M A I N   N E W S

Pak may step up militancy
Fernandes says forces fully ready

CHENNAI, April 22 (PTI) — Defence Minister George Fernandes today regretted that Pakistan had failed to heed to US President Bill Clinton’s advice against sponsoring cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and did not rule out stepped-up militancy in the state this summer.

Asked whether Pakistan had heeded to President Clinton’s advice, he said there was no indication to this effect.

To a question on his remarks about a “hot summer” in Kargil, Mr Fernandes said in the aftermath of its crushing defeat in the Kargil sector, it was anticipated that Pakistan could launch another attack after the ice melted there and create more problems in Jammu and Kashmir.

“There has been enough indication of this. In the past few months, there have been instances of suicide squads coming into Jammu and Kashmir and a large number of mercenaries have amassed at our borders,” Mr Fernandes said.

The Pakistani leadership had also made statements about creating more Kargils, he said after inaugurating a one-day seminar and exhibition on “Acceleration of defence production through the joint sector”.

“So when you make such statements and see the developments in Jammu and Kashmir and across the border, one has to take the requisite precaution,” Mr Fernandes said, adding that the country’s armed forces were fully prepared to meet any eventuality. The Defence Minister was evasive on the continuance of the ban on the LTTE in India.

Asked for his views on the Centre’s move to extend the ban for a further period of two years, Mr Fernandes, talking to mediapersons here, said: “I being a Cabinet Minister, will give my views to the Cabinet.

He also evaded a direct reply when asked whether India should play a role in view of Norway offering its help to Sri Lanka to solve the ethnic crisis. “I am not in a position to answer this question”, he said.

On Sri Lankan naval personnel frequently attacking Indian fishermen on high seas, he said action was being taken whenever such complaints were made. The Indian Coast Guard had also intensified patrolling.

Defending the inquiry ordered into the purchase of arms in the past, he said it was only in response to the demand in Parliament. Making it clear that it was not directed against anybody, he said while the Chief Vigilance Commission would go into the entire gamut of purchase, the Auditor-General would verify whether the money sanctioned for the purpose was used properly.

2 Army men killed in encounter
From Our Correspondent and agencies

JAMMU, April 22 — A perimeter patrol of 16 Rashtriya Rifles engaged a group of heavily armed militants along the Suran river at Potha post near Surankot in Poonch district early today.

The incident took place when a perimeter patrol of 16 RR moving along the western bank of the Suran river along Potha Army post. At about 2 a.m. this morning observed two militants crossing Suran river. When challenged the militants opened fire. The patrol party retaliated.

The sentries at Potha post also opened fire at the militants. A fierce encounter followed. On finding themselves outflanked the militants made an attempt to escape.

In the ensuing fire-fight, one militant was killed while the other managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Two Army jawans, JCO Subedar Bhajan Singh and Lance Naik Darshan Singh of 16 RR were killed and two jawans injured.

Two AK 47 rifles, three hand grenades and five AK 47 magazines were recovered from along the Suran’s bank. At the time of reporting the identity of the slain militant had not been established but he is suspected to be a foreign militant. The entire area has been cordoned off and a combing operation was on.

Elsewhere in the Jammu region eight militants, including a Pakistani infiltrator and four foreign militants were killed in separate incidents in Rajouri, Doda and Udhampur districts since last evening.

The spokesman said that in a coordinated operation, the Mhor Brigade last evening eliminated three hardcore militants near Barneli village in Mahore tehsil of Udhampur district.

After receiving information regarding the militants’ presence, soldiers cordoned off the area and conducted a search operation during which they were subjected to heavy fire from militants. In the encounter that followed, three militants were killed and a jawan severely injured. He was hospitalised and was stated to be out of danger.

Three AK 46 rifles, four grenades and a large quantity of ammunition and explosives were recovered from the encounter site.

A report from Rajouri said soldiers shot dead an infiltrator immediately after he sneaked into Indian territory in Kerni zone. An AK rifle, three Chinese grenades, sixty rounds and some cash were recovered from the slain infiltrator.

At least two powerful improvised explosive devices blew to pieces a couple of poles bearing high-voltage transmission lines at Kharak near Dharamsal in Rajouri district last night. The border districts of Rajouri and Poonch were plunged in darkness.

BARAMULLA: Seven persons including four personnel of Special Operations Group and one special police officer were injured in an encounter with militants here, official sources said today.

A commander of counter-insurgent Ikhwan outfit and a civilian were also injured in the exchange of fire which took place last evening when the security personnel, on a tip off, laid a cordon around a militant hideout, the sources said.

Two houses were gutted in the firing, but there was no report of casualty on the militants’ side.