J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Top militant killed, 7 security men hurt
SRINAGAR, April 18 — A top militant of the Hizb-ul Mujahideen was killed in an encounter with the security forces while militants detonated three IEDs in Baramula and Pulwama districts injuring seven security forces personnel in the Kashmir valley since yesterday.

Chandi mahayajna for peace in J&K
CHARAN PADUKA (Katra), April 18 — A large number of pilgrims, including noted film stars, classical dancers foreigners and NRIs, watched with bated breath the curtain falling on the 15-day long Chandi Mahayajna here today. Eminent religious scholars from Varanasi and Kanpur chanted hymns from the holy scriptures to mark the end of the Mahayajna organised by well-known spiritualist and ayurvedic scholar, Dr Anand Swami, for peace in the world.

Pak may airdrop weapons: Farooq
JAMMU, April 18 — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has called for greater vigil as reports had reached him that Pakistan was planning to carry out air dropping of arms and ammunition for militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

Encounter issue: Farooq asked to remain quiet
JAMMU, April 18 — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has been signalled from the Union Home Ministry that he should maintain discreet silence over an "encounter" in which five persons were killed at Panchalthan in South Kashmir on March 25. He is said to have been advised not to make any commitment regarding punishing guilty security personnel if the DNA tests and other circumstantial evidence proved that the five killed in the "encounter" were not militants, responsible for the massacre of 35 Sikhs in village Chatti Singhpora on March 20, but innocent people.

Top militant killed, 7 security men hurt
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, April 18 — A top militant of the Hizb-ul Mujahideen was killed in an encounter with the security forces while militants detonated three IEDs in Baramula and Pulwama districts injuring seven security forces personnel in the Kashmir valley since yesterday.

A top ranking militant of the Hizb-ul Mujahideen, identified as Bashir Ahmad Bhat, alias Aurangzeb, alias Mubarak Ali, was killed in an encounter with the security forces at Naidkhai in Baramula district last evening. The police said that one IUM activist, Ghulam Mohiuddin Hurra was also injured in the exchange of fire between the militants and the security forces. One AK rifle and two magazines were recovered from the site of the encounter.

A defence spokesman said the troops were fired at by the hiding militants at Naidkhai last night. The troops had cordoned off the area on the receipt of a specific information. When the troops cordoned off the area they were fired at by the hiding militants leading to the encounter.

Four security force personnel were injured and the vehicle damaged when it passed by an IED (improvised explosive device) planted by suspected militants near Rey Kapran on the Shopian-Kulgam road in Pulwama district, today.

Three security jawans were injured and the vehicle damaged when militants detonated an IED at the Chake Arsala Khan link road in the Bandipore area of Baramula district yesterday.

In another similar IED explosion at Bahpura, two security force jawans were injured at Bahpora in the nearby area of Bandipore in Baramula district yesterday. The security forces have been put on a full alert following two explosions in the same area.

Chandi mahayajna for peace in J&K
From M. L. Kak
Tribune News Service

CHARAN PADUKA (Katra), April 18 — A large number of pilgrims, including noted film stars, classical dancers foreigners and NRIs, watched with bated breath the curtain falling on the 15-day long Chandi Mahayajna here today. Eminent religious scholars from Varanasi and Kanpur chanted hymns from the holy scriptures to mark the end of the Mahayajna organised by well-known spiritualist and ayurvedic scholar, Dr Anand Swami, for peace in the world.

As the pilgrims marched from Banganga they were greeted by fragrance from the agni kunds in which large quantities of wood and yagya samigri were burnt.

Men, women and children came in large groups to watch thin layers of smoke rising leisurely to the sky in what Dr Anand Swami, says was the way to remove "darkness and hatred in the world."

As the recitation of mantras was drawing close Dr Anand Swami’s face gleamed with joy. "I am sure the fragrance from the agni kunds, the full-throated recitation of hymns and the devotion with which my supporters served free food to several lakhs pilgrims will purify the atmosphere that has been defiled by intolerance, hatred, deceit, missiles and nuclear weapons, said Dr Swami.

Many pilgrims kept on praying even after the last ceremony was performed. Others were seen shedding tears of emotion in the hope of seeing peace restored to Jammu and Kashmir in the near future.

While the Brahmins were busy in helping individual make offerings large groups swarmed the Swami for inspiration. "Pray, pray and pray because prayer is a supreme path for salvation and for removing hatred. Prayer is above religion as it shows the path to universal love, "Dr Anand Swami told his followers.

Noted film actress, Vijayantimala, was among scores of celebrities who participated in the yajna. After making offerings she said "I feel blessed by being here. I adore Dr Anand Swami for having organised Chandi mahayajna at this holy place for restoring peace to the world."

Other prominent businessmen and film celebrities included Prem Sagar, who used to spend summer in Kashmir prior to the rise of militancy. He hoped that the Yajna would bring peace to Kashmir so that "we are free to roam over the hills and swim like fish in the lake waters."

Janki Nath and his wife were n tears when Dr Anand Swami assured them they would be able to return to a peaceful valley within less than two years. Janki Nath suffered heavy losses when his property was plundered by militants.

As the sun started going down the hill in the west Dr Anand Swami and hundreds of his followers and learned Brahmins, who carried the "jyoti", which had been lit on April 4, to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.

Dr Anand Swami said "the jyoti will mingle with the Akhand Jyoti inside the holy shrine.

Pak may airdrop weapons: Farooq
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, April 18 — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has called for greater vigil as reports had reached him that Pakistan was planning to carry out air dropping of arms and ammunition for militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking at a function organised by the BSF in connection with the display of weapons and explosives, including 80 mm recoilless guns, recovered from militant hideouts recently, Dr Abdullah said that Pak agencies had decided to send infiltrators into Jammu and Kashmir. Unarmed weapons were to be dropped by helicopters. He said that necessary measures were to be taken in hand to prevent air-dropping of arms and ammunition by the Pak agencies.

The Chief Minister complimented the BSF for carrying out seizure of large quantities of arms and ammunition in recent days from various areas of the Jammu sector. He said weapons and explosives seized were a tip of the iceberg as militants had over the years smuggled large quantities of arms and ammunition which needed to be recovered.

Dr Abdullah advised the security forces to be ready for any eventuality. He suggested them to strengthen the border management so that infiltration and arms smuggling was reduced to zero level. He also called for better coordination among different security and intelligence agencies.

He said that the USA and the British stand on the Kashmir turmoil was a positive sign and would help India. He said no doubt the President Bill Clinton, and British authorities had urged Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism, still there were reports that Islamabad would continue to commit mischief. He said in case Pakistan did not stop exporting terrorism to India it would get isolated.

Dr Abdullah suggested to the Centre to mount pressure on the international agencies and developed nations to force Pakistan and its allies to stop encouraging Islamic terrorism which had posed a major threat to world peace.

The Inspector General BSF, Mr U.C. Chabra, welcomed the Chief Minister.

Encounter issue: Farooq asked to remain quiet
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, April 18 — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has been signalled from the Union Home Ministry that he should maintain discreet silence over an "encounter" in which five persons were killed at Panchalthan in South Kashmir on March 25. He is said to have been advised not to make any commitment regarding punishing guilty security personnel if the DNA tests and other circumstantial evidence proved that the five killed in the "encounter" were not militants, responsible for the massacre of 35 Sikhs in village Chatti Singhpora on March 20, but innocent people.

Informed sources said that the recent statement of Dr Abdullah that if those killed were found to be innocent people those security personnel responsible for the killing would be punished had not been relished either by the Army authorities or the Union Ministry.

The incident has taken a new turn with the Chief Judicial Magistrate directing the police authorities to set up a special investigating team for carrying out proper and systematic inquiry into the circumstances that led to the killing of five persons. It is for the first time in South Kashmir that people protested loudly against the killing of five persons whom the security forces had described as killers of 35 Sikhs in village Chatti Singhpora. After hardly three days six more people were killed in an adjoining area and they were also claimed to have been militants responsible for the Singhpora carnage. There was, however, no public clamour over the killing of six people.

The special investigation team has started collecting ammunition used during the firing and other material which may help the team to come to a definite conclusion. One senior police officer said that unless the DNA report was available it was premature to comment on the incident.

The sources said that the Chief Minister had to face similar situation when 19 Muslims were killed by unidentified gunmen in village More Bachai in Poonch district on April 1, 1999. The state government had conducted a secret probe and it was revealed that militants were not responsible for the killing of 19 persons.

When one NC MLA raised the issue in the Assembly here recently the Chief Minister lost his cool and pointing his finger at the MLA said "you know it fully well who committed the carnage. Then why do you raise the issue repeatedly?" Dr Abdullah told the House "you should know the great sacrifices being rendered by the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir while fighting militants. If we are alive here it is because of the security forces. Hence do not raise accusing fingers against the security forces".

In other words the Chief Minister had indirectly admitted that militants were not involved in Mora Bachai massacre and that is why he tried to persuade the members of the Assembly to keep their mouth shut because any criticism of any security agency may create fresh problems.

It is in the light of this development that the Army authorities and the Union Home Ministry have reportedly suggested to the Chief Minister not to cause any embarrassment for the security agencies by promising to punish those security personnel who would be held responsible for the killing of five persons and the gunning down of seven demonstrators who were protesting against Panchalthan killing. The police had opened fire on the protesters killing seven on the spot. This led to shifting of the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, DIG and SSP Anantnag and later suspension of the SP and one DSP.

Informed sources said that some police officers rushed to Delhi apprised the Union Home Ministry officials of the raw deal they had received when their contribution in fighting militancy in the state during the last 10 years was excellent.

CM compliments truckers
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, April 18 — "Security precautions in the state have been necessitated due to proxy war unleashed by Pakistan. Until good sense prevails upon the neighbour, we have to be vigilant" the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, said at the annual day function of the All-Jammu and Kashmir Truck Drivers and Cleaners Association here yesterday. He hoped that the people, including transporters, would cooperate in maintaining security needs.

Dr Abdullah said road transport played to pivotal role in carrying essential commodities a hilly and rugged terrain and hill states were totally dependent upon the surface transport. Transport was a forceful medium of national integration, he added.

The Chief Minister complimented transport operators, drivers and conductors for their Herculean tasks of shuttling from one corner of the country to another in inhospitable weather sacrificing comforts and family like. They maintain supply line during chilly cold and scorching heat, he said.

Dr Abdullah, however, regretted that some transport operators tamper with essential commodities particularly in the adulteration of kerosene. He asked operators to check such blacksheep in the transport industry.

Responding to the demands of the association. The Chief Minister said he along with their deputation would take up issues like insurance cover and payment of ex-gratia to those killed in difficult situations with the union ministers concerned. He also felt the need for shifting of petroleum depot in Pampore to some other area due to prevailing congestion.