Militants kill NC block chief
SRINAGAR, Aug 23 — Eight persons were killed and nine others, including seven security personnel, were injured in different militancy-related incidents, while four suspects, including "district financial chief" of the 'Harkat-ul-Ansar' were apprehended across the valley since yesterday.
Minister inspects projects
JAMMU, Aug 23 — The Works Minister, Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah today inspected half a dozen projects currently under execution in and around Jammu city.
Demolition drive in Srinagar
SRINAGAR, Aug 23 — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to launch a drive to remove encroachments in and around Srinagar, an official release said here yesterday.
Ghulam Ganai joins Lok Shakti
SRINAGAR, Aug 23 — Ghulam Mohammad Ganai, who unsuccessfully contested the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in 1996 as an Independent, today announced his decision to join the Lok Shakti.

Geelani condemns US bombings
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Aug 23 — While the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has sought global strategy to end terrorism, separatists here believe that the US action in Sudan and Afghanistan has jeopardised peace in the world.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), has condemned the US action against Afghanistan and Sudan . He also described the recent bombings on US embassies as "terrorist activity and assault on humanity".

"USA is the sole superpower which has been claiming to safeguard democracy in the world. But its aggression against sovereign nations has jeopardised peace in the world and the signs of a World War are becoming obvious as more countries will follow suit," Mr Geelani said.

Dr Abdullah has urged the UN and all nations to address themselves to the dangers of terrorism and take effective measures to free the world from this menace.

He expressed the hope that the US Administration would influence Pakistan to stop abetting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the state had been the worst victim of militancy during the past eight years. Over 50,000 people had died. Hindus and Muslim nationalists had fled from their homes.

Referring to the nuclear blasts by India in May, the Chief Minister said those were for the security of the nation. He said India was always for peace and good cordial relations with its neighbours.

Mr Geelani sought UN intervention to "prevent war between the two countries on the Kashmir issue". In a letter to the UN General-Secretary and other state heads, the APHC chairman reiterated his stand on "resolving Kashmir issue" and restoring "peace in the sub-continent". He said border clashes between the two countries had become routine as "the Kashmir issue has been the prime and perhaps the only reason for hostility between the two countries".

"With the two countries equipping their arsenals with nuclear weapons, the clouds of the fourth war are looming large on the sub-continent," said the letter.

The letter further reads: "We the people of Kashmir are most vulnerable and have developed a sense of insecurity, as we believe that we will be the first victims, if a nuclear war breaks out between the two countries if Kashmir dispute remains unresolved."

Militants kill NC block chief
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Aug 23 — Eight persons were killed and nine others, including seven security personnel, were injured in different militancy-related incidents, while four suspects, including "district financial chief" of the 'Harkat-ul-Ansar' were apprehended across the valley since yesterday. Six security personnel were injured in a landmine explosion in Anantnag district.

Militants shot dead Mohammad Ayub Rather, a block president of the National Conference at Kerson, Rajbagh in Srinagar. He was a released militant, a police spokesman said.

The spokesman said here today that the security forces apprehended Arshad Ahmad Kundji alias Basharat, a self-styled district financial chief of the Harkat from Nawakadal in the Capital city yesterday. A cheque for Rs 1 lakh, Rs 1213 in cash and some incriminating material was recovered from him. Three other suspects were apprehended in the capital city since yesterday.

Three unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Gulnar Kralpora in Kupwara district. Three AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were seized from the site of the encounter.

Two foreign mercenaries were killed in an encounter with a joint group of Jammu and Kashmir police and the security forces at Batapora Kralpora in Kupwara district, Three AK rifles and a disposable rocket launcher were seized.

An unidentified militant was killed at Dumari-Nar in Kupwara district from whose possession two AK rifles, 10 hand grenades, 600 rounds, 10 rifles grenades were seized.

Six security personnel were injured when their vehicle passed over an IED planted by suspected militants on the Shutroo-Kukarnag road in Anantnag district, the police here said.

Militants intruded into the house of Abdul Rashid Malik at Jablipora, Beijbehara in Anantnag district, and shot him dead last night. Two persons, including his son, Abid and Vakil Ahmad were injured in the shootout.

Minister inspects projects
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 23 — The Works Minister, Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah today inspected half a dozen projects currently under execution in and around Jammu city.

The projects, include Rs 32 crore ambitious flyover being constructed by the U.P. Bridge Construction Corporation besides Rs 7.28 crore four-lane second bridge over the Tawi, Rs 5.81 crore revenue complex at Gole Gujral near Talab Tillo, Rs 2.40 crore scientific aquarium, Rs 1.25 crore girls hostel of Government College for Women, and Rs 1.25 crore administrative-cum-revenue guest house near the office complex of the Deputy Commissioner. The work on these projects have been taken up by the JKPCC, Jammu.

The Managing Director, JKPCC, Mr J.L. Zutshi, Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, Jammu, Mr B.D. Gupta, Deputy General Manager, JKPCC, Mr Vijay Sharma and other senior officers of the corporation accompanied the minister.

Demolition drive in Srinagar

SRINAGAR, Aug 23 (PTI) — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has decided to launch a drive to remove encroachments in and around Srinagar, an official release said here yesterday.

The drive would be launched by the municipality, the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority and the Srinagar Development Authority in the next two weeks.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting on August 21 to devise ways to check illegal construction and reduce traffic congestion.

Ghulam Ganai joins Lok Shakti

SRINAGAR, Aug 23 — Ghulam Mohammad Ganai, who unsuccessfully contested the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in 1996 as an Independent, today announced his decision to join the Lok Shakti.

Mr Ganai, who with his 1,300 supporters joined the party at a rally of the Lok Shakti in Srinagar, is the second leader to join the party in Kashmir since last evening.

Mr Ghulam Hassan, general secretary of the state Janata Dal, joined the party at Charar-e-Sharif yesterday.