2 Pak soldiers killed in mine blast

JAMMU, April 10 (PTI, UNI) — Two Pakistani army soldiers were killed in a landmine explosion while they were installing mines deep inside the Indian area near the line of control (LoC) in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir last night, official sources said here today.

A jawan and a junior commissioned officer of the Pakistani army had entered deep inside the Indian territory, near the LoC in Nangi Tikri border outpost (BOP) to plant some landmines to target Indian troops patrolling the Poonch sector late last night, the sources said.

However, they hit a powerful landmine which exploded, killing both of them on the spot, the sources said, adding that after the explosion, the Indian troops rushed to the area and recovered two bodies.

Although, their identities have not been ascertained immediately. The sources said they belonged to 8-Baluch Regiment, manning the LoC on the Pakistan side.

The troops also recovered GP-3 weapons, a new series inducted by the Pakistani army in J and K militancy, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the police repulsed a militant attack on their camp while three persons were killed and two others wounded in separate militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, a report from Srinagar said.

Heavily-armed militants attacked a police camp at Sumbal in Baramula district last night. The policemen posted in the camp retaliated and a shootout between the two sides continued for about an hour, an official spokesman said here today.

However, no loss of life was reported on either side, he said.

Border Security Force personnel shot dead a militant at Azad Basti in the Natipora area of Srinagar today, he said.

Militants beheaded one person in his house at Dadsanbala in the Thana Mandi area of Rajouri last night.

The militants shot dead a person after dragging him out of his house at Bona-Dialgam in Anantnag district last night, he said.

The police apprehended a self-styled platoon commander of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen from the Gulab Bagh area of Nowgam in Srinagar today. His arrest led to the seizure of a universal machine gun, a magazine, 40 rounds, a grenade and 1 kg of explosives.

He said the security forces recovered a pistol and six magazines of AK assault rifle with 108 rounds from an orchard at Malapora in Badgam district yesterday.

Unidentified persons kidnapped an autodriver Mohammad Hussain from the Gopalapora area in Anantnag.

Panic gripped the Sarai Bala area, near here, this afternoon when militants threw a hand grenade towards a security force vehicle, injuring at least seven, including five CISF personnel and damaging a Maruti car.

People at Nowpora in the down town city took to the streets this afternoon and blocked traffic in protest against the death of Altaf Ahmad Ganai. Demonstrators alleged that Ganai was kidnapped by gunmen from his shop last evening and his body was handed over to his relatives by the police today.

However, an official spokesperson said Ganai was a militant and that he was shot dead by forces when he hurled a hand grenade on the security forces at Azad Basti Natipora this morning.

Army chief visits Rajouri dist
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, April 10 — The Chief of the Army, Gen V.P. Malik, today visited forward areas in Rajouri district where he met the troops guarding the Indo-Pak border and reviewed the security situation in the sensitive areas.

General Malik praised the jawans and officers for having carried out series of successful operations against the militants in the recent weeks. Senior Army Officers, including GOC-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt-Gen H.M. Khanna, and Corps Commander, Lt-Gen A.S. Khanna, briefed the Army Chief regarding the latest security environment in the Jammu region.

General Malik was informed about the recent successes the troops had in eliminating over 12 top militants, including several foreign mercenaries, in the Poonch-Rajouri belt.

The Army chief called upon the troops to follow the motto "we are to win" and ensure that human rights were respected while carrying out anti-insurgency operations. He emphasised the need for guarding the borders to foil any machinations of the anti-Indian forces.

He informed the troops that 1999 was the year of the jawan and "we have taken in hand measures to improve the facilities and working conditions of the soldiers at every place, including the transit camps." He added that measures were being taken to increase avenues of better education for the children of soldiers.

The Army chief also visited the headquarters of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at Batote and interacted with the officers and the jawans. He was briefed about the security situation in the troubled Doda district where the RR had been entrusted with the task of meeting the challenge posed by the militants. He was informed that during the past six months the situation in Doda district had witnessed marked improvement.

In the evening General Malik had a detailed discussion with the Governor, Mr G.C. Saxena. The two agreed that after patrolling had been intensified the rate of infiltration and arms smuggling had considerably dropped.

The Army chief is scheduled to visit other areas in the Northern-Command for reviewing the security scenario.

FM offers tax package to J&K
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, April 10 — The Union Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha today announced that Jammu and Kashmir would get a tax package on the pattern of one announced for the north-eastern states in view of militancy in the state.

Addressing a function organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, Mr Sinha urged people to benefit from the package. He also said the Centre would always come to the rescue of the state government in case of fiscal and other exigencies.

With a view to promoting tourism in the state, the union government would provide all facilities which were being extended to export houses in the country. For availing such facilities, travel and tour operators should apply to the Director-General of Foreign Trade, he said.

Responding to the state government's plea to provide counter-guarantees for hydroelectric power projects in the state. He said the Centre was ready to do so provided the state government put its house in order. He regretted that there was a section which was not accountable due to which society was facing many problems. For accountability in the power sector also, it was necessary to privatise transmission and distribution lines. He also expressed the hope that with this, power thefts would be prevented.

Denying that the financial problems in the state were due to the Centre's attitude, he said there were several others financial issues before the government.

Journalist bereaved
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, April 10 — Koushalya Devi (80), wife of veteran journalist, Mr B.P. Sharma, and mother of Mr S.P. Sharma, Special Correspondent with The Tribune, passed away here today after a brief illness.

She died of cardiac arrest.

A large number of people, including journalists, political leaders and intellectuals were present at the cremation in the afternoon.

Koushalya Devi was a social worker. She is survived by her husband and four sons. One of her sons is a Special Correspondent with the Times of India.