J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Kashmir panel for talks with APHC
Jammu, October 15
Members of the Kashmir Committee, headed by Mr Ram Jethmalani, former Union Law Minister, are expected to be in Srinagar shortly to resume talks with members of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and other political and separatist groups for evolving a solution for the Kashmir imbroglio.

Army jawan, six militants killed in encounters
Jammu, October 15
One Army jawan and six militants were killed in three encounters between the rebels and the security forces in Poonch and Rajouri districts today.

Priyadarshini award for Doda institute
Jammu, October 15
The Doda-based Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports has been awarded the Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra (IPVM) award, a Defence spokesman said here yesterday.

Kashmir panel for talks with APHC
M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 15
Members of the Kashmir Committee, headed by Mr Ram Jethmalani, former Union Law Minister, are expected to be in Srinagar shortly to resume talks with members of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and other political and separatist groups for evolving a solution for the Kashmir imbroglio.

“Since we are for talks, sustained parleys for settling the Kashmir issue, we will willingly discuss the issues with the committee members, “said Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Chairman, APHC.

In reply to a question Professor Bhat told The Tribune today, “The constitution of the new Assembly will not settle the dispute.” While waiting for the settling of the political “dust” kicked up by the bitter controversy between the Congress and the PDP over the Chief Minister’s post, the APHC Chairman said, “The new Assembly and the government will be there to carry out development works. It is for the Assembly members to provide better roads, drinking water and electricity supply.”

Asked whether the participation in the poll process by people had indicated that the people have elected their representatives with whom talks should be held for resolving the Kashmir imbroglio, Professor Bhat gave a big laugh and said, “It was not a referendum for electing people’s representatives.”

“It was a vote against state terrorism and against the National Conference,” he said and added that the elected members of Legislative Assembly “do not represent the wishes and the aspirations of the people of the state.”

Professor Bhat claimed that the APHC “represents the aspirations of the people and, hence, India and Pakistan should involve us in talks for settling the Kashmir issue.”

He reiterated the conditions placed before the Government of India for facilitating trilateral parleys and said, “We want release of all detinues, de-escalation on the border, ceasefire within the state by militants and security forces and permission to the APHC team to visit Pakistan for discussing the core issue of Kashmir and jehad with Islamabad and leaders of militant outfits.”

The APHC leader said, “We will restrain our discussion with the Kashmir Committee members on these issues and on allied matters.”

“When we can talk to leaders in Delhi, why cannot we be allowed to meet Pakistani leaders who are not to be treated as outsiders in the dispute?” Professor Bhat asked.

He explained that India should not treat the UN resolution on Kashmir “dead” or “redundant”. “It is very much there and the resolution does not provide for settlement of the Kashmir issue through Assembly election,” he stated.

Professor Bhat was firm in his opinion saying that even if elections were held for another period of 50 years, the Kashmir issue “will not be settled.” “Let our team be allowed to visit Pakistan and we will show both Delhi and Islamabad the way for resolving the dispute,” he said. 

Army jawan, six militants killed in encounters
Tribune News Service and UNI

Jammu, October 15
One Army jawan and six militants were killed in three encounters between the rebels and the security forces in Poonch and Rajouri districts today.

According to the police, three militants were killed in an operation launched by the Army and the police at Mara Dafali village in Surankot area and one rebel was eliminated at Thara Jatan village in Mendhar in Poonch district.

In the encounter at Thara Jatan an Army man, Jagdish Singh, lost his life after he shot Abdul Islam of HUJI outfit.

Large quantities of arms and ammunition, including six assault rifles, 10 magazines, 10 hand grenades and one wireless set were recovered from the site.

In another encounter in Thanamandi area of Rajouri two foreign mercenaries of the Al-Badar were killed.

The security forces also gunned down a militant at Karewa Shopian in south Kashmir last night. One AK rifle, three magazines, 43 rounds and three grenades were recovered from the slain militant.

In another incident militants shot at and wounded Zubida, daughter of Ghulam Ahmad Mir at Kokernag last night.

Militants hurled a hand grenade towards security forces at Bagunder Wangam in south Kashmir on Tuesday. The grenade missed the intended target and exploded on the roadside without causing any damage.

Priyadarshini award for Doda institute

Jammu, October 15
The Doda-based Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports has been awarded the Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra (IPVM) award, a Defence spokesman said here yesterday.

The award, given by the Union Environment and Forests Ministry and carrying a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a scroll and a memento, was received by the institute’s Principal, Capt S.S. Puri, at a ceremony in Bangalore, the spokesman said. The institute, established by the Ministry of Defence and Jammu and Kashmir Government, received support from the World Wildlife Fund (India). PTI