Fernandes rules out 'hot pursuit'
BHADERWAH, Aug 24 — The Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, today charged the USA with adopting "dual standards" in tackling terrorism, and regretted that Washington, despite having struck terrorist camps in Afghanistan and Sudan, had failed to take any step against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Another NC block chief shot
SRINAGAR, Aug 24 — Five persons, including a block president of the ruling National Conference, were killed by militants across the valley since yesterday.

UN office denies report
SRINAGAR, Aug 24 — The United Nations Military Observers Group here today termed as "untrue" reports that it had been directed to drastically reduce its presence and suspend work in Jammu and Kashmir.

Fernandes rules out 'hot pursuit'
Flays USA's dual policy
Tribune News Service and agencies

BHADERWAH, Aug 24 — The Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, today charged the USA with adopting "dual standards" in tackling terrorism, and regretted that Washington, despite having struck terrorist camps in Afghanistan and Sudan, had failed to take any step against Pakistan for sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"While the USA has carried out attacks in retaliation to terrorist attacks on its citizens, it has not said anything when Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has killed innocent people," Mr Fernandes said laying the foundation stone of a military station here.

Deploring the adaptation of "dual standards" by the USA in combating terrorism, he said strong nations should not impose themselves on others and the rule of law should prevail with certain norms and standards being followed.

Criticising Washington for the sanctions imposed following the Pokhran nuclear tests, Mr Fernandes said they had affected laboratories which were not even remotely connected with the manufacture of any kind of armament.
He ruled out "hot pursuit" of militants by the security forces by crossing the border.

The Defence Minister said two more such military stations would be set up in Doda district.

JAMMU: Mr Fernandes, who was accompanied by the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, and senior Army officers, said the establishment of cantonments would not only create better security environment but also provide job opportunities to the local people. He said the military station at Bhaderwah would provide jobs to 35,000 youths.

He said required funds had been earmarked for each of the three stations and the Bhaderwah station was expected to become operational shortly. He explained that the military stations would also be instrumental in ensuring development of the area. Mr Fernandes stressed the need for preserving communal amity and said three wings of the defence forces were a symbol of country's unity and communal brotherhood.

The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah said the biggest threat to the country was from communal forces. He said the people and the government should join hands to defeat the machinations of these communal forces. He said the country was poised to foil any challenge from across the border and in this context he urged people to remain vigilant against the nefarious designs of Pak agencies.

The Defence Minister reviewed the security situation in Doda and Poonch districts in the light of the stepped up subversive activities. The Army officers briefed him on the strategy they had adopted in dealing with the threat posed by foreign mercenaries.

He was informed about the recent successes the Army and other security agencies had achieved in eliminating over 125 militants, including Pak and Afghan guerrillas in different parts of the state in the last two months.

The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah renewed his government's request for sending additional companies of paramilitary forces.

Another NC block chief shot
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Aug 24 — Five persons, including a block president of the ruling National Conference, were killed by militants across the valley since yesterday.

The militants shot dead Abul Ahad Mir of Palapora, Safakdal, a police spokesman said here this evening. Mir, a shopkeeper in the same area, was killed around noon today. He is stated to be a block president of the National Conference.

Two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with the Army in the Ajas area of Baramula district yesterday. The reports said security forces personnel were fired at by hiding militants during a search operation in the Ajas area. The security forces returned the fire killing two militants. Two AK rifles, two magazines and 100 rounds of ammunition were seized.

A jawan was killed in an encounter with the militants at Hamu-Dardpora in Kupwara district. The militants escaped, while one AK rifle, and two hand grenades were recovered from the site of the encounter, the police said.

Suspected militants shot dead Salamuddin Hajaz, a 70-year old man, at Harinar Chhithebandi in Bandipore area of Baramula district last night.

JAMMU: The Pakistani Rangers, using machine guns, opened fire on an Indian border outpost along the international border in the Jammu region last night, a BSF spokesman said here today.

The spokesman said Pakistani Rangers, using light to medium machine-guns, opened unprovoked fire on Sangral outpost in the R S Pura sector around 10 p.m. yesterday forcing the BSF to retaliate.

The two sides traded firing till this morning without any loss of life or damage to property on the Indian side, he said.

Meanwhile, the Army seized a major consignment of weapons and ammunition from a forest in Rajouri district of the region yesterday.

The seizure included 7.5 kg of RDX, remote controls and other ammunition, defence sources said, adding the arsenal located in Mariala forests was used by militants.

In a separate haul, the police today recovered 3.5 kg of IED from the Gujjar Mandi area of Rajouri district.

UN office denies report

SRINAGAR, Aug 24 (PTI) — The United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOG) here today termed as "untrue" reports that it had been directed to drastically reduce its presence and suspend work in Jammu and Kashmir.

"UNMOG is functioning as on other days," a UNMOG spokesman said, adding there was no question of suspending work at the present juncture.

He said some of its members had gone to Rawalpindi in Pakistan to attend a routine officers in-charge conference . "There is nothing special about our movement from Kashmir to Rawalpindi," he added.

The spokesman was reacting to earlier reports which said UNMOG had suspended work both in Srinagar and Rawalpindi as per a directive from the UN headquarters following the US missile attacks on Afghanistan and Sudan and reported threat of retaliation by Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden.

Official sources said the security had been beefed up in and around the UNMOG offices in Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionery measure.