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Saturday,
September 13, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Indo-US exercises not China specific, says Army
10 killed in J&K,
infiltration bid foiled Shelling in Poonch, 4 Pak troops killed Security beefed up in Kathua |
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CM seeks Centre’s nod to project for migrants 5-day police remand for Hurriyat leader 2,000 to get mobile telephone service in Kashmir 250
rivers, streams identified for hydel projects Arrest Zargar under
POTA, says state BJP chief Probe ordered into Anantnag firing
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Indo-US exercises not China specific, says Army Leh, September 12 “It heralds new long-term strategic and military understanding between India and the United States that has emerged after the WTC terrorist attack,” said Lieut-Gen Arvind Sharma at a press conference on the second anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in the USA. The statement assumes significance in the wake of the situation arising out of India’s decision on not sending troops to Iraq. “It is a new thaw in the military relationship between the two countries and it will continue,” Lieut-Gen Sharma said. The joint exercises would continue in 2004 also, though initially these were planned till 2003 only. The Army officer, however, ducked all questions on whether or not these joint exercises were aimed at countering challenge from a certain country or terrorist organisation. The exercises will continue till September 25. “It is high-altitude training. Barren hills and rocky terrain found in Leh were not available for training in the USA,” he read out from a prepared statement. The Army was tight-lipped on whether or not such alliance would harm India strategically in case of any future conflict between the two countries. The Army is also silent on how will India use this training in its war against terrorism and what help will the USA offer to India. There was no satisfactory reply on why Ladakh had been chosen when such terrain was found even in Afghanistan. “China should not have any apprehensions about these military exercises. The Chinese border is about 200 km from this place. Though some Chinese troops had recently violated the LoC, everything had been sorted out with the Chinese authorities. Some land along the LoC was used for patrolling by both countries and it often caused misunderstanding, the officer said. For high-altitude assault, while India had superior manpower, the USA had better equipment and technological assistance. The interaction would be highly useful for India during operations in Kargil. The US soldiers and officers declined to talk to newsman. Locals said troops from China had recently crossed over to India near the Pan Gong lake, a major part of which is in China. It was alleged that some literature was thrown on this side, but the Army denied it. |
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10 killed in J&K, infiltration bid foiled Srinagar, September 12 Security forces scuttled an infiltration bid by gunning down three militants at Jandrala in the Mandi sector of Poonch district today, the spokesman said adding that the encounter was still going on when reports last came in. Two more militants, yet to be identified, were killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces at Banihal in Doda district today, he said. He said a militant of the Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit, Abu Aslam was killed in a gun-battle with the security forces at the Hollan-Duligam sector of Banihal yesterday. A militant was killed in an exchange of fire with the security forces at Urpach-Ganderbal on the outskirts of Srinagar last night, he said. He said a security personnel was killed in an encounter with the security forces at Gund Gul Sheikh in the Gurez sector of Baramula district. A foreign militant of Al-Badr outfit was killed in an encounter with the security forces near the Line of Control at Nowgam sector in frontier district of Kupwara, he said, adding that one AK rifle, a wireless set, four grenades and 1 kg of explosive material besides some rounds were recovered from his possession. Security forces today recovered 40 kg of explosives besides other arms and ammunitions when they busted a militant hideout in north Kashmir’s Baramula district. JAMMU: Three terrorists were killed near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir early today as the security forces foiled an infiltration bid. On noticing a group of infiltrators in the Pindi area, the security forces challenged it and in the ensuing encounter, three terrorists were killed, security sources said. Meanwhile, Pakistani shelling, which began at around noon yesterday continued till 6 am today. — PTI |
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Shelling in Poonch, 4 Pak troops killed Jammu, September 12 The sources said the Pakistani troops had fired mortar shells in Digwar, Sokar, Ajote, Salotari, Malti, Jhalas and Maldalian targeting Army installations and civilian areas. Three villagers were injured when the Pakistani troops opened heavy mortar fire along the Line of Control in the Poonch sector. The injured — Didar Singh (42), Ajit Kumar (25) and Ibrar Ahamad (18) — are from Digwar village. The injured have been admitted to Government Hospital at Poonch. Meanwhile, the Indian and Pakistani troops were locked in heavy shelling in the Bhawani area of Nowshera sector in Rajouri district this evening. The Pakistani troops restored to heavy mortar shelling along the LoC at Laam, Kalsian, Jhanghar and Bhawani border outposts in Nowshera sector at about 11.45 am today. The shelling was continuing when the last reports came in.
— UNI |
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Security beefed up in Kathua Jammu, September 12 These measures had been taken after field reports indicated that some parts of the Kathua-Akhnoor border were being used by the militants for infiltrating into Jammu. The seven rebels, who were holed up in Ghatti, were said to have crossed from the Shakargarh area of Pakistan. The security situation in Kathua district and the most sensitive areas of Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur districts was reviewed at a meeting of senior officers which was presided over by the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohd Sayeed, here last evening. In the meeting, according to sources, the Chief Minister told the security agencies to deal firmly with the militants who had started extending their activities to Kathua district. Mufti Mohd Sayeed was informed by the Director-General of Police, Mr Gopal Sharma, and other officers about the steps been taken to contain the activities of the militants. Mr Sharma today convened a meeting of senior police officials in which reviewed the crime situation in the Jammu region. Meanwhile, the police authorities in areas in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, bordering Kathua district, had been told to stepup patrolling after field reports revealed that militants were active these areas. Since only 80 km of the 187 km stretch of the international border had been fenced, various border tracks from Kathua to Akhnoor were prone to infiltration. |
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CM seeks Centre’s nod to project for migrants Jammu, September 12 He said the plan envisaged allotment of five-marla plot to each family in safe areas. The land was being identified. The Chief Minister said that a Rs 21 crore project had been prepared to save inhabitants of the low-lying areas from the fury of the Chenab. The government had decided to grant the backward area status to areas within 8 km of the border on the pattern of the areas close to the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. The Mufti earlier conducted an aerial survey of the damage caused by floods in the Chenab. The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma; the Speaker, Mr Tara Chand; and the PWD Minister, Mr Madan Lal Sharma, also spoke at the gathering. |
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5-day police remand for Hurriyat leader Budgam, September 12 Jammu and Kashmir National Front Chairman Khan was presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Budgam, where a five-day police remand was sought for questioning, the sources said. Khan was likely to be questioned about the source of the money which was allegedly meant for funding militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, they said. Before being presented in the court, Khan said he was being “framed” and there was no truth in the allegations that the money he was carrying was meant for funding militancy. “These are baseless charges. I am financially well off and Rs 9 lakh is not a big amount for me”, he added. Khan was detained at his Hyderpora residence in the Civil Lines area by the police after he failed to explain the source of money in his possession. The Inspector-General of Police, Mr K. Rajendra Kumar, said the money seized from Khan was received through hawala channels and meant for funding militancy in the state. Khan is a general council member of the Hurriyat supporting the breakaway faction led by Masrat Alam.
— PTI |
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2,000 to get mobile telephone service in Kashmir Srinagar, September 12 The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice, Justice V.K. Jhanjhi, formally released a list of 2,000 applicants in whose favour the mobile services would be released. The Chief General Manager, BSNL, Jammu and Kashmir circle, and the General Manager, Kashmir circle, were also present on the occasion. In his address, the General Manager, BSNL, Kashmir, said no private operators so far had offered to provide mobile services in Jammu and Kashmir. He added BSNL was the only service provider in the state so far, though offers had been invited from three other operators. It would provide more than 13,000 mobile connections each in Jammu and Srinagar circles. The General Manager, BSNL, Kashmir circle, Mr J.S. Marshall, said the computerised draw of lists in a sequential would be followed by the verification of addresses and other details provided by the applicants. He added that the names would be rejected, in case, there was any variation in the details provided. Referring to the issuance of SIM cards to the subscribers, Mr Marshall said these would be launched from next week and more than 150 cards issued per day from four outlets at the CTO, Srinagar, Sulaiman Complex, Dalgate, Burzulla and Bemina telephone exchanges here. Mr Marshall said SIM cards issued would be activated after five days and the whole process of issuing the cards would be completed within three months. |
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250 rivers, streams identified for hydel projects Srinagar, September 12 Minister for Power Mohammad Sharief Niaz said the Power Development Department would soon conduct a technical feasibility survey for the hydel power plant. Mr Niaz, who visited the site on Monday, was accompanied by Revenue Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and a team of engineers. Earlier, addressing a public meeting at the Arizal village in Khan Sahib constituency, he said around 250 potential rivers and streams had so far been identified for the construction of mini-hydel projects in the state. He said energy being the core requirement for development, the coalition government had decided to involve the private sector to make this objective a reality.
— UNI |
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Arrest Zargar under POTA, says state BJP chief Jammu, September 12 Dr Nirmal Singh also demanded that similar action should be taken against another minister who was suspected of having links with certain terrorist organisations. He said the resignation of Mr Zargar was an attempt to neutralise the demand for his arrest and a judicial inquiry into the matter. Dr Nirmal Singh asked the Congress and the Panthers Party, which were coalition partners in the PDP-led government, to clarify their stand on the issue. |
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Probe ordered into Anantnag firing Srinagar, September 12 The District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, appointed the Additional Development Commissioner, Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, as inquiry officer to investigate the circumstances that led to the firing incident. The ADC has been asked to submit his report to the District Magistrate by September 21.
— PTI |
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