M A I N   N E W S

APHC strike hits life in valley

Srinagar, February 16
Life was disrupted in Srinagar and other major towns of the Kashmir valley today following a general strike by the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in protest against the killing of a government employee, Abdul Ahad Bhat, allegedly by the security forces, three days ago.

Shops and business establishments remained closed in Srinagar and other major towns of the valley.

Work in government and semi-government offices was badly affected, while courts, banks and other establishments remained closed in view of the strike. The Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) — an amalgam of several trade unions — had also called for a total strike today in all government and semi-government offices in the valley in protest against the killing.

Bhat was killed inside his house at Khanpora village of Baramula on February 13, evoking a strong protest demonstration by the locals.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has already urged Defence Minister George Fernandes to award exemplary punishment to Army personnel for the killing of Bhat.

Meanwhile, two persons were killed, while the security forces arrested three persons and seized 1 kg of RDX from a private truck in the Kashmir valley overnight.

An alleged informer of the security forces, Ali Mohammad Rather, was shot dead by militants at Gowran village in Kokernag area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir last night, police sources said.

They said the police picked up the body of Mamdin from Nowgabra in Karnah area of Kupwara district today.

The security forces seized 1 kg of RDX from a private truck during checking at Bemina in Srinagar last night. The driver and conductor of the vehicle were detained for questioning, the sources said.

A generator operator, Suhail Ahmad, was arrested by the security forces during a raid on SMHS Hospital here last night, the sources added.

JAMMU: Army personnel busted four militant hideouts and seized a huge quantity of arms and explosives in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir since Friday night, defence sources said on Saturday.

The security forces on Saturday shot dead two Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists in a pre-dawn operation near Dhana in Thanamadi area of Rajouri district, Army sources said. Acting on a tip-off that some ultras were hiding in Dhana area, security personnel launched an operation to flush them out. On seeing the security men zeroing in, the militants opened fire, and in the subsequent encounter two ultras were killed. UNI, PTI

Indian, Pak troops exchange fire

Jammu, February 16
Indian and Pakistani border guards exchanged heavy machine-gun fire at various border out posts (along the international border in Jammu and Kathua districts overnight, official sources said today.

Sources said the two sides exchanged fire at Kote Kuba, Pindi Post, Jabowal, Pittal Post, Mehta Post, Zero Point, SH Way, Fatwal, Sangral, Mangral, Abdullian, Korotana, Khatmarian, Kharkhola, Gharana, Gharani, AMK, Old Kanachak, New Kanachak, Panjora, Rajpura, Chinore Farm and Gole Pattan in Jammu district.

Reports of heavy Indo-Pak firing was also received from Karol Post, Mathian, Muthi Charu, Regal, Chachwal, Chalarian, Khwara, Mangu Chak, Sadhey Chak and Dulma Chak in Kathua district. UNI