J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

2 militants, civilian killed in J&K
Srinagar, March 27
Two militants and a civilian were killed and two others injured in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir where three Lashker-e-Toiba ultras surrendered before security forces in Doda district, officials said today.

J&K Govt to approach SC on shahtoosh ban
Srinagar, March 27
The Jammu and Kashmir Government said today that it would approach the Supreme court for lifting the ban on shahtoosh and clearing “misconceptions” created by wildlife activists about the wool obtained from it.

Gail to lay pipelines in J&K
Jammu, March 27
Gail (India) has agreed to extend its gas pipelines to those districts of Jammu and Kashmir where a proper pipeline network can be laid.

14,589 HIV cases in J&K, say doctors
Jammu, March 27
The Army authorities have favoured the sounding of AIDS alert in Jammu and Kashmir where the number of HIV infected persons has risen to 14,589 many of them being in the border areas, a haven for foreign militants.

• Girl killed in blast

2 militants, civilian killed in J&K

Srinagar, March 27
Two militants and a civilian were killed and two others injured in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir where three Lashker-e-Toiba ultras surrendered before security forces in Doda district, officials said today.

The two unidentified militants were killed today in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam area of Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

The encounter took place when militants opened fire on a search party in the village, adding the operation was going on when reports last came in.

Meanwhile, militants shot dead one civilian, identified as Bashir Ahmad, inside his house at Dumky village in Doda district, a police spokesman said.

He also said militants raided Poshnar Forest in Achabal area last night and made an abortive bid to abduct four persons, during which two were injured as ultras opened fire.

In another incident, the sources said militants raided the house of a policeman at Adhal in Kokernag area last night and set it on fire. The inmates of the house were forced out before setting it ablaze, the sources said, adding the ultras left them unharmed.

In a positive development, the spokesman said three Laskher-e-Toiba militants surrendered before security forces at Thathri in Doda district.

The militants handed over two AK assault rifles and a wireless set to the authorities, he added. — PTI

J&K Govt to approach SC on shahtoosh ban

Srinagar, March 27
The Jammu and Kashmir Government said today that it would approach the Supreme court for lifting the ban on shahtoosh and clearing “misconceptions” created by wildlife activists about the wool obtained from it.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed asked Advocate-General Mohammad Altaf Naik to present the state government’s views before the apex court about the negative impact of the ban on the social and economic life of thousands of artisans associated with shahtoosh trade.

“It is important that the apex court is informed that no wildlife law is violated in Jammu and Kashmir for manufacturing shahtoosh shawls,” he said, adding that the adverse social and economic aspects of the ban should be presented before the judiciary.

This follows a meeting of the Kashmir Shawl Manufacturers and Weavers Association (KSMWA) with the Chief Minister here today. They apprised him of the problems confronting the traders due to the ban.

The Chief Minister shared the view of the traders that it was not necessary to kill chiru to obtain shahtoosh wool.

Calling for an awareness campaign to clear misconceptions and present factual position before the world, the Chief Minister asked artisans and workers related with the trade to hold seminars and symposia.

Earlier, the KSMWA called on Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Finance Muzaffar Hussain Beig and sought his help in this regard. — UNI

Gail to lay pipelines in J&K

Jammu, March 27
Gail (India) has agreed to extend its gas pipelines to those districts of Jammu and Kashmir where a proper pipeline network can be laid.

Gail has agreed to lay gas pipelines to several feasible districts for distribution of gas in the state. It will also help in promoting usage of natural gas, its fractions and polymer products in the state, high-level sources in the State Industry Ministry told PTI here today.

Gail will conduct techno-economic feasibility studies based on gas demand, potential and geographical distribution of gas and allied facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, they said.

A team led by Zonal General Manager of Gail, J. Wasan, had made a presentation before Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, who holds charge of the Industry and Commerace Ministry, here yesterday, they said.

A gas cooperation memorandum of understanding was signed between Gail and J&K State Industrial Development Corporation (Sidco), they said.

Sidco will act as nodal agency for facilitating and coordinating the activities of Gail during the course of implementation of the project.

The MoU envisages setting up of a 6-member coordination group that will meet once a month to coordinate the activities and set a time-frame for implementation of the MoU, they said. — PTI

14,589 HIV cases in J&K, say doctors
Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 27
The Army authorities have favoured the sounding of AIDS alert in Jammu and Kashmir where the number of HIV infected persons has risen to 14,589 many of them being in the border areas, a haven for foreign militants.

An Army spokesman said here today that Army doctors had found many persons carrying AIDS virus who were sexually exploited by terrorists.

Many of Afghan and Pakistani terrorists have been spreading the virus through homosexual and heterosexual contact.

The spokesman said that right now there were 273 full-blown cases of HIV, including 40 from six districts of Kashmir.

The Army doctors who hold medical camps in border areas were alarmed to note that there were many patients whose immune system had broken down and the medicines being given to them were not having effect. Investigations confirmed that these patients were suffering from HIV infections.

Girl killed in blast

Jammu, March 27
A 13-year old girl, Nisha, was killed when an abandoned handgrenade went off near the international border in RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said today.

The explosion took place near Matkula border outpost last evening. — PTI