The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	on the frontline Post-2014 Afghanistan, a cause of worry for J&K Arun Joshi There is no crystal ball that could tell as to what would happen in Afghanistan once the western forces pull out of that trouble-torn country in July next year. Guesses of cause and effect are being made and experts are working overtime to draw some kind of a conclusion. Even Afghans are not sure about their future. In such a state of affairs, the neighbourhood is more than worried. As far as Kashmir is concerned, it is also watching Afghan situation very carefully because there is an ever looming fear that whatever would happen in Afghanistan in post-2014 scenario, it would impact India. There is a genuine fear that the overflow of the internal situation in Afghanistan would extend in some fashion from across the border. These diplomatic paraphrase of the possibilities in Afghanistan, are having real sense of imminence in Jammu and Kashmir. That is the route that militancy had taken in post 1989, when Soviet troops pulled out of Afghanistan, and Pakistan diverted CIA’s funds and arms in causing trouble in the Valley, which later extended to other parts of India. The then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had all the idea about it, but borders were not under his control. This time around the similar fears are being voiced in the strategic world. From the United States to India and the Central Asian nations, all are worried about the spill over of the Afghan situation. India has suffered the most because of the terrorism which has its roots in Pakistan and Afghanistan. When the US fired missiles targeting terror hubs in Afghanistan with a declared mission of targeting the al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, in retaliation to the August 7, 1998, bombing of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, those damaged the training camps of Harkat-ul-Mujahadeen, one of the groups fighting in Kashmir. This group and Lashkar-e-Toiba had jointly planned and then jointly executed the same, in hijacking the Indian airliner IC 814 in December 1999. It is not the Indian Army alone that has thought of it and is busy in working a counter-terrorism strategy by taking into account the 2014 situation into account, there is complete unanimity on the issue among all sections of the Central government. The Ministry of External Affairs, too, has worked out its calculations and the narrative is no different from that of the Ministry of Defence. Whether or not Taliban would come to Kashmir is a big question which only the future can answer. But the way things are unfolding in Afghanistan and the preparations that Pakistan is making to further its interests and oppose India’s development projects in Afghanistan, give clear indication that Jammu and Kashmir has more reason to worry this time than ever before. The peace is yet to return in full measure. No one can guarantee that there would be no spill over to the state. If history is any guide then it is bound to happen. The pan-Islamic groups started arriving in Kashmir, post 1993, when the local militants came out of the revered Muslim shrine Hazratbal in Kashmir as part of a deal with the government of the day. Foreign militants were hailed as “welcome guests” and even after the assassination of Peoples Conference chairman Abdul Ghani Lone in May 2002 who had opposed the foreign militants, saying that Kashmir cannot be allowed to become a stage to spread terror to other parts of India and the world, some of the separatist leaders continued to defend the presence of the foreigners on the soil of Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir government of the day should not dismiss these possibilities simply because Army had laid it out on the table in November 2011, opposing the lifting of the Armed Forces Special Forces Act (AFSPA) project of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Instead, there is need to work out a common strategy because when the constituency of violence and conflict expands, the civilian governments cannot escape responsibilities. Omar Abdullah who has astonishing knowledge of the foreign affairs and the developments at the international level - from Syria to Yemen - can suggest some of the best ways how to counter this threat. His opinion should be sought and respected. Only then Kashmir can stay calm post 2014. That effort is worth trying and it would not be a bad idea if other political leaders, are invited and taken on board on the issue, as it concerns the people of this sensitive state.
	Pak firing meant to help militants cross over: Army Majid Jahangir/TNS Srinagar, June 2 A day after the Army foiled an infiltration attempt in the Nowgam sector by killing three militants, the Army authorities said the recent ceasefire violations in the sector were aimed at helping infiltration by militants into Kashmir. “The Pakistani army has been firing at our post since May 24 and it is aimed at helping militants enter India. This became evident on Saturday evening after we shot dead three militants who were trying to sneak in under the firing cover provided by Pakistani troops,” a senior Army officer in Srinagar said. “We are always on alert along the Line of Control whenever Pakistani troopers violate ceasefire as we know their intentions,” he said. The Army said the three militants killed in the Nowgam sector on Saturday evening were Pakistani nationals and belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group founded by Maulana Masood Azhar, who was one of the three militants released as part of the 1999 Kandahar hijack prisoner exchange. “The identity cards recovered from one of the militants showed his name as Mohmmad Usman Khan, son of Mohammad Azim Khan, a resident of Karachi Pakistan. Two paper slips were recovered from other two militants, identifying them as Mohammad Wasim of Abbottabad and Abu Khubeed of Shaikhupura Pakistan,” General Officer Commanding (GOC) Infantry Division, Major General V G Khandare, said. He said three AK rifles, six magazines, two radio sets, three UBGL grenades, hand grenades three, infiltration map, clothes and diaries were recovered from the slain militants. “The bodies of the three have been handed over to the police,” he said. Since May 24, Pakistani troops have opened fire on Indian positions thrice in the Tutamari Gali of Nowgam sector of Kupwara, 120 kilometers from Srinagar. Commander of the 17 Infantry Brigade, Sanjeev Langar, and two other troopers were injured in Pakistani firing in Nowgam sector on the evening of May 24. On Saturday evening, the Army had foiled an infiltration bid when troops on patrol near the LoC noticed their movement in Tutamari Gali. “The militants were challenged and they opened fire which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed,” said an Army officer.
	Congress to emerge as single largest party in next poll: Soz Tribune News Service Langate (Handwara), June 2 State Congress president Saifuddin Soz today said his party will emerge as the largest party in the elections next year. “The way the Congress party is growing, I can say with authority that our party will emerge as the single largest party in Jammu and Kashmir in the next year’s elections,” Soz said while addressing a rally in this apple-rich hamlet of north Kashmir, about 70 km from Srinagar. Soz said the Congress had emerged as a major political power across the state and the people had realised that it was the Congress which could serve the people of all the three regions in an unbiased way. The Congress president, however, stopped short of saying that they would form the next government on their own in the state. “We will play an important role in the next elections and no coalition government will be formed without the support of the Congress,” he said.
	Government fences fields with ‘ghost pepper’ to ward off wild animals Majid Jahangir/TNS Srinagar, June 2 The government has resorted to the use of the most dreaded pepper in the world, Bhut Jolokia or ghost pepper to ward off wild animals. The move is aimed at reducing the man-animal conflict in the state that has taken a heavy toll in recent years. The government has started its use as an experiment at certain places by smearing fences with the oil of Bhut Jolokia (ghost pepper), the hottest pepper in the world, to keep wild animals from attacking agricultural land and villages. “Bhut Jolokia has been successfully used in tackling the man-animal conflict in Assam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Few months back doctors from Assam had visited the state and had suggested the use of organic fencing in areas where instances of wild animals venturing into human habitations was common. So we have already adopted this method to keep the wild animals like leopards and bear away,” Chief Wildlife Warden, AK Singh, said. “This 'ghost pepper’ scares off wild animals,” he claimed. The method has been adopted as a pilot project in Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar in the Jammu division and Uri, Limber, Kazinag and Dara Mulnar in the Kashmir region. “After seeing the results over a period of time we will accordingly use this methodology which is also cheep,” he added. Over 50 persons have been killed by wild animals since 2011 and 600 have been injured. State forest minister Mian Altaf had recently asked the officers of the Wildlife Department to identify critical areas to reduce such instances. Another wildlife official said apart from introducing the ghost pepper, the department was also thinking of procuring some seismic censors and camera traps in the near future to ensure the wild animal does not venture into the human habitations. Wildlife experts blame the increasing encroachment and depletion of the forests by humans as the major reason for wild animals straying into human settlements in the search of food.
	Guv for preservation of art and cultural heritage Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 2 Governor NN Vohra today emphasised the importance of reviving, preserving and showcasing the traditional arts, crafts and cultural heritage of the state. Vohra said this at an exhibition of Kashmiri crafts, ‘Crafting Hands: Sheher’, at Lal Ded Memorial Cultural Centre in Srinagar today. It showcased paintings and craft techniques such as paper machie, ‘khatamband’, wood-carving and ‘pinjrakari’. The four-day exhibition, organised by Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the J&K Tourism, concluded today. On the occasion, the Governor said arts and crafts were valuable symbols of cultural heritage, which needed to be preserved and promoted in a big way. Referring to Lal Ded Memorial Cultural Centre set up by the Tourism Department, Vohra said it could be a great source of attraction for people, particularly tourists. Governor Vohra congratulated Rajeev Sethi, founder, Asian Heritage Foundation, for mobilising the preparation of these art pieces from Kashmir and for including them in the mural which would be put up at the Mumbai International Airport. Vohra complimented Sethi, INTACH state convener Saleem Beig and the Tourism Department for putting up a “fascinating exhibition”. The Governor was accompanied by first lady Usha Vohra and both of them evinced keen interest in the art pieces and lauded the talent of the artists.
	457 sick industrial units await government aid Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, June 2 Owing to the cumbersome rehabilitation process and ineffective implementation of the state industrial policy, over 450 financially-sick industrial units, including 368 in the Kashmir valley, are waiting for a new lease of life. While the state government has constituted State Level Rehabilitation Committee to identify and rehabilitate sick industrial units, the authorities blame the entrepreneurs for the prevailing situation, saying they were not interested in the revival of their units. A total of 47 industrial estates have been established in the state comprising 37,143 industrial units. Out of these, a total of 24,245 units are functional whereas 457 units are financially sick. Official sources said out of the 368 units in Kashmir Valley, the committee has recommended rehabilitation of 175 units based on their viability and a report in this effect was prepared. “In Jammu, 89 sick industrial units were identified up to March this year. Of all, eight sick units were approved by the committee for rehabilitation in the Jammu division,” sources said. Sources said only two units were given a soft loan of Rs 5.5 lakh as against the sanctioned amount of Rs 69.42 lakh by the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Development Corporation (J&K SIDCO). Similarly, Rs 801.31 lakh had been sanctioned for the Kashmir region out of which Rs 364 lakh was disbursed till February. “The financially weak industrial units need incentives as per the industrial policy and marketing support,” sources said. Annil Suri, president Bari Brahmana Industries Association, said the identification and sanctioning of soft loans to sick units was a “lengthy and time consuming” exercise and it needs to be made “entrepreneur-friendly”. “By the time the committee identifies a unit and sanctions financial help for it, the unit either gets shut down or the entrepreneur is not in a position to revive its unit and he prefers to sell it off,” Suri said. He said the committee seldom holds its meeting. “The process of identification and revival of such units should be a time-bound process and it should be brought under the Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA),” Suri said. GA Qureshi, Director Industries and Commerce, Jammu, said the entrepreneurs whose industrial units had been declared sick were themselves at fault. “I assumed the charge of the department five months back but not even a single entrepreneur having financially sick unit turned up in my office. They are not interested in the revival of their units. I have constituted a new team with the task to contact the entrepreneurs to revive these units,” Qureshi said.
	PIL on Beerwah caves HC asks state govt to file fresh reply in four weeks Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 2 The High Court has asked the state government and other respondents to file a fresh reply within four weeks to a PIL seeking declaration of the ancient Abhinavgupt caves in Kashmir’s Budgam district as sites of “cultural and religious” importance. Abhinavgupt, regarded as the greatest teacher of Kashmiri Shaivism, lived in Kashmir from the end of the 10th Century to the beginning of the 11th Century. The High Court is hearing a PIL filed by activists, Veer Saraf, convener of the Roots in Kashmir, and Tanvir Hussain Khan. Referring to the previous response by the official respondent, during the hearing the Bench observed that it appears that the government had not taken any clear stand whether any quarrying activity is going on in the area under question. Advocate General, MI Qadri, submitted that this confusion was due to lack of jurisdiction over the area in question. After going through the previous replies filed by the respondents, the High Court directed the state government and other official respondents to file a fresh reply to the PIL. The Bench also observed that the respondent number six, the Director Geology and Mining, needed to clarify whether any quarrying operation was going on near the disputed site or has it been stopped. The Bench observed that the clarification was required because in para 8 of the previous response by the respondents, no clear stand had been taken regarding the quarrying operation in the area. The Bench gave the state government and other official respondents four weeks time to file a fresh response. The court also directed to list the hearing on the PIL in July. In the meantime, however, the local Auqaf Committee of Beerwah, where the caves are situated, has approached the High Court with an application for as interveners in the PIL. Earlier on March 2, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in its reply to the court had stated that ancient Abhinavgupt caves in Kashmir’s Budgam district were not Centrally-protected monuments of national importance and had called for dismissal of the PIL, which sought declaration of the caves as sites of “cultural and religious importance”. The ASI had further submitted that since the caves were not protected by the Centre, therefore, the rules governing the monuments protected by the Centre could not be imposed in the area for the protection and preservation of the caves.
	Charak exhorts workers to highlight peoples’ issues Jammu, June 2 Former Minister and a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Gulchain Singh Charak, today asked party workers to vociferously highlight the problems being faced by the people. Charak was addressing a meeting of the Block Congress Committee at Bishnah. Charak assured the workers of his support in the work done by them in the block. He said he was proud of Congress workers who have created a new atmosphere in the area by taking up burning issues of the people living in the border belt of this constituency. He also assured them that the demands put forth by the Block Congress Committee, Bishnah, will be taken up with the departments concerned for early redressal. He said the Bishnah constituency was neglected for many years and there was no proper and planned development in this constituency. He also appealed to the Congress workers and people of Bishnah to eradicate nepotism and corruption. — TNS
	Pepper gas has no adverse effects: Govt tells human rights body Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 2 With the growing demand to ban the use of pepper gas, the state government has asked the State Human Right Commission (SHRC) that the gas it is using to control protests has no long-term irreversible or adverse effects. “The matter regarding effects of these munitions on the human body was taken with the authorities concerned, who intimidated that the pepper spray used so far as a part of non-lethal munitions does not have any long-term irreversible (or) adverse physiological effects on the human body,” the Director General of Police (DGP) has stated in a reply to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). The Commission had sought a response from the “state and others” after a petition was filed by a human rights activist Ahsaan Untoo pleading that the use of pepper gas was a “lethal one” and had severe effects on the health of people. The J&K High Court is also hearing a PIL seeking a blanket ban on the use of pepper gas. Untoo, who is also the chairman of the International Forum for Justice (IFJ) and the Human Rights Forum (HRF), had also pleaded that in the aftermath of the February 9 hanging of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru, the police had used pepper gas leading to effects such as “uneasiness and drowsiness”, while many lost their consciousness and had alleged that two Srinagar residents died “due to pepper gas”. The state government, however, maintains that the pepper gas being used in the region is a “non-lethal munitions”. The DGP, in the response filed before SHRC, said the state police is buying tear smoke munitions from the Tear Smoke Unit (TSU) of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, BSF, Tekanpur at Gwalior and from DRDO of the Union Ministry of Defence, New Delhi. The reply also includes certificates and finding from both these units. The certificate provided by the General Manager of TSU, Tekanpur, states the information available suggests that pepper spray used so far “does not have any long- term irreversible effect”. The moderate faction of the separatist group Hurriyat Conference had filed a petition in the High Court last month, seeking a ban on the use of “non-lethal” weapons which include pepper gas and pellet guns. The use of “non-lethal” munitions to tackle with protesters came into use in Kashmir region after the 2010 summer protests when 120 persons were killed in firing by the police and the paramilitary forces.
	Kashmiri singer to debut in Bollywood flick Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 2 Putting all the speculations of threats to women singers in Kashmir to rest, Kashmiri singer, Mehmeet Syed, 28, is all set to make her debut in a Bollywood film, titled Chinar. Mehmeet’s Bollywood debut announcement comes months after the Pragaash, an all girls rock band controversy had hit the Valley which eventually led to the three girls quitting the band. Mehmeet who was missing from the Kashmiri music scene for quite some time now has made a big come back with her Bollywood debut. “I did not quit. I was busy with some domestic problems. My mother was unwell for many years. So I could not manage my singing career alongside. But, now I am back and dream of making it big in Bollywood,” Mehmeet said. She will be singing two duet songs in the film with the leading singers Javiad Ali and Sidhartha Slathia. Salim-Suliaman are the music directors of the film. “The songs have flavour of Kashmiri sufi music. There are kashmiri lyrics in the songs as well. I am fortunate to be a part of the project and to represent Kashmir in Bollywood,” a jubilant Mehmeet said. Mehmeet will head to Mumbai next week to finalise the deal with the director of the film, Shariq Ahmad and record her songs. Shariq met Mehmeet through common friends and asked her to sing in his visit to the Valley to shoot a portion of the film earlier this year. “I heard her voice and I think she is very talented. Since my film is based on the social fabric of Kashmir and its culture, I wanted to ensure participation of young Kashmiri artists. Mehmeet has been singing for many years now and she is well acquainted with Kashmiri Sufi music. I think that will add value to the film,” Shariq Ahmad said.
	Demand of separate hilly district from Kathua gains momentum Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, June 2 With the Assembly elections approaching, the demand for carving out a hilly district from the Kathua district is gaining momentum. A meeting of members of the Billawar Zila Andolan, which is spearheading the movement, was held today under the chairmanship of Hari Chand Jalmaria. The members discussed strategies to intensify the struggle. “The state government is not taking our demand seriously and so, we have decided to intensify our struggle for a separate district,” Jalmaria said, claiming that they have been receiving an overwhelming response from people. Politicians and social activists have been demanding a separate district comprising hilly tehsils of Kathua district namely Bani, Basholi and Billawar to ensure proper and balanced development of the region. Jalmaria said the movement for a separate district started in the year 2000 but the government had not given a serious thought to this “genuine” demand. “Inhabitants of this hilly region are victims of discriminatory policies of the successive state governments,” he alleged. Jalmaria said in 2006, when eight new districts had been created, no criteria was adopted to determine areas which deserved the status. “Deserving areas like our region was ignored because elected representatives of Bani, Basholi and Billawar were enjoying power at that time,” he alleged. Unlike 2006, this time, politicians of different political parties have also come out openly in support of this demand. Bani MLA Master Lal Chand and Basholi MLA Jagdish Sapoli support the demand but there is no consensus about the headquarters of the proposed district. Former Billawar MLA (PDP) Balbir Singh had also announced to take this struggle to the logical end. “The development of this region is not possible in the existing system. Therefore, there is an urgent need to carve out a separate district,” he said. Jalmaria said their committee had decided to start ‘Padh Yatra’ soon in the hilly areas of Kathua district to mobilise public opinion in favour of a separate district. “After mobilising public opinion, we will hold a massive rally in which agitational programmes will be announced to take the movement to its logical end,” he said.
	All-round development a priority: Tara Chand Tribune News Service Jammu, June 2 Stating that the all-round development of the state was a priority of the state government, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said work on equitable development of all three regions of the state was the resolve of the state government and efforts were on to provide basic facilities to the people living in every nook and corner of the state. He said mega projects have been launched to modernise infrastructure across the state. He was addressing a series of delegations at his residence here today. To discuss development matters of their respective areas sarpanches, panches, social activists and political workers from rural and border belts of the region met him today. Addressing delegations from Khour and Pargwal areas, Tara Chand said work on three mega projects of model villages was on at a fast pace. He said panchayat representatives should keep a close vigil on the progress and quality of works to create durable assets within stipulated time frame under these projects. “All those involved in the model village project should complete works in time to use the funds made available for these projects,” he added.
	New Delhi should turn politically aggressive, say war veterans Say it’s time to increase military might to discipline distrustful neighbours Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, June 2 Following the beheading of two soldiers in Poonch and Chinese incursions in the Ladakh region, senior retired Army officers here feel that New Delhi should learn quick lessons and turn politically aggressive. On May 27, Chinese troops prevented Indian soldiers from patrolling up to the Line of Actual Control in the Finger-VIII area, also called Siri Jap, of Ladakh where they built a 5-km-long road in the Indian Territory. The fresh incursion comes close on the heels of a similar misadventure by People's Liberation Army troops in April in Daulat Beg Oldi sector in the same region. It ended after a three-week stand-off on May 6 paving way for the visit of External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid to China followed by Chinese premier Li Keqiang’s visit to India on May 19. On January 8, Pakistani army troops had brutally killed and mutilated two Indian soldiers, beheading one of them in the Balnoi sector of Poonch. Maj Gen (retd) JS Jamwal, former GOC, 15 Infantry Division, in Amritsar said, “No country can trust China because of its policy of expansionism. They want to extend their boundaries with every country and our problem is that we are not guarding our borders effectively, particularly in Ladakh.” “Neither our political set up has senior retired Army officers (barring one or two) nor do we have them in the administration. Moreover, those at the helm of affairs in New Delhi simply have no experience to tackle the Army,” he said. General Jamwal also felt that following the beheading of two soldiers and Chinese incursions in Ladakh, New Delhi should have requisitioned their ambassadors to lodge protests. Major General (retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal said, “India can never trust China because of its vicious covert and overt plans. Time has come for India to find a strong ally to tame and discipline China.” “Not only is political will the need of the hour, the time has also come to increase the military might of the country to match the deceitful neighbours,” he said. “The soft approach on such sensitive issues is demoralising for the forces and countrymen. The government should turn politically aggressive,” said Brig (retd) SS Saini, president, J&K Poorva Sainik Sewa Parishad. “At least the government should have requisitioned their ambassadors to convey a strong message to these two countries, whose intentions against India are no secret,” he said.
	Rana takes on PDP Jammu, June 2 NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana today deplored the “brazenness” of political leaders who were crying hoarse over supremacy of people’s will, saying that the same persons were responsible for the “murder of democracy” in the state. Rana questioned, “Who trampled the massive mandate of people in 1984 by hatching a conspiracy in New Delhi?” Rana was addressing a public meeting at Loran and Gali Pindi in Poonch today. Rana referred to Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s machinations to weaken the state’s strong political fort in league with his mentors in New Delhi. “He did not stop there but continued his tirade against the National Conference in different garbs and guises like a chameleon,” he said. Rana said the PDP made an unsuccessful attempt to grab it by hook or crook. He said the PDP hobnobbed with its hidden allies in the recent elections to Legislative Council under the Panchayati Raj quota. He said, “Despite desperate attempts to hoodwink the electorate by playing the regional card in Kashmir and communal card in Jammu, courtesy the BJP, the PDP failed miserably. After losing the elections, it alleged that the poll was rigged.” — TNS
	Opposition flays NC, Cong for delaying civic poll Dinesh Manhotra/TNS Jammu, June 2 Notwithstanding the statements of Congress leaders, the National Conference-Congress coalition in the state is looking for excuses to delay the civic elections which were due in February 2010. The recent statement of Union Minister for New and Renewal Energy Farooq Abdullah has once again exposed how this regime has been changing its stand on holding the elections. Abdullah on Thursday said the civic elections could be held after the tourist season. Farooq said the state government did not want any law and order problem in the ongoing tourist season and so, the civic elections had been postponed. Farooq’s statement has given the Opposition an opportunity to train a gun at the ruling coalition. “Due to its failure on all the fronts, the government is afraid of facing the public and so, it is looking for excuses to delay the civic elections,” Rangil Singh, spokesman for the PDP told The Tribune. He said the regime was trying to subvert democratic institutions in the state. Meanwhile, state BJP president Jugal Kishore Sharma said, “Postponing civic elections and creating hurdles in strengthening panchayats reflects the dictatorial mindset of the ruling coalition.” He said Jammu and Kashmir was a state where tourists visited throughout the year so it was a lame excuse that civic elections would be held after the tourist season.
	181 devotees from Pakistan visit shrine Our Correspondent Katra, June 2 As many as 181 pilgrims from Pakistan worshipped at the Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine, nestled in the Trikuta hills of Reasi district today. This is being seen as the first positive development in the Indo-Pak relations that have been marred since January this year by a series of border skirmishes, the beheading of two Indian soldiers on the LoC and the death of two prisoners Sarabjit Singh and Sanaullah in the two jails in Lahore and Jammu. The group of pilgrims comprises 136 male, 37 female and eight children. They reached Katra on Saturday and left for darshan late in the evening. Dr Mansa Ram is leading the pilgrims, majority of whom are visiting India for the first time and hail from Sind province. “One of the Pakistani devotees contacted the Shrine Board and sought permission for the pilgrimage to the holy shrine. We immediately responded to their request and facilitated their spiritual visit. We have information that the group of 181 Pakistani pilgrims reached Katra and paid obeisance at the cave shrine,” Additional Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandhari, said.
	Woman dies in mishap Tribune News Service Srinagar, June 2 A woman, Jana, a resident of Barwala village of Ganderbal who was hit and injured by a vehicle two days ago, succumbed to her injuries at hospital while a teenage girl was injured in an accident in Kupwara. Gulshana Akhter, 16, a resident of Batpora village near Handwara was injured in Kupwara when she was hit by a passenger bus. She was a student of Government School Batpora, was hit by the bus at Chadoora market near the power grid station.