Fire destroys govt offices
SRINAGAR, March 27 — A devastating fire swept through a three-storeyed building, housing state government offices and a shopping complex here last night destroying property worth several crores, an official spokesman said.

Security stepped up in valley
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, March 27 — To contain the activities of militants in the Gool and Arnas areas, which during the past over six months have registered an increase in strikes by the militants against the security forces and innocent people, the police set up has been revamped.

Two SP (Operations) have been posted in the area who would utilise the services of one battalion of the Armed police for flushing out insurgents. In addition to this eight Special Task Force pickets have been set up. To supervise the security arrangements and the settlement of the additional police forces the DGP, Mr Gurbachan Jagat, today spent several hours in the hilly region.

He told the police to launch anti-insurgency operations whenever they were required and ensure that the militants were not able to carry out selective killings forcing civilians to migrate to safer areas.

Meanwhile, official sources confirmed reports that large groups of the militants including foreign mercenaries, had sneaked into Jammu and Kashmir in recent weeks. These insurgents equipped with sophisticated weapons and bags of ammunition and explosives had crossed into Kashmir from across the Kupwara sector and into the Jammu region from across Poonch and Rajouri districts.

The sources said three groups of battle-hardened militants comprising more than 30 persons has entered into the Kashmir valley from across the Kupwara sector and about 75 insurgents has sneaked into the Jammu region from the Poonch and Rajouri border areas.

The security forces plan to carry out air surveillance in the hilly belts of Kupwara, Karnah and Uri sectors where reports indicated that militants had established their hideouts in dense forests. Since ground operations against the militants had not been favoured, the troops had been directed to undertake air surveillance and if militant hideouts were spotted they should be bombed. In case of ground operations the chances were weighed against the security forces because in that case the troops could be ambushed.

One such exercise of air surveillance was carried out in this Kupwara alpine forest belts two days ago. It was a test operation to find out if the militants were equipped to hit the helicopters.

Reports said field commanders had suggested to the higher authorities to give permission for straffing those areas which were known to be infested by militants. But neither the state government nor the Centre had okayed this plan as it could create complications at the international level.

However, the state government seems to be disturbed over the recent increase in the militant strikes against the security forces, including the police. Sources said the recent, armed attack on the convoy of DIG police, was part of the militants' plan to demoralise the police and convey to the DIG that they were opposed to his programme of organising functions for school students.

The government is upset over the way militants have resurfaced in areas which had been sanitised by the security forces two years ago. In this connection the government has received reports of resurfacing of militants in major areas of south Kashmir particularly in the mountain belt ranging between Pahalgam to Kokernag to Daksum and in the areas of surrounding Sopore town.

30,000 take part in anti-militancy rally
From Our Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, March 27 — Residents of Doda District came out in big numbers in protest against Pak-sponsored militancy on the eve of an anti-militancy and development rally held at Ghat village yesterday. The event was organised under the aegis of the Rashtriya Rifles.

As many as 30,000 persons from various villages participated in the rally and assured the district administration and security forces of their cooperation in stamping out militancy. District Development Commissioner Devinder Nargotra and other heads of department were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to broaden the horizon of the youth of Doda an 11-day bus trip was organised by the Rashtriya Rifles.

As many as 24 boys and 12 girls between the age group of 14 and 18 are participating.

They will be spreading the message of peace and brotherhood in six states of North India and will visit places of historical importance.

J&K Rifles Raising Day today
From Our Correspondent

SOMEWHERE IN THE WESTERN SECTOR: The 5th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (Suraj Gorkha) is celebrating its 150th Raising Day on March 28 and 29.

Suraj Gorkha was raised on April 13, 1849 by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the then ruler of Jammu and Kashmir at Bahu Fort, Jammu. The battalion carved a niche for itself during the 1947-48 J&K operations. It fought gallantly and was awarded the Battle Honour Jammu and Kashmir 1947-48.

The battalion took part in Operation Riddle during the 1965 war with Pakistan in the Western Sector where it managed to neutralise the Pakistani defences at Chawinda and later captured Alhar Railway Station in Sialkot sector. The chair of Station Master Alhar is one of the battalion's proud possessions in its quarterguard. During the period of 1991 to 1995 it was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and carried out a number of operations against militants and apprehended over 150 of them. It seized over 75 assorted weapons.Recently, the battalion was deployed in northeast for counter insurgency operations where it performed exceptionally well to earn 27 gallantry awards, while operating against Naga insurgents.

Lt Gen SS Grewal, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Adjutant General and the Colonel of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and Ladakh Scouts, is scheduled to attend the sesquicentenary celebrations of Suraj Gorkha along with Lt Col Harnam Singh, Military Cross, a veteran of Second World War, beside other decorated war veterans of the battalion.

The battalion is presently commanded by Col HS. Ahuja. The battalion also has a distinction of having a large number of serving officers, JCOs and other ranks presently in the unit, who have had their forefathers also serving the same unit.

The two-day function includes wreath laying ceremony at Shaheed Smarak, a sainik sammelan, family welfare programme where 11 widows will be honoured. Barakhana, pagal gymkhana and an exhibition volley ball match between serving and retired officers and JCOs will also be part of the function.

Various distinctions to the unit include opening of first ever drug de-addiction centre at Mon(Nagaland) for the local youth, recruitment of over 100 Naga youths in Indian Army and a trekking expedition in Dhauladhar ranges.

Post Independence, the Suraj Gorkha battalion has earned a total of 76 awards for its gallant actions and meritorious services including three Vir Chakras, one Shaurya Chakra, nine Sena Medals and Unit Citation by GOC-in-C Eastern Command.

Fire destroys govt offices

SRINAGAR, March 27 (PTI) — A devastating fire swept through a three-storeyed building, housing state government offices and a shopping complex here last night destroying property worth several crores, an official spokesman said.

Besides the offices of the Directorate of Industries and Commerce and Social Welfare, the entire shopping complex on the ground floor of the building located at the fashionable Residency Road were extensively damaged.

The fire originated in a room at around 2030 hours and soon engulfed the building but was prevented from spreading to nearby buildings having offices of several leading newspapers.

The fire was doused after four hours by fire-fighting units, the Director of Fire Services, Mr C.L. Koul, who personally supervised the operation, said.

He said most records and furniture in the building were gutted in the blaze.