Militant threat to Vaishno Devi
Not enough steps to beef up security
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Patnitop, February 9
Even as a threat of a terrorist attack looms large on the Vaishno Devi shrine, security forces do not seem to have taken enough steps to beef up the security.

After travelling for more than 200 km from Lakhanpur to Patnitop, this correspondent found only a few nakas.Not many vehicles entering the state were being checked there.

A few days ago, N.K. Tripathi, Special Director-General (SDG), CRPF, had said the police had received some inputs about the movement of militants in Trikuta Hills.

Senior police officers have also confirmed an increase in infiltration attempts in the recent past. Hardly any day passes when there is no recovery of weapons, encounter or arrest of any militant in the remote areas of the Jammu region.

The remote areas of Jammu, including Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar, are the most affected and some families are continuously being threatened by militant outfits.

Bhuvan Chand, a resident of Bhaderwah, said: “The situation is not under control and militant outfits are tightening their grip in the area. The focus of the security forces seems to be on the security of Kashmir valley residents and we are getting step-motherly treatment from the government”.

Data provided by the CRPF shows that 72 innocent civilians lost their lives in terrorist violence in the state in 2009.

However, Inspector- General (IG) Jammu Zone, Ashok Gupta said: “We are well prepared to deal with any eventuality. Our forces patrol their respective areas and the crime graph has also decreased in the past as compared to previous years.

Jawan killed in another avalanche
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 9
A day after 17 Army soldiers were killed in an avalanche in the Khilanmarg area of Gulmarg, another soldier lost his life when his post was hit by an avalanche today.

The incident occurred in the Tangdhar sector, where a forward military post near the LoC got buried under the avalanche. Fifteen other soldiers were also buried under snow, but were rescued.

“A forward military post in the Tangdhar sector was buried under an avalanche. One soldier was killed, while 15 others were rescued,” said an Army spokesman.

In another incident, a BSF soldier was killed and two others were injured when due to heavy snowfall a tree fell on the residential barrack of 26 battalion of the BSF camp in Nowgam, Handwara. The dead BSF soldier has been identified as constable Aslamdim while injured are constable Sajad Ali and head constable Davinder Singh.

Meanwhile, a civilian, Mohammed Yousuf Kali, was killed in a landslide when a large stone fell on the house of Nazir Ahmed Kali of Nawaranda Uri. Five other members of the family were injured in the incident. A soldier and a civilian were also injured in Uri when they were hit by shooting stones.

The Meteorological Department said rain and snowfall would occur at most places in the state, while hailstorm would occur at isolated places in the Jammu division in the next few days.

Heavy snowfall continued in the upper reaches of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Uri, Shopian and tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Most areas in Kupwara district remained cut off due to snow, while power supply and vehicular movement in the higher reaches of the district were also affected.

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway continued to remain closed for the fourth consecutive day today leaving around 1,100 vehicles stranded at several places on the highway.

As per the spokesman for the Traffic Department, landslides at various places on the highway forced the closure of the highway for the fourth day, and continuous snowfall was hampering the road-clearing operations.

Meanwhile, the Army soldiers, who died in yesterday’s avalanche in Khilanmarg, have been identified as Naik Kamal Singh of Kathua, Jammu; Naik Kulwinder Singh of Ropar, Punjab; sepoy SR Balila of Andhra Pradesh; Captain Pratik Puntam Bekar of Indore; Lance Naik Vir Balvider Singh Rathore of Jaisalmair; Naik Bamir Lal Junjunu of Rajasthan; Naik Ranjeet Singh of Amritsar; Lance Naik Gurpreet Singh of Amritsar; sepoy Raj Kumar of Jammu; sepoy Davinder Singh of Pithoragarh; sepoy Phungsun of Manipur; sepoy Devanand Araw of Jharkhand; Havildar Suma Rao of Ranchi, Jharkhand; rifleman Rashid Hussian of Rajouri, Naik Prabdhyal of Bishanh, Jammu; rifleman Lakshma Thakur of Nepal; and rifleman Kaljang Dorjay of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.

Azad cautions govt on surrender policy
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 9
Questioning the surrender policy being proposed by the state government to rehabilitate those Pakistan trained youths who wanted to return from the PoK, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said today that “who will take the guarantee of these youths. Who knows whether they are coming to live a peaceful life or are returning as part of a new Pakistan’s strategy?”

Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of a function, Azad cautioned that any hasty decision on this count could prove dangerous for the security of the country. “Who will decide about the number of such youths? Can we believe Pakistan?,” he said when his attention was drawn towards reports that over 800 Kashmiri youths, camping in different areas of the PoK, wanted to return to their native place.

The minister observed that situation was not conducive for the highest level talks with Pakistan. “Though India has taken many effective steps for cordial relations with Pakistan, unfortunately the same was not reciprocated,” he said and pointed out that militant training camps were still functioning in different areas of Pakistan and the PoK.

On a question about the peace process, Azad said the process received a setback after the Mumbai attacks. “Our neighbour is yet to mend its ways, as anti-India activities are still going on across the border,” he said. He opined that some forces in Pakistan were against cordial and peaceful relations with India.

Azad regretted that instead of cooperating with India in punishing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, Pakistani continued to support anti-India elements on its soil. “In the prevailing situation, it is not possible to initiate the peace process with Pakistan,” he said. Unless Pakistan shed its confrontational attitude, cordial relations were not possible, he added.

In an obvious reference to anti-India statements being made by some Pakistan ministers, Azad remarked that such utterances would not help normalise situation in the region. “Instead of adopting a hostile attitude towards India and speaking in different tones, the Pakistan authorities should speak sensibly”.

Vaishno Devi, Patnitop receive snowfall
Tribune News Service

(Katra) Jammu, February 9
The holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and Patnitop, a famous tourist destination, today witnessed season’s first snowfall, while the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-1A) remained closed for the fourth consecutive day. The much awaited snowfall on these hills has started attracting pilgrims and tourists from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

MK Bhandari, additional CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, said: “The track from Ardh Kunwari to the holy cave had experienced 6 to 7 inches of snow. However, the pilgrimage goes on smoothly as the pilgrims are moving towards the holy cave to pay obeisance.”

Bhandari added, “So far, no untoward incident has been reported and we are well equipped to remove the snow from track leading to the shrine.” However, following the inclement weather, the chopper service was suspended for the day.

Naresh and Seema, a couple from Delhi, who came here to pay obeisance, said: “The snowfall has added an attraction to our journey and the sudden change in weather has given us a reason to spend some more days here.”

The lower areas of the region, including Katra city, Jammu and other areas also witnessed hailstorm and incessant rains today.

Alok Kumar, SSP, National Highway, Ramban, said: “The sudden change in the climate has been attracting a large number of tourists, but the slippery road conditions has made the travelling a risky job.” Consequently, a number of passengers were still stranded in Ramban on way to Srinagar, he added.

Governor, CM lay stress on job-oriented courses
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 9
Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today underscored the importance of introducing job-oriented courses at the higher educational level to expand the employability orbit for youth.

They said modern science and technology studies should form essential part of higher studies in the universities to keep pace with the vast growth and development of this sector internationally. They were reviewing the functioning of Jammu University at its 69th Council Meeting here.

Governor, who is also the Chancellor of Jammu University, stressed the importance of such opportunities being provided to the youth of remote areas as this would equip them to secure employment or establish their own ventures. He said feasibility of different courses and their market value should be analysed before these were launched.

Calling for maintaining the highest standards of education, the Governor underlined the need for roping in reputed and qualified scholars, scientists and educationists by involving particularly the educational institutions at national level through MoUs and mutual agreements.

Omar in his address described education as the most effective means to bring about healthy socio-economic change and asked the university to provide the students best educational services for scaling new highs. He asked the management of Jammu University to work out a plan of starting an Institute of Mass Communication in the university for which the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had agreed to support.

Amarnath Yatra
Board to upgrade eco-friendly measures
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 9
Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), chaired the 18th meeting of the Board, which was held at Delhi. An official release issued by Raj Bhawan here stated that the Board expressed satisfaction about the arrangements made during the Amarnath yatra last year and particularly appreciated the measures taken for environmental protection.

The board desired that these protection measures should be further upgraded for the ensuing Yatra 2010. The board noted that for the first time a helicopter service from Pahalgam to Panjtarni was started from July 22, 2009, and operated till the close of the yatra on August 5, 2009.

The service satisfies a long-standing demand that those travelling via Pahalgam route must be treated equally in terms of the conveniences and facilities provided to the pilgrims. Further, the helicopter services from Baltal were also terminated at Panjtarni, instead of at the Holy Cave, w.e.f. July 22.

It was noted that the board has already initiated the process to firm up the operation of chopper services on both the routes during this year’s pilgrimage.

It was observed that the termination of the helicopter services at Panjtarni would satisfy the repeated concern expressed by various quarters that nothing must be done which disturbs the sensitive ecology of the area, besides the longevity of the Ice Lingam.

While deliberating the need for evolving a pragmatic schedule for the annual yatra, the board took note of the fact that in 2010 the Shravan Purnima/Raksha Bandhan falls on August 24 as against August 5 in 2009.

The board took note of the yatra schedule in the past 15 years as well as the pattern of the flow of the pilgrims in the first fortnight from the commencement date.

The chief executive officer of the board desired to timely commence the registration of the pilgrims to ensure the effective management of the yatra during July 1 to August 24 this year.

Noting that 45 pilgrims had lost their lives in the last year’s yatra, the board desired that a strong advisory should be issued to the intending yatris to undergo suitable medical check-up to assess their fitness for undertaking the arduous pilgrimage.

The board also approved the proposal to provide free accidental insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh to all yatris.

Azad rules out air ambulance service
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 9
Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today ruled out the possibility of launching an air ambulance service in the state. Talking on the sidelines of a public function at a private hotel here, Azad said, “Though it is a long pending demand of the state, it is not feasible to launch air ambulance service in the state.”

He added, “The present state Health Minister might have promised to launch an air ambulance service to provide help to people living in remote areas like Kishtwar, Doda and Bhaderwah. It is not possible to launch any such service at the moment for several reasons.”

The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) is the only hospital that caters to people in Jammu and those from remote areas. Whenever a major incident takes place in the region, the victims are brought to this hospital. It can also be said that hospitals situated in remote areas don’t have modern machinery.

It takes a lot of time to shift victims of a major incident happening in an isolated place to the GMCH.

State Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma had assured people several times that the government had mooted a proposal to launch an air ambulance service.

Azad said several other projects regarding the health sector in the state were in the pipeline. “I have asked the state government to propose other public projects also to the Union Health Ministry,” he added.

Azad said machinery in all hospitals in the state would be upgraded in a short period.

Tragedy shatters commando’s family
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 9
A pall of gloom descended on Dhani Bhakta village in the Rajbagh area of Kathua district as a commando of the 9 Para, 27-year-old Naik Kamal Singh, was among 17 soldiers who lost their lives at High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Khilanmarg, near Gulmarg, when an avalanche hit the school yesterday.

“He joined the 9 Para in 2000 and was posted at Udhampur, before joining a training session at HAWS in Gulmarg two months ago,” Mohinder Singh, cousin of the deceased soldier, told The Tribune. He was a bachelor and one among four siblings.

Recently, his elder brother Vijay Singh had been appointed as a teacher in a government school, while his two younger siblings - a brother and a sister - were still pursuing their education, Mohinder Singh said. Kamal’s father Karan Singh was a marginal farmer and mother Pramila Devi a housewife.

Yesterday, we received a phone call from the Army authorities, informing us about the tragedy, Mohinder said. “We have been informed that his body would first reach his unit at Udhampur tomorrow and then it would be brought here,” he added.

Kamal was a brave commando who always cherished a dream to join the Army, but this tragedy had shattered his entire family, he said.

Three other soldiers among 17 others, who lost their lives in the tragedy, also belonged to the Jammu region. They have been identified as Sepoy Raj Kumar of the 11 Dogra Regiment, a native of Dharachak village in Ghou Manhasan, Naik Prabh Dayal of the JAK LI, a resident of Kotla village in Bishnah tehsil and Rifleman Rashid Hussain of the JAK LI from Rajouri.

Defence sources said the families of the soldiers who belonged to the Jammu region were informed about the incident. Monday was the last day of the camp. Today all soldiers had to return to their respective place of postings, the sources said. Sources said over 400 soldiers were in the camp when the avalanche hit the school.

Meanwhile, Governor NN Vohra has expressed profound shock and grief over the tragic death of 17 Army men in an avalanche in the Gulmarg area yesterday.

In his message, the Governor expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.

He has also written a letter to the Northern Army Commander, Lt- Gen BS Jaswal, conveying his condolences to the bereaved families.

Cop shot dead in Sopore
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 9
Four days after militants fired at a police party, killing two persons, they shot dead a Head Constable in Sopore in Baramulla today. The militants opened fire at Head Constable Mohammad Yusuf of the CID near the main gate of the Tehsil office in the town,killing him on the spot. Policemen present there returned the fire,forcing the militants to escape.

Two persons, including a policeman, were killed and two others injured when militants opened fire at a police party in the nearby main market on Friday. Today’s attack is the fifth in the town since December.

Meanwhile,panic gripped the Kaimoh area of Kulgam district after gunshots were fired near the police station late last night. It was later learnt that the guards on duty had opened fire on discovering some suspicious movement.

Jammu: A court in Kishtwar district on Tuesday granted bail to Hafiza Begum,an accomplice of Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami (HuJI) “commander” Feroz Ahmed, alias Dawood, who was killed in a gunfight on February 4.

This was disclosed by Kishtwar SP Mughal Haseeb.The woman had been booked under Section 212, 216 and 122 of the Ranbir Penal Code.She had married Dawood four years ago and the two had two children.

Regarding Shabir, aka Imran,the surviving ultra of HuJI active in Kishtwar district, the officer said, during questioning Hafiza revealed that he had suffered injuries in the February 4 encounter and was still hiding in the Chicha-Nagsaini forest area.

Farooq’s remarks on Kashmir welcomed
Tribune News Service

Jammu , February 9
Welcoming the statement of Dr Farooq Abdullah that Jammu and Kashmir is and will remain as an integral part of India, president of the Socialistic Democratic Party Darakhshan Andrabi said today that it was the welcome personal view of Farooq, but a majority of his party leaders, including his son, speak of limited nationalism or conditional nationalism.

Andrabi, while addressing youth party workers at Jammu today, requested Farooq to kindly extend this viewpoint and transmit and teach this ideology to his party leaders and managers. “Within the NC itself this stand of Farooq Sahib gets murmuring criticism from one and all,” she said and questioned: “If we are an integral part of India, why we are advocating for the Hurriyat’s inclusion in resolving the Kashmir issue? 

Schemes for budding entrepreneurs discussed
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 9
The Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) organised an industrial motivation-cum-awareness workshop on “Entrepreneurship” on the college premises. According to a statement issued here today, S.S Dhillon, Director, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) conducted different interactive sessions on “Entrepreneurship, Market Survey, Projects and Finance Management”.

He also shared information with the participants about various schemes for budding entrepreneurs launched by the state government to promote industrialisation in the state. It was inaugurated by Prof S.K Sharma, Principal, MIET.

24 labourers rescued
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 9
The Kishtwar police claimed to have rescued 24 labourers of the Social Forest Corporation (SFC) hit by an avalanche in the Massu Padder area of Kishtwar today. It said 43 labourers engaged by the State Forest Corporation for the transportation of forest timber were buried under an avalanche in Kishtwar today.

A rescue operation was launched immediately with the help of public and 24 labourers were rescued. The operation was still continuing to trace the remaining persons, the police added.