J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

26 security men among casualties
Srinagar, October 8
Twentysix security personnel, including 21 Army jawans, were killed and scores of others injured as the massive earthquake damaged bunkers and barracks along the Line of Control in Baramula, Kupwara and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir today.

It is a major quake after 120 years
Srinagar, October 8
It was after more than 120 years that a powerful earthquake of a magnitude measuring more than seven on the Richter scale struck Jammu and Kashmir today. A devastating temblor had jolted the valley on May 30, 1885, killing more than 3,000 persons.

Jammu’s monuments damaged
Jammu, October 8
The earthquake that rocked northern India did not spare four historical monuments in the Jammu region where at least 200 houses suffered major damage, most of them in the twin border districts of Poonch and Jammu.

No SFC marking on seized timber
Jammu, October 8
The CBI sleuths found that most of the timber scants that were today taken out after breaking open the sealed rakes of a train here in which “sub-standard” wood was being carried for supply to various ordnance depots of the Army did not bear the mandatory hammer markings of the Jammu and Kashmir State Forest Corporation (SFC).

26 security men among casualties

Srinagar, October 8
Twentysix security personnel, including 21 Army jawans, were killed and scores of others injured as the massive earthquake damaged bunkers and barracks along the Line of Control in Baramula, Kupwara and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir today.

The Army has lost 21 soldiers due to bunkers caving in and damage to barracks along the LoC in Rampur, Uri, Baramula and the Tangdhar sectors, a defence spokesman said.

Deputy Inspector-General of BSF K. Srinivasan said four jawans of the force were killed, one was missing and seven others injured in the Uri and Gulmarg sectors of Baramula due to bunker collapses.

While four BSF personnel were killed and another went missing in the Uri sector, seven jawans were injured in Gulmarg sector, Mr Srinivasan said.

One Army jawan was killed in Poonch district, official sources said. — PTI

It is a major quake after 120 years

Srinagar, October 8
It was after more than 120 years that a powerful earthquake of a magnitude measuring more than seven on the Richter scale struck Jammu and Kashmir today. A devastating temblor had jolted the valley on May 30, 1885, killing more than 3,000 persons.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said the earthquake that rocked Jammu and Kashmir in 1885 measured 7.0 on the Richter scale while today its magnitude was 7.4.

The other major quakes that occurred in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are following:

June 6, 1828 in Srinagar area which measured 6.0 on the Richter Scale. This earthquake caused widespread devastation in Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley, killing about 1,000 persons.

May 17, 1917, in Ladakh and measured 6.0 on the Richter scale.

November 11, 1921, again in Ladakh of 6.0 magnitude.

November 15, 1937, in northern Ladakh along the Indo-China border region and measured 6.0 on the Richter scale.

June 22, 1945, near Padua in the Kathua district of Jammu region. The quake measured about 6.0 on the Richter scale.

July 10, 1947, again near Padua in the Kathua district of Jammu region along the borders with Himachal Pradesh. It was measured 6.0 on the Richter scale.

August 12, 1950, also near Padua in the Kathua district and measured 6.0 on the Richter scale.

August 12, 1950, in Gilgit Wazarat in PoK and measured 6.0 on the Richter scale.

September 12, 1951, at Chamba in Himachal Pradesh and Udhampur in Jammu region. It also measured 6.0 on the Richter scale.

June 17, 1962, in Udhampur district of 6.0 magnitude.

June 22, 1965 in Ladakh region which measured 6.1 on the Richter scale.

December 28, 1974, in north-east of Malakhand along the Indo-Pakistan border region with 6.2 magnitude.

April 28, 1975 in Aksai Chin along the Indo-China border region. It measured 6.3 on the Richter scale.

September 12, 1981, in Gilgit Wazarat of PoK and measured 6.1 on the Richter scale. At least 220 people were killed, 2,500 injured in the Gilgit region. There were also unconfirmed reports of surface faulting. The shock was felt in Srinagar, Peshawar and Rawalpindi.

July 6, 1986, at Xizang in the Indo-China border region and measured 6.1.

March 5, 1990, again in Gilgit Wazarat of PoK having a magnitude of 6.0.

March 25, 1990, in Gilgit Wazarat of PoK with 6.3 on the Richter scale. November 19, 1996, in Aksai Chin on the Indo-China border region and measured 6.9 on the Richter scale.

November 1, 2002, the Gilgit-Astore region (PoK.). Landslides reported in the region and the Karakoram Highway was blocked. At least one person killed in a landslide.

November 3, 2002, the Gilgit-Astore region Also felt at Islamabad and Peshawar, Pakistan and at Srinagar, India. At least 17 person killed and 65 injured. 1,500 persons left homeless.

November 20, 2002, the Gilgit-Astore region. As many as 23 persons were killed in the Astore valley. About 15,000 persons rendered homeless. Felt at Islamabad, Pakistan and at Srinagar. — UNI

Jammu’s monuments damaged
Our Correspondent

Jammu, October 8
The earthquake that rocked northern India did not spare four historical monuments in the Jammu region where at least 200 houses suffered major damage, most of them in the twin border districts of Poonch and Jammu.

The first to give in to the severe tremors was the roof of Moti Mahal in Poonch, housing the Brigade headquarters. It was Raja Sukhdev Singh who had laid the foundation stone of the mahal on February 15,1926. It took the Maharaja 16 years to complete its construction.

Years of neglect had already damaged portions of the mahal having a British design with sloping red roofs and dormen windows. In the 1947 conflict with Pakistan, Brig Pritam Singh used the mahal as the first headquarters of his Gallant Brigade. Since then, it has been under the occupation of the Army.

The Inspector-General of Police, Dr S.P. Vaid, told mediamen in Jammu today that in the collapse of the roof of the mahal no one was injured.

The tremors razed to the ground a wall of the Poonch Fort which was built by Raja Abdul Razaq Khan in 1713 A.D. The Reasi Fort where Gen Zorawar Singh had stayed while carrying operations against the enemy troops also suffered major damage owing to the earthquake.

The Mubarak Mandi in Jammu city, where the Dogra rulers’ secretariat functioned, suffered cracks in its walls. The cracks, according to eyewitnesses, were spotted soon after the boulders and hillock started crumbling on the circular road.

No SFC marking on seized timber
S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 8
The CBI sleuths found that most of the timber scants that were today taken out after breaking open the sealed rakes of a train here in which “sub-standard” wood was being carried for supply to various ordnance depots of the Army did not bear the mandatory hammer markings of the Jammu and Kashmir State Forest Corporation (SFC).

The police had seized the 14 rakes of the train carrying timber outside the state about three months ago. The CBI on the orders of the High Court opened these rakes here this morning.

Although only one rake was unloaded till this evening, it is expected to unfold a nearly Rs 80 crore scam allegedly involving senior officers of the Forest Department and at least five private timber traders.

CBI officers and members of the high level team of forest officials headed by Mr P.C. Kapoor, Chief Conservator, were present when the seals of the rake were broken. The timber would be carried to a depot of the SFC at Gladini, near here, where on expert team would examine the quality and quantity of the timber. The timber was seized following a complaint that sub-standard wood was being supplied to the ordnance depots of the Army and the Railways.

The missing hammer marks on the timber scants are likely to put top officers of the corporation in spot as they had certified that the consignment was booked by the SFC. The crime branch of the state police during investigation had named five timber traders. in the scam.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the Forest Department with the Director General of Supplies and Disposal (DGS&D) clearly mentioned that each timber scant should bear the mandatory hammer mark of the SFC.

The absence of these markings indicates that the SFC had procured timber from other sources that was in complete violation of the earlier orders of the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for the complainant, Sheikh Shakeel Ahmad, has pointed out that in view of inadequate police deployment around the seized wood, there was fear of the culprits indulging in some mischief to save their skin. He demanded that the CRPF should be deployed at the place until the expert committee appointed by the high court examined the timber.

He said that those involved in the scam were influential persons and the police crime branch had in an earlier status report had pointed out that an attempt was made to take the train out of the state when it was stopped at the Bari-Brahmanan railway station. However, the train was again stopped at Samba.

The High Court yesterday gave a free hand to the SP of the CBI, Mr.O.P.Gour, to investigate the case under his direct supervision and engage as many officers as he deemed fit for the enquiry.

Strategic importance of Ladakh region emphasised
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 8
Ladakh has its peculiarities in respect of geography, ecology, connectivity and security and the Army is committed to protect these identities.

While speaking at a seminar on "Cross Road of Asia : Border, People, Trade and Security", at Leh, the GOC 14 Corps, Lieut-Gen M.L. Naidu, emphasised on the importance of the region in the national perspective and the modalities for development in Ladakh.

The seminar was jointly organised by Jammu University, 14 Corps and the Indian Pugwash Society. Among others who attended and delivered talks were former Chief of the Army Staff, Gen V.P. Malik, Air Vice-Marshal Kapil Kak (retd), Adviser, Strategic Studies at Jammu University, Prof Varun Sahni, from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Prof Sujit Dutta, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Analysis and Dr Sangeeta Thapliyal from Jammu University.

Various issues related to India-China and India-Pakistan paradigms as well as India's interest in the Central Asia Republic were deliberated upon during the seminar. In the course of discussions, development scenario of Ladakh also came up and the panellists expressed satisfaction on the development being registered in the area, according to a statement issued here.

At the same time it endorsed satisfaction on various eco-friendly initiatives being undertaken by the Army under Sadbhavana programmes in Leh.

Brigadier Manvender Singh, Commander, 114 Infantry Brigade, and Dr Thapliyal delved upon "India - China: Territorial Questions" while Prof Dutta spoke on "Precepts and Principles of Resolution". Air Vice-Marshal Kak spoke on the issue of India's Security Interests in Central Asia. Professor Sahni suggested a four- point agenda for furthering Indo-China relations.

The boundary dispute between India and China, strategic importance of Western Tibet, current bilateral situation and opening of trade route between both the countries also figured among the discussions. Ecological diversity, strategic proximity, good connectivity, border security, economic development in Ladakh were also discussed.