Srinagar, July 31
Twelve militants, belonging to different militant organisations, surrendered before the Army at Baramulla in north Kashmir today.

The militants belonged to different outfits such as Hizbullah, Tehreek-e-Jehad, Hizb-e-Islami and Hizbul Mujahideen. Five Kalashnikov rifles, one carbine, three rocket launchers, five Chinese pistols, 30 grenades and one RPG round were also surrendered by the militants.

Their faces covered due to security reasons, the surrendered militants gave details of how they were lured across the Line of Control (LoC), given training in handling of weapons and explosives, a defence spokesman said. They spoke of the growing disillusionment amongst their cadre, the spokesman added.

The militants, according to the defence spokesman, confirmed the fact that the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir was intact and flourishing. They also said that Pakistan was involved in abetting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and it provided moral, financial and material support from across the LoC.

Srinagar, July 31
Five persons, including four infiltrators, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Gurez sector of Baramulla district yesterday, taking the death toll of infiltrators to eight in the area during the past one week.

At least 10 civilians, six of them Baltal-bound Amarnath yatris, were injured in a grenade explosion in their bus at Batamaloo bus stand here this afternoon. Another person was killed while five others were injured in the Kashmir valley since yesterday.

The SSP, Srinagar, Mr S.A. Mujtaba, told The Tribune that militants hurled a grenade on the bus at about 2.50 p.m. Six of the injured were labourers from Gorakhpur working at a brick-kiln at Sholipora, Budgam. The bus carrying them was about to leave for Baltal hen the mishap occurred.

A defence spokesman said here that the Army killed four infiltrators at Bagtore in Gurez sector of Baramulla district last evening. A civilian, Ghulam Hassan Najar, who was caught in the crossfire between militants and the security forces was also killed. 

Srinagar, July 31
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here said today that on behalf of the government, legislators and people of the state, he would convey to the Prime Minister deep concern over the situation in Lebanon and request him to convey the feelings to the international forums.

He was responding to the demand of the Opposition, the National Conference, in the state Legislative Assembly for adjournment motions for the situation arising out of latest Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

Another adjournment motion was related to the security situation prevailing in the state itself. Mr Azad said there were some procedures and parliamentary precedents for expressing concerns related to the issues connecting foreign countries. Under these norms of law the concern of the people of Jammu and Kashmri would be conveyed.

The proceedings of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, which began its summer session here today, began with noisy scenes on the opposition demand of discussion on security scenario in the state and concern over the Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

Formally the six-day-long summer session commenced on Friday last with the obituary references in both the Houses of state legislature. This was followed by an address to the joint session of the state legislature by the President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. This was the second such session addressed by any President of the country.

Soon after the Assembly proceedings began this morning, The BSP member, Mr Manjit Singh, representing the Vijaypur constituency of Jammu region, also sought the attention of the House towards ongoing strike by the Jammu lawyers. The Speaker, Mr Tara Chand informed the House a notice had been received in this regard and the matter would be taken up accordingly.

Earlier, the Opposition, the National Conference members, led by Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, said they wanted an assurance from the Chief minister on this. “We want to express our views and concern over the situation in Lebanon arisen out of the Israeli attacks”, Mr Rather commented adding that “We do not want any action”.

Mr Chand fixed Friday for discussing security situation in the state. Various members, including Mr A.R. Rather, Mr Ajay sadhotra, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mr Mushtaq Bukhari of the NC and Mr M.Y. Tarigami of the CPM raised their points regarding situation in the state.

The Speaker held that subject of security scenario did not call for adjournment, but a discussion would be held.