3 militants killed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Jan 6 (PTI) — Four persons, including three militants, were killed and three wounded while the police repulsed a militant attack on the house of a protected person in the Kashmir valley since last evening.

The security forces averted a possible tragedy by detection of a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) in the Kulgam area of Anantnag and seized a haul of land-mines in border district of Kupwara last night, an official spokesman said here today.

Militants opened fire on the guards posted at the residence of late Suna Darvesh, a political-heavyweight who was associated with both the National Conference and the Congress, at Vessu in Qazigund area of Anantnag district last night.

The guards returned the fire and repulsed the militant attack. None was hurt in the shooting.

Two militants, including a Pakistani national, Babar Gazi of Karachi, were killed and an Army jawan wounded in an encounter at Bazkinar forest in Gadool area of Kokernag in Anantnag district last night. Two AK assault rifles, two grenades and a wireless set were seized from them.

He said the security forces gunned down a foreign mercenary at Parmala in Doda district of the Jammu region yesterday.

Militants opened fire at two persons at Wakoora on the outskirts of Srinagar yesterday, wounding both. Later, one of them succumbed to injuries in a hospital.

Militants shot at and critically wounded a woman outside her house at Hawal on the outskirts of Srinagar today. She was rushed to the Soura medical institute where her condition was stated to be "serious", official sources said.

Militants fired at security forces at Harda-Turoo in Anantnag district last evening. The fire was returned, but no casualty was reported.

Militants set ablaze a primary school building in the Bandipora area of Baramula district last night.

Miscreants also torched a house in Anantnag district of south Kashmir today.

The security forces apprehended a self-styled regimental commander of the Tum outfit from Safakadal area of Srinagar last evening. Two grenades and some ammunition were recovered from the hide-out of the militant at Zoonimar.

Another militant was captured in Srinagar today. The security forces arrested a militant from the Alikadal area of interior city and seized a hand grenade from him.

Project for drought-hit areas in April

JAMMU, Jan 6 (PTI) — A World Bank-aided Rs 160 crore integrated water-shed development project for drought prone areas of Jammu and Kashmir will commence in April.

The five-year project will transform the face of the drought prone areas making these self-sufficient in drinking water and foodgrains, Forest and Environment Minister Chowdary Mohammad Ramzan told a public meeting at Akhnoor near here yesterday.

The first phase involving eight water-shed areas spread over 17000 hectares of arid land in Akhnoor tehsil would be taken up from the next financial year, Mr Ramzan said.

Under this programme irrigation canals, reservoirs, bunds and afforestation works would be taken up. A similar project involving Rs 100 crore for the entire Shivaliks range spread over five districts of Jammu region was also on the cards.

The Centre had already approved the project but the delay in its execution was the result of sanctions imposed by the USA after the Pokhran nuclear tests.

RRB staff stage dharna
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Jan 6 — The employees of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) here today staged a protest dharna and demonstrations seeking parity in pay scales with their counterparts in sponsor banks. This dharna was part of the countrywide agitation launched by employees of RRBs for implementation of the 6th bipartite settlement.

The employees of the two RRBs based here staged a dharna in front of the office of their Chairman this afternoon. All representatives of about 150 branches of these rural banks participated in the demonstrations and resolved to continue support to the nationwide agitation to press their demands.

Rural Bank Trade Union activists told TNS here that the implementation of the 6th bipartite settlement was being denied to them despite orders from the Karnataka, Allahabad, Ernakulam and Kanpur high courts. The ongoing protests are likely to affect RRB customer service throughout the country.

The employees have also decided to join the strike on Friday that is likely to affect customer services in all 150 branches of Ellaquai Dehati Bank and Kamraz Rural Bank, and two RRBs in the valley.

A spokesman for the Employees and Officers Associations of Ellaquai Dehati Bank said these associations would continue to support the programme launched by the United Forum of RRB Unions for it is also a part of the forum.

7 Army men killed, 38 hurt in accident

SRINAGAR, Jan 6 (PTI) — At least seven Army personnel were killed and 38 others injured when the vehicle in which they were travelling met with an accident on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway today, official sources said.

The vehicle, carrying 45 soldiers, was on its way to Srinagar from Jammu when it skidded off the road and fell into a 150-foot deep gorge at Jawahar tunnel, 96 km away from here, killing seven Army personnel on the spot and injuring 38 others, the sources said.

The condition of the some of the injured was stated to be critical, they added.