J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Militants exploring alternative routes for infiltration
Jammu, January 23
Senior functionaries of the Army and other security agencies have reports that militants were exploring possibilities of entering into Jammu and Kashmir from neighbouring countries, other than Pakistan. The Army Commander, Northern Command, Lieut-Gen Hari Prasad, told mediapersons in Jammu recently that groups of militants might sneak into Jammu and Kashmir from other states. He named Himachal Pradesh in this context. However, official sources said reports indicated that militants were trying to enter India from across Bangladesh and Nepal for sneaking into Jammu and Kashmir.

Hizbul militant surrenders
Srinagar, January 23
Militants blasted a bulldozer of the Public Works Department even as an ultra of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen outfit gave himself up in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, the police said today. The bulldozer, parked at an under-construction road at Sam Samait in Rajouri district, was blasted by militants last night causing extensive damage to the equipment, they said.

Cylinder bomb seized in Poonch
Jammu, January 23
A major tragedy was averted at Bhimber gali in Poonch today with the recovery of an RDX-fitted LPG cylinder, while 22 Pakistan-made landmines were seized by the security forces at two places in Rajouri district.

Tribune journalist bereaved
Jammu, January 23
Mr B.P. Sharma, father of Mr S.P. Sharma, Special Correspondent, The Tribune, died here this evening. He was 97. He is survived by three sons and one daughter.

Militants exploring alternative routes for infiltration
Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 23
Senior functionaries of the Army and other security agencies have reports that militants were exploring possibilities of entering into Jammu and Kashmir from neighbouring countries, other than Pakistan.

The Army Commander, Northern Command, Lieut-Gen Hari Prasad, told mediapersons in Jammu recently that groups of militants might sneak into Jammu and Kashmir from other states. He named Himachal Pradesh in this context.

However, official sources said reports indicated that militants were trying to enter India from across Bangladesh and Nepal for sneaking into Jammu and Kashmir.

According to these reports, some militants have already reached Kathmandu where they have managed to take advantage of the ongoing conflict between the government troops and the insurgents.

A senior police officer said in the past only senior commanders of different militant outfits used to enter into Jammu and Kashmir from Nepal as this journey meant a lot of expenditure.

He said the completion of the fencing project on the LoC and improved border management by the troops had made ingress from across Pakistan and occupied Kashmir difficult. So militants might try to enter India from across Bangladesh and Nepal.

Senior Army functionaries have said that crossing the fence and the barrier put up by the troops was no more an easy task.

They said more than 75 per cent infiltration bids made during the past six months had been foiled by the troops.

The Army Chief, General N.C.Vij, had termed the surveillance kit and the fencing at the border as ‘fly catcher’.

He told mediapersons in Jammu yesterday that the level of ingress had come down to a trickle.

Though attempts were still being made by the militants to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir from across the LoC, these were being foiled, he added.

He referred to the elimination of seven infiltrators who were killed recently in the Poonch sector.

It is believed that the militant man power in the state has declined after the drop in the rate of infiltration and on account of killing of more than 800 rebels during the past one year.

The agencies aiding militancy are now trying to push militants into Jammu and Kashmir from across Bangladesh and Nepal.

Hizbul militant surrenders

Srinagar, January 23
Militants blasted a bulldozer of the Public Works Department even as an ultra of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen outfit gave himself up in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, the police said today.

The bulldozer, parked at an under-construction road at Sam Samait in Rajouri district, was blasted by militants last night causing extensive damage to the equipment, they said.

A militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit surrendered before police at Sopore in Baramula district, 55 km from here, yesterday and handed over a pistol, its magazine and 18 cartridges to the authorities. — PTI 

Cylinder bomb seized in Poonch

Jammu, January 23
A major tragedy was averted at Bhimber gali in Poonch today with the recovery of an RDX-fitted LPG cylinder, while 22 Pakistan-made landmines were seized by the security forces at two places in Rajouri district.

An Army spokesman said a patrol team sighted an RDX-fitted LPG cylinder kept by militants by the roadside at Bhimber Gali.

Soon thereafter the troops took the whole area under their control and stopped the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, the spokesman said, adding that the cylinder bomb was later defused by the troops.

Meanwhile, a landmine exploded near the line of control in Rajouri sector in the afternoon. No loss of life and property was reported.

Police sources said search of the area later led troops to the recovery of 19 Pakistan-made landmines and a large quantity of other explosive material.

Three anti-personnel mines were seized by troops at Nargis Maidan near Nowshera. These too were later defused by the troops. Arms and ammunition were recovered by troops from a militant hideout near Kishtwar in Doda district. —UNI

Tribune journalist bereaved

Jammu, January 23
Mr B.P. Sharma, father of Mr S.P. Sharma, Special Correspondent, The Tribune, died here this evening. He was 97. He is survived by three sons and one daughter.

Mr Sharma had worked as a correspondent for the newspaper around 30 years ago and had retired as Station Director, AIR. — OC