Kalakote, February 15
Taking a dig on the politics of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the PDP never supported the surrender and rehabilitation programme of Kashmiri youths languishing in PoK.

Addressing a public rally here today, Omar said, “While the PDP has developed a habit of making brazen lies in public, the BJP has the habit of opposing all good things just for the sake of opposition.”

The records in Legislative Assembly were testimony to the fact that the PDP voted against the resolution, which was moved by CPM leader MY Tarigami and supported by the National Conference, regarding the surrender and rehabilitation of the youth, who had crossed across LoC and borders during militancy, he said.

“Some people are habitual of telling lies in private while others shamelessly speak falsehood publicly,” he said, referring to the claim made by the PDP that the party supported the idea regarding surrender and rehabilitation of militants.

While reiterating his government’s commitment for upholding human rights and punishing the culprits on this count, Omar said his government would not allow a handful of hooligans to hold peace as hostage in certain parts of Srinagar city by their acts of stone-pelting.

He said the Centre and the state government were willing to talk to anyone on any political subject and this intention had been made public by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram also time and again.

The men in uniform were part of a law abiding force, Omar said, adding that they protect life and property, uphold the Constitution and safeguard the country. He said it is usually a single sinner, who brings bad name to the whole society, and same is the case with the Forces.

“Such elements would be isolated and brought to book,” he asserted.

“We have made our intention clear in this regard once again by identifying and taking to book the accused killer of the Nishat boy,” he said.

Jammu, February 15
One passenger was killed and 20 others were injured when a bus skidded off the road in the Mendhar area of Poonch district today.

However, SSP, Poonch district, Manmohan Singh put the number of injured at 18.

“The bus, on its way to Mendhar from Balakot, skidded off the road near Pir Ki Gali and plunged into a 20-feet deep gorge killing one person and injuring 18 others,” said Manmohan.

However, the injured were discharged after first-aid, he added.

He attributed the cause of the mishap to the worn out condition of the ill-fated vehicle.

The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Taj of Dharglon village of Mendhar. Reports reaching here said that after the mishap relatives and friends of the accident victims staged a protest at Bhimber Gali on the Rajouri-Poonch highway. They protested against the alleged failure of the hospital authorities in providing ambulances to shift the victims to hospital.

However, senior officials of the civil administration rushed to the spot and pacified the agitating mob.

Soldiers from a nearby Army camp launched a rescue operation.

Srinagar, February 15
The PDP has decided to hold protest demonstrations throughout the state for what it called the misgovernance and failure of the state government in providing basic amenities and the rising cases of human rights violation.

In a statement issued here yesterday, the PDP said it had decided to highlight the alleged increase in human rights violations, especially the “institutionalised indiscipline by the security forces and to highlight the pointed killings of innocent teenagers.”

The statement said the party had decided to hold simultaneous protests in Srinagar and Jammu on February 22 and at all district headquarters on February 18.

Jammu, February 15
To oppose the proposal of the UPA government to grant amnesty to Kashmiri ultras based in the PoK and pave the way for their return, the BJP has decided to gherao Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram here on February 17.

Chidambaram is scheduled to visit the winter capital on February 17 to take stock of the security scenario, besides discussing the nitty-gritty of the new surrender policy framed by the NC-Congress coalition regime.

Furthermore, on February 25, when the Foreign Secretary-level talks are likely to begin in New Delhi, BJP president Nitin Gadkari would address a rally here on ‘UPA’s policy of appeasing anti-national forces’.

The proposed move of the central and state governments to facilitate the return of militants and their subsequent rehabilitation would have serious repercussions for the security of the state and the country, state BJP president Shamsher Singh Manhas told mediapersons here today.

From time-to-time, the UPA government in consonance with the state government sprang surprises like the new surrender policy, Manhas said. He added that Kashmir was not a contentious issue.

He said the only issue with Pakistan, which needs to be addressed, was the occupied Kashmir. By expressing willingness to grant amnesty to Kashmiri militants, the UPA government had insulted Parliament.

The 11 BJP legislators led by legislature party leader Chaman Lal Gupta has decided to gherao Chidambaram on February 17 and we would adopt every ploy to restrain the union government from going ahead with the policy that was likely to affect nation’s sovereignty, Manhas added.

If the government went ahead with the surrender policy it would demoralise the security forces and nationalist people in the state, he said.

“We are not against dialogue with Pakistan, but it should be about occupied Kashmir, a part of India under illegal occupation of Pakistan. I fail to understand what prompted the UPA government to restart the process when it had suspended it following the Mumbai terror attacks, asking Islamabad to first hand over to it those responsible for the attacks, said Manhas.

Concessions to separatists and now the surrender policy exposed the weak-kneed approach of the UPA government in tackling anti-national forces, he said.

“The UPA was eager to grant amnesty to ultras, but had turned a Nelson’s eye to West Pakistan refugees and militancy-hit victims, including Kashmiri Pandits,” Manhas said.

The BJP has also decided to hold nationwide programmes on February 25 when the Foreign Secretary-level talks between the two countries would begin. Gadkari would address a public rally at Jammu on the Kashmir issue and the meek surrender of the UPA government before anti-national forces, Manhas added.

Srinagar, February 15
Two militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), including a divisional commander, were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Kulgam area of south Kashmir today.Those killed have been identified as Ashraf Moulvi, alias Faisal, divisional commander, and, Rauf Ahmad Bhat, both local militants.

Faisal was believed to have been in constant touch with his mentors across the border, the police said. The seizures made from the site of encounter included two AK rifles, one grenade and a magazine, a CRPF spokesman said.

Acting on specific information about the presence of militants, the troops cordoned off Koimoh village of Kulgam district, about 60 km south of here, late last night. The militants hiding in one of the houses opened fire on the search party comprising the SOG, Kulgam, 18 Bn CRPF and 9 RR, ensuing the encounter early this morning.

The militants were killed when they tried to come out of the house they were hiding in. No damage was caused to the house.

Meanwhile, the police averted a major tragedy with the detection of an IED weighing 5.5 kg, which was concealed under a bridge connecting Seelo and Bahrampora villages in Baramulla district today.

The IED was defused and destroyed by the bomb disposal squad from Baramulla without causing any harm, the police said.

Jammu: Security forces on Monday gunned down a top militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) in a gun battle in Rajouri district.

Jammu-based Defence PRO Lt Col Biplab Nath told The Tribune that the slain ultra was identified as Bashir Ahmed Saria, alias Abu Waqar, a native of Khour village in Gulabgarh area.

Acting on an input about the presence of a group of militants in Bagla Triyath area, the 63 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) had launched an operation last evening, and this morning the troopers killed a HM militant, he said.

The militant, who was active since 2003, was involved in extortions and killings of some civilians in Rajouri, the PRO said. Waqar initially had joined the Lashkar-e-Toiba and later on shifted to the HM, he added.

An AK-47 assault rifle, three magazines and some arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter, he said.

Official sources said, the RR troops assisted by the police had laid a cordon in the forest area last evening. The troops had specific inputs about the presence of at least four HM militants, including top commander Abdullah Inquillabi.

Sources said security forces had launched searches to track down the other three ultras.

It may be stated here that the Hizbul had suffered a major setback on February 12 following the killing of its two top militants, including self-styled area commander Jan Nissar and Saddam, alias Firdous, at Kandi area of Rajouri district.

Security forces attribute the success in recent times against the HM, LeT and HuJI in militancy-infested districts of Rajouri, Poonch and Doda to increasing frustration among local populace against militants, who commit atrocities on them, including
womenfolk.

Udhampur: In a joint search operation, the security forces on Monday busted a hideout of militants in Mahore tehsil today and recovered arms and ammunition.

SHO, Mahore police station, Vinod Kumar, said the police busted the hideout in the Saver Kund Dogi area around 12 a.m today.

The search operation had started yesterday. During the raid, the police recovered one AK 56 rifle and five magazines, one Chinese pistol and 3 magazines, 15 grenades, four pencil cells, a wireless set and around 700 rounds. 

Jammu, February 15
The ongoing protest demonstration by students of various city colleges for a concession in the syllabus entered its 11th day today.

The students held a demonstration under the banner of the Jammu Joint Students Federation (JJSF).

In Government Gandhi Memorial Science College, the protest was held under the leadership of Sahil Choudhary, college students’ union president.

In Government College for Women, Parade, the protest was led by Vinakshi Sharma, a JJSF member.

In GGM Evening Science College, the classes were boycotted under the leadership of Abhay Sharma, vice-president, GGM Science College. 

Srinagar, February 15
The Minister for Medical Education and Youth Services and Sports, RS Chib, yesterday inaugurated snow skiing championship at the scenic resort of Gulmarg. The event is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports.

The minister emphasised upon the immense tourist potential importance that the sport could have for the state.

Later, addressing an award-distribution ceremony organised by the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IIMS), he said the institute not only provided excellent sports facilities to the youth of the state, but also extended its full help to people during natural disasters.

IIMS principal JS Dhillon said the courses offered by the institute helped in full personality development of young people and transformed them into responsible citizens. 

Srinagar, February 15
Minister for CA&PD and Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon here today released 11 lakh ration tickets for year 2010-11 that the government had prepared in collaboration with J&K Bank.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the government was committed to providing ration on reasonable rates to the people of the state belonging to below poverty line. The newly-designed ration tickets would also help the consumers obtain passports, telephone connections, election cards, etc.

The minister added BPL consumers had to pay Rs 10 per ration card while APL consumers Rs 15 for a ration ticket.

The ration cards would be made available to consumers after the production of last year’s ration tickets.

Commissioner/Secretary, CA&PD, Asgar Samoon, Director, CA&PD, Kashmir, Mehraj-u-Din Kenu, Executive Director, J&K Bank, Abdul Majid and other officers were present on the occasion. 

Srinagar, February 15
As many as four persons died in three separate road accidents across the Kashmir Valley today.One Mushtaq Ahmad Pathan was killed on the spot when a speeding vehicle driven by one Ghulam Mohammad Pathan hit him at Gurwaith Budgam.

In a separate mishap, a Tata Sumo driven by Imran Ahmad Shah hit Javid Ahmad Malik at the DK Marg crossing. Later, Malik succumbed to his injuries on his way to hospital.

In a similar incident, a bus while on its way from Handwara to Sopore collided with a Maruti car at New Colony, Sopore Baramulla, resulting in the death of the car driver, Saifu-ud-Din Shah, and his wife Sayedi Begam. Both were residents of Aloosa Bandipora. The police has registered a case in this regard.

Meanwhile, a boy was buried alive under snow at Tulail in Bandipora district today.

Mohammad Yaseen Mir, a resident of Neeru Tulail, was buried under snow that fell down on him from the rooftop of a residential house at Neeru Tulail. Mir died on
the spot.

A mosque at Gulshan Pora Tulail village at Gurez was also damaged in the recent snowfall.