4 civilians die in shelling

SRINAGAR, Aug 7 (PTI) — Four civilians were killed and three wounded when Pakistani troops resumed mortar and artillery shelling on Indian positions in Kargil and Poonch areas of Jammu and Kashmir last evening, even as calm prevailed in other areas along the border today after eight days.

Three persons were killed and four wounded when a shell hit a truck at Khurboo in Kargil on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway last night, an official spokesman said.

Another civilian, Mohammad Sadiq of Karmarg-Poonch in Jammu Division, was killed in the border district of Poonch last night.

Pakistani troops targeted the Srinagar-Leh National Highway since last evening, forcing the Indian troops to retaliate. Some shells fired from across the border also exploded in Kargil town and its periphery. But no loss of life or damage to property was reported.

An official spokesman said relief material worth Rs 9.82 lakh was distributed to those affected by the firing.

The distribution of ration from various sale depots was reviewed.

Special medical teams are being sent to far-flung villages where the movement of people has been made difficult by the firing from across the border.

Reports from Kupwara Sector said shops and business establishments reopened today in Tangdhar, Keran and Gurez Sectors after eight days.

Eight militants, including an Afghan national and a security personnel, were killed in separate encounters while militants shot dead a woman and abducted two villagers in the Kashmir valley since last evening.

Two civilians sustained injuries as militants made attempts to blow up a police station and a security picket in the valley where four militants were arrested during the period, an official spokesman said.

Four militants and a security jawan were killed and three securitymen wounded in a fierce encounter at Shaligam in Anantnag district of South Kashmir last evening.

Three assault rifles, three magazines and a wireless set were recovered from the deceased militants who had been asked by Hizbul Mujahideen leaders to create disturbances and disrupt the Amarnath Yatra in its culminating phase, a defence ministry spokesman said.

Three of the deceased were militants who were identified as Bashir Ahmad Wani, Sultan Guru and self-styled company commander Altaf Ahmad Mir, alias Umer.

Residents in the area today observed a hartal alleging the fourth person killed was a civilian named Abdul Gani Turey whose house was allegedly blasted by the security forces.

The official spokesman said the security forces shot dead two foreign mercenaries, including Afghan national Abu Yasir of Lashker-e-Toiba at Doligam-Kudpora in Banihal area of Doda district last night.

Attaches of 25 nations visit border areas

JAMMU, Aug 7 (PTI) — Military attaches of 25 foreign missions in India today visited border areas of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said here.

Before visiting the border areas, the visiting officials from Delhi were briefed by the Army authorities at Nagrota, 12 km from here, on the latest situation along the Line of Control (LoC).

The military attaches from countries including the USA, Britain, Kenya, and East European, Middle-East, Far-East and neighbouring nations, were told about the ongoing proxy-war launched from across the border.

The spokesman said the officers were convinced about the involvement of Pakistan and the covert support of its inter-services intelligence (ISI) to militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir, besides the matured response by the Indian army.

The Army authorities told them that the escalation of firing by the Pakistani troops along the LoC usually took place when there were moves for bilateral talks between the two neighbours.

The officials later flew to Rajouri and Poonch for an on-the-spot assessment of ground situation along the borders, he said.

SRINAGAR: A 10-member US team today met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and had discussions on "various issues".

The team, led by senior US Senator Richard C. Shelby, who is also a leader in the movement of balance environmental concern and is the Chairman of Senate Select Committee, had discussions with the Chief Minister, an official release said here.

The meeting lasted an hour and comes at a time when the Indian and the Pakistani troops are engaged in skirmishes on the Line of Control in the state. Fiftythree persons, including soldiers and paramilitary forces personnel, were killed in Pakistani troops firing on Indian positions which continued for eighth consecutive day today.

With 'Kareeb', films back in J&K
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Aug 7 — After a gap of over nine years, cinema has made a comeback here, with the re-opening of Broadway Cinema in the cantonment yesterday.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mr Farooq Abdullah, inaugurated the screening of the Hindi film "Kareeb" in the presence of its Director, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and heroine Neha.

He said the coming back of cinema was a step towards the economic development of the state, which had suffered a lot during the past eight years of militancy.

He criticised those who had closed down cinema halls and other sources of entertainment at the behest of their "mentors" across the border.

Describing films as the cheapest form of entertainment available to the poor, he urged the directors to make "only those films that make people happy".

All 13 cinema halls were closed in 1990 following diktat from different militant outfits.

Mr Abdullah had provided a financial assistance to the tune of Rs 32.5 lakh for the renovation of cinema halls and assured security arrangements for the cinema hall at Batwara.

Security tightened for I-D functions
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Aug 7 — Security arrangements have been further tightened in Jammu and Kashmir following reports that different militant outfits may venture to create disorder during the Independence Day celebrations in the state on August 15.

Reports have revealed that militants are planning to hoist the Pakistani flag at various places.

Additional police and paramilitary forces have been already deployed in the sensitive areas of the two capital cities and major towns to prevent acts of sabotage. The police and paramilitary forces have been directed to carry out regular checking of vehicles in cities and towns.

Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar and Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu where the main functions are scheduled to be held, are under constant police surveillance.

The state government has tentatively decided to take into preventive custody potential mischief-mongers. In addition, the BSF and the troops have been directed to maintain utmost vigil at the international border in Jammu Sector as well as the line of actual control from Rajouri to Kargil.

Amarnath yatra concludes today
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Aug 7 — Long swerving queues of pilgrims on the way upto the holy cave of Amarnath at a height of about 4000 metres above sea level had been a regular feature over the past one month.

With the arrival of Chhari Mubarak or the holy mace of Lord Shiva, led by Mahant Deepinder Giri tomorrow, which marks the conclusion of yatra coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, the long queues will begin their downward movement.

The rush of pilgrims who reach here after three days trekking from Chandanwari was higher today as compared to the last few days. "It was at its peak earlier when over 5000 pilgrims had arrived darshan daily", said a police officer on duty. At least 2136 pilgrims had for darshan at the cave by 2 p.m. today. Hundreds of pilgrims must be rubbing their shoulders and jostling with each other on the steps towards the cave. A record number of 1.39 lakh pilgrims joined the yatra this year.

The 14-foot-long ice lingam of Lord Shiva formed inside the cave has already melted down.

Meanwhile, the Mahant leading the holy mace along with a number of sadhus this evening reached Panjtarni, the last halting point on the 32-km trek between Chandanwari and the holy cave. The mace will start its final journey to the cave tomorrow morning.