J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Four top commanders of Lashker, HM killed
Srinagar, March 22
Three commanders of the Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) and a commander of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) were killed while two others surrendered in Jammu and Kashmir overnight. Sources said the security forces killed HM batallion commander Ashiq Hussain in an encounter at Pahalgam in Anantnag district today.

APHC honours Pak envoy’s invitation, Geelani gets cold feet
Jammu, March 22
While several APHC leaders have left for Delhi in response to an invitation by the Pakistan High Commissioner in India in connection with Pakistan Day, the hardliners among the separatists, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, have developed cold feet.

J&K House thanks Centre for bus to PoK
Jammu, March 22
Cutting across party lines, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today unanimously adopted a resolution thanking the Centre for taking steps to resume traffic on the Srinagar — Muzaffarabad (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) road in a bid to restore peace in the state.

MLA’s dharna to demand rail service
Jammu, March 22
Mr Balwant Singh Mankotia, an MLA of the Panthers Party, that is a partner in the ruling coalition in J&K, today staged a dharna in the well of the Assembly, accusing the government of not taking effective steps for starting the passenger train service between here and Udhampur.

Four top commanders of Lashker, HM killed

Srinagar, March 22
Three commanders of the Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) and a commander of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) were killed while two others surrendered in Jammu and Kashmir overnight. Sources said the security forces killed HM batallion commander Ashiq Hussain in an encounter at Pahalgam in Anantnag district today.

The encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by militants hiding in Vilgam village.

One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were seized from the slain militant, who was wanted in several militancy-related incidents in South Kashmir.

The security forces gunned down three commanders of the LeT in a fierce encounter at Dhara Sangla in Poonch district of Jammu region today.

The encounter began when militants hiding in the village attacked a security force patrol party. Three AK rifles, nine magazines and two wireless sets were seized from the slain militants identified as Abu Assadullah, district commander, Abu Mudasar, area commander and Abu Talha, tehsil commander.

Militants shot at and wounded Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh at Budasgam in Anantnag district last night. He was hospitalised.

Two militants surrendered along with two AK rifles, 11 magzines, four hand grenades and two wireless sets at Poonch today.

The security forces arrested two suspected persons at Kokernag in the same district last evening. — UNI

APHC honours Pak envoy’s invitation,
Geelani gets cold feet
M.L. Kak

Jammu, March 22
While several APHC leaders have left for Delhi in response to an invitation by the Pakistan High Commissioner in India in connection with Pakistan Day, the hardliners among the separatists, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, have developed cold feet.

Among the prominent APHC leaders who have flown to Delhi include Kashmir Mirwaiz and chairman of the conglomerate, Molvi Umar Farooq, Molvi Abbas Ansari and Prof Abdul Gani Bhat.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani has adopted a tough posture on the opening of the that Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road by saying that “it is part of the India agenda.”

In his statement, issued after the meeting of the working committee of the Tehrik Hurriyat Conference which he heads, Mr Geelani also blamed Pakistan for sprinkling salt “on our wounds.” He said the ongoing peace initiatives and the confidence building-measures between the two countries were “aimed at giving a burial to our prolonged struggle for securing the right of self-determination.”

He described the cricket and hockey series between India and Pakistan, besides the interaction between political leaders, especially Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his counterpart in Pakistan Punjab, as an insult to the ongoing jehad in Kashmir.

Political observers say that “it is for the first time in his 45-year-long political career that Syed Ali Shah Geelani has fulminated against Pakistan. Among the Kashmiri separatists he has been in the forefront of those clamouring for the merger of Kashmir with Pakistan.

During the past three months, Islamabad has evinced interest in the APHC headed by Molvi Umar Farooq. On a number of occasions in the recent past, the Pakistani authorities, according to intelligence sources, sent messages to Geelani to work for unity among all separatist groups.

Two issues are said to have perturbed Geelani. He has a strong feeling that by agreeing to open road, air and rail links, and by allowing interaction between politicians, academicians and journalists from India and Pakistan, the core issue of Kashmir was being placed under the carpet.

Secondly, he does not cherish Islamabad patronising his rival conglomerate, the APHC.

J&K House thanks Centre for bus to PoK
Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 22
Cutting across party lines, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today unanimously adopted a resolution thanking the Centre for taking steps to resume traffic on the Srinagar — Muzaffarabad (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) road in a bid to restore peace in the state.

The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, moved the resolution and the Opposition National Conference (NC) supported it with amendments. It also sought the reopening of other road links between this part of J&K and PoK.

Interestingly, during the course of discussion on the resolution various parties tried to take credit for reopening of the road. Mr Abdul Rahim Rather (NC) said steps in this regard initiated during the NC regime.

Describing the event as the most significant step in the 57 years history of India and Pakistan, he paid tribute to the leadership of the country for reposing trust in the people of the state and praised the Prime Minister. He also complimented the Pakistani leadership for showing similar flexibility.

The Chief Minister said initially only 30 persons would travel in a fortnight, but the movement of traffic would gradually increase. A sum of Rs 140 crore is being spent for creating wayside facilities on the road. He said he had impressed upon the Prime Minister to let the divided families first travel in the bus that would go to Muzaffarabad.

The House accepted an amendment moved by Mr Rather (NC), seeking reopening of other road links with Pakistan, including the Suchetgarh-Sialkot, Poonch-Rawalakot, Mendhar-Mirpur, Kargil-Skardu.

MLA’s dharna to demand rail service
Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 22
Mr Balwant Singh Mankotia, an MLA of the Panthers Party, that is a partner in the ruling coalition in J&K, today staged a dharna in the well of the Assembly, accusing the government of not taking effective steps for starting the passenger train service between here and Udhampur.

Mr Mankotia said that the rail line between the two places was constructed about a year ago, but the train had not yet been introduced.

He said that it took about 20 years to complete the nearly 53-km rail link of which the foundation stone was laid in 1984 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Inauguration of the rail link was being delayed as no VIP had time to perform the ceremony.