Jammu, February 2
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised the issue of closure of the Pathribal encounter case by the Army with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this afternoon. He emphasised the need to deliver justice to the families of victims and punish those responsible for killing innocent people.

Omar also took up the issue of suspension of trade across LoC following seizure of a truckload of contrabands. He stressed the need for amicably resolving the issue with Pakistan so that an important confidence-building measure (of trade across the LoC) was not jeopardised.

He also briefed the PM about the peace and development scenario prevailing in the state. Issues pertaining to security and law and order also came up for discussion during the meeting.

Other issues on which Omar briefed the PM included the prevailing security scenario vis-à-vis forthcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and the situation along the 744-km Line of Control and 198-km International Border.

The PM arrived at the Technical Airport in the afternoon. He is on a two-day visit to inaugurate the 101st Indian Science Congress at Jammu University that would open tomorrow. He was received by Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chairman of the Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and members of the council of ministers.

MP and J&K Congress chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, DGP Ashok Prasad and senior officers of the Army, police and the civil administration were also present at the airport.