J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

10 militants killed in J&K
SRINAGAR, Nov 1 — Ten militants and two civilians were among 13 persons killed in separate incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

Kabli for Farooq’s resignation on moral grounds
SRINAGAR, Nov 1— The BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit today demanded resignation of the National Conference (NC) Government in the state on moral grounds following indictment of security forces by the two commissions that probed the Brakpora and Pahalgam massacres.

Farooq for US sanctions on Pak
SRINAGAR, Nov 1 — The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, has called for severe US sanctions against Pakistan to ensure end to cross-border terrorism.

Admn gears up for Jhiri Mela
JAMMU, Nov 1 — The Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr Ajay Sadhotra, reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Jhiri Mela — being organised from November 10 — at an officers’ meeting here today.

10 militants killed in J&K
Tribune News Service and PTI

SRINAGAR, Nov 1 — Ten militants and two civilians were among 13 persons killed in separate incidents of violence in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

Seven pedestrians were injured when militants hurled a grenade on a picket of security forces at Buchpora on the outskirts of the capital city last evening. The police said that the grenade missed the target and exploded on the road injuring seven pedestrians.

Militants shot dead Ghulam Hassan Dar when they intruded into his house at Sunsum, Achchabal in Anantnag district last evening.

Three foreign militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Dhoke Kiran-Gali in the Buffliaz sector of Poonch district in Jammu division. They were identified as Talib Hussain, code Abu Maaz from Afghanistan, Nasir, code USA and Tariq Ahmad, code Abu Tariq both from Pakistan.

An unidentified militant was killed in an encounter with security forces at Surankote in Poonch district. In the exchange of fire Rafiq was also killed, the police said.

In another encounter between militants and security forces at Hak Pathri a militant was killed.

Two militants and a security force jawan were killed in an encounter at Mangat Banihal in Doda district.

In two other incidents, two militants were killed in Doda district. One was killed in an encounter at Sial Garhi, Banihal. In another incident, Parvez Ahmad, a self-styled tehsil commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen was killed by activists of his own outfit at Jaura.

One militant was killed in an encounter with security forces at Potkhah Muqam, Sopore in Baramulla district. He was identified as Muzamil of the Lashkar-e-Toiba. A residential house of Abdul Ahad was gutted, the police said.

Meanwhile, a porter working with Army has been killed in shelling resorted to by Pakistani troops in the Keran sector of Kashmir valley since yesterday, official sources said here today.

Pakistani troops fired several shells on forward Indian pickets in the area and one of the shells hit Toli Choki post in the Keran sector killing a porter, the sources said, adding that the victim has been identified as Maqsood Ahmed.

Pakistani troops have also resorted to mortar shelling in the Pallanwala sector and light arms firing in Mendhar and Jhanghar sectors.

Reports of intermittent firing between the two sides has also been received at 12 places along the International Border (IB) in R.S. Pura, Aamba and Akhnoor sectors of Jammu division last night.

Kabli for Farooq’s resignation on moral grounds

SRINAGAR, Nov 1 (PTI) — The BJP’s Jammu and Kashmir unit today demanded resignation of the National Conference (NC) Government in the state on moral grounds following indictment of security forces by the two commissions that probed the Brakpora and Pahalgam massacres.

“The state government should step down owning moral responsibility for the massacre of innocent people at Pathribal, Chattisinghpora, Brakpora and Pahalgam,” BJP state vice president and former MP Abdul Rashid Kabli said addressing a convention of the women’s wing of the party here.

He termed the reports submitted by Justice R.S. Pandian and Lt Gen J.R. Mukherjee commissions on the April 3 Brakpora incident and August 1 Pahalgam massacre, respectively, as the ones “based on facts and justice, which is a success of the democracy.”

Citing that law and order was the responsibility of the state government, Mr Kabli said the NC Government could not shun responsibility as law enforcing authorities had been held responsible for killing innocent citizens.

He charged the Chief Minister and other leaders of the NC with issuing “false, baseless and misleading statements” immediately after the incidents to conceal the excesses of police and security forces. 

Farooq for US sanctions on Pak
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Nov 1 — The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, has called for severe US sanctions against Pakistan to ensure end to cross-border terrorism.

Talking to mediapersons here last evening, the Chief Minister said the USA was in a position to check Islamabad by imposing sanctions on it as she had done in the case of Afghanistan. Citing the instance of bombing of US ship in Eden recently, he said the fear of terrorism touching the western countries and the USA was real now and a senior US official had recently expressed this possibility publicly. He said the USA had already faced terrorist attacks in Kenya and Uganda and added more such attacks were expected following the flare up in Pakistan. Dr Farooq Abdullah said Pakistan should stop running training camps for militants, then only India would start dialogue with Pakistan.

Asked about his optimism expressed recently about Kashmir problem being solved in the next 20 years, the Chief Minister said his optimism stemmed from the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore. He, however, regretted that Pakistan returned the gesture of friendship by waging war in Kargil. He said the problem between India and Pakistan would have to be resolved by the two countries themselves. “India will not accept third party mediation”, he asserted.

About the autonomy to the state, Dr Abdullah said talks with the Centre were going on. He said the autonomy would have to be granted to Jammu and Kashmir as this was the only way to meet the aspirations of the people. He rejected the idea of any referendum on this issue. He criticised the RSS for demanding trifurcation of the state and said it would break the country. He said the wounds of partition were still fresh. “We cannot afford another bloodshed”, he added and said people who talk of division of the people on the religious lines should be working for unity.

He pooh-poohed the demand for independence and asked where would the resources for an independent state come from? He said against an expenditure of Rs 7000 crore, the state’s annual revenue was only Rs 700 crore. He said those who talked about independence did not think of the Muslims living in the country.

“Do you want a million Kosovs in India”? he asked. He said the only solution possible to the Kashmir problem was on the basis of the LoC. “There will never be any other solution”, he remarked.

In reply to a question about the former Chief Minister, Mr G.M. Shah’s proposed convention of all political parties to discuss the Kashmir problem, Dr Abdullah said his party would also attend the convention. He, however, did not agree with the suggestion that his resignation as chief minister would bring about a comprehensive unity of political parties and help resolve the problem. He said like his father, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, he would like to go to Pakistan and impress upon the leaders of that country about the futility of their efforts to disintegrate India.

Asked about the major success he had since he took over office four years ago, Dr Abdullah said he thought his main achievement was that the people were now feeling a lot of relief. He said the government had not failed on any front, though there remained much to do. He criticised those who accused the government of non-performance and pointed to the reconstruction work being done since 1996.

Admn gears up for Jhiri Mela
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 1 — The Minister of State for Food and Supplies, Mr Ajay Sadhotra, reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Jhiri Mela — being organised from November 10 — at an officers’ meeting here today.

The minister stressed the need for the regulation of traffic and strict enforcement of prescribed restrictions over the mela route. He asked the traffic police authorities to ensure the avoidance of traffic congestion and free movement of people in the area. He also asked the security agencies to keep a strict surveillance on suspicious persons to avoid any untoward happening during the mela.

Mr Sadhotra asked the road and building authorities to ensure the repair of the Jammu-Jhiri road well before the commencement of the mela. He also asked the Public Health, Engineering and Power Development Departments to ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water and electricity in the area during the mela. He asked the Regional Transport Officer to issue the revised fare list for buses and matadors, especially those plying from the Jammu bus stand to Jhiri, to avoid any inconvenience to the people.

The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Mr R.K. Goyal, informed that along with a team of officers, he had inspected the works being executed at the site of the mela and assured that all arrangements were up to the mark. He said the Additional Deputy Commissioner would be the coordinator of the mela and a police officer would also be posted.