J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

CRPF takeover of Srinagar security may be delayed
Srinagar, May 23
The proposed takeover of Srinagar security by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in September this year may be delayed following the developments in Bihar and deployment of additional paramilitary forces in that state, official sources said today.

Woman hanged to death
Srinagar, May 23
Militants hanged to death a woman, shot dead two and wounded three others while security forces gunned down two ultras in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, an official spokesman said today.

3 youths rescued from militants
Jammu, May 23
With snow melting on high passes, the Pakistan-sponsored terrorists have restarted their campaign to recruit local youth.

10-day police remand for NC leader
Srinagar, May 23
A designated court has sent a senior National Conference (NC) leader to 10-day police remand for allegedly helping a top militant commander secure a fake passport and facilitating his travel to Attari on the way to Pakistan.

CRPF takeover of Srinagar security may be delayed

Srinagar, May 23
The proposed takeover of Srinagar security by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in September this year may be delayed following the developments in Bihar and deployment of additional paramilitary forces in that state, official sources said today.

The CRPF, on the request of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, was to take over the command of the entire city and replace the Border Security Force.

However, the sources said additional companies of paramilitary forces had been deployed to assist the police in maintaining law and order in Bihar after a red alert was sounded following dissolution of the Legislative Assembly, which paved way for fresh elections in that state.

Bihar Governor Buta Singh has demanded deployment of more paramilitary forces in the state.

The sources said with the possibility of fresh elections being held in Bihar in a few months from now, the state would require massive deployment of forces to maintain law and order.

They said additional deployment in Bihar would mean that the proposed takeover of the city by the CRPF might get delayed.

This would be the second time that the takeover gets delayed. Earlier, the CRPF could not replace the BSF because of the 2004 general elections.

During his recent visit to Kashmir, Union Home Secretary V K Duggal had said that the transition of command from the BSF to the CRPF would be implemented within the next three to four months time. — UNI

Woman hanged to death

Srinagar, May 23
Militants hanged to death a woman, shot dead two and wounded three others while security forces gunned down two ultras in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, an official spokesman said today.

Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) police for South Kashmir Sheikh Owais Ahmad said a group of militants, looking for a relative of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Mohammad Khalil Band, attacked MLA’s neighbours after they could not find the relatives. Three persons — Mohammad Akram, Mohammad Abdullah and Ghulam Hassan — were injured in the attack.

Mr Owais said the three, who have received bullet injuries in their legs, have been shifted to hospital.

He said a hunt had been launched to nab the militants.

The injured said the militants were looking for the brother of the MLA who were not present in the village.

An official spokesman said militants abducted and later hanged to death a woman — Zareefa — wife of Ghulam Ahmad Khan at Tangmarg in Baramula district today.

Militants entered the house of Mohammad Shafi at Tiller Marwah and shot him dead. They later entered another house of Mohammad Sultan Lone and killed his son Rafi Lone after his abduction.

He said the security forces gunned down Hizbul Mujahideen militant Farooq Ahmad Sheikh at Ahrabl Nikas in Pulwama district while a Lashker-e-Toiba militant Mohammad Shafi Shah was killed at Bijbehara late last night.

Two AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. — UNI

3 youths rescued from militants
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 23
With snow melting on high passes, the Pakistan-sponsored terrorists have restarted their campaign to recruit local youth.

This fact came to light yesterday when the Army rescued three youths of Doda district from the clutches of terrorists. They have been identified as Mohammad Shafi, Atta Mohammad and Shabir Ahmed. They were rescued from different places in Doda district. While Mohammad Shafi was kidnapped from his village on May 13, the two others were kidnapped on May 16.

Such incidents indicate that irrespective of the peace talks between the two countries, the ISI is continuing to sponsor terrorist activities.

There were reports that the terrorists have set up training camps in the forests of Doda district. Local youths are taken to these camps after being kidnapped or lured from their villages. Thereafter, they are sent to Pakistan for further training.

Doda district has been a breeding ground of terrorism and is the worst militancy-affected area of Jammu because of its topography. Terrorism-related incidents are being reported in one or the other place in the district almost every day. Anantnag district, which has witnessed a high level of terrorism, is accessible through the forests of Doda. The area falls adjacent to Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh where the terrorists escape from Doda whenever the security forces mount pressure on them.

The rehabilitation scheme of the government launched for the local militants has failed to make further headway as families of those who surrendered before the troops were eliminated by the militants.

10-day police remand for NC leader

Srinagar, May 23
A designated court has sent a senior National Conference (NC) leader to 10-day police remand for allegedly helping a top militant commander secure a fake passport and facilitating his travel to Attari on the way to Pakistan.

Former NC legislator from Homeshalibugh Assembly constituency in south Kashmir Gul Rafique and three others were arrested by the police from Anantnag on May 20 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

“We produced Mr Rafique before the designated court which sent him to ten days’ police remand,’’ Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police for South Kashmir Sheikh Owais Ahmad said today.

He said the questioning of the accused NC leader was going on.

The DIG said all the persons accused in helping the militant secure passport, visa and cross over to Pakistan had been arrested.

Besides Mr Rafique, three other arrested persons were from pro-Pakistan Hizbul Muajahideen (HM), he said.

However, he denied that the name of any separatist leader also figured during interrogation of the arrested persons.

A self-styled Divisional Commander of HM Mohammad Amin Baba managed to secure an Indian passport and crossed over to Pakistan through the Attari border on May 2 this year. — UNI