J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

12 intruders shot
Srinagar, September 28
The security forces tonight shot dead 12 militants in the Gurez sector of Baramula district of of North Kashmir, foiling their infiltration bid, defence sources here said.

Move to strengthen Army camp security
Jammu, September 28
A four pronged strategy has been drawn up to foil suicide attacks on Army camps in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Defence Ministry sources, all Army camps have been cleared of shrubs and foliage to prevent militant attacks from bushes as happened in Tanda where Brigadier was killed.

They migrate at night to dodge bullets
Jammu, September 28
Following increased threats from militants, at least 100 families migrate from border villages of Rajouri district to safer places during the night. In the morning, they return to their villages to work in the fields and tend to the cattle.

First snowfall in upper reaches of J&K
Srinagar, September 28
The upper reaches of the Kashmir valley and Kargil region last night received first snowfall this season, resulting in considerable drop in the temperature.

Jasrota Fort being developed for tourists
Jammu, September 28
The Jammu and Kashmir Government is giving the final touches to a comprehensive policy aimed at attracting bigger number of home and foreign tourists to the state.

12 intruders shot

Srinagar, September 28
The security forces tonight shot dead 12 militants in the Gurez sector of Baramula district of of North Kashmir, foiling their infiltration bid, defence sources here said.

This was the first major infiltration bid by the ultras in this sector in a week.

Meanwhile four persons were killed and one injured when a group of militants attacked the house of Sai Hussain in the Mahore area of Udhampur district late last night. — PTI

Move to strengthen Army camp security
Our Correspondent

Jammu, September 28
A four pronged strategy has been drawn up to foil suicide attacks on Army camps in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Defence Ministry sources, all Army camps have been cleared of shrubs and foliage to prevent militant attacks from bushes as happened in Tanda where Brigadier was killed.

The sources said non Army personnel inside the camps and in the offices would also be armed. Before only those guarding the sentry boxes and the entry gate held guns and the rest attended offices without carrying weapons. Carrying of weapons has been made mandatory for all men in the olive green.

Thirdly, more security pickets have been set up inside and outside every Army camp. Before the suicide Fidayeen attack in Tanda camp between one to two security pickets were functional in every camp. Now one finds security camps inside every Army camp at a distance of 100 metres. And those at these pickets and bunkers can fire in all directions once they spot movement of rebels in or outside the camps.

Fourthly, a two to three-tier road barriers have been established at the enterance of the Army camps. Highly sensitive and vital camps have spiked steel barriers which can puncture a car trying to push in without permission or clearance from the guards.

Though in the last five years number of Army camps corps headquarters have been ringed by tall cement concrete walls, paucity of funds had forced the Army authorities to remain content with barbed wire fencing.

Police headquarters, residential areas and some important police stations have been fortified by cement concrete walls but financial constraints have left scores of police stations and camps without boundary walls.

They migrate at night to dodge bullets
M.L. Kak

Jammu, September 28
Following increased threats from militants, at least 100 families migrate from border villages of Rajouri district to safer places during the night. In the morning, they return to their villages to work in the fields and tend to the cattle.

Eyewitness accounts say posters recently appeared in parts of the district, threatening farmers against harvesting the maize crop. Over the years, militants have infiltrated into Rajouri and nearby Poonch sectors under the cover of the standing maize crop, says the police.

Though the crop is ready for harvesting, the threat from militants has prevented farmers from carrying out harvesting. Migration during the night has been taking place in scores of villages, including Pullulia, Naka Payeen, Dasal, Sadyal, Mankot and Thandi Kassi.

The villagers carry baked maize bread and curd with them while leaving their homes just before sunset. They take shelter in camps, in the houses of their friends and relations for the night. From 6 p.m. to the early hours of the morning the villages remain deserted as if curfew restrictions have been imposed.

Another problem that confronts the border villages is that during search operations or during ambushes laid by the security forces, civilians face a lot of inconvenience. They prefer migration to bullets.

First snowfall in upper reaches of J&K

Srinagar, September 28
The upper reaches of the Kashmir valley and Kargil region last night received first snowfall this season, resulting in considerable drop in the temperature.

A weather office spokesman said snowfall on the upper reaches had resulted in considerable drop in the day temperature, which was recorded at 16.8°C, three degrees below normal. He said this was the first time after several years that the temperature had gone down in the valley during this time of the year.

The upper reaches of the world-famous Ski resort of Gulmarg received six inches of snow since last evening, an official of Gandola cable car project said over the phone from Kongdori.

He said after rains since early morning, it had been snowing at Ongdori. However, work on the second phase of the Gandola cable car project was on despite the snowfall and drop in the temperature.

Upperwat in Khilanmarg zone had had six inches snow since last evening.

A report from Kargil said all high peaks had received the first spell of snowfall, making it the second coldest place in the world after Siberia.

The holy cave shrine of Amarnath had about two feet snowfall while Mahaguns, Panjtherni and Sheshnag had six inches to one feet of snow.

The cold wave because of early snowfall on the high reaches had damaged paddy and fruit crops in several areas of the valley. — UNI 

Jasrota Fort being developed for tourists
Our Correspondent

Jammu, September 28
The Jammu and Kashmir Government is giving the final touches to a comprehensive policy aimed at attracting bigger number of home and foreign tourists to the state.

Encouraged by the first ever heavy tourist traffic, during the past 13 years to the valley this summer, the Government has decided to develop other resorts in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh so that a greater number of excursionists visit the state. This was stated by the Minister for Tourism, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir, at a press conference here today. Mr Mir said under the new policy, Sudh Mahadev and the Jasrota Fort in Jammu were being developed to attract tourists.

The new policy would lay emphasis on opening new resorts and pilgrim centres for tourists which include Katra and Mansar in Jammu.

In addition to this, the entire tourist infrastructure in the shape of suitable huts, recreation centres was to be developed. The minister said stress was to be given on improving environment in and around all tourist resorts, which included shelter-sheds and connecting roads. He said by organising various sports meet, seminars and conference at the national level in Srinagar and Jammu the Government aimed at attracting tourists of different economic strata.

“Our aim is to take the tourist traffic back to the level of pre-1987 when more than six lakh tourists, including 70,000 foreigners, would visit the state,” the minister added.