J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

2 ultras shot in encounter
SRINAGAR, Nov 19 — Two militants were killed in an encounter with security personnel in the frontier district of Kupwara today, an official spokesman said here.

5 baraatis die in road mishap
KATHUA, Nov 19 — Five baraatis were killed and three injured, one of them critically, when a Maruti van rammed into a truck on the Natioinal Highway at Sakta Chak, about 15 kilometres from here, late last night.

Tax payers honoured
UDHAMPUR, Nov 19 — The highest tax payers of Udhampur and Doda districts were honoured by the Income Tax Department at a function here yesterday. The District Development Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Sayeed Khan, presided over the function and the Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Jammu, Mr D.D. Kaler, was the chief guest.

2 ultras shot in encounter

SRINAGAR, Nov 19 (PTI) — Two militants were killed in an encounter with security personnel in the frontier district of Kupwara today, an official spokesman said here.

The exchange of fire broke out when Rashtriya Rifles personnel, on a tip off, cordoned off Dompara forests last evening.

Intermittent exchange of fire between the two sides lasted several hours. During a search this morning, the bodies of two militants were found.

Arms and ammunitions were also found in the area.

A large cache of arms and ammunition, including 80 kg of RDX, was seized by the security forces from a hideout in the border district of Rajouri in Jammu, the spokesman said today.

The seizure was made yesterday during a combing operation in Mumbla forest. He said the hideout was destroyed.

The ammunition recovered included 68 grenade launchers, six RPG rockets with boosters and two bayonets.

A report from Kathua said a top Hizb militant, Mohammad Rafiq of Marmat in Kishtwar, had been arrested by the police.

JAMMU: Having failed to find local support to carry out subversive activities, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is now banking on foreign mercenaries to carry out destructive activities in Jammu and Kashmir, state Director General of Police (DGP) has said.

A large number of militants killed this year, during various operations, were foreign mercenaries — mostly from Afghanistan, Pakistan and occupied Kashmir (PoK), DGP Gurbachan Jagat said in an interview here.

He said the foreign mercenaries, being pushed into the state by Pakistani agencies, would be wiped out during the continued operations by the security forces and the police.

Describing the security situation in the state as an “improved one”, he said it was almost a pre-Kargil scenario with the security forces having the upper hand and the militants on the run.

5 baraatis die in road mishap
From Our Correspondent

KATHUA, Nov 19 — Five baraatis were killed and three injured, one of them critically, when a Maruti van rammed into a truck on the Natioinal Highway at Sakta Chak, about 15 kilometres from here, late last night.

Reports said that the ill-fated van was carrying eight baraatis. The van rammed into a truck which was coming from the opposite side from Pathankot at about 10 p.m.

The other baraatis were following them in a bus and other vehicles. The bridegroom was reportedly travelling in another vehicle.

Three persons were killed on the spot while two breathed their last while being shifted to the hospital. The injured were immediately rushed to hospital. The baraat was leaving for Kathua from Karela village near Sarore in Bishnah tehsil. The further detail of the mishap are awaited.

The police also reached the spot and started investigations.

Meanwhile, a bus (JKS-9107) rolled down the road at Nanan near Budhi, Nagrota in tehsil Kathua. Five passengers were injured. The condition of the conductor, Karan Singh, is stated to be serious. All are undergoing treatment in Kathua Hospital.

Tax payers honoured
From Our Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 19 — The highest tax payers of Udhampur and Doda districts were honoured by the Income Tax Department at a function here yesterday. The District Development Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Sayeed Khan, presided over the function and the Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Jammu, Mr D.D. Kaler, was the chief guest.

Ms Shivani Nargotre of Udhampur was declared the highest tax payer during the year 1997-98. Dr Om Parkash Thasu, a physician of Doda district, and Mr Atiq Ahmed Khan, Senior Manager, Dul Hasti Project, Kishtwar, stood second and third, respectively, the Additional Commissioner of Income Tax also gave certificates to them.