Two securitymen die in blast

SRINAGAR, June 12 (PTI, UNI) — Two security personnel and a civilian were killed and nine others, including a traffic policeman, wounded as militants exploded mines and bombs while a militant was killed in a gunbattle and another apprehended in the Kashmir valley today.

Security forces recovered a huge quantity of explosives and ammunition during raids on militant hideouts in the valley since last evening, an official spokesman said here today.

He said two security personnel were killed and the vehicle in which they were travelling was damaged when it ran over a mine planted by militants on the Puthshahi-Doniwari road in frontier district of Kupwara, 100 km from here today.

Nine persons, including a traffic police constable, were injured when militants exploded a grenade at Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar today, he said.

He said one person was killed when militants blasted his house in Poonch last evening.

A militant was killed when security forces returned the fire after being attacked by militants during search operations at Chukan Behak in Kupwara district today, he said, adding one AK rifle, a wireless set and Pakistan currency worth Rs 32 was recovered from his possession.

Security forces raided militant hideouts at various places in Kupwara and Doda districts and seized 14 rocket projectile guns with five boosters, 10 IEDs, two anti-tank mines, three anti-personnel mines, 12 hand grenades, six AK magazines with 1170 rounds of ammunition, 360 metres of cordex, 45 detonators and a wireless set, he said.

He said a militant surrendered with one rifle, five grenades and as many magazines at Theelee village last evening, adds UNI.

During overnight operations, security forces captured one militant and seized five anti-tank mines, nine rockets, 10 IEDs, five rockets with boosters, 45 detonators, 12 grenades and about 2 kg of explosives in the valley, he added.

Sonia visits injured jawans
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, June 13: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday visited Army Hospital here and met about 40 Army personnel injured in action in the Kargil sector.

Mrs Sonia Gandhi about spent an hour in the hospital and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

She also presented dry fruits and shawls to each of the injured.

Mrs Sonia Gandhi was accompanied by senior Congress leaders like Mr Taj Mohiuddin and Ms Rani Blowria of the women's wing of the party from Jammu.

This was her first visit to the state after trouble started in Kargil about a month ago. She had also visited Ahgam village in Pulwama in April last year after a three-day-long gunbattle between the Army and militants.

More than 50 houses were damaged in the encounter. Mrs Sonia Gandhi had offered an amount of Rs 10 lakh for the rehabilitation of the villagers.

Meanwhile, a party delegation led by the former Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today visited Kargil and Leh.

JAMMU: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday described as "deplorable" the intrusion by Pak troops and infiltrators in the Kargil-Dras belt.

She denounced the way the Pakistani troops and infiltrators had violated the sanctity of the Line of Control in the Kargil sector.

Mrs Sonia Gandhi told reporters on her arrival at Udhampur today that after visiting soldiers wounded in Kargil action in the military hospital, she could feel that their morale was high. Many of the injured wanted to go back and fight the infiltrators after being discharged from the hospital, she said.

The Congress President talked to 65 soldiers undergoing treatment in the military hospital and distributed a shawl and a packet of dry fruits each to the soldiers.

Asked about her reaction to the Foreign Minister-level talks in Delhi, she said: "I cannot say anything. We are not in the government".

Earlier, several Congress leaders gathered at the airport to welcome her. Although she discussed the Congress affairs and the political situation in the state with her party colleagues, she confined her activities to meeting the wounded soldiers.

Sources said although she had expressed her desire to visit the Kargil-Dras belt, she was advised to drop her plan because of security reasons.

People for Animals Jammu chapter begins work
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, June 12 — "People for Animal (PFA), Jammu chapter" has started functioning in Jammu to protect animals and prevent cruelty to them. This was disclosed by Dr Satinder Singh, Head of the Jammu chapter at a function held here yesterday.

Mr K.B. Jandial, Administrator, Jammu Municipality was the chief guest.

The Jammu chapter of PFA has been approved by Mrs Menka Gandhi, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

The Society is working for the welfare of the old, sick and stray animals. Schemes are being launched in Jammu to educate people on cruelty against the innocent creatures of the nature.

The society demanded ban on hunting, killing of stray dogs, banning of show business of animals and allotment of land for construction of cattle sheds. The society will also organise camps to administer anti-rabies vaccines to stray dogs and launch campaign for the sterilisation of stray dogs.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Jandial said that municipality had already launched a campaign for minimising the use of polythene bags. He said that people should come forward and avoid using polythene bags which are most un-hygienic for human beings as well as animals.

Earlier, Mr S. Sahni, patron, PFA appealed to the people to associates themselves with the movement and save rare species of animals which were being eliminated at the hands of the cruel persons. He suggested to institute a student wing of the PFA in MIER.

Dr Kulwant Singh, a veterinarian also addressed the function and stressed the need for practicals so that people should realised and join the society and help minimising cruelty to animals.

Meeting on bettering transport held
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, June 12 — To steamline the transport system in urban as well as in rural areas of Jammu province, a joint meeting of the Legislators, officers of various departments and the representatives of different transport unions was held under the chairmanship of the Transport Minister, Mr E.A. Kitchloo, here yesterday.

The meeting discussed problems of the transporters and general public relating to the renewal of passenger tax, extension of route permit, control the over loading besides curbing the menace of using tape recorders in buses, mini buses and matadors, overloading, improvement and upgradation of national highway and other roads, removal of encroachments from road side and playing of passengers vehicles without permission and construction of a new bus stand.

Referring to the demand for making the Lakhanpur to Katra road in four lanes, the Transport Minister apprised that the proposal in this regard has already been submitted to the Union government. On the demand of MLA Kathua and Hiranagar for deploying more buses in border areas, Mr Kitchloo asked the authorities concerned to solve the problems with the consultation of transporters. It was also decided that all super express buses will have a stop at Hatli More, Kathua for the facilities of the passengers of the area.

The Regional Transport Officer, Jammu apprised the meeting that for the identification of buses of different routes, special colours would be allotted for the convenience of people.

The Transport Minister impressed upon the authorities to ensure regular bus service for the people living in rural and far-flung areas.