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Geelani’s sidelining a boost for APHC
Syed Ali Shah Geelani
LeT commander killed, jawan commits suicide
Amarnath yatra resumes
Additional charge for minister
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Geelani’s sidelining a boost for APHC
Jammu, August 16 A senior APHC leader told this correspondent today: “Mr Geelani stands isolated and Pakistan had distanced itself from the hardliner, who had earlier been patronised for several years for his open pro-Pak sentiments and utterances, when the separatist leader had blamed Gen Pervez Musharraf, during his meeting with the President in Delhi in April, that Pakistan had adopted a soft line on Kashmir.” The level of patronage further dwindled after Mr Geelani stayed away from the Iftihar party hosted by the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. What seems to have led to the boosting of the morale of the APHC leaders was the way the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Mr Naeem Khan, favoured involvement of the APHC leaders in the talks on Kashmir. The Hurriyat leader said: “Though Mr Khan said that Pakistan will not determine who are the representatives of the people of Kashmir his support to the involvement of the APHC leaders in the parleys is an indication of recognition we have received from Pakistan.” Since Pakistan favoured a dialgoue between the Kashmiri separatists and Delhi the line adopted by Mr Geelani has not been relished by those who matter in Islamabad. Mr Geelani has opposed a dialogue with Delhi and has been favouring grant of right of self-determination for the people of Kashmir. He said that Islamabad had not been impressed by the show of strength Mr Geelani demonstrated when he organised a rally at Hyderpora in Srinagar recently. In fact, the rally was aimed at sending a message to Islamabad that he was the genuine representative of the people of Kashmir and forcing the Jamait-e-Islami leadership to revoke the suspension notice served on him and three of his supporters. However, the Geelani camp has not given up its fight with the Amir of Jamait-e-Islami, Mr Nazir Ahmed Kashani. According to Mr Geelani’s trusted lieutenant, Mr Ashraf Sehrai, “We are waiting for a reply from Mr Kashani who had declared that the revocation of the suspension notice will be reconsidered.” Mr Sehrai has said: “We will announce our next move only after we receive a reply from Kashani.” This way Mr Sehrai has given ample indication that in case the suspension notice was not revoked the Geelani camp may force a split in Jamait-e-Islami. Inside reports said that Mr Kashani is under pressure not only from the hardliners but from militant groups also favouring revocation of the suspension order. Mr Sehrai has stated that the suspension order had “no justification”. These reports said that Mr Kashani was being advised to accept the demand of the hardliners by taking back Mr Geelani and his three associates which alone could avert a split.
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LeT commander killed, jawan commits suicide
Srinagar, August 16 Security forces also arrested a Hizb militant along with arms and ammunition while a soldier committed suicide in the state overnight. Official sources said a 61 Rashtriya Rifles jawan, Lance Naik Bachinder Singh, stationed at Sonamarg, committed suicide yesterday by shooting himself with his service rifle. The spokesman said security forces gunned down Muzzamil of Pakistan, the district commander of the LeT in an encounter at Harwan forests on the City outskirts early today. An AK 47 rifle, two magazines, a UBGL, one wireless set, one hand grenade and 20 rounds of ammunition were seized from him, he said, adding the ultra was involved in the recent killing of eight people and a police constable at Dara Nallah near Fakir Gojri in the same area. The spokesman said two militants were killed in a gunfight with the security forces at Janwara Warpore in the apple town of Sopore in the border district of Baramulla early today. The house of Khazir Mohammad Shah from where the militants were firing on the security forces was also damaged during the encounter. A Harkat-ul-Mujahideen militant, identified as Wahid Majid Qureshi, alias Waheed, of Pakistan was killed by security forces at Matidoora village, under the Mattan police station, in south Kashmir district of Anantnag early today. One AK rifle, three magazines, 45 rounds, three UBGLs, two UBGL shells and one pouch were seized from him, the spokesman added. A decomposed body of Firdous Ahmad Wani, a shopkeeper, was recovered at Goripora Nambal, Awantipora in the Pulwama district of south Kashmir today. Wani was abducted by the militants a month ago from his village, the spokesman added. Militants fired upon an ambush party of security forces at Kote Lancha under the Gool police station last evening. The security forces retaliated and in the ensuing gunfight, Ali Mohmmad was killed, the spokesman said. Two hand grenades were also seized near the encounter site. He said militants also shot dead Shams-ud-Din at his native village Bagrana Saroor in the Doda district of Jammu region today. Militants fired upon Tuli Bana police post under the Mahore police station last evening. The police personnel also retaliated effectively. However, the militants managed to escape, the spokesman said. Later two bombs and about 300 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. The house of a senior Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) leader Sheikh Ali Mohammad, who represents the party in the breakaway Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was damaged in a blast at Dadsar in Tral area of the Pulwama district this morning. In another incident at Kulgam in south Kashmir, militants forcibly took away arms of police guards. The spokesman said about 12 militants attacked the police personnel guarding the Brazlu bridge in Kulgam area last evening. After a brief gunfight, militants took away two .303 rifles, as many magazines and 20 rounds from the police personnel, they added. Security forces intercepted a Tata Sumo vehicle at Muran in south Kashmir district of Pulwama and apprehended a Hizbul Mujahideen militant along with two hand grenades, one AK magazine and 12 rounds of ammunition, the spokesman said, adding he was later handed over to the local police. — UNI |
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Amarnath yatra resumes
Jammu, August 16 Today’s batch, comprising 94 men, 25 women, 60 sadhus and seven children, left from the base camp of MAM Stadium here in a fleet of six vehicles at 5 a.m., officials said. After halting for the night at base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam, the pilgrims would trek to the cave shrine tomorrow, they said. Reports from Srinagar said that “charri mubarak” (holy mace of Lord Shiva), which had reached Pahalgam from Srinagar yesterday, was being taken to Chandanwari today and would reach the holy cave on August 19 when the yatra concludes on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Over 3.97 lakh pilgrims have so far paid their obeisance at the cave shrine since the beginning of the pilgrimage on June 21.
— PTI |
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Additional charge for minister
Srinagar, August 16 However, the Health and Medical Education Minister, Ms Suman Lata Bhagat, would continue to hold the charge of the two departments as a Cabinet Minister, the release said.
— PTI
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Jammu, August 16
