3 militants killed in fight with BSF
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Nov 12 — Six persons, including four foreign militants, were killed in separate incidents of violence in the valley since yesterday. Of these, three militants were killed in a fierce encounter at Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar city last evening.

The police said that a joint operations group of the police and the Border Security Force (BSF) during a search operation on specific information, was fired upon by hiding militants at Wandbal, Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

Those killed have been identified as Mehmood Bhai, district commander of the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit, and his two associates, Adil Bhai and Tipu Bhai.

Three BSF jawans and two civilians were also injured in the encounter. Two houses were damaged in the firefight between the militants and the security force personnel.

A BSF spokesman said the troops cordoned off the Nowgam area last afternoon. "The terrorists took some civilians as hostages and attempted to use them as shield for their protection. As the troops advanced, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire from automatic weapons, causing injuries to two civilians", the BSF spokesman said.

The two have been identified as Ali Mohammad Dar and Murtaza Ahmad.

All civilians, including women and children, were rescued.

The militants hiding inside a house were challenged, who fired upon the search party. In the encounter, all the three hiding militants were killed.

Three AK 56 rifles, fitted with launchers, two pistols, two wireless sets, assorted ammunition, taperecorders and incriminating documents were seized from their possession, the spokesman said. Two houses belonging to Abdul Khaliq Sheikh and Ghulam Ahmed Wani were partially damaged in the encounter.

One foreign militant, was killed in a fierce encounter with the security forces at Shamthan, Dardpora, in the Bandipore area of Baramulla district.

Militants shot dead two persons in separate incidents in Anantnag district, after they were kidnapped. Bashir Ahmad Wani was killed in Ashthal and Lala Khan at Daragund, both in the Kulgam area.

J-K Speaker attends C’wealth meeting
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Nov 12 — Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil, Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, has stressed the need for an improvement in the areas of health, education, flood control etc in underdeveloped and developing countries of the world.

He said that the developed countries of the 52-member Commonwealth Parliamentary Association had a moral and international responsibility to share its resources and technological advancement with the underdeveloped and developing countries.

Mr Vakil was addressing the week-long meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in New Zealand.

Over 30 members from different parts of the country participated in the meeting that concluded recently. The meeting dealt with various issues related to the parliamentary affairs of the Commonwealth countries.

Mr Vakil said that the Constitution of the 52-member association needed to be amended so that its aims and objectives reflected the aspirations of the developed and developing countries in the 21st century.

The Indian delegation, including the Speakers from different states, returned last week.