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Saturday,
October 5, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Step up
violence, ultras told NEWS ANALYSIS TACKLING MILITANCY Militants
fear ISI |
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DODA CONSTITUENCY DSP
cremated with honours 11
houses damaged in Pak shelling Civilian’s
killing: HC notice to Centre 2 Lolab
SHOs shifted DGP
denies criticising EC UK team
ignores separatists Poll
officials airdropped
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Step up violence, ultras told Jammu, October 4 According to official sources, these two rebel outfits have been told to make arrangements for smuggling sophisticated weapons and hi-tech communication system. into Jammu and Kashmir. The sources said the weapons and communication sets recovered from the slain militants on the LoC and within the state confirmed the reports that the rebels were being equipped with high-grade explosives and sophisticated weapons, which included the latest version of the assault rifles, pistols, Pika guns, rifle grenades and rocket launchers. As per field reports the rate of infiltration has been stepped up from July onwards which was indicated by the increase in the rate of elimination of the infiltrators on the LoC in Kupwara, Uri, Tanghar, Bandipore, Poonch and Rajouri. More than 150 infiltrators were killed on the border between July 19 and October 3, of which 91 were gunned down in north-Kashmir. Sources said the messages intercepted by the security agencies revealed that the Pakistani agencies were making determined efforts to push into Jammu and Kashmir large groups of militants during the next two months as after that the border routes in north Kashmir would remain buried under snow for about six months. Of the 150 infiltrators killed on the border, more than 110 were foreign mercenaries, indicating that the agencies across the LoC continued to bank on ace gunmen from Pakistan, occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan. Lashkar-e-Toiba continues to be on the top as for as moral and material support from Pakistan was concerned. Jash-e-Mohammad takes the second place and other rebel outfits, including Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami and Hizb-ul Mujahideen, also figure in the arms and funds supply from Pakistan. As a result of heavy monetary and weapon support from across the border Lashkar-e-Toiba has formed four outfits, including Al-Madina, Al-Mansoorian and Azam-Jihadi, and each group has been assigned separate areas in Jammu and Kashmir for their operation. With the arrival of a large number of what is called, the guest militant activists Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jash-e-Mohammad have established fortified bases in various areas of Kupwara, Baramula, Anantnag, Pullwama, Poonch and Rajouri. These activists have been told to ensure that civilians and government agencies were not in a position to pass on the information about their bases and hideouts to the Indian security forces. They have been directed not to pardon or forgive an informer who should be killed. When asked about the measures that were required to be taken to contain the activities of rebels, a senior Defence Ministry source said that massive anti-insurgency operations, based on specific inputs from the intelligence agencies was the solution. The source said if the Pakistani agencies succeeded in pushing into Jammu and Kashmir all 3,000 militants, brought to the launching pads across Kupwara, Uri, Poonch and Rajouri sectors, the security situation may assume alarming proportion in the state. According to the sources, the next two months were crucial for political and security system of the state and any mistake or laxity on the part of the government and the security, besides the intelligence, could lead to further destabilisation of peace in the state. He suggested that the additional 450 companies of paramilitary forces that were sent to Jammu and Kashmir, for strengthening the security grid, during the poll process be retained in the state for another two months so that for the internal security Army was not at all involved. The troops also needed to concentrate on the LoC so that the Pakistani agencies were not able to assist in the infiltration of militant groups. |
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NEWS ANALYSIS Jammu, October 4 Reports of fresh infiltration of terrorists have been received as the security forces have managed to gun down a number of them during the past three days. Terrorists have been striking every day in a big way in the Jammu area since October 1 when polling for the Kathua and Udhampur districts was held. They killed nine passengers of a tourist bus near Hiranagar in Kathua district while it was coming here from Delhi. Ironically, the incident occurred on the busy Jammu-Delhi national highway and the police could not do anything. However, these terrorists again got engaged in a gun battle with policemen at Hiranagar this morning and two of them were shot dead. A DSP, Mr Jagtar Singh, also lost life. A bus carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims was blown-up by the terrorists yesterday. Labourers of the wholesale
vegetable market at Narwal reportedly sighted two suspects terrorists in the area yesterday morning, but the combing operation by the police did not yield any results. These incidents indicate that the elections in the Doda district, which is the hotbed of militants, will not be a peaceful affair and the authorities shall have to be more vigilant. The claim of a top police officer that there was no laxity on the part of the police in the yesterday’s bomb blast in a passenger bus in the town was not acceptable to the people. The mentors of the terrorists sitting in Pakistan have been sending wireless messages to them to do something big during the elections otherwise such an exercise will be useless after the poll. Such messages have been intercepted by the security forces here. In the past, stray incidents of terrorism have occurred in the Jammu area. Passengers of a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus were shot dead at the Kaluchak cantonment on the highway, 32 persons were dead in Qasim Nagar and terrorists entered the historic Raghunath temple in the heart of the town. |
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TACKLING
MILITANCY Jammu, October 4 Addressing election meetings at
Ramban, Doda, Bhaderwah, Thathri and other places in the far-flung area of Doda district, Prof Gupta accused the state government of involvement in the misutilisation of central funds and subverting anti-militancy operations. He said the Centre allowed Rs 2000 crore to the state as security related expenditure but this amount was diverted for buying luxury items like geysers, wall-to-wall carpets and air conditioners while families of security persons killed fighting militancy were not given
ex-gratia payments for supposed want of funds. Not only this, worth Rs 642 crore were purchased under security-related expenditure head but these (weapons) were not given to the VDCs facing heavily armed militants. Members of more than half of the VDCs have not received honoraria for the past six to seven years on the specious pretext of shortage of funds. This has made the government’s sincerity to curb militancy doubtful. Prof Gupta dismissed as wishful thinking the claim of the National Conference and the Congress that they would muster a majority after the election and form government. These parties were building castles in the air, he added. Pointing out to the neglect of Doda district, he said the entire region was in the grip of a dry spell, resulting in widespread loss to standing crops. He regretted that the State Government had not asked for a central team for the assessment of loss and payment of relief to poor farmers. This showed how much the National Conference and the Congress were concerned about this area, he wondered. |
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Militants
fear ISI THE unprecedented success achieved by India in the voters’ turnout during the three phases of election in Jammu and Kashmir has brought the Pakistan-backed terrorists organisations and their cadres in the state under tremendous pressure. Reports state that the terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir and their family members are being regularly threatened from across the border with dire consequences for not being able to carry out various activities as desired by their handlers. In a bid to avoid the wrath of their ISI handlers the terrorists who have not been able to reduce the turnout for the poll are carrying out acts of violence to justify their efforts. The heat has been turned on the terrorists not only by the security forces but also by leaders of the United Jehad Council and separatist leaders in the
PoK. The Pakistani handlers have apparently reduced the flow of money to the terrorists’ families on the pretext that there was no performance by them. Reports said the presence of the foreign observers and their public statements regarding the fairness of the poll has greatly eroded the credibility of the separatists and the overground support for them had gone down. This has also now affected the recruitment process in Jammu and Kashmir and accordingly now the ISI handlers are depending more on the foreign mercenaries. However, with the promised financial assistance not reaching their families there is also a reduction in the number of foreign mercenaries coming forward. Incidentally, intelligence reports have also suggested the possible involvement of some local mediapersons with various terrorists. |
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DODA CONSTITUENCY Doda, October 4 Mr Sohrawardhy has been basking in the glory of his father, Mr Attaullah Sohrawardhy, who represented the constituency thrice before his death and was also Imam of the local Jama Masjid for 50 years. Mr Sohrawardhy won the seat in a byelection that was held after the death of his father about three years ago. However, this time he is facing the biggest threat from Mr Wani amidst the allegations that he indulged in nepotism and did nothing for the common people. A local youth, Babloo, alleged that Mr Sohrawardhy got only his relatives recruited in government jobs. Mr Wani is getting considerable support in the suburbs, while the main town generally regards the Sohrawardhy clan as their representative. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of Mufti Sayeed and the BJP are expecting that they may benefit due to division of votes between Mr Sohrawardhy and Mr Wani. The Congress has not yet covered the lost ground, but the people here generally believe that either the Congress and the PDP may form a coalition government or it will be a hung Assembly. This view is also being propagated by various leaders camping here. Mr Wani is contesting the election for the first time, but has considerable influence in the area as he is a leading forest contractor. The Hindu population, which has mostly been the victim of terrorism, is supporting the BJP and other parties except the NC. A local trader, who did not want to be identified, said the Centre had only come to their rescue by arming the village defence committees (VDCs) with AK rifles for protection of the rural folk. Mr Sohrawardhy did nothing despite being the Home Minister. Not only others, some activists of the NC also point out that things will not be easy for Mr Sohrawardhy because Mr Wani has jumped into the fray. The contacts developed by Mr Wani in the rural areas as a forest contractor are paying him rich dividends as the villagers consider him a local. The NC President, Mr Omar Abdullah, has been putting in a lot of efforts here as the prestige of his party is at stake. His statement that he will resign from the Centre after the elections even if the NC wins or loses the Assembly elections is being taken with a pinch of salt here. Doda always having been politically aware, people point out that the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has left for South Africa in the middle of the elections because of some dispute with his son, Mr Omar Abdullah, who has become a candidate for Chief Ministership. The BJP has fielded Mr Swami Raj, the Congress, Mr Mukand Ram and the PDP, Mr Ghulam Qadir Wani. Besides, there are five other candidates. The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, was scheduled to campaign here today, but she cancelled her visit at the last moment because of some engagements in Delhi. The sleepy locality is humming with activity these days as military and central security forces personnel are reaching here throughout the day in large numbers to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. About 45,000 additional security personnel are expected to be deployed to keep the militants away. Traffic jams have become common during the day as convoys of military and paramilitary forces are reaching here in strength. Tight security is being provided at all 534 polling stations in the district. |
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DSP cremated with honours Jammu, October 4 Jagtar Singh, a
recipient of two gallantry awards and commendation certificate, was killed in an encounter with two militants at Hiranagar yesterday. In 1996, his father, DSP Sheetal Singh was also killed while fighting militants in Srinagar. The Minister of State for Defence, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, several legislators, political leaders were among those who attended the cremation. DGP Mr A.K. Suri, the IG Mr P.L. Gupta, and the DIG Mr Dilbagh Singh, and a number of other senior officers laid wreaths on the coffin of Mr Jagtar Singh. Mr Jagtar Singh had been instrumental in eliminating about 100 militants during the operations launched by the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the police in Gander bal, Srinagar and Jammu in the past five years. |
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11 houses damaged in Pak shelling Baramula, October 4 A senior police officer said the Pakistani troops fired more than a dozen mortar and artillery shells from across the border in Uri sector, targeting civilian areas and security force installations. He said a number of shells fell in the Kamalkote area near the Line of Control damaging 11 houses. People had already shifted to underground bunkers after the shelling started from across the border. Sources said Indian troops also retaliated and hit a number of Pakistani army bunkers. The damage suffered by the troops across the border was not known.
UNI |
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Civilian’s killing: HC notice to Centre
Srinagar, October 4 Issuing notices to the Union Home Ministry, the state Home Secretary, the Baramula Deputy Commissioner and Major B.S. Patil of 10 J&K Rifles yesterday, Mr Justice Nissar Ahad Kakroo directed them to submit their reports on the killing of Abdul Ahad Bhat, alias Ashiq of Khanpora in Baramula district. According to an FIR lodged with the local police station, Bhat was allegedly killed by a security forces party led by Maj Patil. The killing had led to demonstrations by the residents of Khanpora village, who demanded action against security force officials concerned. Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had ordered an inquiry into the incident.
PTI |
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2 Lolab SHOs shifted
Srinagar, October 4 The EC ordered the shifting of SHOs of Sogam and Lalpora, both falling under the jurisdiction of Lolab segment, following complaints by independent candidate Abdul Haq Khan that the police was favouring the ruling National Conference and harassing his supporters. The transfers have been ordered to ensure free and fair elections in the segment, official sources said. Khan, believed to be a proxy candidate of the Hurriyat constituent People’s Conference, had on Wednesday alleged that Kupwara Superintendent of Police and Naib Tehsildar of Sogam were instrumental in harassing his supporters and campaigning for the NC. He had threatened to pull out of the contest if they were not transferred immediately. Lolab was scheduled to go to polls originally in the first phase on September 16 but balloting was countermanded after militants killed NC nominee and minister of state for law Mushtaq Ahmed Lone on September 11. The segment will now go to polls in the fourth phase on October 8 along with six constituencies of Doda district.
PTI |
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DGP denies
criticising EC Jammu, October 4 Reacting to a report published in a section of the press today Mr Suri said that he had never criticised the Election Commission for any directive issued to the state police. All its directions, including confining the SOG to the Police Lines were implemented in letter and spirit. The DGP said that he earlier had stated that it was for the Election Commission of India to order sending the SOG to the barracks following unnecessary controversy raised over the role of this group in the police. He said that the police, including the SOG, had played pivotal role in containing activities of militants and during the elections 26 police personnel were killed which was a great loss. He said it was the police that frustrated the plans of militants in targeting security camps, headquarters and pickets and those who were criticising the role of the SOG lacked “correct appreciation of its contribution in anti-militancy operations.” |
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UK team ignores separatists Srinagar, October 4 The seven-member team, which arrived here yesterday, held talks with Governor G.C. Saxena, Chief Secretary I.S. Malhi, Director-General of Police A.K. Suri and Corps Commander of Srinagar-based 15 Corps V.S. Patankar, official sources said. The delegation also did not meet any mainstream political leaders during its short stay here, the sources said. Although officials were tight lipped about what transpired between the members of the delegation and the authorities, the sources said they discussed the three phases’ of the elections held so far.
PTI |
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Poll officials airdropped Srinagar, October 4 The IAF operated 11 flights on three consecutive days from Wednesday to take back more than 2,000 poll officials from UP to their home state. Meanwhile, more than 200 poll officials from UP were airdropped late last night in several far-flung and inaccessible areas of Doda district. These officials are among the 900 poll officials from outside the state who will assist the local authorities in the smooth conduct of the elections.
UNI |
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