J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

2 killed, 35 injured in mishap
Srinagar, January 7
At least two persons were killed and 35 injured, when the bus in which they were travelling met with an accident near Pampore, about 20 km from here on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway this morning.

A policeman inspects the remains of bus which skidded of the road near Pampore, 20 km from Srinagar, on Friday. — Tribune photo by Amin War

Vij opens war memorial
Jammu, January 7
Army Chief Gen N.C. Vij today said the construction of a war memorial at Bahuwali Rakh here would be a milestone in the Indian Army’s resolve to “show respect and gratitude to the great soldiers for their supreme sacrifices”.

Militant accused of rape killed
Jammu, January 7
A "dreaded" rapist, Dilawar Mir, alias Akram Dilawar, who had sneaked into the Poonch sector from across the LoC four years ago for giving teeth to the jehad, was today killed in an encounter at Chak Banola village in the Mendhar area.

Probe into civilian’s death ordered
Srinagar, January 7
Following protests by the people, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of a civilian, who was abducted by unidentified gunmen in December last year.

Army withdraws troops from Poonch
Jammu, January 7
Continuing with downsizing of troops in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army withdrew a battalion from the strategic border area of Poonch today.

2 killed, 35 injured in mishap

Srinagar, January 7
At least two persons were killed and 35 injured, when the bus in which they were travelling met with an accident near Pampore, about 20 km from here on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway this morning.

The driver and a passenger died on spot while 35 others sustained injuries. The bus was on its way from Anantnag to Srinagar today morning when the accident took place. The police and eyewitnesses said that the bus (JK03 2649) skidded off the road and rolled down over 50 metres from the main road. Those killed were identified as the driver, Mushtaq Ahmad Kuttay from Anantnag and Kanwal Singh from Pulwama districts.

Those injured were immediately evacuated to the SMHS and Bone and Joints Hospitals here, where the condition of 13 is stated to be critical.

Vij opens war memorial

Jammu, January 7
Army Chief Gen N.C. Vij today said the construction of a war memorial at Bahuwali Rakh here would be a milestone in the Indian Army’s resolve to “show respect and gratitude to the great soldiers for their supreme sacrifices”.

“The memorial stands as a testimony of self-sacrifice of soldiers who have laid down their lives while defending every inch of this beautiful state,” he said, after unveiling the foundation stone of the memorial that has been built by the Northern Command.

The Chief said the memorial was the first of its kind in the world to include names of civilians apart from armed forces, including police and para-military troops.

General Vij said decision to include the names of civilians on the war memorial was taken keeping in view the fact that they had stood by troops during five wars since 1947 and sacrificed their lives for the cause of the nation.

In reply to a question on deinduction he said the process would be done to the extent where it did not harm the security interests of the state.

Earlier, Governor Lieut Gen (Retd) S.K. Sinha, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, Northern Command GOC-in-C Lt Gen Hari Prasad and Srinagar Corps Commander Lieut Gen Sudhir Sharma also spoke on the occasion. — UNI

Militant accused of rape killed
Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 7
A "dreaded" rapist, Dilawar Mir, alias Akram Dilawar, who had sneaked into the Poonch sector from across the LoC four years ago for giving teeth to the jehad, was today killed in an encounter at Chak Banola village in the Mendhar area.

Defence Ministry sources said Dilawar was involved in a series of rape cases and the security forces had mounted a hunt for him. The sources said that on a tip-off, troops cordoned off his hideout and when challenged, he and his bodyguard opened fire. "Our soldiers retaliated, killing Dilawar and his bodyguard on the spot," they said.

Police officials disclosed that in 1971, parents of Dilawar had migrated to Pakistan. It was four years ago that Dilawar had infiltrated into the Poonch sector with weapons and ammunition for attacking the security forces.

The officials said in the initial stages, Dilawar had remained active as a militant, but later concentrated on abducting women, whom he released after raping them.

The officials said since local people had felt sick of his activities, they used to give information about his hideouts. They said the hideouts were raided on a number of occasions, but Dilawar had managed to give the police a slip.

Probe into civilian’s death ordered

Srinagar, January 7
Following protests by the people, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of a civilian, who was abducted by unidentified gunmen in December last year.

An official spokesman said here the District Magistrate of Pulwama had appointed Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, as the inquiry officer to look into the circumstances leading to Abdul Aziz Ganie’s death.

People had held protests alleging that the gunmen, who had killed Ganie, were working with security forces.

Ganie was kidnapped on the night of December 17, 2004, by two scooter-borne masked men and his body was recovered on January 3, this year.

The inquiry officer has been asked to submit his findings within 15 days. Spokesman said the people having any knowledge about the incident could contact the inquiry officer. — UNI

Army withdraws troops from Poonch
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 7
Continuing with downsizing of troops in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army withdrew a battalion from the strategic border area of Poonch today.

Withdrawal of troops was being done in the state following the announcement of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, as a confidence-building measure with Pakistan.

An Army spokesman said that the reduction of troops would be counterbalanced by readjustment and further streamlining operations so that the overall security environment remained unaffected.