NC worker among 14 killed
Tribune News Service and PTI

SRINAGAR, Feb 22 (PTI) — Fourteen persons, including eight militants, a ruling National Conference (NC) activist and two members of a minority community, were killed and eight injured in militancy-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening.

Seven persons, including five militants, were killed in three separate encounters with security forces in the Sawari, Hagoon Post and Sabzi Darhal areas of Rajouri district yesterday, an official spokesman said here today.

The killed militants include two foreign mercenaries, he said, adding that three AK assault rifles, a grenade launcher, a wireless set and some ammunition were recovered from them.

Another militant, Abass Malik alias "Bengali" was killed in a gun fight with security forces at Mir-Danter in Anantnag district today.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said troops gunned down two suspected militants in an encounter at Postun Mohalla near Wusan in Anantnag district today. Two AK assault rifles, six grenades and some ammunition were recovered from them.

An NC activist, Abdul Razak Bhat, was killed and his son seriously wounded when militants opened fire at them after intruding into their house at Bonakote in the Bandipora area of Baramula district today.

Militants shot dead two persons of a minority community at Nowsheechana in the Mahore area of Udhampur district last night.

A teenaged boy was killed and two others were injured when an explosive device exploded at Nowpora Bala in Pulwama district last evening, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, a top militant of south Kashmir Khursheed Ahmad Reshi alias Abu Adil surrendered to the police in Anantnag, some 55 km from here, yesterday.

Reshi, who is better known as "doctor", handed over his AK assault rifle to Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir, P.S. Gill at Anantnag.

Giving the reason for his surrender, Reshi in his statement to the police said that Pakistan, which has been showing rosy dreams to the people of the valley and 'inciting them to militancy', has now 'abandoned Kashmiri people', police said.

JAMMU: Except for the death of two persons in an IED blast no other untoward incident took place even as there was no relaxation in the curfew imposed on the four towns of Rajouri, Sunderbani, Nowshehra and Kalakot on Saturday evening following the massacre of 20 persons in three separate incidents.

The curfew was reimposed on Sunday after incidents of violence.

The Army, paramilitary forces and the police continue to patrol sensitive areas in Rajouri and Udhampur districts. As a result of the curfew, work in several government offices, educational institutions and banks was hit. Shops in these four towns remained closed and the roads wore a deserted look.

Entry points to these four towns have been sealed and visitors are allowed in only after proper frisking.

Reports said that militants hurled an IED explosive at the chimney of the house of one Bina Devi in Nhosi village in Udhampur district. Bina Devi and Kaka Ram were killed in the incident. The police has launched a manhunt for the killers.

During the past 24 hours, in an operation launched by the Army, four militants, including two who were suspected to be involved in the carnage at Bal Jaralan and Bariyan in Rajouri and Udhampur district, respectively, were killed.

Official sources said operations against the militants had been intensified. The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, who visited the scene of the carnage yesterday, has directed the authorities to set up additional security pickets in areas vulnerable to militant attacks.

During an interaction with a group of people at the scene of the incident, he criticised the working of the village Defence Committees. At this, one members of a Village Defence Committee (VDC) got up and showed him the rifle that had been given to him. "Yeh leejiya chadi vapass" (take this stick back), he said and added that with such outdated rifles VDC members could not fight the militants, who were equipped with sophisticated weapons.

In the context, the state government has decided to approach the Centre to release funds required for the purchase of modern weapons for the police and VDC members.

Silver jubilee celebrations of CBS begin
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Feb 22 — A three-day inaugural function of the silver jubilee celebrations of the Commercial Broadcasting Service (CBS), Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, began at its auditorium this afternoon, with the presentation of Kashmiri folk music.

This is part of the "musical bonanza" to be concluded on February 24, when CBS completes 25 years of its establishment.

These celebrations are being held following the announcement of an award for 1998 for excellence in sales promotion and marketing abilities. This award was given by a jury constituted by the Prasar Bharti, Directorate General, All India Radio. CBS station was adjudged best in the country among 29 commercial stations.