J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Governor, Farooq condemn attack
Jammu, March 30
The J&K Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Governor Girish Chandra Saxena have condemned the ultra attack on the Raghunath Temple. Dr Abdullah described the attack as a dastardly and inhuman act which indicated the level of frustration among the militants who are hell-bent on disturbing peace and tranquility in the region.

Shabir Shah flays attack on temple
Srinagar, March 30
The Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Party (JKDFP) President Shabir Ahmad Shah condemned today’s attack on Raghunath Temple in Jammu, terming it as a “painful act”. “Islam teaches respect of places of worship of all religions.

80 injured as securitymen beat up civilians
Baramulla, March 30
The security forces allegedly beat up civilians near here during a search to locate militants who had ambushed a patrol and killed two soldiers.

NGO to help victims of militancy
Srinagar, March 30
Gousia Gareeb Nawaz Trust (GGNT), an NGO to help the militancy-hit people of Jammu and Kashmir, was launched here today with Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah as its patron.

One killed in border firing
Jammu, March 30
A civilian was killed and another injured in Pakistani troops firing, targeting 34 Indian Border outposts and civilian areas along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir since last night, official sources said here today. Sansar Chand of Kanachak in Jammu district was killed in Pakistani firing today, they said, adding another civilian was injured in Ban Camp village in the Samba sector.

Governor, Farooq condemn attack

Jammu, March 30
The J&K Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Governor Girish Chandra Saxena have condemned the ultra attack on the Raghunath Temple.

Dr Abdullah described the attack as a dastardly and inhuman act which indicated the level of frustration among the militants who are hell-bent on disturbing peace and tranquility in the region.

The Chief Minister expressed shock over the loss of innocent lives of civilians in the incident and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

He urged people to defeat enemy designs by maintaining peace and communal harmony.

Governor Girish Chandra Saxena also slammed the attack saying that by this dastardly attack on a place of religious worship, the terrorists and their foreign masters again exposed themselves as perpetrators of unholy and outrageous crimes against humanity, which served no so called cause.

He extended his deep condolences to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives in this attack and appealed to all sections of the society to remain united in fighting terrorism and maintaining communal peace and harmony.

The Shiv Sena today urged the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir Governments to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra following the ultra attack. UNI

Shabir Shah flays attack on temple

Srinagar, March 30
The Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Party (JKDFP) President Shabir Ahmad Shah condemned today’s attack on Raghunath Temple in Jammu, terming it as a “painful act”. “Islam teaches respect of places of worship of all religions. The people-friendly and justice-loving people who are fighting for bigger a goal can never act like this,” Mr Shah said in a telephonic statement from New Delhi. He said Kashmiris are passing through a crucial and critical phase and they have to maintain discipline and work for communal brotherhood at all costs.

J and K Pradesh Congress Committee leaders in a statement described the attack as a “cowardice act” of terrorists which indicates that Pakistan is still actively supporting militancy in the state.

Nationalist Congress Party, J and K Peoples United Front, J and K Samaj Sudhar Committee and Citizens Forum also flayed the attack on the temple. PTI

80 injured as securitymen beat up civilians

Baramulla, March 30
The security forces allegedly beat up civilians near here during a search to locate militants who had ambushed a patrol and killed two soldiers.

At least 80 civilians were admitted to different hospitals, some of them with fractured limbs and legs. Official sources said the militants attacked a security force patrol with automatic weapons and grenades, resulting in on-the-spot death of two soldiers — Nardev Singh and Ajay Kumar — and injuries to two others — Naik Amarjeet Singh and Rifle Man Rajan Singh. The forces retaliated, but the militants managed to escape.

A number of localities, including Qazi-Hamam, Towheed Gujn and Khawaja Sahib were cordoned off this morning. The security forces conducted house-to-house searches to nab the militants behind the attack.

Locals alleged that security forces beat them before parading them before ‘cats’ (informers). The town observed a complete shutdown and hundreds of women took to the streets to protest against the action of the security forces. UNI

NGO to help victims of militancy

Srinagar, March 30
Gousia Gareeb Nawaz Trust (GGNT), an NGO to help the militancy-hit people of Jammu and Kashmir, was launched here today with Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah as its patron.

The trust will help children, orphaned due to militancy, get admission in professional colleges outside the state, Mr Abdullah told reporters, spelling out its objectives. Asserting that people of all faiths have suffered during the over a decade-long militancy in the state, he said the trust would help the militancy-hit people of all the three regions of the state irrespective of their religion and caste.

The first meeting of the GGNT today adopted its constitution and decided to create a corpus fund. The Chief Minister announced Rs 5 lakh as his personal contribution to the fund.

Thousands of people were killed and hundreds of children orphaned due to militancy. A number of families were left without any financial support and orphaned children without any source to pursue their studies.

“While the government is doing its bit to ameliorate the condition of the affected people, given the magnitude of sufferings it is necessary that NGOs should come forward to help the needy and the destitute. GGNT is a right step in this direction,” he said. Works Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar is the president of the trust, which has 21 prominent citizens and social workers in the state as its members. J and K Bank Chairman Mohammad Yusuf Khan is its financial adviser and Ali Mohammad Magrey secretary. PTI

One killed in border firing

Jammu, March 30
A civilian was killed and another injured in Pakistani troops firing, targeting 34 Indian Border outposts and civilian areas along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir since last night, official sources said here today. Sansar Chand of Kanachak in Jammu district was killed in Pakistani firing today, they said, adding another civilian was injured in Ban Camp village in the Samba sector.

The Pakistani troops resorted to firing on 32 BOPs and civilian areas in Arnia, Ramgarh, Samba, RS Pura, Khour and Kanachak sectors of Jammu district during last night. They also fired on two BOPs in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district during the period. Indian troops retaliated effectively and intermittent exchange of fire continued till this morning, they said. PTI