J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Militants oppose Pervez’s stand on Kashmir
Srinagar, April 18
Four militant outfits, which had recently issued threats to passengers against boarding the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, here today opposed Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s approach on Kashmir with the Indian leadership.

Mufti foresees peace in region
Jammu, April 18
Welcoming the joint statement of India and Pakistan issued at conclusion of the three-day visit of President Pervez Musharraf, Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed said it would strengthen peace between the two countries and consolidate the process of reconciliation in the region.

Attack on Army camp foiled; two killed
Srinagar, April 18
Two persons, including a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant, were killed and four injured in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, whereas troops foiled a militant attack on an Army camp in Rajouri district today, official sources said.

Three Pak militants killed in gunbattle
Jammu, April 18
Three Pakistani militants, including an Area Commander, were killed in a gunbattle with the security forces in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir today, official sources said.

Militants oppose Pervez’s stand on Kashmir
Tribune News service

Srinagar, April 18
Four militant outfits, which had recently issued threats to passengers against boarding the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus, here today opposed Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s approach on Kashmir with the Indian leadership.

The spokesperson for the outfits - Al- Nasreen, Save Kashmir Movement, Al-Arifeen and Farzandan-e-Millat hailed the role of the hardline leader and chairman of the APHC, Syed Ali Shah Geelani for expressing his unhappiness over Pakistan’s “softened stance” on Kashmir during his meeting with General Musharraf in Delhi yesterday.

The confidence building measures like the beginning of the bus service to the LoC was no solution to the Kashmir dispute and that such measures were “only to deviate the attention from the main issue of Kashmir, the spokesman added.

Syed Salahuddin, chief of the United Jehad Council (UJC) based in Pakistan, had on Saturday expressed his willingness to enter into a dialogue with the Government of India.

The timing of his statement was well chosen as it was expressed on the day when Pakistan President Musharraf began his three-day India visit. Syed Salahuddin had also assured that the Hizbul Mujahideen was not against the start of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service.

Mufti foresees peace in region
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 18
Welcoming the joint statement of India and Pakistan issued at conclusion of the three-day visit of President Pervez Musharraf, Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed said it would strengthen peace between the two countries and consolidate the process of reconciliation in the region.

Reacting to the joint statement here today, the Mufti said it was a “good news” especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir as it meets their urge to increase the frequency of the Srinagar — Muzaffarabad bus service and use of the Jhelum Valley road as a trade route.

Agreement on the opening of the Poonch — Rawlakote road is another positive spin off of the meeting. This would provide great relief to the people on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).

The Mufti complimented the statesmanship and farsightedness of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and General Musharraf said the sincerity with which they discussed issues and agreed to take the peace process forward shows their commitment to resolve the problems. He said the people of the state view the outcome of the meeting as a significant development and a step in the right direction.

He said the assertion by the two leaders that they would not allow terrorism to detail this enormous confidence building measures was encouraging. The people of the state have stake in peace.

In her reaction, the ruling PDP chief, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, has said that the historic statement is bound to strengthen the peace process and it establishes that no solution of Kashmir could be thrust on the people of the state.

Attack on Army camp foiled; two killed

Srinagar, April 18
Two persons, including a Jaish-e-Mohammad militant, were killed and four injured in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, whereas troops foiled a militant attack on an Army camp in Rajouri district today, official sources said.

JeM militant Aftab Ahmad, a resident of Doda district, was killed in an encounter with the security forces at Traji-Ahlan in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district last night, the sources said.

A PIKA gun, 24 cartridges and three grenades were recovered from the slain militant, they said.

The police recovered the body of Shabir Ahmad Najar from Pastoona village in Pulwama district this morning. A resident of Laragam, Najar, was a carpenter by profession and was kidnapped and later hanged to death by militants.

In another incident, two Army personnel were injured when ultras opened fire on a patrol party in the Jugal Dheri forest in Poonch district last night.

A civilian was injured when he was caught in a shootout between militants and the security forces at Reshnagri in Pulwama district this afternoon, the sources said.

A 15-year-old boy was injured when he fiddled with a grenade planted by militants in Nad Mohalla of Poonch district last evening, they said.

In a search operation, troops found and defused two detonators with 1.8 kg of RDX in a hideout near an Army Garrison in Rajouri district last night. The militants had planned to blow up the Army camp, the sources said.

The security forces apprehended three suspected militants during search operations at Bangdara village in Baramula district today, a police spokesman said.

An AK rifle, five magazines and 120 cartridges were recovered from a mosque in the village, he said.

The security forces seized a sniper rifle, three grenades, a grenade launcher, two magazines of light machinegun, 70 cartridges and a detonator from a hideout at Quail-Muqam in the district last night.

A joint search operation by the police and the security forces smashed a hideout in the Mendhar sector of Poonch district last night and recovered five AK magazines, 180 cartridges, eight hand grenades, a rifle grenade, a grenade thrower, a wireless set, three rockets and a time device, the spokesman said.

The security forces also recovered an AK rifle, a magazine and 32 cartridges near the Line of Control in the Naushera sector of Rajouri district today. — PTI

Three Pak militants killed in gunbattle

Jammu, April 18
Three Pakistani militants, including an Area Commander, were killed in a gunbattle with the security forces in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir today, official sources said.

An encounter took place between militants and troops in the Serya area in the district when troops launched a specific operation this afternoon, they said.

In the gunbattle, three Pakistani militants were killed and three AK rifles, seven magazines, 110 cartridges, nine grenades, three IEDs and some documents were recovered from them, the sources said.

The slain militants have been identified as Abu Usma, LeT Area Commander, Abu Zuber and Toufiq, they said. — PTI