J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R    E D I T I O N

assembly in session
Legislators take up Jammu attacks, Shopian killings on Day 1
Srinagar, September 30
Terrorist strikes in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu, and civilian killings in Shopian dominated the opening day of the autumn session of the Legislative Assembly here today. Cutting across party lines, legislators demanded a discussion on the recent terror strikes at Hiranagar and Samba in which 10 persons, including four Army personnel, were killed.

Members of the Legislative Assembly observe two-minute silence for the victims of the recent militant attacks on the first day of the session in Srinagar on Monday. Tribune photo: Amin War

Hours after talks, Pakistan again targets Poonch
Jammu/Poonch, September 30
Hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif that “peace on LoC was a precondition” for improvement in ties, Pakistani troops targeted forward posts in the Poonch sector. Both the countries had also agreed to task the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of their respective armies to ensure ceasefire along the de-facto border.

Harsh Dev, Kamal spar over Omar’s accession remarks Srinagar, September 30 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today did not attend the opening day of the autumn session, but his recent remarks over the accession of J&K state were hotly debated by ruling National Conference leader Mustafa Kamal and National Panthers Party legislator Harsh Dev Singh. NC leader Mustafa Kamal at the Assembly session.

Legislators pay tribute to deceased leaders
Srinagar, September 30
The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir legislature here began with the obituary references, as members cutting across political parties paid tributes to the deceased leaders of the state.

Highlight development issues: Speaker
Srinagar, September 30
Asserting that equal opportunities will be given to each political party to raise issues of public interest, Speaker Mubarak Gul today urged the legislators to highlight social, economic and development matters during the ongoing Assembly session.

Indo-Pak talks must focus on K-issue: Hurriyat
Srinagar, September 30
The moderate Hurriyat has termed the talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif a “courageous step” forward. It hoped that apart from reducing tensions along the Line of Control, the talks between the two countries would also “focus and address the core issue of Kashmir.”

Search for militants continues in Kupwara
Srinagar, September 30
A major operation near the Line of Control in north Kashmir, where more than a dozen militants are suspected to be hiding in dense forests and mountainous locales, has entered a seventh day. Fifteen militant are believed to have been killed in the operation so far.

Terror rumours keep police, Army on toes Jammu, September 30 Post twin terror attacks in Kathua and Samba districts on September 26, rumour mills continue to keep security forces on their toes across the Jammu region. While the police and paramilitary forces again launched a cordon and search operation in Hiranagar tehsil of Kathua district late last night and continued it today to trace a group of militants, similar information from the outskirts of Jammu also turned out to be untrue.

Army personnel keep vigil outside a school in Jammu on Monday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

Mortar shells recovered, defused Jammu, September 30 Panic gripped the industrial area in Bari Brahmana, on the Jammu-Pathankot highway, after locals spotted six mortars shells in an open field near a cement factory. An Army officer with a policeman holding the scrap of a mortar shell found in an industrial area near Bari Brahmina during a search operation in Jammu on Monday. A Tribune photograph

assembly in session
Legislators take up Jammu attacks, Shopian killings on Day 1
M Aamir Khan
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 30
Terrorist strikes in Kathua and Samba districts of Jammu, and civilian killings in Shopian dominated the opening day of the autumn session of the Legislative Assembly here today. Cutting across party lines, legislators demanded a discussion on the recent terror strikes at Hiranagar and Samba in which 10 persons, including four Army personnel, were killed.

They also condemned the August 9 communal clashes in Kishtwar and the Shopian killings, in which four persons were allegedly gunned down by the CRPF.

While the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the fidayeen attacks at Kathua and Samba and the communal violence in Kishtwar, she rued government apathy towards the victims of Gool, Bandipora and Shopian incidents.

“The government has failed to go beyond issuing statements regarding Gool, Bandipora and Shopian killings,” Mehbooba said.

“Militant attacks in Jammu resonated in the UN council, while Kishtwar was raised in Parliament. But beyond issuing the statements over killings at Gool nothing happened,” she said.

The PDP leader flayed the government over its failure to provide justice to the families of the civilians killed in the Shopian and Bandipora incidents.

Meanwhile, referring to the recent comments made by former Army Chief VK Singh, Mehbooba said: “The claims of the former Army Chief that certain ministers of the state were given money by the Army, has put a question mark over the credibility of the mainstream leaders.”

She demanded a discussion over the issue.

Dispelled BJP legislator Chaman Lal Gupta said the House had to ensure that the Army “makes a name” for itself in the state.

“The Army is recognised elsewhere (in the country), but it is yet to make a name for itself in J&K,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) legislator Harsh Dev Singh questioned the role of the security apparatus during the recent terror attacks and said the incident should be an eye-opener for those demanding the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

However, his remarks were rebutted by senior National Conference leader Mustafa Kamal, who questioned as to why the infiltration and militant strikes were taking place despite the implementation of the AFSPA. Kamal called for a debate over the issue and said the political parties of the state should give a “second thought” to the revocation of the Act.

The JKNPP legislators earlier demanded that the current NC-Congress dispensation in the state should be dismissed and raised slogans in support of their demand.

Referring to Shopian killings and other incidents, CPM legislator MY Tarigami said repeated inquiries into the civilian killings by the security forces was “making people laugh”.

Tarigami alleged that the inquiries were not being taken to their “logical conclusion”.

Congress legislator Sharief Niaz, meanwhile, claimed that the incidents of violence were being perpetuated for vote bank politics ahead of the 2014 elections.

Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, while terming the killing of civilians and security forces as unfortunate, appealed to all parties to rise above partisan politics.

Earlier, Engineer Rasheed, the Awami Itihaad Party chief, tried to disrupt the speech of Speaker Mubarak Gul and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti.

Rasheed called Jammu and Kashmir politicians as “stooges of the Army”, while pointing out to VK Singh’s remarks. However, he was forced to remain silent after being directed by the chair.

Democratic Nationalist Party president G H Mir, Peoples Democratic Front president Hakim Yasin and Independent MLA Ashwini Kumar too participated in the discussions.

Opening Day

• Engineer Rasheed, the Awami Itihaad Party chief, tries to disrupt the speech of speaker Mubarak Gul and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, terming the Jammu and Kashmir politicians as “stooges of the Army”
• Mehbooba flays the government, saying it has failed to go beyond issuing statements on the Gool, Bandipore and Shopian killings
• JKNPP legislators demand that the current NC-Congress dispensation in the state should be dismissed. They enter the House raising slogans ‘coalition ko barkhast karo’ and ‘stop killings’

Hours after talks, Pakistan again targets Poonch
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria & Darshan Bharti/TNS

Jammu/Poonch, September 30
Hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif that “peace on LoC was a precondition” for improvement in ties, Pakistani troops targeted forward posts in the Poonch sector.

Both the countries had also agreed to task the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of their respective armies to ensure ceasefire along the de-facto border.

Pakistani troops opened small arms and automatic weapons fire late last night in Saujiyan, Balakote, Mankote and Mendhar areas of the Poonch sector.

“Last night around 9.30 pm Pakistani troops opened small arms and automatic weapons fire in Balakote, Saujiyan, Mankote and Mendhar areas along the LoC, drawing a measured response from the Army,” an Intelligence source said.

“In the Balakote sub-sector Pakistani troops of 637 Mujahid Regiment and 650 Mujahid Regiment opened fire from their Cheel post. Similarly, in Saujiyan area Pakistani troops of 646 Mujahid Regiment opened fire from their NPP post,” the source said.

“Reports also suggested that Pakistani troops opened fire in Mankote and Mendhar sub-sector,” he added. The source, however, said the volume of fire was not intense and the exchange of fire was confined between posts.

“The skirmishes lasted till 11.30 pm,” he said. Meanwhile, the Army has denied any fresh skirmish on the LoC. Jammu-based Defence spokesperson SN Acharya said there was no fresh firing in the Poonch sector.

Manmohan Singh and Nawaz Sharif during their meeting at New York yesterday had agreed to task the DGMO of their respective armies to come out with an effective road map to ensure ceasefire along the LoC.

Both the countries had put in place the mutually brokered truce deal on the borders on November 23, 2003.

However, there has been a flare up along the LoC since August 5-6, when Pakistan Army’s border action team — an amalgam of commandos from the special services group and Lashkar terrorists — killed five Indian soldiers in the Chakan da Bagh area.da Bagh area.

Harsh Dev, Kamal spar over Omar’s accession remarks
M Aamir Khan/TNS

Srinagar, September 30
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today did not attend the opening day of the autumn session, but his recent remarks over the accession of J&K state were hotly debated by ruling National Conference leader Mustafa Kamal and National Panthers Party legislator Harsh Dev Singh.

Soon after Singh, while referring to Omar’s comments, said such statements should not be issued as they encouraged anti-national elements, Kamal responded by saying that those having objections should get their “facts right” as there was nothing wrong with the Chief Minister’s remarks. “No one can stop me from stating the truth,” he added.

The Chief Minister while interacting with a European Delegation last Wednesday had said accession of the Jammu and Kashmir to the Union of India was on four matters: currency, communication, foreign affairs and defence. “While all states acceded to Union of India and then merged with it, Jammu and Kashmir only acceded and did not merge. That is why we have special status, our own constitution and the state flag,” he had said.

When Kamal was defending the statement, Singh strongly objected saying he knew the facts, following which Speaker Mubarak Gul directed him to allow the NC legislator to complete his statement.

Kamal also pointed out that Article 370, which grants special status to the state, had been gradually made weak. He said NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had remained instrumental in implementing Article 370 as it guarded the interests of the majority community. He said the Army was called in to safeguard the interests of the minority community of the state.

Later, BJP legislator Jugal Kishore too objected to Kamal’s utterances, claiming Article 370 was the reason behind the underdevelopment of the state. He said J&K was behind all other states because of Article 370. “You (Kamal) say Article 370 bridges the gap between the state and the Centre… but it widens the gap,” he added.

What the CM said

• The Chief Minister while interacting with a European Delegation last Wednesday had said accession of the Jammu and Kashmir to the Union of India was on four matters: currency, communication, foreign affairs and defence
• “While all states acceded to Union of India and then merged with it, Jammu and Kashmir only acceded and did not merge. That is why we have special status, our own constitution and the state flag,” the CM had said

Legislators pay tribute to deceased leaders
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 30
The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir legislature here began with the obituary references, as members cutting across political parties paid tributes to the deceased leaders of the state.

The Legislative Council passed the obituary references of ex-Rajya Sabha Member Dharam Chander Prashant and ex-MLC Daya Krishan Kotwal.

Legislative Council Chairman Amrit Malhotra paid rich tributes to both the leaders, while highlighting their contribution towards strengthening of democratic values. Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Kumar Sadhotra recalled Prashant was a veteran journalist and worked as Bureau Chief of the Press Trust of India in Jammu.

Highlighting the qualities of Kotwal, the Minister said he was a dedicated political worker, who spent his life in serving the people of the state. The House also observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the late leaders.

They also expressed grief over the demise of MLC Mohammad Muzaffar Parrey’s son.

In the Legislative Assembly also members paid rich tributes on the obituary reference moved by Speaker Mubarak Gul.

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said the contributions made by the late leaders will be long remembered, as they left their personal comforts for the betterment and welfare of people.

Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs AR Rather, Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir, leader of opposition Mehbooba Mufti and other legislators, including Chaman Lal Gupta, MY Tarigami, Harshdev Singh, Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Engineer Abdul Rashid, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Jugal Kishore and Ashwani Sharma, also spoke on the obituary reference.

Highlight development issues: Speaker
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 30
Asserting that equal opportunities will be given to each political party to raise issues of public interest, Speaker Mubarak Gul today urged the legislators to highlight social, economic and development matters during the ongoing Assembly session.

The Speaker cautioned that none of the members would be allowed to raise issues pertaining to communal passion or against the mutual brotherhood, an official spokesman said.

Gul was chairing a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee here.

The Speaker also said the Zero Hour should be conducted without any disruption and added that during the period legislators should highlight issues of immediate concern to the public.

He insisted that officers of all major departments should be present in the officers’ gallery during the Zero Hour and take note of the highlighted problem, so that it can be addressed at the earliest, the spokesman said.

Gul added that though it was a short session, yet he will try his best to utilise the time effectively.

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for Agriculture Production Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Saifullah, Deputy Speaker Legislative Assembly Mohammad Sartaj Madni, legislators Chaman Lal Gupta, Hareshdev Singh, MY Tarigami, AR Veeri, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, Tsetan Namgyal, Ashok Khajuria and Ashwani Kumar Sharma were present on the occasion.

Indo-Pak talks must focus on K-issue: Hurriyat
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 30
The moderate Hurriyat has termed the talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif a “courageous step” forward. It hoped that apart from reducing tensions along the Line of Control, the talks between the two countries would also “focus and address the core issue of Kashmir.”

In a statement issued here today, the Hurriyat while welcoming the talks also “stressed” the “need to insulate the talks from accidents” and suggested a “permanent and continuous” dialogue process between the two nations for resolving all issues, including Kashmir.

The Hurriyat executive, which met here under the chairmanship of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, stressed the need “to prioritise the real issues for the talks instead of focusing only on side issues like border tensions or terrorism”, said a Hurriyat spokesman.

The Hurriyat, he said, considered Kashmir as the “real cause” behind the tension in the subcontinent. Without solving the Kashmir issue and by not including Kashmiri separatist leaders in talks, any bilateral process aimed at solving the problem would not succeed, he added.

In a separate statement, senior Hurriyat leader and National Front chairman Nayeem Khan has termed the speech of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at UN General Assembly as “misleading and an attempt to distort” history.

“Manmohan Singh has once again tried to distort history. The historical fact is that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally accepted dispute and its people are yet to decide about their political future,” Khan said.

Search for militants continues in Kupwara
Army says bodies of 15 ultras lying in the area
Azhar Qadri
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 30
A major operation near the Line of Control in north Kashmir, where more than a dozen militants are suspected to be hiding in dense forests and mountainous locales, has entered a seventh day. Fifteen militant are believed to have been killed in the operation so far.

The operation in the Keran sector of Kupwara district has become one of the longest encounters in recent years between the Army and militants, with no immediate end in sight.

A group of 30 to 35 militants infiltrated from across the Line of Control (LoC) on September 24 into the Keran sector, about 130 km from here. It was intercepted by the Army, resulting in days of confrontation and intermittent exchange of heavy gunfire.

So far, the Army has claimed to have killed 15 militants whose bodies, it said, were lying in the area.

An Army officer said a “status quo” was in place in the operation as soldiers were following a “wait and watch” approach. “We don’t want to expose our troops in open, but it is confirmed they (militants) are still there,” the officer said.

The operation involves troops of 5 Assam, 57 Rashtriya Rifles, 3/3 Gorkha Rifles and Army’s elite para commandos.

The officer said fresh gunfight broke out between troops and militants last night which continued for more than half an hour.

The militants have spread out in a vast swathe of mountainous area, which is under cordon by hundreds of soldiers, and have engaged troops in at least four locations.

“The contact has been made almost everyday at the four locations,” he said.

The militants are believed to have come from several outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Al Badr and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Militancy has declined to record levels in Kashmir in recent years but has shown signs of resurgence.

There has been a sudden spate in attacks in the Kashmir region this year, including the return of fidayeens, who carried out two major strikes in Srinagar city in mid-March and in the Jammu region last week, targeting security forces.

Terror rumours keep police, Army on toes
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria/TNS

Jammu, September 30
Post twin terror attacks in Kathua and Samba districts on September 26, rumour mills continue to keep security forces on their toes across the Jammu region. While the police and paramilitary forces again launched a cordon and search operation in Hiranagar tehsil of Kathua district late last night and continued it today to trace a group of militants, similar information from the outskirts of Jammu also turned out to be untrue.

Around 12.30 am today, an ex-serviceman, havildar Hans Raj, and his daughter-in-law, Reva Rani, claimed that a group of two or three ultras, carrying bags and weapons knocked at their gate in Mela Village in Hiranagar tehsil, said Kathua SSP, Mohan Lal. Panicked, the ex-serviceman claimed to have fired two rounds from his .303 bore rifle forcing the militants to flee, the SSP said.

“Since we had two major strikes on September 26, the police and CRPF immediately launched searches and carried them till this morning. But we didn’t find anything,” said the SSP. “We talked to the woman (Reva Rani) who told us that the militants also threw stones at their gate before fleeing. She didn’t confirm firing of gunshots by her father-in-law and our investigations also didn’t corroborate the old man’s claims,” said the police officer.

Similarly, some locals around 1:15 am today kept the Army and the police on their toes when they informed them about the presence of suspected elements near the Kalibari Army area in Kathua.

“They (police and Army) searched the area but again found nothing,” said an official source. Though private educational institutions in Kathua district have been functioning among fear of militants in the area, Kendriya Vidyalayas in Lakhanpur, Kathua and Hiranagar have been closed till October 3 as a precautionary measure.

The police rushed to the Greater Kailash area today after a man claimed to have seen militants near a school.

“We met the person and also launched a search operation. We also put in place all precautions but his claims turned out to be untrue,” said Jammu SSP Atul Goel.

Mortar shells recovered, defused
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 30
Panic gripped the industrial area in Bari Brahmana, on the Jammu-Pathankot highway, after locals spotted six mortars shells in an open field near a cement factory.

“After locals informed us, a police party rushed to the area and found six mortar shells kept in bushes,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba, Israr Khan said.

He added that three of the recovered shells were used, while the other three live.

The SSP said a bomb disposal squad was requisitioned and the explosives were defused at an isolated place.