M A I N   N E W S

Top Hizb ultra gives up
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 27
Jahangir Khan, a top militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen having a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head, surrendered before the Border Security Force (BSF) at Baramula today. He handed over a pistol, a wireless set, 15 rounds, other ammunition and more than Rs 50,000 cash to the security forces.

The Inspector General of the BSF, Mr B.N. Chaturvedi, before whom the self-styled district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen Jahangir Ahmad Khan surrendered, said the militant had become active last year. He was involved in a number of operations against the security forces. He used to plan, and direct the killings of the security personnel, SPOs, informers and political workers who were against militancy. He had also been instrumental in number of IED explosions targeting the security force vehicles, he said. Mr Chaturvedi said it had become difficult for him to escape from the dragnet of security forces and having been disillusioned with the life of a militant he craved for return to normal life. “The extension of ceasefire further strengthened his view point.” Mr Chaturvedi said, adding that he was motivated through his relatives to surrender. Talking to mediapersons, Jahangir Ahmad Khan said he was disillusioned with militancy and wanted to return to normal life.

Jahangir Ahmad (right) shakes hands with senior BSF officer Bhupender Nath Chaturvedi after laying down arms at a garrison in Baramula district in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The BSF authorities said that Jahangir was a district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen. — Reuters photo

A resident of the Noorbagh locality at Baramula, Jahangir Ahmad Khan, alias Kinga, having code names Irfan, Bilal, Farooq, Imran and Munir, was a category “A” militant. He had joined militancy in April 1999 when he was sent to Pakistan for training along with 13 others hailing from the neighbouring areas.

He was sent back in July, 1999 with the instructions to report to Saifullah Engineer, the then ‘divisional commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen to operate in Pattan-Baramula area. He hired a watch repair shop at Pattan and started working as a coordinator and underground worker. He was first appointed as ‘sectional commander’ and then as ‘district commander’ of the outfit.

However, according to a UNI report, a Hizb spokesman disowned Jahangir and said it was just an eyewash.

Meanwhile, at least seven persons, including an activist of the ruling National Conference and a militant were killed, and 13 others injured in separate incidents in the valley since yesterday. The security forces also recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition during search operations in Rajouri district of the Jammu region.

An activist of the National Conference, Noor Mohammad Shah was killed after having been kidnapped by militants from Budgam district, a police spokesman stated here today.

Zahoor Malik, alias Muntazir, a militant was killed in an encounter with the security forces at Duroo in Anantnag district yesterday.

Two persons were shot dead by the militants at Chattabal in Srinagar city last night, the police said. One of them has been identified as Mohammad Amin Sheikh of Beerwah in Budgam district.

The militants shot dead Fayaz Ahmad, a surrendered militant in the Nishat area of Srinagar this afternoon.

An unidentified person was killed in an explosion in the house of a migrant at Sangrampora in Budgam district last night.

Pak has not responded to peace offer: Advani

New Delhi, February 27
Pakistan has got isolated in the international community of nations by not adequately responding to India’s peace initiative in militancy-ridden Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister L. K. Advani informed the Lok Sabha today.

Replying to queries on the non-cessation of militant violence in the state despite third extension of the unilateral ceasefire by India, the Home Minister said: ‘’Our initiative has conveyed to the world that Pakistan does not want peace in the border state which certainly has isolated the neighbouring country at the international level.’’

Mr Advani said the people in the Kashmir Valley were now convinced that Pakistan had not been allowing return of peace to the valley. Besides, India’s initiative had caused a split in the ranks of the militants. Some of them such as Hurriyat leaders were now ready to respond to the peace initiative.

He said that despite a little decline in firing and additional Army built-up on the international border, Pakistan had done precious little to check the activities of the ISI and militant organisations such as Lashkar-e-Toiba, operating from its soil.

Pakistan has belied India’s earlier expectations that it would rein in the militant organisations operating from there, he added.

When the agitated Opposition wanted to know why the country had gone for a cease-fire inspite of continued offensive by Pakistan, Mr Advani clarified that India had not declared ‘’ceasefire’’ as such but only directed the security forces not to take ‘’combat initiative against the militants during the period.’’

‘’We have not asked the security forces not to apprehend militants and curb their activities as and when noticed,’’ he said. ‘’Owing to alertness of the security forces as many as 184 militants had been eliminated during the ceasefire period.’’

To the Opposition query whether the arrested militants belonging to the Lashkar-e-Toiba, who were involved in The Red Fort attack a few months ago, had yielded any information on their net-working in India, the Home Minister said the government was fully aware of the militant activities in India and neighbouring Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal. The ISI had been constantly engaged in networking of different militant organisations, he said.  UNI

P. L. Handoo is dead

New Delhi, February 27
Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs P. L. Handoo died here this morning following prolonged illness. He was 74.

Mr Handoo, a veteran politician who served in the Cabinet of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah as Law Minister, was one of the co-authors of the state’s greater autonomy plan. PTI

Jatha to visit Pakistan
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 27
The SGPC executive today decided to send a jatha of pilgrims to Pakistan to mark Baisakhi. It will be after two years that the SGPC will send a jatha to Pakistan.

After April 1999, Bibi Jagir Kaur, the then SGPC chief, had stopped sending a jatha to Pakistan in protest against the formation of the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.

Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi said all arrangements for sending the jatha would be made immediately.

Another tradition of presenting “siropa” to the pilgrims, which was discontinued during the regime of Bibi Jagir Kaur, was revived by the executive today.

The SGPC executive also decided to urge Parliament to include Ramdasia in the Scheduled Caste list. This decision was apparently taken to benefit Mrs Satwant Kaur Sandhu, an MLA from Chamkaur Sahib. Though her election as an MLA was set aside by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the plea that Ramdasia was not enlisted in the category of the Scheduled Castes. However, she got a stay order from the Supreme Court.

The executive said there was no difference between “Ramdasia” and “Ramdasi”.

Executive members resolved that no one had the right to “distort” Gurbani.

They also decided to give sponsorship to the jatha of Pakistani Sikhs who wanted to visit the Golden Temple and other Sikh shrines in India.

They appealed to the Sikh Sangat for not changing the contents of “maryada” or “prayer”. Jathedar Talwandi quoted the “distortion” in “ardas” by some gurdwaras.

Meanwhile, Mr Baldev Singh, Deputy Chief of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha International, has welcomed the decision of the SGPC to send a jatha to Pakistan.

In a statement, he said by doing so, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi had won the support of the Sikh Sangat.