J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Three Pak intruders killed
SRINAGAR, Jan 9 — Three Pakistani intruders and a foreign mercenary of Lashker-e-Toiba were among 10 persons killed as the security forces frustrated a Pakistani attempt to push armed ultras into Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said today.

Cong leaders blame NC for fiscal crisis
JAMMU, Jan 9 — The state unit of the Congress is up in arms against the state government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah for its failure to resolve the fiscal crisis and contain the activities of the militants. The Congress leaders have blamed both the NDA government at the Centre and the ruling National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir for the dismal state of affairs in the state.

Bonhomie marks Id in J & K
JAMMU, Jan 9 — Despite inclement weather, including mild showers, in Srinagar, Id-ul-fitr was celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir today with gaiety. People offered prayers at several mosques and shrines, including the historic Jama Masjid.

Three Pak intruders killed

SRINAGAR, Jan 9 (PTI) — Three Pakistani intruders and a foreign mercenary of Lashker-e-Toiba were among 10 persons killed as the security forces frustrated a Pakistani attempt to push armed ultras into Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said today.

Security personnel also smashed militant hideouts and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in the state during the period.

An armed confrontration took place with heavily armed militants after the security forces ambushed the ultras near the Line of Control inside the Indian territory today. Three Pakistani intruders were killed in the encounter.

The spokesman said the militants were trying to sneak into India from occupied Kashmir through the R.S. Pora sector under the cover of darkness. The search for the encounter site led to the recovery of 56 kg RDX, three rocket projectile guns and four grenades.

The ultras were pushed into the Indian territory by Pakistani troops with a directive to join active for carrying out subversive activities in the valley.

In another incident, a Lashkar militant was killed in an encounter at Khalbal Dhar in Bhangla area of Doda district last night. A pistol and a wireless set were seized from him.

Two persons were killed when militants fired on them at Lahai-Malhar village of Basohli in Kathua district. The motive behind the killing was not known.

Sabzar Ahmad Lone, returning after Id prayers, was shot dead by unidentified militants at Ashtal in Kulgam area of Anantnag district today. Militants also gunned down Ghulam Qadir and his daughter-in-law in their house at Kullar in Pahalgam area.

The body of an unidentified person was found in Khirnar, Kupwara, today.

Militants shot at and injured a policeman, Mohammad Shafi, inside a mosque at Aroo in Kulgam area of Anantnag district.

The security forces smashed two militant hideouts during search operations at Kalaroos forest and Cherkote forest in Kupwara district.

A big cache of arms and ammunition, including a machine gun, a magazine with 750 rounds, a solar missile, two 107-mm rocket heads, 3 kg of RDX, 15 rocket boosters, a remote controlled device, 25 detonators, 61 grenades and four magazines with 90 rounds were seized.

The security forces recovered three crude bombs, a carbine silencer, 381 rounds, a combat dress and blankets from another militant hideout near Pattan-Sunderbani in Rajouri district yesterday.

JAMMU: An Imam of a mosque was injured in Pakistani shelling in Sawjian area of Poonch district on Sunday.

The Imam received splinter injuries when the Pakistani troops fired shells on a police post in the vicinity of the local Jama Masjid on Saturday.

Thirtynine Bangladeshis were apprehended from the Baspur-Banga and Dharampur areas of the R.S. Pora sector while trying to cross over to Pakistan.

Cong leaders blame NC for fiscal crisis
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 9 — The state unit of the Congress is up in arms against the state government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah for its failure to resolve the fiscal crisis and contain the activities of the militants. The Congress leaders have blamed both the NDA government at the Centre and the ruling National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir for the dismal state of affairs in the state.

Two Congress leaders Mr Ashok Sharma, MLA and chief whip of the party in the state assembly, and Mr Raman Bhalla, alleged while talking to newsmen here today that the state government had not only missused central funds but also diverted a major portion of the funds from the plan sector to the non-plan sector.

Mr Bhalla also alleged that the cash crunch was the result of the state government having diverted over Rs 200 crore to a private firm entrusted with the task of constructing the Bhagliar power project. He said the reason for diverting the funds was the promise the firm had made to bigwigs regarding kickbacks.

Mr Sharma referred to the 20-day strike by the government employees which had not only paralysed the work in offices, the Civil Secretariat, educational institutions but also in the hospitals.

The two leaders announced the Congress' support to the demands of the employees and said that their demand for the release of wage-hike arrears was genuine.

They said during the past two years of the National Conference-rule, the security scenario had deteriorated and neither the Chief Minister nor his ministerial colleagues ever bothered to interact with people for building public opinion against the separatists and the militants.

Mr Bhalla said either an alternative should be found to Dr Abdullah or Governor's rule should be imposed in the state without dissolving the state assembly.

Bonhomie marks Id in J & K
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 9 — Despite inclement weather, including mild showers, in Srinagar, Id-ul-fitr was celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir today with gaiety. People offered prayers at several mosques and shrines, including the historic Jama Masjid.

As the prayers ended, people sought Allah's grace to restore peace in the state. Showers and fog forced many to remain indoors.

Non-Muslims visited the houses of their Muslim brethren for Id greetings. Several ministers and legislators were away to Kashmir for celebrating the occasion.

Reports of Id celebrations were received from several district headquarters, including Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara, Budgam, Anantnag and Pulwama.