 |
| Thursday, February 10, 2000, Chandigarh, India  
|
Pak may engineer violence |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31 students return after Delhi
tour KHANNABAL, Feb 9 — Over 45 militants, most of them foreigners belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba, have been killed in south Kashmir during encounters with the security forces in January this year. Kar for talks with all parties JAMMU, Feb 9 — Former PCC President, Mr Ghulam Rasool Kar, has advocated the need for holding talks with all detained leaders, including those belonging to the Hurriyat Conference for ending the ongoing turmoil in the State. Telecom services hit in Doda JAMMU, Feb 9 — Telecommunication services in the troubled Doda district were paralysed today after one telecom official, Prem Bhadur, was allegedly beaten up by the police after he refused to set the telecom system right last evening.
|
Pak may engineer violence JAMMU, Feb 9 — To step up militancy-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir more than 800 battle hardened militants have been brought close to the border across Uri, Kupwara, Poonch, Rajouri, R.S. Pora and Samba for being pushed into the state. Official reports said that for the first time in 10 years' of insurgency Pakistani agencies have booked more than 200 Sudanese who too have been brought into the camps for entry into Jammu and Kashmir. Others who have been kept ready for infiltration are from Afghanistan, more than 400, Pakistan and occupied Kashmir. These rebels have been divided into groups and each group has five to 20 Kashmiri militants who would act as guides once they sneak into Jammu and Kashmir. According to these reports, the militants have been directed to kick up bigger subversive violence in different parts of the state not only by attacking soft targets but also by blowing up vital Defence and Government installations and by eliminating political leaders. The plan has been formulated recently so that a month before US President Bill Clinton, arrived in Delhi the state of Jammu and Kashmir would be in deep turmoil thereby focusing the attention of Mr Clinton in order to secure his intervention in resolving the Kashmir issue. Already top transborder smugglers have been given specific instructions to explore the possibility of using most unconventional routes for infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir. A series of meetings between senior Pakistani army and ISI officers and the transborder smugglers have been held in recent days to organise infiltration without causing any harm to the intruders at the hands of the Indian security forces. In fact the agencies across the border want to convince the American President that people in Jammu and Kashmir are not in favour of remaining with India and hence they had taken to the gun to force India to leave the state. This impression the Pakistani agencies want to create through large scale violence. Reports with the government and intelligence agencies reveal that Pakistani troops and Rangers too have been directed to foment border trouble which could create a situation where the US government will have no alternative but to mediate between New Delhi and Islamabad over the Kashmir issue. This is what Pakistan is precisely aiming at. It is in this context that the Army Chief Gen V.P. Malik, paid a two-day visit to Jammu and visited border areas, especially the Pallanwalla sector which has been the scene of fierce encounters between the two sides in recent months. Accompanied by the Army Commander Lt-Gen H.M. Khanna, and the Corps Commander, Lt-Gen A.M. Khanna, the Army Chief reviewed the border situation at Pallanwalla and urged the troops to remain vigilant to check infiltration and foil Pakistan's mischief. Gen Malik had detailed discussion with senior officers at Nagrota Corps headquarters where Gen Khanna explained to him the latest security situation vis-a-vis the border in Poonch, Rajouri and on the International Border. The Army Chief was told that infiltrators had started concentrating on the International Border after they felt that intrusion from across Poonch and Rajouri had become difficult because of the terrain and strict vigil. Gen Malik suggested to the Army officers to remain alert to foil possible mischief from Pakistan which had brought more forces and militants close to the border. Gen Malik also had a
detailed discussion with Governor G.C. Saxena, before
flying back to Delhi today. The Governor also wanted the
troops to improve border management so as to reduce
further the rate of infiltration. The two agreed that
there was need for security pickets and camps against
storming tactics adopted by men of the suicide squads who
actually were being "drugged" before carrying
out operations. Army authorities are of the firm opinion
that the introduction of "Fidayeen" in the
proxy war was simply to gain publicity otherwise it has
been seen that these Fidayeen were simply the beginners
who under the influence of drugs operated to kill and get
killed. |
4 killed in landmine blast SRINAGAR, Feb 9 — At least seven persons including three foreign militants, were killed in separate incidents across the valley since yesterday. Four persons, three according to the police, were killed when a landmine explosion took place in Tral market in the Pulwama district of south Kashmir this afternoon. The landmine, planted by suspected militants, exploded at about 3.10 p.m. resulting in the on-the-spot death of three pedestrians. Three others were injured and have been shifted to a hospital here. Later reports said that one of the seriously injured succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The IED planted by suspected militants missed the target, reports said. A security vehicle has passed the spot and within seconds the landmine exploded, leading to the death of at least four persons. Those killed included Abdul Gani Ganai, Riyaz Ahmad Rather and Ghulam Hassan Sheikh. Three militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Boniyar near Uri in Baramula district of north Kashmir. The house of one Mohammad Maqbool Sheikh, wherefrom they were firing at the security forces, was also gutted in the exchange of fire between the militants and the security forces. Two AK rifles and arms and ammunition were recovered from the site. An official spokesman said security forces on a tip-off, cordoned off Ajora village, 25 km inside the Line of Control in Uri sector late last night to nab militants. When the troops were sealing the area, they were fired upon by militants hiding in a house. The troops immediately retaliated and the fierce clash continued till this morning. Troops also fired mortars towards the area from where militants were hurling grenades and firing at them. Militants made a bid on the life of a senior leader Bashir Khan of counter-insurgency Ikhwan outfit in Baramula district of north Kashmir since last night. JAMMU: A hideout of militants was smashed and a big cache of arms and ammunition seized in Bhaderwah town of Doda district in Jammu division, an official spokesman said here on Wednesday. On a tip-off, security forces conducted a search operation in Bhaderwah town on Tuesday and smashed the hideout of militants belonging to the Harkat-ul-Jehad-Islami outfit and seized a large quantity of explosives and rations from it. The recoveries included
eight improvised explosive devices, eight electronic
circuits, 107 rounds of AK-type, 21 electronic
detonators, 200 kg of flour, 150 kg of rice, 50 kg of dry
beans, 10 kg of almonds and tea and 20 blankets. |
Displaced persons’ body
threatens stir JAMMU, Feb 9 — The Jammu and Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee, an organisation of displaced families from Pakistan since 1947, has threatened to launch an agitation if the central and the State Governments further delayed the implementation of a specific programme for their rehabilitation. This decision was taken at an emergency meeting held here recently, which was presided over by Mr Nand Lal. A large number of displaced people besides several leaders, including the veteran freedom fighter, Mr Sant Singh Teg, attended the meeting. A resolution was adopted in which the action committee expressed its shock over the inordinate delay on the part of the State and the Central Governments in rehabilitating the displaced persons. The resolution said even after the passage of 52 years "we cannot vote for the assembly elections. We have no proprietary rights on land allotted to us years ago. Our children cannot get admission in professional colleges nor can seek state Government employment." The action committee referred to what is called "62-Parliamentary Report which had recommended measures for the proper rehabilitation of the Pak-displaced families. These recommendations had been made by a team of members of the Rajya Sabha since 1980 these recommendations have not been implemented. The resolution said the Action Committee had knocked the doors of the Human Rights Commission which had recommended the payment of Rs 50,000 to each displaced family and Rs 10,500 in lieu of deficient land. These recommendations too had been dishonoured and the case continued to "pile dust" in the Union Home Ministry. The Committee said there
was no other alternative for the "Sharnarthis,"
but to launch an agitation. |
Muslims in India "live with dignity", says Farooq JAMMU, Feb 9 (PTI) — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said that Muslims in India were leading a dignified life and were not being persecuted in anyway. Dispelling apprehensions of an Iranian press delegation which called on him yesterday, Dr Abdullah said "in India everybody enjoys religious freedom and this is the real strength of this great nation." Admitting that the state was confronted with unemployment, the Chief Minister said educated youths were keen for a government placement and added "it was not possible to accommodate all of them in the government sector." He said the only solution to the mounting problem was rapid industrialisation as the private sector had the potential of generating large-scale employment. Dr Abdullah said militancy from across the border had adversely affected the tourism sector in the state, and hoped that inflow of tourists from within and outside the country, particularly from Iran, will help in economic uplift of the people. He said the report of the autonomy committee seeking greater autonomy to the state within the Constitution was now with the Centre for discussion. He said autonomy will further strengthen the ties of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. He added that talks
between India and Pakistan were imperative for lasting
peace in the Indian sub-continent. |
31
students
return after Delhi tour KHANNABAL, Feb 9 — Over 45 militants, most of them foreigners belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba, have been killed in south Kashmir during encounters with the security forces in January this year. Talking to newsmen, Brig Deepak Bajaj, Commander of the Sector 1 RR, said here this afternoon, that militancy in the south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama and Budgam was on the "lower ebb". He claimed there was an increase in the number of foreign militants operating in south Kashmir, adding that hardly any local recruitment was being made by the militants. On the state of militancy in the area following "suicide attacks" by militants at the 1RR Sector headquarters on January 12 last, Brig Bajaj claimed that the "morale of the militants" had gone down. "The attack has not affected the morale of the security forces... militants are on the run", he further claimed in reply to questions. Three militants involved in the attack and two Army men, including a Major, were killed in the attack by militants on the 1 RR Sector headquarters. Earlier, Brig Bajaj addressed a group of 31 students from three different schools in Anantnag, who had returned after completion of nearly three-week tour outside the state. The tour, Project Jyoti-2000, was jointly organised by the Srinagar-based 15 corps headquarters and Jammu and Kashmir Bank. After a stay of about 12 days in Delhi, the 31 students of Government Boys High School Aishmuqan, Sir Syed Memorial High School, Anantnag, and Iqra Public School, Khundroo, and four teachers reached here via Ambala and Jammu. Besides the National Capital city, the children were given an opportunity to witness the Republic Day parade and the Prime Minister’s NCC rally. The students interacted with children from different states. The children visited places of historical importance in Delhi like the Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Rajghat, Humayun Tomb, Lotus Temple, Science Museum and the Air Force Museum. They were also taken on a tour to Rashtrapati Bhavan, Chandni Chowk, Palika Bazar, Lodhi Gardens, Appu Ghar and for a movie at the Connaught Place in Delhi. The children were also taken on a visit to the famous Jama Masjid at Delhi and afforded an opportunity to offer Namaz at the mosque. While the transport for
the students was provided by 15 corps headquarters, Jammu
and Kashmir Bank provided track suits, shoes, socks and
caps and money for all participants. The students
returned here today. The parents of some of them were
also invited to a meeting held here in the afternoon. |
Kar for talks with all parties JAMMU, Feb 9 — Former PCC President, Mr Ghulam Rasool Kar, has advocated the need for holding talks with all detained leaders, including those belonging to the Hurriyat Conference for ending the ongoing turmoil in the State. He told newsmen here today the Hurriyat Conference leaders be given a chance to join the national mainstream which was possible if the Government agreed to release them and hold talks with them. He also urged the militants to shun violence because gun was no solution to the current turmoil. Referring to the demand of the National Conference for restoring to the State greater autonomy Mr Kar said, first of all, the issue needed to be discussed with all political parties and people’s representatives of all the three regions. He was opposed to the unilateral decision of the ruling National Conference for securing greater autonomy. He criticised the Farooq
Abdulla-led Government for its misgovernance. He said
inflation, corruption and denial of basic amenities to
the people in the State had become the main feature of
the three-year rule of the National Conference. He also
demanded that the central loan amounting to Rs 1275 crore
be waived as the yearly interest paid on it upsets the
State’s budget proposals.
Telecom services hit in Doda JAMMU, Feb 9 — Telecommunication services in the troubled Doda district were paralysed today after one telecom official, Prem Bhadur, was allegedly beaten up by the police after he refused to set the telecom system right last evening. Senior Telecom authorities met the Home Commissioner and lodged a complaint and the State Government has ordered a probe. Reports said that the
telecom official had been dragged to the police station
at Bhaderwah where he was beaten up and later admitted to
hospital after he did not immediately rectified the fault
in the telephone line. This incident sparked off strike
by telecom officials in the district with the result
telephone services remained paralysed. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | In Spotlight | 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 119 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
