J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

7 militants, jawan killed in Kashmir
SRINAGAR, March 6 — Seven militants and a security forces jawan were killed in separate incidents of violence in Kashmir valley since yesterday, while an improvised explosives device planted by suspected militants exploded in Baramula district today.

Shah for tripartite talks on Kashmir
SRINAGAR, March 6 — The President of Awami National Conference, Mr G.M. Shah, has sought tripartite talks to "solve the Kashmir issue". Representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, should be the principal party in the talks, he emphasised.

7 militants, jawan killed in Kashmir
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, March 6 — Seven militants and a security forces jawan were killed in separate incidents of violence in Kashmir valley since yesterday, while an improvised explosives device planted by suspected militants exploded in Baramula district today.

Three militants and a security forces jawan were killed in an encounter at Kurhama near Ganderbal in Srinagar district today.

Two AK rifles, one pistol, 12 grenades, six AK magazines and a wireless set were found from the site of the encounter, the police said. Till the last reports came in the operation was going on.

Giving details of the incident, a police spokesman stated here this evening that a joint operation was conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the police and security forces in Kurhama village on the basis of a specific information today. Three militants were reported to have been killed so far.

Two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Aloosa, Bandipore in Baramula district last evening. They were identified as Abdul Ahad Khan, Battalion Commander and Arif Shah, Company Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen. Two AK rifles, a grenade launcher and eight AK magazines were found from the site of the encounter, the police here said.

One militant was killed and two security forces jawans were injured in Baramula district recently, according to a delayed report. A police spokesman said the security forces apprehended one suspect, Mushtaq Ali Khan of Braman Panzla in Baramula district on the intervening night of March 4 and 5. "During questioning he confessed that some foreign militants are hiding in the Sathwan forest area. While the security forces along with the said suspect were on way to the said hideout, an explosion took place resulting in the death of Mushtaq Ali and injuries to two security force jawans", the spokesman said here this evening.

One militant was killed in an encounter with the security forces at Devar, Lolab in Kupwara district yesterday. One wireless set was found from the deceased militant, the police said.

An IED planted by suspected militants exploded at Mugloona Crossing on the Baramula-Tangmarg road. There was no damage.

Shah for tripartite talks on Kashmir
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, March 6 — The President of Awami National Conference, Mr G.M. Shah, has sought tripartite talks to "solve the Kashmir issue". Representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, should be the principal party in the talks, he emphasised.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Shah blamed both Indian and Pakistani leadership for their respective stands on Kashmir. He claimed that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were the principal party. Mr Shah expressed concern over the continued killings in the valley. He said that the gun helped in "raising the issue that remained unresolved for 50 years, but it (gun) cannot solve the problem". He said that only negotiations would lead to a peaceful solution to the problem.

"Kashmir is not a border dispute but concerns the future of the people of entire Jammu and Kashmir", Mr Shah said in reply to questions. He blamed New Delhi for "misleading the Kashmiri leaders since 1947", adding that such an attitude has not solved the problem. The "ANC urges the leadership in India and Pakistan to show greater sagacity and maturity and address the problem. It has to be accepted that Kashmir issue concerns the people of Jammu and Kashmir and it cannot be addressed in isolation. That the people of Jammu and Kashmir are the prinicipal party to this burning problem has to be accepted by all concerned", Mr Shah said.

"Fifty years of bilateralism has not helped and any such exercise in future will also be futile. It is imperative that the issue is addressed with an open mind and a dialogue, involving true and accredited representatives of Jammu and Kashmir, should be held. The representatives must represent all regions of Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control, Mr Shah said.

The former Chief Minister expressed concern over the increasing defence budgets of India and Pakistan.

Efforts were on to "diminish the demographic structure" of the State. He sought a guarantee from the President of India for free elections in the state that would ensure a smooth governance "till the Kashmir issue is resolved".