J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Residents carry a grenade victim to hospital after
a blast in Kashmir on Saturday. Reuter photo

Seven pedestrians hurt in blast
SRINAGAR, June 10 — Six militants were killed and at least seven pedestrians injured in separate incidents in north Kashmir since yesterday, while militants attacked the residence of an activist of the ruling National Conference here last night.

Romeo Force gives chase to militants
JAMMU, June 10 — The security forces operating in Poonch and Rajouri sectors have intensified their anti-insurgency operations for flushing out militants who have established fortified hideouts in several belts of the border belt.

Starry launch of Kashir channel
SRINAGAR, June 10 — A mega cultural show by a galaxy of Bollywood stars with an opening by Kashmiri folk compositions, marked the formal launch of DD Kashir channel of Doordarshan here yesterday.

Security steps for Amarnath yatra reviewed
JAMMU, June 10 — A high-level meeting under the Chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, yesterday reviewed security arrangements and other facilities for the smooth conduct of Amarnath yatra.

Seven pedestrians hurt in blast
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, June 10 — Six militants were killed and at least seven pedestrians injured in separate incidents in north Kashmir since yesterday, while militants attacked the residence of an activist of the ruling National Conference here last night.

According to the police spokesman, four militants, including a self-styled divisional commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Dardpora, Lolap in Kupwara district yesterday. One of those killed has been identified as Mohammad Akbar Shah, alias Manta Peer, of Lalpur, who is stated to be the divisional commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen. However, a defence spokesman identified Manta Peer as launch commander of the outfit. Two others have been identified as Chotta Shafi and Mohammad Ramzan of Lalpur. The fourth charred body was beyond recognition, the police said. Three AK rifles, a wireless set, a hand grenade and one pouch were seized from the site of the encounter, the police said. The house of Ghulam Rasool Tantray, where the militants were hiding, was gutted in the exchange of fire between the militants and the security forces.

Two more militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Nathipora, Sopore, in Baramula district yesterday.

At least seven pedestrians were injured when militants hurled a grenade at a bus stand in Bandipora market of Baramula district at 1.30 p.m. today. The police said the grenade was targetted at a patrol party of the security forces, which missed the target and exploded on the road.

An encounter took place between militants and the security forces at Kalaroos in Kupwara district today. The police said the security forces raided a militant hideout on the basis of specific information. The troops were fired upon by the hiding militants while the troops retaliated. No further details were available as the encounter was still on.

JAMMU: Four militants belonging to the Harkatul Jehadi Islami were killed and two others surrendered before the security forces at three separate places on Saturday.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said two militants were killed on the LoC in Poonch sector when they were trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory.

In another incident at Bhala village in Doda district the security forces carried out a search operation for smashing a hideout of the militants. As the forces neared the hideout they came under fire from the militants. The security forces retaliated, killing one militant on the spot. Another escaped.

Romeo Force gives chase to militants
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, June 10 — The security forces operating in Poonch and Rajouri sectors have intensified their anti-insurgency operations for flushing out militants who have established fortified hideouts in several belts of the border belt.

According to a senior officer of the Army’s Romeo Force, anti-insurgency operations were carried out today at five places. In yesterday’s operations two hardcore militants were killed.

He said “these operations are to be made a regular feature of the seek-and-destroy exercise.” “We are zeroing in on the militants. They will have no other option but to surrender or face death,” he said.

Asked whether there were possibilities that the militants, buckling under the pressure of the security forces, may cross back to Pakistan, the officer said, “For them there is no chance. If they try it they will be killed on the LOC.”

The Romeo Force has got in touch with the Victor Force, operating in the Udhampur-Doda belt, and instructions have been conveyed to it that militants may try to escape to the Kashmir valley by trekking the lofty Pir Panjal mountain range and they should be accounted for.

He said the Romeo Force had achieved a spectacular success in killing 85 militants, most of them foreign mercenaries, in Poonch and Rajouri belts during the past three months. Large quantities of arms and ammunition had been seized from the slain militants after more than 25 hideouts were smashed by the men of the Romeo Force.

The officer admitted that in recent weeks the Pak agencies had tried their best to send additional man and machine power to the militants and in this connection the Pak troops resorted to heavy firing on the Indian posts and border villages to provide fire cover to the infiltrators. But the gameplan was foiled and only a small number of militants had succeeded in sneaking into Poonch and Rajouri.

He said it was for the first time that the rate of elimination was higher than the rate of infiltration which had broken the back of militants who had three months ago sneaked into the inhabited villages in the border districts.

The officer claimed that as a result of the offensive launched by “my men” the militants had been forced to escape to the alpine forest belts in recent days. “We have prepared out boys to chase them to the heights ranking between 9,000 and 12,000 ft.

Senior state government functionaries said reports received by them indicated the militants were trying to attack political activists and members of the minority community in Poonch and Rajouri districts to distract the attention of the men of the Romeo Force and the police. The Pak agencies were trying to kick up communal trouble but so far they had failed because people, irrespective of the communities they belonged to, had started cooperating with the Romeo Force. It was as a result of the information given by the civilians that the security forces has launched result-oriented operations.

The security forces have been asked to concentrate in Poonch and Rajouri border sectors. Once these two areas are sanitised it can mean peace in a major portion of the Jammu region. Most of the militants, who have set up their hideouts in Udhampur and Doda districts, are said to have travelled from Poonch and Rajouri. Others had crossed into Doda district from South Kashmir villages linking Kistwar with Anantnag and Shopian.

Meanwhile, the Pak agencies have refused permission to several groups of militants who wanted to return to Pakistan after having completed their “tenure”. Militants are pushed into Jammu and Kashmir under an unwritten agreement providing a tenure of six months to one year in Jammu and Kashmir. Many foreign mercenaries have completed their tenure but the Pak agencies have not allowed them to cross back because that would lead to acute shortage of manpower. These militants have, according to official sources, said efforts were on to push into Jammu and Kashmir more than 3,000 trained militants, most of them Afghan and Pak guerrillas. Once they were inside the state, others would be allowed to cross back to Pakistan.

The sources said foreign mercenaries, especially those belonging to Jash-e-Mohammad (Army of the Prophet), were trying to blow up vital government and defence installations. The recent attacks on the civil secretariat, the Assembly complex, the Army’s Tatto ground and police headquarters were part of the plan.

One senior police officer said, “The mercenaries belonging to Jash-e-Mohammed were trying to improve the range so that they could hit the target. The rifle grenades hurled on the civil secretariat, police headquarters and the Assembly secretariat fell short of the target. They were being taught to achieve the targeted hit.

Starry launch of Kashir channel
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, June 10 — A mega cultural show by a galaxy of Bollywood stars with an opening by Kashmiri folk compositions, marked the formal launch of DD Kashir channel of Doordarshan here yesterday.

Initially scheduled for two hour the programme continued for over three hours. Those who attended the function included Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, Governor Girish Chandra Saxena and the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr Arun Jaitley. Senior civil, police and Army officers were present amongst the over 3000 strong audience, for the second time at a live show here since last year. It was ‘Op Vijay’ on August 15 last year to commemorate those who laid their lives during Kargil operation, Union Home Minister L.K. Advani, who was scheduled to be the chief guest at the function could not make it. Bollywood stars who enthralled the audience included Amitabh Bachchan, Shakti Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Illa Arun, Lucky Ali and Sukhwinder Singh.

Governor Girish Chandra Saxena expressed the hope that the channel would promote the talent of local artiste and provide truth to people. He said that truth was the first casualty of the gun-culture and this was what had happened in Kashmir. He said though a similar mega show was organised a year ago, today a foundation had been laid to strengthen the ties of our people to promote composite culture.

In his inaugural address, Dr Farooq Abdullah expressed the hope that the channel would be developed to fulfil the aspirations of the people. He said besides education and entertainment the channel would give exposure to the rich artistic talent of Kashmir.

The Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr Arun Jaitley, in his welcome address said the Kashmir channel was started on January 26, but the formal launch increased its strength through new high power transmission (HPT). He said it was a small step on January 26, and now a major step. He complimented the services of staff of Doordarshan and radio for keeping the flag high during the period of last ten months.

The three-hour long show opened with the scintillating Kashmiri rouf (folk music) and Hafiz Naghma performed superbly by young Kashmiri artistes on the stage with Dal Lake in the backdrop. Amitabh Bachchan recited parts of songs of his popular movies, Kabhi Kabhi and Silsila that were filmed in the Kashmir valley over two decades ago.

Security steps for Amarnath yatra reviewed

JAMMU, June 10 (PTI) — A high-level meeting under the Chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, yesterday reviewed security arrangements and other facilities for the smooth conduct of Amarnath yatra.

The meeting, chaired by Divisional Commissioner, Mr Anil Goswami, decided to provide escort vehicles on the yatra route.

It also decided to begin registration of yatris for local pilgrims from July 11 and for those from outside the state from June 20.

A five-member committee was set-up to select a suitable place for the opening of registration counters for the pilgrims in the city within two days. The committee comprises Director (Tourism), SP (North), SP (Traffic), Additional Deputy Commissioner and Executive Officer, Jammu Municipality.

The meeting also decided that no vehicle carrying pilgrims would be allowed to proceed to Pahalgam, without proper registration. To ensure this, four check posts would be set up at Mansar Chowk near Samba, Tikkri, Udhampur and Ramban along the national highway from Pathankot to Banihal.

Medical facilities for the yatries would be provided from Jammu to Banihal, and two mobile medical teams would also be deployed for the purpose.

The Food and Supplies Department would set-up ration depots at Batote, Ramban and Banihal for the convenience of the yatris.