J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Mufti lauds police for combating terrorism
Srinagar, October 22
At least 4,522 police and security force personnel have been killed while performing their duties since the eruption of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. Disclosing this, the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Mr Gopal Sharma, on the occasion of police commemoration day at Zewan, yesterday, said these included 1,227 state police personnel.

Puja in Maa Kali temple after 15 years
Handwara, October 22
The Maa Kali Bhadarkal Temple was opened for the devotees on the occasion of Dasehra here after 15 years. The temple, about 10 km from the main town, was damaged due to snowfall and rains as no puja was being performed there after the migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the area following eruption of militancy in early 1990s.

2 top Hizb militants surrender
Jammu, October 22
Two top militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen surrendered to the security forces in Udhampur district today.

Mufti lauds police for combating terrorism
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 22
At least 4,522 police and security force personnel have been killed while performing their duties since the eruption of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Disclosing this, the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Mr Gopal Sharma, on the occasion of police commemoration day at Zewan, yesterday, said these included 1,227 state police personnel.

He said during the past year, 833 police and paramilitary forces personnel, including 86 state policemen, were killed while performing their duties.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, lauded the role of the state police and urged the security forces to put forward its human face while dealing with militancy in order to avoid collateral damage.

He said this was important to further the process of normalisation in the state.

He credited the state police with commendable performance, adding it had made a major contribution in bringing about a turnaround in the situation.

Mufti Sayeed said during the past two years of his government, the police and the security forces had been working with utmost care and restraint while dealing with violent situations. He said the government had given clear instructions to the security agencies to avoid collateral damage during militancy related operations.

He said the instructions are strictly adhered to, making a positive impact on the situation and the mindset of the people.

Describing the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan as an encouraging development for the subcontinent, the Chief Minister said it had made a positive impact on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Puja in Maa Kali temple after 15 years

Handwara, October 22
The Maa Kali Bhadarkal Temple was opened for the devotees on the occasion of Dasehra here after 15 years.

The temple, about 10 km from the main town, was damaged due to snowfall and rains as no puja was being performed there after the migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the area following eruption of militancy in early 1990s.

However, the local Muslims look after the temple and in fact repaired it several times.

But it was now a joint efforts by the local population and the troops deployed there, that the temple was renovated and opened again to devotees who had come from different parts of the state, including Jammu.

A large number of devotees participated in the puja. — UNI

2 top Hizb militants surrender

Jammu, October 22
Two top militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen surrendered to the security forces in Udhampur district today.

A defence spokesman said the two surrendered at Sabaz, near Mahore, in Udhampur district.

He said they were identified as Nisar Ahmad and Rahim, alias Taufiq, both residents of Sabaz.

They surrendered along with two UBGLs, 16 UBGL grenades, one .303 rifle, 14 hand grenades, one pistol silencer, one radio set, 962 AK cartridges, one tear gas shell, 13 PTD switches, nine IED switches and 63 detonators, the spokesman said. — UNI