, which has borne the main brunt of the APHC’s struggle during the past few years, is the fact that the Pakistan Foreign Secretary has talked about the UN resolutions which do not give any third option but only talk of accession either to India or Pakistan. The main plank of the APHC — "Azadi" — does not find mention anywhere.

It is learnt that the Kashmir Awareness Bureau’s Deputy Bureau Chief, Mr G.M. Bhat, was pulled up by the Hurriyat’s high command for talking to media on Wednesday about the Pakistan’s move. Mr Bhat had said the APHC was not "hopeful" of any breakthrough in the forthcoming Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary level talks as these did not involve the "true representatives of the Kashmiri people".

As a result, Mr Bhat chose to direct the TNS correspondent on Thursday to the APHC leaders in Srinagar. In spite of many telephonic calls to the APHC Chairman, Mr S.A.S. Gillani, and the Chief Spokesman, Prof Butt, no response was forthcoming. The TNS was told that an official APHC response would be issued tomorrow that is today. Despite many telephonic calls, both Mr Gillani and Prof Butt could not be contacted.

Meanwhile, India dismissed as utterly absurd Pakistan’s claim that it would negotiate on behalf of the "Kashmiri people" at the forthcoming talks in Islamabad and that the "Kashmiri people" will, at a later stage, be involved in these talks.

Meanwhile the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman reiterated that the state of Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and part of its territory was under the illegal and forcible occupation of Pakistan. In keeping with the Simla agreement, India is committed to a resolution of all issues, including this issue, through peaceful negotiations.

President presents Colours to J&KLI
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 9 — The President , Mr K.R. Narayanan, presented Colours to the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment (J&KLI) at its regimental centre at an impressive ceremony here today.

In his address, the President said that J&K LI, though one of the youngest in the Indian Army, had grown to be the largest regiments. He said this was solely "due to the valour, fighting skill, patriotic fervour and soldierly conduct displayed by all ranks" during major wars forced on the country since Independence.

The President lauded the role of the regiment in serving with distinction with the United Nations peace-keeping force in Somalia and the Indian peace-keeping force in Sri Lanka.

"The regiment, in its composition, is a miniature India in itself and is a perfect example of national integration. The regiment's performance in war and peace has been commendable and praiseworthy. The battalions of the regiment earned their share of decorations for various activities in operations and otherwise", Mr Narayanan stated in his brief speech.

The Chief of the Army Staff, Gen V.P. Malik, the Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Mr Girish Chandra Saxena, and the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, were present. Senior Army, police and civil administration officers were also present. The President inspected the parade presented on the occasion by over 400 jawans of the regiment. Colours march past was also organised at the end of the function.

The President, in his address, expressed the hope that J&KLI men would continue to consider no sacrifice too great for the honour and integrity of the country. "I am positive that the regiment will march from strength to strength under its Colours which will inspire you to attain a greater glory for yourselves and our nation"

Later, he gave away awards to war widows of the J&KLI residing in the regimental hostel. He was presented a memento by the J&KLI.