Talks only within scope of Constitution: CM
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Sept 1 — The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has ruled out talks with militants outside the purview of the Constitution. He has said that there is no point talking with those who do not accept the basic reality of Jammu and Kashmir being a part of India.

Addressing the passing out and attestation parade of JAK LI (Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Division), the Chief Minister criticised those political leaders who were advocating talks with militants, saying that these leaders for their petty political gains were encouraging secessionist elements.

He said he was not adverse to talks between India and Pakistan for achieving peace and stability in the subcontinent. At the same time, there should be no complacency or let-up in the vigil on the borders, he added.

Earlier, 117 recruits of Course Number 38 participated in the parade. After about one year of rigorous training, these recruits graduated into soldier. They will soon be joining their JAK LI battalions, which are deployed from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Parents of the recruits were present in large numbers. War widows and their children staying in the JAK LI War Widows Children Hostel were also present. Their presence spoke well of the JAK LI Regimental Centre, which has tried to adopt the slogan, "We care".

Recruit Sanjeev Singh was awarded the Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Medal for overall best recruit and the Commandants Trophy. The Rinchin Medal for the best in firing was presented to Kamal Singh and the prestigious Maqbool Sherwani Medal was awarded to recruit Mashkoor Ahmad.

The recruits of this regiment are from Jammu and Kashmir only and it comprises of 50 per cent Muslims and 50 per cent non-Muslims. The tradition of the Mandir, Masjid and Gurdwara (MMG) parade, which comprises a joint prayer, has made the regiment a symbol of India's composite culture. The motto of the regiment is "Balidanam Vir Lakshanam".

Soldiers of this regiment have been honoured with the Param Vir Chakra (one); Mahavir Chakra (10); Vir Chakras (37); Shaurya Chakras (4); and Sena Medals (65).

SPO, 6 surrendered militants killed
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Sept 1 — Suspected militants killed six surrendered militants in two different incidents in the north Kashmir district of Baramulla yesterday, the police said here.

Five of these militants were killed at Hunroo, Panzla late last night. Suspected militants shot at the group of surrendered militants in the village, killing all of them while a civilian, Ghulam Nabi Wani, was injured in the shootout.

Those killed have been identified as Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Nazir Ahmad Wani, Mushtaq Ahmed, Abdul Khaliq and Mushtaq Ahmad. The injured has been hospitalised.

Those killed and the injured civilian belonged to the Panzla area.

In another incident, militants shot dead Bashir Ahmad Naikoo at Terzoo, Sopore. He was working as a Special Police Officer (SPO), the designation given to former militants who join the mainstream and get adjusted in the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Elsewhere, the security forces apprehended a large quantity of arms and ammunition, while the police seized illicit timber in North Kashmir. At least seven persons have been taken in custody. The truck in which the timber was being transported has also been impounded.

Three civilians were reportedly killed in the crossfire between militants and counter-insurgents in the area.

Security forces assisted by the police and counter-insurgents have launched a combing operation in the area to nab the militants.

Militants also struck in Srinagar when they shot dead a surrendered militant, Khurshid Ahmad Bhat, at Nawa Bazar last night when he was on his way home in an autorickshaw.

Enteritis claims 19 lives
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 1 — Three persons died of gastroenteritis and 50 were admitted to hospitals in Bela and Keeri villages of Rajouri district, 180 km west of Jammu, this morning.

With these deaths, the toll due to gastroenteritis in the Gool block of Udhampur district and the Chenani block, 35 km east of Jammu, has risen to 19 during the past one week.

Reports said that a team of BSF doctors had been rushed to Bela and Keeri villages.

The Director Health Services, Mr R.K. Goel, said besides three deaths due to gastroenteritis in Bela and Keeri villages, nine persons had died in the Chenani block and seven lost their lives in the Gool block of Udhampur district. He said more than 150 patients suffering from either gastroenteritis or cholera had been admitted to different hospitals in these areas.

Mr Goel said the state health services had constituted special medical teams to treat the patients and conduct blood culture and other tests to determine whether the patients were suffering from gastroenteritis or cholera.

He said consumption of contaminated water is the root of the disease. People in these areas drink water from village pools and ponds where cattle also bathe and drink water.

The Director, Health Services, said health services employees and paramedical staff had been directed to advise people to drink boiled water. Necessary steps were being taken to check the spread of gastroenteritis to other areas, he added.

Rape case: Army jawans taken into custody

SRINAGAR, Sept 1(UNI) — The Army authorities have taken into custody some soldiers in a case relating to the rape of a woman at Hardshiva in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on August 29 .

A Defence Ministry spokesman said the Army authorities had taken a serious note of the alleged abduction and rape of the pregnant woman, allegedly by some Army jawans on August 29 afternoon while she was on her way to a bus stand along with her one-and-a-half-year old baby.

He said an immediate inquiry had been ordered and the accused soldiers were taken into unit custody.

Strictest and expeditious action as per the Army law would be taken against those found guilty, he said.

According to reports, the woman suffered abortion due to the criminal assault and was later taken to hospital by some villagers .

The police also registered a case after the villagers took to the streets in protest against the incident.