Convert LoC into border: CM
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 7 — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has asked 8,000 militants camping in Pakistan who want "amnesty" to approach the Indian High Commission in Rawalpindi for securing arrangements for their repatriation to Kashmir.

The Chief Minister told a press conference here today that Pakistan had lost its "proxy war" against India as a large number of militants, including foreign mercenaries, had realised that they had been misled by agencies across the border.

He said the situation in the state had considerably improved. He said Pakistan should respect India's approach for a meaningful friendship with Islamabad."

Dr Farooq said the "conversion of the Line of Actual Control into a permanent border", was the only way to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"When the treaty for border conversion is signed by the two sides, we will honour it, he said.

The Chief Minister referred to the 1960 Indus water treaty and said "despite having incurred heavy losses, we have never violated the treaty." He said "we could have built the Tulbul barrage but we never did it as it violated the spirit of the Indus water treaty."

He accused Pakistan of trying to internationalise the Kashmir issue by kicking up subversive violence within the state and by carrying out shelling on Indian villages and pickets in the state. He said Islamabad had lost major support to its demand for a third-party mediation on Kashmir.

Asked to comment on the resolution adopted by Pakistan's National Assembly expressing concern over the attacks on minorities in India, Dr Farooq said: "It is our internal matter and the National Assembly's resolution is unfortunate."

The Chief Minister said his government would not recruit surrendered militants in the police. The government had rehabilitated some militants and "we are willing to resettle all provided the Centre gives additional financial assistance to us."

Dr Farooq, referring to the cash crunch, said the state government was considering reducing the retirement age of employees from 58 to 55 so that job avenues for the unemployed could be increased.

He said the government was also considering a one-year moratorium on recruitment except in essential sectors like teaching and medicare.

The Chief Minister, was accompanied by the Finance Minister, Mr Mohammad Shafi. He said the cash crunch was the result of the meagre flow of cash from the Centre to the state and on account of implementation of Fifth Pay Commission recommendations. "We are disappointed with the attitude of the Centre," he said.

The two lamented the inordinate delay on the part of the Centre in reimbursing the security-related expenses.

"During every meeting, our case is listened to with patience. We are given assurances but the promises are not fulfilled," they added.

4 militants killed in Kashmir
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Jan 7 — Four militants were killed in an encounter with security forces near Hajan in Baramula district, while security forces found a large quantity of arms and ammunition during search operations across the valley.

A Defence spokesman said here that troops last evening cordoned off a village, Vijpora near Hajan in Baramulla district on the receipt of information that some militants were hiding in a house. The militants were asked to surrender, but they opened fire on the search party. In the exchange of fire four militants were killed. Two security force jawans also received minor injuries in the incident. Four AK rifles, a radio set and some ammunition were found from the site of the encounter.

Two bodies of the local militants were found last evening from the site of the encounter. One house was also gutted in the exchange of fire. Two more bodies of militants were found this morning. Their identity was yet to be ascertained. Vijpora village, 2 km from Hajan is nearer to the residence of the Awami League leader, MLA and militant turned politician, Kukka Parray.

Earlier, the militants made two rocket attacks on the residence of Kukka Parray, last month. In the first such attack partial damage was caused to the house without any injury to the inmates. In the second such attack a minor girl was injured. Kukka Parray is away from the valley.

Elsewhere, the Army in continued search operations has found a rocket of 107 MM rocket launcher at Rangat Behak in Kupwara district. No arrests were made in this connection. The security forces also found one AK rifle and some ammunition during search operations at Tsorus in Anantnag district.

One Pak-trained militant surrendered before security forces at Wattergam in Baramulla district, laying down one AK rifle, one pistol and ammunition.

India, Pakistan exchange fire
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Jan 7 — Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged firing in Kargil sector in the Ladakh region on Wednesday, reports here said.

According to Defence sources, Pakistani troops indulged in an unprovoked firing in the sector on Wednesday afternoon. However, there were no reports of any damage due to the firing in the area. The Indian Army repulsed the attack and the exchange of heavy fire continued for several hours.

This was the first such incident of firing in the sector since last month. Earlier Pakistani troops indulged in firing in the Siachen Glacier area. At least, seven such incidents had been reported in November and December last year.