7 cases of dropsy reported in Jammu
JAMMU, Sept 2 — Seven persons, including three women, were hospitalised with symptoms of dropsy here today. Owing to timely medical aid all seven are stated to be out of danger.

1 killed in Poonch bus blast
SRINAGAR, Sept 2 — Nine persons including two foreign mercenaries and an Army jawan, have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesperson said today.

NCO dies in encounter

SRINAGAR, Sept 2 (PTI) — Six persons, including two foreign mercenaries, were killed in separate militancy-related incidents in the Kashmir valley since last evening. An Army officer was killed in Jammu. One person was killed in a bus blast in Poonch.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said two foreign mercenaries who had taken shelter in Kalan forest in Kupwara district were shot dead by the Army in an encounter early today.

The ultras opened fire on an Army search party. An assault rifle, eight grenades and ammunition were recovered from the militants.

The search party found 1 kg of explosive, 26 detonators, 15 metres of cordex and ammunition at Dardhare in the same district last night.

A headless body identified as that of surrendered militant Farooq Ahmad Sheikh was found by the police at Keribal-Mattan in Anantnag district today. The victim had been abducted by militants three days back.

Militants shot dead block president of the Awami League Abdul Hamid Malla in Baramulla yesterday. The latter had surrendered as a militant and was one of the senior activists of the Awami League, political wing of the counter-insurgency Ikhwan outfit, the sources said.

The body of an unidentified person was fished out from Nallah Vesho at Hasanpora

Foreign mercenaries entered the house of Mohmmad Suludin in Mahore area of Udhampur district last night and shot dead his wife after raping her.

The Army foiled an infiltration bid by a group of armed militants along the line of control (LoC) in Gambir area of Rajouri district yesterday where two militants were injured in the encounter.

The Army NCO received serious bullet injuries in the encounter and later died. He was identified as Subedar Shiv Ram

An AK-56 rifle, two pistols and ammunition was recovered from the site of the encounter.

Two nomads were kidnapped by militants when they were returning to their homes in Dhanidadra area of Poonch district last evening.

One person was killed and 15 injured when a powerful explosion ripped apart a bus in the border district of Poonch.

The bus, which was hired by the security forces to carry jawans from Jammu to Poonch, blew up at 1100 hours near Nova Morh, 15-km from Poonch.

The driver of the bus, Baldev Raj, was killed. No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Four persons are stated to be critical.

Shabir Shah to set up JKDFP
unit in Jammu
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Sept 2 — The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), headed by Mr Shabir Ahmed Shah, has decided to set up its units in the Jammu region to broaden its base for securing a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

Mr Shah has prepared a blueprint of establishing units of the JKDFP not only in the Kashmir valley and the Jammu region but also in Ladakh so that in any future Indo-Pak talks 'true' representatives of the people of all the three regions were included.

Mr Shah, who has over a year ago snapped his ties with the All Party Hurriyat Conference, told TNS that he has formulated a 17-point action programme which included efforts for a "meaningful dialogue among the main parties" so that the issue was settled in consonance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the Kashmir issue should not be treated a mere territorial or border dispute between India and Pakistan but added no third country has any right to impose a solution on the people of the state."

The JKDFP chief looks support from India and Pakistan for his plan of acting as a bridge between the two countries so that the current atmosphere of mistrust was removed.

Opposing violation of human rights in the valley Mr Shah has favoured return and rehabilitation of all displaced Kashmiri families. He would interact with leaders of displaced families in the Jammu region for finding out ways and means for their honourable return to the valley.

7 cases of dropsy reported in Jammu
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Sept 2 — Seven persons, including three women, were hospitalised with symptoms of dropsy here today. Owing to timely medical aid all seven are stated to be out of danger.

Medical authorities said the seven persons had complained of diarrhoea, breathing problem and pimples on their legs. When routine anti-diarrhoea medicine failed to prove effective they were shifted to hospital.

Those admitted to hospital with symptoms of dropsy include Surinder Rally from Punjab, who has a shop here. His wife and three children said they had used mustard oil for cooking vegetables and chicken. Soon after eating the chicken, they developed breathing problems.

Varsha Bhat and her sister, Neetu, both school students, also said they used to prepare food in mustard oil. Earlier, they had no complaint, but the mustard oil their parents had purchased recently from the market had given rise to dropsy symptoms.

People have started panic buying of refined edible oil or started using desi ghee and most of the popular brands of mustard oil have disappeared from the local market. Health authorities and the police have examined various brands of edible oil and other foodstuffs.

The Medical College authorities have asked doctors to be present on call and separate arrangements have been made for handling dropsy cases. People have been advised to seek immediate medical advice if they complain of diarrhoea, breathing problem, vomiting and swelling in the legs.

1 killed in Poonch bus blast

SRINAGAR, Sept 2 (PTI) — Nine persons including two foreign mercenaries and an Army jawan, have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesperson said today.

One person was killed and 15 others were injured when a powerful explosion ripped apart a bus in the border district of Poonch in Jammu region today.

The bus, which was hired by the security forces to ferry jawans from Jammu to Poonch, blew up at around 1100 hours near Nova Morh, 15-km from Poonch, he said, adding that the driver of the bus, Baldev Raj, was killed on the spot.

Foreign mercenaries entered into house in the Mahore area of Udhampur district and raped and shot dead a woman last night, he said.