J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Jehad Council wants to talk
But wants forces back in barracks
Jammu, April 24
Following United Jehad Council Chairman Syed Salahuddin’s support to the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and the ongoing confidence-building measures initiated by Delhi and Islamabad, the Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, has moved a step forward expressing willingness to participate in the talks for resolving the Kashmir or problem.

3 militants killed in encounter
Srinagar, April 24
Four persons, including three militants, were killed while the security forces busted a number of hideouts and seized arms and ammunition like RDX, grenades, improvised explosive devices across Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

Infiltration picks up as snow melts
Jammu, April 24
With the snow on high reaches melting, infiltration from across the border has again stepped up, which is contrary to the expectations that Pakistan would relent in the wake of initiatives for building confidence between the two countries.

Jehad Council wants to talk
But wants forces back in barracks
M.L.Kak
Our Correspondent

Jammu, April 24
Following United Jehad Council Chairman Syed Salahuddin’s support to the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and the ongoing confidence-building measures initiated by Delhi and Islamabad, the Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, has moved a step forward expressing willingness to participate in the talks for resolving the Kashmir or problem.

However, it has imposed several conditions. Hizbul Mujahideen’s military adviser Mehmood Gaznavi has in a recent writeup said that “we would strengthen the ongoing dialogue between India and Pakistan and make the bus service a success if the strength of the Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir is substantially reduced”.

Mr Gaznavi has said that besides major de-induction of the security forces, the troops be sent back to the “barracks.”

Another condition imposed by the outfit is that the government should direct the security forces to stop operations against Jehadi groups. He has demanded that all detainees be released from jails.

In the writeup, published in the latest issue of the largely circulated weekly “Chataan”, Mr Gaznavi has said that “no solution to the Kashmir issue and other allied problems is possible if militants are either sidelined or ignored during the talks.”

How long can the government provide security to passengers travelling by bus between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad ? Posing this question, Mr Gaznavi has referred to a recent statement by the National Conference President, Mr Omar Abdullah, stating that it is not possible for the state government to provide security to the passengers.

The Hizb military adviser has suggested to the Government of India to talk to leaders of militants, including Syed Salahuddin, if it wants the parleys between Delhi and Islamabad and the confidence-building measures to succeed.

He has said the “strength and importance of militants should not be underestimated.”

It is in this connection that the APHC leaders wish to meet leaders of various militant outfits in Pakistan and occupied Kashmir so that the ground is prepared for their involvement in the trilateral talks.

A former Chairman of the APHC, Molvi Abbas Ansari, told this correspondent today. “We have conveyed to Delhi that before planning to visit Pakistan and azad Kashmir we are keen to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.”

Asked whether the APHC leaders had applied for passport or a local permit for travelling to Muzaffarabad, he said: “We have not applied so far.we are awaiting an invitation from Mr Manmohan Singh.”

Kashmiri separatists refer to the recent statements of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and the chairperson of the ruling PDP, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, praising Syed Salahuddin for supporting the resumption of the bus service.

“So far there has been no direct or indirect offer to militants to come forward for talks either by the state government or the Centre,” said Mr Gaznavi

Molvi Ansari said the conditions imposed by Mr Gaznavi for participating in the talks had been “mooted by us years ago.” He wanted the government to accept these conditions in the interest of peace in the region.

3 militants killed in encounter

Srinagar, April 24
Four persons, including three militants, were killed while the security forces busted a number of hideouts and seized arms and ammunition like RDX, grenades, improvised explosive devices across Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, an official spokesman said today.

The security forces killed three militants in an encounter in the Mehdhar sector last evening, he said.

He said the encounter ensued after a search party was attacked by the militants with automatic weapons and grenades. An AK rifle, seven UBGL grenades, one hand grenade, one wireless set, two matrix sheets, three magazines and 21 cartridges were seized from the encounter site, he added.

He said troops came across four militant hideouts while making searches at different places in Rajouri district.

Their search led them to the recovery of one RPG launcher, three RPG rockets, one RPG booster, 31 hand grenades, 61 Chinese grenades, one AK rifle, its nine magazines, 200 cartridges, 17 detonators, five antennas, eight remote control devices, eight IED boxes, 29 batteries, 33 PIKA rounds, 1.6 kg of RDX, 18 IED switches, two IEDs and one UBGL grenade.

Two AK magazines, 30 AK cartridges, one gas cylinder, one pressure cooker and 100 kg of ration were seized from another militant hideout in Banihal, Doda.

Four AK magazines, one wireless set, two hand grenades, one diary and items of daily use were seized from a militant hideout at Chamber Nullah.

All the six militant hideouts were later destroyed by the troops, the spokesman added.

In another incident, militants kidnapped and later shot dead Safeer Ahmad Malik, a bus conductor by profession, at Wasoora village in Pulwama district of South Kashmir today, he said.

Militants also shot at and wounded Farooq Ahmad at Thaloran in the Gandoh area last evening, the spokesman added. — UNI

Infiltration picks up as snow melts
S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 24
With the snow on high reaches melting, infiltration from across the border has again stepped up, which is contrary to the expectations that Pakistan would relent in the wake of initiatives for building confidence between the two countries.

Encounters of the security forces with terrorists in the forward areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu and also in the Kashmir valley have again become a daily affair.

Infiltration of terrorists had reduced to almost a trickle during winters when all entry routes were buried under thick snow. However, with the snow gradually melting now, terrorists have again started making attempts to enter here from Pakistan and also the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

As many as seven terrorists were eliminated in a single day in the valley last week. In another incident, two terrorists were shot during an infiltration bid in the Sabra Gali of Mendhar in Poonch district on April 22. Yesterday, two militants were killed by the security forces in the district.

Mendhar is the main infiltration route from the PoK for terrorists. Most terrorist training camps run by the ISI of Pakistan and their launching pads are scattered in the area. Reports of infiltration of terrorists have again started pouring in.

Pakistan has also not stepped down its propaganda against the Indian security forces fighting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan Television, which is the official channel of the government, in its daily telecasts spews venom gainst the Indian security forces and describes the eliminated terrorists as “innocent Kashmiris”.

However, the level of infiltration of terrorists is not as high as the earlier summers, but it has not completely been stopped.

The damage caused to the barbed wire fencing on the LoC due to heavy snowfall and snow storms this winter is aiding infiltration.

The reduction in troop deployment in the state as a confidence-building measure has been suspended for the time being as the Centre is watching the situation. A fresh decision is likely to be taken on the issue if things improve during the summer.