J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

5 militants among 7 killed in valley
SRINAGAR, April 9— Five militants, two of them foreigners, were among at least seven persons killed, in separate incidents of militancy, while the security forces seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition during search operations in different areas of Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

Cheerful start to copter service
KATRA, April 9 — Large groups of pilgrims responded with cheers the introduction of helicopter services from this base camp to Sanjichat from today. The Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, inaugurated the helicopter services in the presence of the Governor, Mr G.C. Saxena, and the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Helicopter service between Jammu and the Vaishno Devi shrine
which was inaugurated by Minister of State for Civil Aviation
Chaman Lal Gupta at Katra on Sunday. — PTI

Curfew relaxed in Anantnag
SRINAGAR, April 9 — Curfew was today relaxed for three hours in Anantnag and Achabal towns of south Kashmir where it was clamped on Monday in the wake of tension following police firing on a procession in which eight persons were killed and 30 injured.

5 militants among 7 killed in valley
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, April 9— Five militants, two of them foreigners, were among at least seven persons killed, in separate incidents of militancy, while the security forces seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition during search operations in different areas of Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

Three persons — a militant, a security force jawan and a civilian — were killed in an encounter at Seer, Tral in Pulwama district of south Kashmir today. The police said that one AK rifle was recovered from the slain militant , identified as Mohammad Shaban, a Pakistan-trained militant. The civilian killed in the encounter was identified as Abdullah Khan. Three others, including a woman were injured in the exchange of fire between hiding militants and the security forces. The encounter ensued when the hiding militants opened fire on a search party. The search party had cordoned off the area on the receipt of a specific information, the police said.

Two foreign militants, Mohammad Habib Wasim and Abu Qasim were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Milsai-Patnazi in the Kishtwar area of Doda district in Jammu division last night. One AK rifle, two magazines, 20 rounds and other ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter, a police spokesman said this evening.

In another incident, two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Gulaba Chapar, Akhnoor in Jammu district yesterday. Two AK rifles, 3060 rounds and eight hand grenades were recovered from the site of the encounter.

The police neutralised two explosive devices planted in the Karan Nagar area of the city yesterday. The explosive devices had been left on a bicycle concealed in an electric stabiliser.

One suspected militant was apprehended by the security forces at Rakhpora in Anantnag district of south Kashmir yesterday. One pistol, a magazine with eight rounds and a grenade were recovered from his possession, the police said.

Cheerful start to copter service
Tribune News Service

KATRA, April 9 — Large groups of pilgrims responded with cheers the introduction of helicopter services from this base camp to Sanjichat from today. The Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, inaugurated the helicopter services in the presence of the Governor, Mr G.C. Saxena, and the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Mr Saxena, Dr Abdullah and Professor Gupta were the first dignitaries to fly from this base camp to Sanjichat and visited the shrine.

The Pawan Hans Corporation has pressed into service three helicopters and 15 sorties will operate between Katra and Sanjichat. Each helicopter can carry 12 passengers at a time and the fare fixed is Rs 2,000 from Katra to Sanjichat and Rs 5,000 from Jammu to Katra per passenger.

Professor Gupta said in case there was demand the number of sorties would be increased on both the routes. He said the helicopter services would help aged, infirm and NRIs who either can’t or don’t have inclination to visit the shrine on foot.

The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, said that Pakistan could not "afford" India bashing for a long time and hoped peace would be restored in the State. He said that since Pakistan’s economy was in "shambles" Islamabad was unlikely to sustain "hostility with neighbours." He said friendship with India would prove beneficial for Pakistan and he hoped that people would cooperate with the security forces in foiling Pak designs to destabilise peace in Jammu and Kashmir which otherwise had potential for attracting tourists from all over the world.

He wanted Professor Gupta to introduce similar helicopter services to far-flung areas like Gurez, Tangdhar, Machel, Marwah and Wadwhan.

In his address Professor Gupta said the number of helicopters would be increased if the demand shot up. He said that it would take 20 minutes from Jammu to Sanjichat for the pilgrims. From Katra the pilgrims could be in Sanjichat within five minutes and those flying to the shrine will be able to have darshan on priority basis.

He praised the services of the Pawan Hans Corporation and said its sound management system had allowed it to earn over Rs 70 crore as profit last year. He said the corporation had been running copter services in various states. The Chairman and Managing Director, Pawan Hans Helicopter Services, Mr Ravinder Gupta, explained the activities of his corporation.

No pre-1953 status to J&K: BJP
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, April 9 — The euphoria in the National Conference over the recent statement of the Union Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, in which he has stated that talks on the issue of restoration of pre-1953 constitutional status to Jammu and Kashmir could be held within the ambit of the Constitution had an early end when the General Secretary of the BJP, Mr Narinder Modi, announced here today that there would be "no going back" from the current constitutional set-up.

Mr Modi told newsmen that Mr Advani’s statement was misinterpreted. He said talks with Hurriyat leaders or militants or any other political group could be held within the framework of the Constitution. He said the National Conference demand for securing greater autonomy was an "old ploy" to win back the support of the people.

His contention was that whenever the National Conference felt alienated it raised the slogan of restoration of greater autonomy. He said there was no question of granting to the state the pre-1953 constitutional status. Asked to comment on the Autonomy Committee report submitted the Centre he said "papers keep on coming and going" but this should not be construed that the Centre was willing to accept the demand for the restoration of greater autonomy.

Asked whether the Centre had plans to impose President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir Mr Modi said, "It is not on the agenda this time." He said what was required was adequate steps to end militancy in the state and any step that could finish militancy would be taken.

Curfew relaxed in Anantnag

SRINAGAR, April 9 (PTI) — Curfew was today relaxed for three hours in Anantnag and Achabal towns of south Kashmir where it was clamped on Monday in the wake of tension following police firing on a procession in which eight persons were killed and 30 injured.

An official spokesman said the curfew relaxation period from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. in Achabal and 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in Anantnag passed off peacefully.

Meanwhile, curfew was lifted in Bijbehara, Deeru, Mattan, Khanabal and adjoining areas yesterday.