Jammu, January 1
The Army foiled an intrusion bid by a group of armed militants along the LoC in the Balakote sector of Poonch district last night and arrested a Pakistan guide.

Troops on patrol noticed some persons moving suspiciously near the LoC in the Kangra Gali area in the Balakote sector around 7.45 pm yesterday, sources in the Army said.

“Subsequently, our troops engaged a group of five to six armed ultras in a gunfight for over an hour. However, the militants fled to the PoK,” they added.

Later, the troops caught a Pakistan guide identified as Sagir Mohammed of Keralay Majan village in the PoK, the sources said. “He is being interrogated about the tactics being adopted by the ultras to intrude into the Indian territory. We are also trying to know from him about various terror camps in the PoK,” they added.

After the interrogation, he arrested Pakistan guide would be handed over to the police, the sources said. A major search operation has been launched in the area to track down the militants.

Meanwhile, two jawans of the 163 Territorial Army, who went missing yesterday from the Gool area of Ramban district, were found dead today. The slain jawans have been identified as Mohammed Sharif and Mohammed Khalil of the 163 TA Battalion. While Mohammed Sharif was found dead early today, the body of Mohammed Khalil was found this evening, the sources said.

As part of the counter-insurgency policy, the two jawans had gone on a specific operation in the Khora-Baghpora area in the Bhimdasa belt of Gool tehsil in Ramban district today where they were killed by the militants, they added.

Jammu, January 1
The BSF today lodged a protest with the Pakistan Rangers for violating ceasefire and resorting to firing on a forward border outpost along the border in Samba district on December 26.

At a Commandant-level meeting in Ramgarh outpost, the BSF lodged a protest with the Pakistan Rangers over the ceasefire violation at the Ballard outpost on December 26,” said BSF sources.

The meeting was led by Commandant 59 Battalion of BSF OP Upadhaya and the Pakistan Rangers were led by Wing Commander of Chenab Rangers Raja Syed. It lasted for over half an hour, said sources.

However, the Pakistan Rangers denied any knowledge about the firing and the ceasefire violation on December 26 at the Ballard outpost, they added.

Jammu, January 1
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has issued instructions to the Union Ministry of Environment, Ecology and Forests for taking appropriate action for the development of Mansar and Dalsar lakes and their promotion as tourist resorts.

According to a press release of the Panthers Party here today, the Prime Minister has issued the directions in pursuance of the demand projected by senior party leader Harsh Dev Singh. He had submitted a petition to the Prime Minister during his visit to the state in June 2010. Harsh Dev had requested the Prime Minister for the development and promotion of the lakes and water bodies of the Jammu region with sepcial emphasis on Mansar, Dalsar and Surinsar lakes on the analogy of Dal and Wular lakes.

According to the release, the Union Minister for Environment, Jairam Ramesh, has taken up the issue with the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority and the National River Conservation Directorate.

In a letter to Harsh Dev Singh, the Union Environment Ministry has apprised him about the initiatives taken by it in pursuance of his petition.

Srinagar, January 1
After remaining blocked for two days due to snowfall, the 296-km Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was thrown open to two-way traffic this afternoon and stranded trucks carrying essential commodities were cleared for movement towards the Valley.

This information was given by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asghar Hassan Samoon, here this evening. He said 351 light and 338 heavy vehicles left from Jammu to Srinagar while 457 light and 247 heavy vehicles left Srinagar for Jammu.

Samoon said the divisional administration had already ordered restrictions on the traffic movement on the Srinagar-Gumri road, Bandipora-Gurez, Daksum-Kistwar road, Kupwara to Machil, Keran and Tangdar roads, Mughal road and other roads which were vulnerable from the snow point of view till the weather improves.

He said out of 208 power receiving stations, 206 were restored, besides 86 feeders of 33 KV. He added that till 4:30 pm today, 730 MW had been made available and the gas turbine had started functioning at 5:30 pm daily.

Regarding the availability of foodgrains, Samoon said 21.475 million tonnes of rice, 9.274 million tonnes of wheat, 1.709 million tonnes of sugar were available, while petrol and petroleum products were sufficient for the current month. The Divisional Commissioner said the snow clearance work on the Kokernag-Vailoo-Daksum road, Kokernag-Larnoo-Matigawran-Insha-Margand Top road, Damhal-Simmer-Dandwar road, Kapran-Dooru road, Shopian-Aharbal road was in progress. However, the Vailoo-Matigawran road was through for light vehicles.

He said the SMC had pressed into service 72 de-watering pumps and clearance lanes and bylanes had been done by the corporation. The Divisional Commissioner said the Airforce AN-32 had been arranged between Srinagar and Kargil on Monday.

The highway was blocked on Wednesday evening due to a heavy accumulation of snow on the either side of the Jawahar Tunnel, about 100 km south of here on the only surface link to the Valley. Several passenger vehicles were stranded between the tunnel and Qazigund, gateway town of Kashmir, on Wednesday due to the slippery condition of the road. These passengers were evacuated to safer locations, provided accommodation and shifted here by the civil administration and the police on Thursday.

A police official in Jammu said over 2,000 vehicles were stranded at various places on the highway and over 1,300 vehicles had been cleared. Around 700 vehicles were in the process of being cleared, he added. Meanwhile, dense fog in Jammu had disrupted the movement of trains due to fog since last night. 

However, air operations were normal today. After three days of bad weather conditions, it was clear and sunny in the Valley today and there were no reports of any rain or snowfall from any part of the state. The minimum temperature, which had dipped to minus 6.6°C earlier, improved as the minimum temperature was recorded at 0.8°C here last night. The maximum temperature also showing a slight improvement was recorded at 10.4°C today. The Meteorological Department has forecast mainly dry weather conditions across the state during the next 24 hours.

With an improvement in weather conditions the movement of traffic on various roads in the Valley was being restored. However, many roads in parts of south Kashmir and Budgam district of central Kashmir continued to remain under a thick cover of snow, restricting the normal movement of traffic.

Srinagar, January 1
They lost the entire summer season of income generation due to the six months of unrest in the Kashmir valley, but now the recent snowfall here has revived their hopes of making up for the losses incurred during the unrest.

“The season’s first snowfall has given us a ray of hope, as it has started attracting a large number of international and domestic tourists,” said Gulzar Ahmed, a hotel owner near the Dal Lake.

It seems that after months of unrest that shattered the tourism sector things are fast returning to normal as a large number of tourists have started arriving in the Kashmir valley. “We had to retrench our staff during summer, but now things are fast moving towards normalcy. The occupancy rate in the hotels is increasing and tourists are returning to the Valley. The six months of violence now seems to be a thing of the past,” said Firdous Ahmed, another hotel owner in Srinagar.

For some of the tourists, who witnessed the season’s first snowfall in the Valley, it was like a dream come true for them as they say they would like to come here every year to see the nature’s “beautiful phenomenon”. “This was for the first time we saw snowfall. My family, my kids were all elated to see snowflakes falling from the sky to the ground,” said Mukesh Kumar, a resident of New Delhi.

A partially frozen Dal Lake, snow-covered mountains, roofs of houses covered with snow, the Kashmir valley these days is offering a splendid view to the people who come here to spend their vacation.

“We are hopeful that the six months of unrest will not have any impact on the winter tourism. So far the trend seems to be encouraging and the occupancy rate in the famous hill resorts of Gulmarg and Pehalgam is good. Even hotels have a good occupancy rate in Srinagar city as well,” said an official of the state Tourism Department. At various places both domestic and international tourists could be seen enjoying the snowfall, children as well as adults throwing snowballs at each other.

The symptoms of normalcy are visible in the Kashmir valley as for the first time since the armed insurgency erupted two decades ago New Year was celebrated in a grand way at various places in the Valley. “There was a first of its kind event at a hotel in Srinagar that was attended by local youths and tourists. There was another event organised by a hotel in Gulmarg that also witnessed a good participation,” said the official.

Jammu, January 1
Notwithstanding claims of senior leaders of ironing out differences on the contentious issues rocking the coalition government, differences between the National Conference (NC) and the Congress have further widened due to the utterances of leaders of both parties.

The recent demand of rotating chief ministership raised by former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma has created a flutter in the coalition as a group of senior NC leaders have taken a strong note of his statement and demanded action against him for trying to violate the coalition agreement.

In the presence of the top leadership, Sharma, while addressing a function to mark the foundation day of the Congress, had strongly demanded that a provision for rotating chief ministership should be made in the state. To substantiate his demand, Sharma had recalled an agreement between the Congress and the PDP in 2002, according to which both parties had agreed to lead the coalition government for three years each.

The NC leaders, while lambasting the Congress for demanding the rotation of chief ministership, have pointed out that it was the Congress high command that had decided to handover chief ministership to Omar Abdullah for the full tenure. A prominent NC leader, Mustafa Kamal, has minced no words in attacking Congress leaders for their demand. He argued that local Congress leaders had been ignoring the directions of Congress president Sonia Gandhi because, according to him, the NC had been leading the coalition due to the directions of the Congress high command. He alleged that some local Congress leaders had been trying to weaken the coalition at the behest of some forces.

Kamal was of the opinion that Sharma’s statement did not make any sense as an agreement was on papers that the NC would lead the coalition for the full six years’ term.

“The NC has entered into an agreement with the Congress high command in New Delhi, not the state Congress,” he said.

Interestingly, two factions of the Congress have been fighting publicly but on the issue of rotating chief ministership they are united. Both factions have repeatedly taken up the issue with the party high command.

Even as the Congress high command has not responded to the demand of the local unit, the statement of Mangat Ram Sharma attached importance because he is a member of the Coordination Committee that has been constituted to run the government. Sharma is likely to take up the issue in the next meeting of the Coordination Committee. 

Udhampur, January 1
Lt-Gen KT Parnaik today took over the command of the Northern Command at Udhampur after the superannuation of Lt-Gen BS Jaswal.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, Parnaik was commissioned into the 2 Rajputana Rifles in 1972. After early years of regimental service and staff appointments, he graduated from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He has done the Senior Command, Higher Command and National Defence College courses.

As per an official release, Lt-Gen Parnaik takes over the charge of the Northern Command with his experience in counter-insurgency and high altitude warfare. He commanded the 2 Rajputana Rifles in the Rajasthan sector (Udaipur), an Infantry Brigade in Operation Parakram on the LoC in J&K and a Mountain Division in a high altitude area of Sikkim.

Before taking over as the Director General of Perspective Planning, Lt-Gen Parnaik commanded the Indian Military Training Team at Bhutan and a corps in the Northeast.

Parnaik was received at the Bikram Park Helipad by the Chief of Staff, HQ, Northern Command, Lt-Gen Jasbir Singh. Immediately after his arrival, the incoming Army Commander laid a wreath at the Dhruva War Memorial and, thereafter, proceeded to meet all officers posted in the Northern Command Headquarters.

His operational experience includes Operation Cactus Lily in 1972 and various counter-insurgency operations in the Northeastern sector and Jammu and Kashmir. For his distinguished service in the Northeastern sector, he was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card twice. He was also honoured with the Yudh Seva Medal in 2003 for his exemplary conduct of operations while commanding an Infantry Brigade during the Operation Parakram.

He was also honoured with the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal for his command of 4 Corps during the Operation Rhino in 2010. 

Jammu, January 1
For the first time a civilian has been honoured with the DGP’s commendation medal, a certificate and cash award for saving the lives of a large number of passengers during a terrorist attack on their bus in the Baigo Nar area near Thanamandi in Rajouri district.

DGP Kuldeep Khoda awarded the DGP’s commendation medals and certificates to 175 officers and jawans of the J&K Police yesterday. A bus driver, P Singh, who had saved the lives of passengers trapped at Baigo Nar village in Rajouri district in August last year, was honoured with the DGP’s commendation medal for his bravery. A senior police officer said the bus driver had set an example of bravery and his efforts were appreciable. He added that last year a sportsman was awarded the same medal. But, so far, no civilian had been honoured with this medal for saving the lives of people.

The medals and certificates had been awarded in recognition of their meritorious services, hard work and dedication exhibited during the year 2010.

The awardees included 13 SPs, 2 Chief Prosecuting Officers, 15 DSPs, one Senior Prosecuting Officer, one Prosecuting Officer, 17 Inspectors, 22 Sub-Inspectors, 13 Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 34 head constables, 51 constables and six others. Besides, 19 special police officers and 26 personnel of other security forces deployed in the state had been awarded the DGP’s commendation medals and certificates for their meritorious and exemplary services during 2010. 

Jammu, January 1
The Ace of Spades Artillery Brigade welcomed 2011 by conducting a “gift a smile” goodwill drive in the Bal Ashram at Nowshera in Rajouri district. Forty-one children of various age groups from the Bal Ashram were presented with educational and sports equipment.

The event also encompassed a live band and games for all children of the ashram along with a special New Year lunch. The occasion was presided over by distinguished Army officers and civilian dignitaries of Nowshera.

While inaugurating the event the importance of nurturing the new generation and their aspirations was highlighted by all. The Bal Ashram authorities expressed their profound gratitude for the “gift a smile” drive.

The children on their part were full of praise for the Army and for them this was one of the best New Year ever. Many of them even expressed their desire to join the Army and serve the country.

Jammu, January 1
Twenty-one students and two teachers of Army School, Jammu, returned from an educational tour of historic cities of Agra and Delhi today.

The tour was organised for the children belonging to militancy affected areas of the state under the aegis of the Tiger Division of the Army. It provided these students a lifetime experience.

Interacting with Major Gen TPS Waraich, GOC, Tiger Division, and other officers on their return, the children said the excursion helped change their perception about the Army and the country as a whole and also strengthened bonds with the local population.

It gave them an opportunity to learn about the glorious history, diverse cultural heritage and rich traditions of the country and they were motivated and inspired to bring about similar changes in their region.

Jammu, January 1
In connection with the ongoing celebrations of Dogri Manata Divas, the Nami Dogri Sanstha felicitated the entire team of Dogri film “Maan Ni Mildi” at the KL Sehgal Hall here today.

In their keynote address, MLA, Jammu east, Ashok Khajuria, who was the chief guest in the function, and the president of the Sanstha, Dogra Harish Kaila, appreciated the efforts of the producer of the film and lead actor, Amit Choudhary.

Speaking on the occasion, Amit expressed gratitude to the viewers of the movie that had completed 100 days in city theatres. “Another Dogri film is in the making and it has been 80 per cent completed. In another couples of months it would be ready for release,” he added.

Prominent among others who were present on the occasion included additional secretary of the Academy for Art, Culture and Languages Savita Bakshi, noted Urdu writer SS Anand Lehar, general secretary of the sanstha Yash Pal Yash and Prof Anupama Sharma.

Jammu, January 1
A constable of the 11th Battalion of the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) allegedly fired into the air from his service rifle during an altercation with some persons here today.

Sources said constable Shahid-ul-Ahmed, a resident of Baramulla, had a tiff with an auto-rickshaw driver and a hotel owner. They added that the driver had parked his auto-rickshaw on a narrow road to which the constable objected to and told him to remove his vehicle. Later, the hotel owner also abused the constable and a verbal duel started between the two, the sources said.

“Within a few seconds, some persons gathered there and started beating the constable. Thereafter, the constable opened fire into the air and fled,” they added.

However, no action had been taken against those who thrashed the constable, as the hotel owner was said to be an influential person, the sources said.

“The constable did not receive any injury and has also not filed any complaint. But we have initiated investigation into the matter,” said Sajjad Khan, SHO, Peer Mitha police station. “We have informed the IRP officers about the incident and they might have taken action against the constable for firing into the air in a busy locality,” he added.

Sajjad said the constable told them that an auto-rickshaw driver abused him and in a fit of rage he fired into the air. Meanwhile, the sources said the constable had been suspended but no senior officer confirmed it.

Jammu, January 1
The Jammu and Kashmir Awami Congress criticised the Union Human Resource Development Ministry for appointing Prof Amitabh Mattoo as the Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Jammu in utter “disregard” of the opposition to his candidature.

Party president Sat Pal Sharma said here today that the appointment of Prof Mattoo as the Vice-Chancellor of the university was against the sentiments of local people.

“When Prof Mattoo was the Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, things had deteriorated there to such an extent that a few legislators raised in the Assembly the issue of bungling in the university,” Sharma added.

Udhampur, January 1
New Year began on a sad note as 25 persons were injured when a private bus they were travelling in met with an accident at Battal Morh, about 30 km from here, today.

As per the police, due to a technical defect the bus overturned around 10 am today. The ill-fated bus bearing registration number JK 02U 2737 had left the Udhampur bus stand for Bilawar around 8 am carrying 30 passengers.

The injured were taken to the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Majalta, where 18 of them were admitted. Of the six seriously injured, three were rushed to the District Hospital, Udhampur, while the other three were referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu. Besides local residents, police personnel from Majalta and Manval police stations reached the spot and helped the injured get medical aid. An ambulance from the Public Health Centre, Majalta, also reached the spot immediately.