M A I N   N E W S

CCS reviews situation
Govt, Oppn condemn massacre
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 14
The government and the Opposition today strongly condemned the massacre of innocent people by terrorists at Qasim Nagar in Jammu and Kashmir with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) undertaking a review of the situation.

While the government condemned the heinous incident at the CCS meeting, which was presided over by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Congress also came out with its condemnation.

Emerging from the two-hour meeting, Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani told reporters that he would hold discussions with Mr Vajpayee and Defence Minister George Fernandes on the matter.

The meeting was attended by Mr Fernandes, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh and top officials.

While the CCS conducted an immediate study of the situation, a further intensive review is expected tomorrow when National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra meets the heads of security agencies.

“The incident is the worst after the May 14 Kaluchak massacre. The government will reassess the situation after I get the facts from the spot where the attack took place,’’ Mr Advani told reporters after the CCS meeting.

Mr Advani said the government would make a statement on the incident in Parliament tomorrow, the opening day of the monsoon session, after he presents all information to the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister.

Asked whether last night’s massacre indicated an increase in infiltration, the Deputy Prime Minister said he could give an assessment only after getting details from the spot.

“It will not be appropriate for me to say anything at this juncture. All information that we get we will place before Parliament.’’ he added.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress Party chief Sonia Gandhi also condemned the dastardly killing of innocent people, including women and children, near Jammu last night. 

Killings motivated, says Pakistan

Islamabad, July 14
Pakistan has condemned last night’s massacre near Jammu and said the motivation seems to be to enhance tension in the region.

“The Government of Pakistan condemns the killing of a number of civilians and injuries to many others in a terrorist attack on the outskirts of Jammu yesterday. The motivation behind the attack seems to be to enhance tension in the region,” a spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement here today.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, India has pointed the finger of suspicion at Pakistan-based militant outfits Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

The United Jihad Council (UJC) — a conglomerate of several Pakistan-based militant organisations — also condemned the attack.

“The attack on the Hindu minority is a terrorist act,” council chief Syed Salahuddin said in a statement from Muzaffarabad.

WASHINGTON: The USA on Sunday condemned the militant attack in Qasim Nagar  and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.

“We strongly condemn any acts of terrorism and any terrorist attacks. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims and their families,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Scott McClellan said. UNI, PTI

Horrified, Straw speaks to Sinha
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 14
The United Kingdom today strongly condemned yesterday’s massacre in which 27 persons were killed on the outskirts of Jammu city last night.

In a telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha this afternoon, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who is arriving here on July 19, expressed deep shock and outrage over the terrorist attack on innocent people.

In a statement issued in London, Mr Straw said, “I am horrified by this attack on innocent civilians. Terrorism, be it in Jammu and Kashmir, or anywhere else, only serves to renew the determination of the free world to defeat this evil.”