Jammu, October 29
Leaders of the APHC, headed by Molvi Umar Farooq, plan to discuss Gen Parvez Musharraf’s recent “musings” on resolving the Kashmir issue with the Pakistan High Commissioner in India and other authorities during their interaction with Pak officials on November 2.

Leaders of major Kashmiri separatist camps have been invited to an Iftar party hosted by the Pakistan High Commissioner in Delhi.

“We have welcomed General Musharraf’s ideas on the dispute because our roadmap on Kashmir bears striking similarities with the one suggested by the Pakistan President,” according to a senior APHC leader, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat.

Prof Bhat told this correspondent today that though General Musharraf had not identified the seven regions in the undivided state, it was obvious that the northern areas, including Gilgit and Baltistan, were not being treated by him as part of Pakistan as he had declared that out of the seven regions, two were in “azad Kashmir.”

He said notwithstanding difference of opinion among the separatists on General Musharraf’s ideas, a majority of people in Kashmir “seem to buy his proposals.”

Latest reports indicate that hardliners among the separatists continue to harp on plebiscite as the only solution to the Kashmir problem. The chairman of the United Jehad Council, Syed Salahuddin, has gone to the extent of blaming General Musharraf for deviating from his known stand.

The chairman of Tehrik Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has stated that General Musharraf’s ideas or formula need to be discussed at tripartite talks.

He has stated that the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir need not be discussed as this right had been granted by the Security Council already.

Reports revealed that the open support to General Musharraf’s ideas has, once again, brought the APHC nearer to Islamabad. Prof Bhat agreed that “extremism”, as propounded by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, had no “buyers” in Pakistan and the West. He said “I have a hunch Mr Geelani may get further isolated.”

“Yes, we have scored over Mr Geelani by supporting the Pakistan President’s ideas,” Prof Bhat said in reply to a question.

He made it clear that if Pakistani officials in the embassy volunteered to have a feedback from “us” on General Musharraf’s proposals, we will welcome the debate.”

“We and a majority of people in Kashmir want a peaceful and permanent resolution of the Kashmir issue and there is no harm if we discuss General Musharraf’s ideas in detail,” he said.

Other APHC leaders indicated that they were ready to “sell our roadmap on Kashmir to Delhi once we are invited to unconditional talks.”

In fact, the APHC leadership had decided to forward their “solution” to the Kashmir problem to Delhi during the third round of parleys. “Unfortunately, the third round of talks got delayed because of the fall of the NDA government,” Prof Bhat said.

He said: “The UPA government is yet to make up its mind as far as resumption of dialogue with us is concerned.”

Had the third round of talks been held, “we would have also sought permission for APHC leaders keen to visit Pakistan for discussing the Kashmir problem, not only with the Government of Pakistan but with other political leaders and those heading different jehadi groups,” he added.

Srinagar, October 29
Six persons, including three militants and two policemen, were killed and five injured in separate incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir, where security forces arrested three militants since last night, a police spokesman said today.

A constable was killed in a bomb explosion triggered by suspected militants in the Sanatnagar area of uptown Srinagar, he said.

The IED strapped on a bicycle went off at the Rawalpora bye-pass Chowk at 1.30 pm seriously injuring Ali Mohammad, who was the personal security officer of slain Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mohammad Amin Bhat, he said.

Amin was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

In another incident, Constable Vijay Paul Singh was killed and two persons — Sub-Inspector Ramesh Paul and a civilian Khurshid Ahmad Lone — were injured when militants opened fire on a Special Operations Group search party at Chee village on the Khanabal-Pahalgam road in Anantnag district last night, he said.

Two unidentified militants and a security jawan were killed in an encounter during search operations at Datri Sersi village of Doda district.

In another encounter, security forces shot dead a militant at Hadi Budha in Mandi sector of Poonch district this afternoon, the spokesperson said.

Jammu: Meanwhile, acting on a tip-off, security forces raided the house of Mohammad Sharief in the Dhamkund area of Rajouri district.

However, the militants escaped from the house leaving behind three countrymade guns. Sharief has been taken into custody and was later handed over to the police, sources said.

In another raid on a militant hideout in Kalsian forests of Poonch district, security forces recovered 6 kg of explosives, three RPG shells, six hand grenades, two pistols with four magazines and 12 rounds, six AK magzines and 40 rounds of AK type, two blankets, a pair of binoculars.

Meanwhile, the BSF handed over 70-year-old Pakistani national Ahmed Din to Pakistani rangers at Benglad post in Samba sector of Jammu division yesterday. Din had been arrested by the BSF on October 18 after he strayed into Indian side by mistake, a BSF spokesman said.

Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants and a Rashtriya Rifles jawan were killed in an encounter in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir today.

Police sources said Rashtriya Rifles troops were conducting searches at Dadani near Bhaderwah when two militants fired at them. The troops shot dead both of them in retaliatory fire.

Ashutosh, Rashtriya Rifles jawan, who was wounded in the gun battle, later died.

The slain militants are yet to be identified. One AK rifle, three AK magazines, one .303 rifle, one pistol and some other explosives were seized by the security forces.

Troops were continuing searches in the area when reports last came in. — Agencies

Srinagar, October 29
With an aim to reach the audience in the remotest parts of the country, Doordarshan has launched free DTH (Direct to Home) service. It provides access to 30 channels, including 13 private chanels along with 10 radio channels.

The facility, which awaits formal inauguration by the Prime Minister, would give subscribers an access to 17 Doordarshan channels besides BBC, CNN, Smile and Headline Today. All Doordarshan channels would be free to subscribers and relieve them of the dependence on the cable operators according to officials of Doordarshan Kendra here.

Ms S. Simon, Director, Doordarshan, Srinagar, said there would be no membership and no monthly fee. A 60 cms dish with a converter and STB worth Rs 3,000 plus the installation charges up to Rs 500 was required to get this facility.

The channels litre DD National, India, Bharti, Sports, News and Gyan Darshan, apart from 11 other regional are being aired via DTH. There are 10 radio channels also in various regional channels languages. These are AIR Kanada, Hindi, Bangla, North-East, Punjabi, NBS, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil and Gujarati.