J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

4 ultras, BSF SI among 8 killed in J&K
Srinagar, January 15
Militants today blew up a Border Security Force vehicle in Baramula district of north Kashmir, killing a sub-inspector and injuring two others. The improvised explosive device was detonated by militants on the Sopore-Sangrama road at around 3:45 p.m. when the troops were on a routine patrol, official sources said.

3 cops hurt in Rajouri clashes
Jammu, January 15
Five persons, including three policemen, were injured in clashes between the police and residents during an anti-encroachment drive in Rajouri town today during which the police resorted to a cane charge and fired in the air, official sources said here.

Mufti wants ministers to monitor projects
Jammu, January 15
The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has called upon his ministerial colleagues to monitor the implementation of the decisions of the joint meetings of the cabinet and district development boards held recently.

Gallantry awards presented
Jammu, January 15
Gallantry and distinguished services awards were presented to 92 soldiers at a glittering investiture ceremony held at the Mamun Auditorium of the Gurj division today.

Immolation bid by Cong MLA’s men
Jammu, January 15
The police here resorted to a mild lathi charge to prevent three supporters of Mr Raman Bhalla, a senior Congress MLA, from immolating themselves in protest against the non-inclusion of Mr Bhalla in the Council of Ministers, which was expanded here yesterday.

Beigh asks Britain to invest in J&K
Jammu, January 15
The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hissain Beigh, has told a group of British officials that Britain should consider investing in various industrial and social sectors in the state.

Nirmal Singh takes over as rivals stay away
Jammu, January 15
The installation function of the BJP state unit chief Dr Nirmal Singh, here today was a simple ceremony. Mr D.K. Kotwal, former BJP chief, placed the turban on the head of Dr Nirmal Singh.

• J&K Govt expansion flayed

4 ultras, BSF SI among 8 killed in J&K

Srinagar, January 15
Militants today blew up a Border Security Force (BSF) vehicle in Baramula district of north Kashmir, killing a sub-inspector and injuring two others.

The improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated by militants on the Sopore-Sangrama road at around 3:45 p.m. when the troops were on a routine patrol, official sources said.

Sub-inspector Puran Lal died on the spot, while two jawans received serious injuries, the sources said.

No militant outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.

Militants’ plan to cause large-scale violence on Republic Day in Baramula district was foiled when security forces today arrested four Hizbul Mujahideen ultras, including three commanders, and seized 61 IEDs from their possession.

The arrests were made during a specific cordon and search operation, jointly carried out by the Army and the Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), at Shankote, Binjar and Lamber villages in Baramula district early today, official sources said.

The militants were planning to smuggle the explosives to different parts of the district with an intention to set off a series of explosions and disrupt Republic Day celebrations in north Kashmir, the sources said.

They said the arrested militants were Hizb launching chief Ghulam Mohammad War alias Mike-2, coordinator Ghulam Mohammad Mir alias Haider, section commander Raoib Jan and upper ground worker Gayassuddin.

A militant was killed and four personnel of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the state police were injured in a fierce gunfight in the border district of Kupwara in north Kashmir today.

The encounter took place at 4:30 p.m., when a group of militants ambushed the SOG party en route to Pothushahi from their Waypora camp at Rantashar official sources said.

Four SOG personnel were injured in the attack while an ultra was killed in the retaliatory action, the sources said.

Jammu: Two civilians were killed as a result of mistaken identity in Jammu region, where security forces killed three militants in separate incidents of violence since yesterday, official sources said here on Wednesday.

Mohammad Safeer and Musamdin were killed by security forces in Surankote area of Poonch district late on Tuesday when they were moving without identification papers, mandatory for movement after sunset.

The authorities had instructed civilians in the area not to move from dusk to dawn without prior information to the police or security forces, the sources said, adding that in case of emergency, they were supposed to carry fire-torches.

A security force jawan and a militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen were killed during a search operation launched by forces in the Hill Kaka area of Rajouri district, sources said, adding the slain ultra was identified as Sajid Afghani, a divisional commander of the outfit.

In another encounter, an ultra identified as Abdul Majid, was killed at Barnai village in Mahore tehsil of Udhampur district on Tuesday, the sources said.

An ultra was killed by security forces in an encounter in the Chingus area of Rajouri district on Wednesday. UNI, PTI

3 cops hurt in Rajouri clashes

Jammu, January 15
Five persons, including three policemen, were injured in clashes between the police and residents during an anti-encroachment drive in Rajouri town today during which the police resorted to a cane charge and fired in the air, official sources said here.

A team of district officials accompanied by policemen launched the anti-encroachment drive in the border town but shopkeepers and others resisted and mobbed them. Additional police personnel were sent to the area but they were pelted with stones resulting in injuries to three policemen.

The police resorted to a cane charge and fired in the air to disperse the mob. The officials could be rescued only after a half-hour battle, the sources said adding that two civilians were also injured in the clashes.

Later, more that 500 persons, including shopkeepers, held a rally protesting against the action of the district administration. PTI

Mufti wants ministers to monitor projects
Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 15
The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has called upon his ministerial colleagues to monitor the implementation of the decisions of the joint meetings of the cabinet and district development boards held recently. Addressing a meeting of the Council of Ministers he made a special mention of the decisions regarding repairs and replacement of damaged transformers, construction of roads, school buildings and other public utility infrastructure. He said that their time bound completion must be ensured.

Referring to yesterday’s expansion of the Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister said that those who could not be inducted into the ministry were also competent persons and they were equal partners in the government.

Referring to the empowerment of panchayats, the Chief Minister said that “we want to complete this process expeditiously”. He said panchayat adalats and block boards would be in place soon, adding that adequate funds would be provided to the panchayats. He said elections for municipal corporations and other local bodies would be held soon.

He said there must be a quick disposal of land compensation cases. In this connection he referred to the delay in providing compensation to the farmers whose land had been acquired for the construction of Udhampur-Baramula rail project.

Gallantry awards presented
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 15
Gallantry and distinguished services awards were presented to 92 soldiers at a glittering investiture ceremony held at the Mamun Auditorium of the Gurj division today.

General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command Lieutenant General R.K. Nanavatty presented one bar to Sena Medal and 91 Sena Medals to officers and men of the Indian Army for their gallantry and distinguished services. Out of these seven Sena medals were awarded posthumously to seven jawans which were received by their next of kin.

Besides the soldiers, their families and retired Army personnel attended the function. Prominent among those present were Lieutenant General N.P. Aul, Lieutenant General T.P.S. Brar and Major General R.K. Mehta.

Our Correspondent adds from Pathankot: Talking to the mediapersons later the recipients of the awards said, they were happy to receive their medals and the Government recognition of their brave acts during their duty. Their families were equally delighted. While Bar to SM (Gallantry) was presented to Major Gurmit Singh, SM (Gallantry awards list included: Capt Bhpendra S Khandka, Hav Hira Singh, LHAV Umed Singh, Sub Bhola Nath Sharma, LT Col Sunil Kakkar, N.K. Privin Kumar L/NK Jaipal, Major Vikrant Singh, Major Kanwal Kishore, Sub Irshad Kishore, Sepoy Harminder Singh, Sepoy Lakhwinder Singh, Rfn Kishore Kumar, (P) SMT Sandu Rani, NK Kirpal Singh, Maj Ritu Raj Raina, NK Kishan Kumar, Major A.B. Shinde, Sepoy Gora among others.

Immolation bid by Cong MLA’s men
Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 15
The police here resorted to a mild lathi charge to prevent three supporters of Mr Raman Bhalla, a senior Congress MLA, from immolating themselves in protest against the non-inclusion of Mr Bhalla in the Council of Ministers, which was expanded here yesterday.

Over 200 supporters of Mr Bhalla congregated at a public park in Gandhi Nagar today and raised slogans against Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Congress high command.

As the tempers ran high three supporters of Mr Bhalla tried immolation. The police intervened and dispersed the protesters. The protesters threatened that they would again try to attempt immolation till Mr Bhalla was included in the Council of Ministers.

Mr Bhalla left for Delhi yesterday to apprise the Congress high command of the last-minute change in the list of Congress nominees for the ministerial posts. Ms Sonia Gandhi, AICC President, had agreed to meet Mr Bhalla tomorrow. The Congress MLA also met several other senior AICC leaders in this connection.

Beigh asks Britain to invest in J&K

Jammu, January 15
The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hissain Beigh, has told a group of British officials that Britain should consider investing in various industrial and social sectors in the state.

“We need British financial and technical assistance in bringing about reforms in power, horticulture, healthcare, environment and education, besides special assistance for rehabilitation of militancy victims in troubled state”, Beigh told the group led by British High Commissioner Rob Young today.

In his discussion with the visitors here, Beigh dwelt on the state of finances and the long and short term measures being taken to improve the economic health of the state.

The Chief Minister told Rob Young that the economic help for the state should come through the Government of India.

He also called on Governor Girish Chandra Saxena at Raj Bhavan here. PTI

Nirmal Singh takes over as rivals stay away
Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 15
The installation function of the BJP state unit chief Dr Nirmal Singh, here today was a simple ceremony. Mr D.K. Kotwal, former BJP chief, placed the turban on the head of Dr Nirmal Singh.

Dr Nirmal Singh told newsmen that his first task would be to remove internal differences in the party. Taking note of the boycott of the function by leaders of the rival group, Dr Nirmal Singh named few senior party leaders and said that they would continue to guide “us”.

He said another task for him was to unite people and his partymen to ensure security of the Jammu region against the activities of militants. Dr Nirmal Singh said the party was committed to forcing the government to establish a regional council for Jammu province.

J&K Govt expansion flayed

Jammu, January 15
The State Chief of JD (U), Mr Sanjesh Gupta, has criticised the expansion in the Mufti-led PDP-Congress-Panthers Party coalition, alleging that not only would this prove a burden on the exchequer but also the induction of controversial elements in the ministry has belied the claims of good governance. UNI