Raj Bhavan, DD Kendra's security beefed up
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Nov 6 — Following reports that Pakistan trained militants were planning to target vital Government installations in Jammu and Kashmir security arrangements were being further tightened in and around Raj Bhavan, Doordarshan Kendras, Radio station, civil secretariat complexes in Jammu and Srinagar.

On the basis of reports from across the border and confession made by several militants during interrogation official sources said the important Government buildings and institutions had come under serious threat from the rebels, especially from the foreign mercenaries who had mastered the technique of firing rockets through launchers and grenades through rifles.

It is on the basis of these reports that the Army and the BSF, guarding the Raj Bhavan complexes in Srinagar and Jammu, have been directed to plug any loophole in the security bandobast so that militants were not in a position to launch rocket attack. The security agencies have been asked to lay a security ring right from the world famous spring, Chashme Shahi on the banks of the Dal Lake to monitor movement of vehicles and pedestrians in order to prevent militants from carrying out an armed attack on the Raj Bhavan. No doubt the Government would remain in Jammu for the next six months, in connection with the Durbar move, the security agencies have been directed not to allow rebels a chance to blow up the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar.

Similar instructions have been given to the security agencies as far as safety of radio stations and Doordarshan kendras is concerned. In addition to this senior Government functionaries have favoured enhancing deployment of security forces at public places including bus stands and railway station in Jammu and the railway track between Jammu and Samba. The rail track between Jammu and Samba has been already declared as bomb prone area and it was because of paucity of security forces that adequate security bandobast has not been developed on the track.

Informed sources said that Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, soon after his arrival in Delhi is expected to take up the security-related matters and the financial problem with the central leaders including Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee. The Chief Minister had broached these two issues with the Union leaders before his department for New York three weeks ago. He was stated to have been assured to examine the matters after his return to Delhi.

During his absence militancy-related violence witnessed a sharp rise and the recent armed attack on the Defence Ministry's Public Relation's Office in Badamibagh cantonment had gripped the state Government by panic on the plea that when the Army could not defend its office from the attack the civilians had no reason to feel relaxed.

The state Government has already requested the Centre to send at least 20 battalions of paramilitary forces for tackling the security-related matters. The Centre had not obliged on the ground that its hands were tight because of the Lok Sabha poll process. Now that the poll process was over the state Government has renewed its request along with the demand for release of the two more instalments of the Rs. 190 crore project for modernisation of the police.

Police sources said that the situation in Srinagar and other areas in the Kashmir valley had registered disturbing trends with rebels calling the shot as per their choice. And this phenomenon had developed after security bunkers had been removed from several areas around the summer capital along with chance to the militants to sneak into the city from Budgam and from Ganderbal areas. The sources said that reviving these bunkers and making a provision for better weapons, communication system for the police were essential for pushing militants out of the cities and towns.

Meanwhile, the Army authorities too are planning their strategy to prevent militants from sneaking into the Army units and camps for carrying out gun and grenade attacks. Reliable sources said that Public Relations offices in the state, under the command of the Defence Ministry are to be provided with security cover. Six months ago the Director Public Relations Ministry of Defence had written a letter to the authorities concerned in Northern Command and other sectors that all Public Relations Offices of the Ministry be provided with security guards. This letter had been send after three employees of the PR wing in Manipur had been kidnapped by the insurgents while they were distributing PR handouts among the newsmen. Though they were let off after three days the Director PR, Ministry of Defence, had sought adequate security cover for his offices in troubled areas. Had this suggestion been accepted Major P. Purushottam would not have been killed in the daring armed intrusion into his office by the militants in cantonment area in Srinagar. Meanwhile, President, Nari Kalyan Samiti, Jammu, Mrs Vijay Rajya Pathania has demanded better security arrangements on this side of the International Border from Samba to Kathua. In a statement issued here today she has said that Pak-trained militants have carved out infiltration routes from across the international border and in case effective measures were not taken the entire border belt would become unsafe.

Jawan, 2 cops among 7 killed in valley

SRINAGAR, Nov 6 (PTI) — Seven persons, including an Army jawan and two policemen, were killed and four injured while the chief of Jammu and Kashmir Ikhwan, a counter-insurgent group, escaped a bid on his life in separate incidents in the state since last evening, an official spokesman said here today.

Militants' plan to trigger two bombs in the valley were thwarted by the police and the Army, the spokesman said and added two suspected ultras were arrested during the period.

Ikhwan chief Sheikh Tahir Ahmed’s vehicle came under fire by militants at Anantnag Bazaar in South Kashmir today causing serious injuries to him. Sheikh was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, the spokesman added.

Heavily-armed militants entered a house at Sangaldan near Qazigund in Anantnag district yesterday and shot dead Riyaz Ahmad Khanday, a jawan of 9 Rashtriya Rifles, he said.

Panic gripped Pirbagh-Hyderpora area of the city today when a grenade was found lying outside a local mosque. The bomb disposal squad neutralised the grenade.

Militants’ plan to trigger an improvised-explosive device (IED) yesterday was foiled by Army troops in Anantnag, the spokesman added.

The spokesman said two police personnel and a militant were killed in an encounter at Wagoora-Kreeri in Baramula district yesterday.

He said a militant and a civilian were killed and another ultra injured in a gun-battle between the Jammu and Kashmir police and militants at Sheeri-Chauhan near Mandi in Poonch district yesterday.

The injured militant was later arrested by the police. Two AK rifles, four grenades, two wireless sets and some rounds of ammunition were recovered from the encounter site.

A three-wheeler driver, Tahir Ahmed, was shot dead by militants at Bahavuddin Sahib in downtown Srinagar today.

Militants also shot at and injured a surrendered militant, Riyaz Ahmad Kaul alias Jalla, at Fatehkadal in Srinagar last evening.

A militant belonging to the banned Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was arrested during search operation at Yaripora-Kulgam in Anantnag district yesterday.

IFFCO adopts border village
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6 — The Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO) has adopted a backward border village, Narainpur, near Barnoti in Kathua for five years to undertake various development activities.

At a function held here, the District Development Commissioner, Mr Chaman Lal hailed IFFCO for adopting the village and appealed NGOs and other voluntary agencies to contribute towards the welfare of the masses. He also launched a total literacy campaign in the village on the occasion.

Mr Swatanter Sharma, District Manager, IFFCO, farmers would be taken to various agricultural universities in and outside the state. Timely supply of fertilisers and quality seeds would also be ensured.

Meanwhile, over 235 kanals of agricultural land in 134 border villages of Bishanah, R.s. Pura, Samba and Akhnoor tehsils of Jammu district could not be cultivated during this year due to unprovoked firing from across the border.

According to official sources, 19,966 families of these villages have migrated due to firing and have not returned even though the state government has given them an assurance of providing transportation facilities, seeds and chemical fertilisers.