J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Hizbul battalion commander shot
SRINAGAR, July 12 — Seven persons, including five militants and a woman, were killed and four injured in separate incidents while the security forces averted a tragedy with the timely detection of two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Kashmir valley since last night, a Defence Ministry spokesman said today.

Lashkar training camp set up
JAMMU, July 12 — A special centre has been set up at Athmuqam, across Kupwara, 110 km north-west of Srinagar under the control of Lashkar-e-Toiba for training militants in carrying out suicide attacks on security posts and vital government installations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Tributes paid to Farooq’s mother
SRINAGAR, July 12— The President, Vice-President and a number of national leaders have mourned the death of Begum Akbar Jehan, mother of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, who passed away here yesterday. A large number of people and political leaders have been visiting the Chief Minister’s residence since yesterday.

Hizbul battalion commander shot

SRINAGAR, July 12 (PTI) — Seven persons, including five militants and a woman, were killed and four injured in separate incidents while the security forces averted a tragedy with the timely detection of two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Kashmir valley since last night, a Defence Ministry spokesman said today.

Three militants, including a self-styled battalion commander of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, were killed in an encounter with the troops at Wakool in the Devar area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir last night, the spokesman said.

Two AK assault rifles, a grenade launcher, nine grenades and some ammunition were recovered from the killed militants.

In another encounter at Pohudala-panzgam village of Kupwara, the troops gunned down a foreign mercenary and seized an AK assault rifle from him last night, he said.

Another Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant Abdul Aziz Chopan was killed in a shootout with the security forces at a village in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district last night.

A woman was killed and another person wounded when militants opened fire in a house at Bhau Damhal in the Hanjipora area of Pulwama district late last night, he said.

The body of an unidentified person was picked up by the police from the Kurhama area of Kupwara district today.

JAMMU : Two BSF personnel were killed and three jawans injured in heavy shelling by Pakistani troops in the field defended locality (FDL) in the Mendhar sector of Rajouri district in Jammu division, a BSF spokesman said here today.

He said Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing followed by mortar shelling yesterday on the FDL sector forcing Indian troops to retaliate.

Two BSF personnel Balram Joshi, (a Sub-Inspector) and Ram Lakhan Rai, (a constable) were killed due to splinter injuries when shells exploded near their post, he said, adding one BSF constable and two army jawans were also injured. They were later shifted to the army hospital in Rajouri.

Casualties on the Pakistani side could not be ascertained, he said.

Lashkar training camp set up
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, July 12 — A special centre has been set up at Athmuqam, across Kupwara, 110 km north-west of Srinagar under the control of Lashkar-e-Toiba for training militants in carrying out suicide attacks on security posts and vital government installations in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to official reports, experts from the Pakistan army are said to be imparting the training, to 200 militants. After completing the training, they would be pushed into the state in small groups.

In addition to this, the Pakistani agencies have launched a major drive to recruit ex-servicemen of the Pakistani army. The ex-servicemen would be trained in guerrilla and mountain warfares. The reports said during the past one month more than 300 ex-servicemen have been given the training.

Though Pakistani agencies are patronising several militant outfits, including the Hizbul Mujahideen , Lashkar-e-Toiba, Harkatul Jehadi Islami, the Jash-e-Mohammad (Prophet’s army) is the chosen one for giving its activists highly sophisticated weapons, high-grade explosives and upgraded communication systems. Its activists have been directed to make limited use of the communication systems so that the Indian security agencies were not in a position to intercept even the coded messages.

Tributes paid to Farooq’s mother
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, July 12— The President, Vice-President and a number of national leaders have mourned the death of Begum Akbar Jehan, mother of the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, who passed away here yesterday. A large number of people and political leaders have been visiting the Chief Minister’s residence since yesterday.

The President, Mr K.R.Narayanan in his condolence message has described the passing away of Begum Akbar Jehan as an irreparable loss and prayed for the repose of the departed soul.

The Vice President, Mr Krishan Kant in his condolence message said “Begum Akbar Jehan had carved a niche for herself in the history of India and Jammu and Kashmir as a veteran freedom fighter, social reformer, legislator and nationalist. Even in her old age spirit and commitment to national cause never dimmed.

In his message, MP and former Sadar-e-Riyasat, Dr Karan Singh, said “She was indeed a remarkable woman, and I know how vital a role she played during and after Sheikh Sahib’s life in nurturing the family.

Mr I.K.Gujral in his message said in the death of Mader-e-Meharban the nation had lost a leader who had served the country with remarkable dedication and commitment. The people of J &K have lost a veteran leader who stood with them in all their moments of difficulties and also achievements. In paying my homage to the departed soul, I recall my own close association with her and Sheikh Sahib all these years. It is unfortunate that her demise has come at a time when the country needed her sagacious guidance more than ever”.

Mr Ram Jethmalani, Union Minister for Law, Justice and Company Affairs described Begum Sahiba as an extraordinary woman who would be remembered for decades to come.

Mr Murasoli Maran, Union Minister for Industries and Commerce has said she was a staunch nationalist and courageous woman who dedicated her life for the betterment and uplift of deprived and weaker sections of society.

The Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, has described Madar-e-Meharban as a most noble and pious woman.