J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Major, 15 militants killed in Kashmir
Srinagar, June 26
Twentyfive persons, including 15 militants and six security personnel, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir where the Army foiled an infiltration bid and ultras made an abortive attempt to blow up a BSF post with rockets since yesterday, an official spokesman said.

Panun Kashmir to seek meeting with PM
New Delhi, June 26
Panun Kashmir, said today that it would seek a meeting with the Prime Minister and leaders of the main opposition parties before the Indo-Pakistan talks to press their case.

‘Rebel’ Bar leader seeks security for lawyers
Jammu, June 26
The splinter group of the Jammu Bar Association today alleged that its members were being forcibly prevented from entering courts by members of the Bar agitating against the setting up of fast-track courts for the past 66 days.

Massive protest in Baramula
Srinagar, June 26
The police fired several warning shots and used batons to disperse hundreds of agitated people after they staged a massive demonstration in Baramula district town in protest against the alleged molestation of two sisters by the security forces in the periphery of the town last night, official sources said today.

Major, 15 militants killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, June 26
Twentyfive persons, including 15 militants and six security personnel, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir where the Army foiled an infiltration bid and ultras made an abortive attempt to blow up a BSF post with rockets since yesterday, an official spokesman said.

Four Pakistani intruders and three soldiers were killed in a fierce gunbattle as the Army scuttled militants’ attempt to sneak into the valley from across the border through the Gurez sector today, he said.

Noticing a group of heavily armed militants attempting to sneak into the valley through the Nowshera-Kanzalwan route of Baramula district, the Army search parties fanned out in different directions and confronted them, the spokesman said.

This led to a fierce encounter resulting in the killing of three soldiers and four infiltrators, he said, adding that the operation was still continuing.

Three unidentified militants, believed to be foreigners, were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Sandhot Satali Cheer of Poonch district today, he said.

An LeT militant, Abu Samam, alias Doctor, was killed in an encounter at Rama Kund in Udhampur district last night. A jawan was also killed in the incident.

Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including self-styled district commander of Anantnag-East Bashir Ahmad Wagay, were killed in an encounter with the Army at Sundpora in Anantnag district last night, he said.

An Army officer, Major Deepak, laid down his life during the encounter, the spokesman said.

A foreign militant was killed at Palwar in Kupwara last night, he said.

In two other encounters with the security forces, three militants were killed at Manibal-Chakpatri in Kupwara and Krisan-Bandipora in Baramula district today.

Two persons, including an SPO, were killed when militants ambushed an SOG patrol party at Khundra village in the Khanmsaheb locality of Badgam district last evening.

Militants shot dead two persons in Baramula district today for their alleged links with the security forces.

The body of an unidentified person was picked up by the police from the Trikanagar area of Doda district today.

Militants today fired three rockets in quick succession at a BSF post in the main market of Sopore in Baramula district. But the rockets missed the target and exploded without causing any casualty. One of the rockets hit the roof of a nearby mosque and damaged it. Two other rockets landed in a field. The security forces sealed the entire area immediately after the attack but no one was arrested during the operation.

The spokesman said the Army arrested two militants during searches at Nihama in the Handwara area of Kupwara district yesterday and seized five grenades and a few kg of RDX from their possession.

JAMMU: The police and the security forces have been put on high alert in the entire Jammu division in view of reports that subversive elements might create disturbances prior to the month-long Amarnath Yatra commencing from July 2, the IGP Jammu region, Mr R.V. Raju, said here today.

The police and the security forces have been deployed adequately in Jammu city from where the pilgrims would be leaving daily for the onward journey to Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas from July 2, Mr Raju told PTI.

Panun Kashmir to seek meeting with PM
Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, June 26
Panun Kashmir, said today that it would seek a meeting with the Prime Minister and leaders of the main opposition parties before the Indo-Pakistan talks to press their case.

The Panun Kashmir leaders said India should take up their case during the coming summit with Pakistan as they were the “prime and direct victims” of cross-border terrorism.

They said if Kashmir issue was discussed at the summit, their case had to be deliberated upon.

The leaders said Panun Kashmir would hold a meeting in Jammu before the summit to delibrate on the talks and elicit views of the members of the community.

‘Rebel’ Bar leader seeks security for lawyers
Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 26
The splinter group of the Jammu Bar Association today alleged that its members were being forcibly prevented from entering courts by members of the Bar agitating against the setting up of fast-track courts for the past 66 days.

The “rebel” Bar leader, Mr A.K. Sawhney, who is heading a free legal aid committee for the benefit of litigants, has sent a message to the Chief Justice, Dr B.P. Saraf, to take necessary steps to allow lawyers to appear in the high court for defending cases of their clients.

Mr Sawhney has informed the Chief Justice that there was no police party to “help us in discharging our duties”.

He issued a list of 30 advocates, including a couple of members of the Bar Executive Committee, who appeared in lower courts today to argue in support of their clients. He said even the son of the Bar president, Mr D.S. Saini, had appeared in a lower court in connection with a case. He said after attending the courts these lawyers were participating in demonstrations and dharnas.

Mr Sawhney claimed that more than 300 of the 450 members of the Jammu Bar Association were willing to resume work after they had endorsed the decision of the Chief Justice on setting up fast-track courts but were not able to do so because of threats from members of the association who were on strike.

He has pleaded with the Chief Justice to take steps to provide security cover to the lawyers who wanted to attend the courts.

Meanwhile, the Bar association has decided to continue with the strike till its demand is conceded. It has opposed the setting up of fast-track and has demanded the cancellation of the order. However, lawyers from Samba and other belts have supported the Chief Justice.

Massive protest in Baramula

Srinagar, June 26
The police fired several warning shots and used batons to disperse hundreds of agitated people after they staged a massive demonstration in Baramula district town in protest against the alleged molestation of two sisters by the security forces in the periphery of the town last night, official sources said today.

The residents alleged an Army column raided the house of Ali Mohammad Dar at Bagistan and forced their entry into the house after uprooting the main door. They asked the male members to come out of the house and did not allow the womenfolk to restore the power supply to the house. Later, the raiding party molested the two women present inside, the residents alleged. PTI