J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Boy, mother killed in shelling
SRINAGAR, June 13 — A teenaged boy and his mother were killed and two other members of their family critically injured when Pakistani troops resorted to shelling along the Line of Control in north Kashmir today, the police said.

CM urged to ensure pilgrims’ safety
JAMMU, June 13 — Swami Deependra Giri, mahant and in charge of the Amarnath Yatra, has requested the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, to take personal interest in ensuring the safety and security of the pilgrims planning to visit the holy Amarnath cave.

Boy, mother killed in shelling

SRINAGAR, June 13 (PTI) — A teenaged boy and his mother were killed and two other members of their family critically injured when Pakistani troops resorted to shelling along the Line of Control in north Kashmir today, the police said.

The Pakistani troops fired mortar and artillery shells targeting forward villages of Balkote, Chotali, Sonawali and Hathlanga in the Uri sector of Baramula, the Superintendent of Police, Baramula, Mr Abdul Qayoom Manhas, told PTI by phone.

Meanwhile, 17 persons, including a block president of the ruling National Conference (NC), his personal security officer (PSO) and 13 militants, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said today.

NC block president Ghulam Mohammad Reshi and his PSO were killed by militants at Kunzar-Tangmarg in Baramula district last evening, he said.

He said militants fired at Reshi and his PSO while they were returning from a nearby market. They were rushed to hospital where they succumbed to injuries.

Four militants, including two foreign mercenaries, were killed in an encounter at Hafradah forest in Kupwara district today, he said.

Militants and the security forces also clashed at several places in Kupwara yesterday which left seven militants dead.

He said two disposable rocket launchers, 25 kg of RDX, 68 grenades, six remote control devices and some Pakistani currency were seized during the encounter.

Two Pakistani militants were shot dead in an encounter at the Ghulta area in Rajouri district of Jammu yesterday, he said.

Militants shot dead a person at Golard-Bhaderwah in Doda district while another was killed by unidentified gunmen at Haftyarbal in interior Srinagar last evening, he said.

Militants hurled a grenade at a security patrol at Qazigund in Anantnag district of south Kashmir last evening, injuring a security jawan, he said.

CM urged to ensure pilgrims’ safety
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, June 13 — Swami Deependra Giri, mahant and in charge of the Amarnath Yatra, has requested the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, to take personal interest in ensuring the safety and security of the pilgrims planning to visit the holy Amarnath cave.

In a communication, he has made a request to the state government to grant permission to all voluntary organisations that intend to hold free langer and medical camps for the pilgrims. He has suggested to the Chief Minister that such organisations should be exempted from paying toll tax on foodgrain and medicines.

The mahant yesterday announced a calendar for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage. He said the rituals connected with the yatra would start with “bhoomi pujan” and “dhawajarohan” ceremonies.