Two killed in Pak shelling
SRINAGAR, June 20 — Two persons were killed and four, including a women and a teenager, were injured in unprovoked and indiscriminate Pakistani shelling in the Jammu region since last evening, an official spokesman said here today.

3 Pak soldiers killed in shelling
JAMMU, June 20 — Indian troops today shelled and destroyed a strategic Pakistani post, housing field guns, killing three soldiers along Line of Control (LoC) in Palanwal area of Chhamb sector as both sides traded mortar fire in Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu sectors, official sources said.

Pro-Mujahideen were lathi-charged
SRINAGAR, June 20 — The police used tear-gas and lathi-charged processionists expressing solidarity with the Pakistan-backed intruders near here last afternoon.

Intrusion contained: Advani

JAMMU, June 20 (PTI) — Union Home Minister L.K. Advani today asserted that the conflict in Kargil would remain a "limited war" as "the invasion has already been contained and it is only a matter of time before it is completely foiled".

"I call it a limited war as a full-scale war has to be declared by both countries" he said during his daylong visit to areas along the line of control, including Poonch and Rajouri during which he addressed local people.

Mr Advani said: "We believe that as a result of India’s conscious efforts at trying to ensure a limited confrontation in Kargil and not allowing it to escalate as also because the entire world has virtually admonished Pakistan for its naked aggression, it will be a limited war"

The Home Minister, who was here on an invitation from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, visited some border villages to instil confidence among residents and discourage them from fleeing their homes.

Mr Advani said it was for the first time after 1947 that Pakistan had resorted to the use of Army regulars in the border conflict.

"It is a kind of invasion that can only be compared with what happened in 1947 when Pakistan kept saying we have not invaded Kashmir, and it is tribesmen who have done it," he recalled.

Mr Advani said barely a month back Pakistan seemed to have been "gloating over what it had achieved in Kargil."

"But now, they must be repenting for what they have done, "the invasion has already been contained and it is only a matter of time before it is completely foiled."

Anti-ISI operations had been intensified not only in the northern region, but throughout the country.

The Home Minister said 20 companies of the para-military forces had been deployed in the state to maintain internal security.

At Poonch, Mr Advani said Pakistan had committed a blunder by failing to understand the strength of the government, thinking the best time to strike was when opposition parties had pulled down the Vajpayee ministry.

"They did not realise that all parties would stand united on the issue of national security," he added.

He said it was Pakistan which had violated the LoC and not India.

Mr Advani said Pakistan stood completely isolated in its efforts to internationalise the issue as major nations had asked it to withdraw the infiltrators.

He charged Pakistan with scheming to change the LoC thinking it might then be converted into an international boundary, leaving it with a better hold on the arterial Srinagar-Leh highway.

The Home Minister assured the people that local youth would be given preference in appointment in the armed forces.

Earlier, on board his special aircraft Mr Advani told mediapersons that people in border areas were being affected by militancy. "The impact of Kargil was visible along the international border. Due to the situation in Kargil, the government is taking precautionary measures regarding border deployment. There are Army manoeuvres on the other side of the border too," he explained.

3 counter-insurgents shot

SRINAGAR, June 20 (PTI) — Eight persons, including two militants and three counter-insurgents, were killed in militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening.

Two militants, including a Pakistani mercenary, were killed in an encounter with a joint party of the Army and Special Task Force at Taren-dharna village of Duroo area in Anantnag last evening, an official spokesman said here today.

Three encounter started out when the joint party raided a militant hideout in the village. The shootout lasted for several hours resulting in the killing of militant. Mohammad Yousuf Wani alias Shaheen and Saifullah and a Pakistani mercenary, Hussain Bhai.

Two assault rifles, six magazines and a hand grenade were recovered from the slain militants, he said, adding a residential house and two cowsheds were damaged in the shootout.

Militants shot dead two persons, Hakim Din and Sharief in their houses at village Laa in Thana Mandi area of Rajouri district early today, the spokesman said.

He said militants also struck in village Mahore in Udhampur district and killed one Makhna in his house last night.

The counter-insurgents associated with Ikhwan outfit were killed in a shootout at Khori Gagal area in frontier district of Kupwara, the spokesman said.

However, reports said a group of four counter-insurgents associated with Army visited the Khori Gagal village two days back and allegedly committed excesses on the people.

Irked with the alleged highhandedness of the group, another counter-insurgent Abdul Rashied Shekhw approached them and demanded a gun they were carrying.

After the gun was handed over to him, Rashied opened fire killing Rashid Khokher and Siraj-ud-din on the spot and critically wounded the two others, Ghulam Nabi and Mohammad Aslam, the reports said.

In the meantime, the local unit of the Rashtriya Rifles rushed to the spot and shot dead Rashid in his house, the reports said.

The reports said Rashid Sheikh was a Pakistan-trained militant and made to surrender by Rashid Khokher.

The official spokesman said militants fired upon a police party at Chilla Danga village area of Jammu last evening. The police party returned the fire, but the militants escaped leaving behind a pistol. Two magazines, 13 rounds, a silencer, 90 rounds. A binocular and a first aid box which were seized.

A trail of valour

SRINAGAR, June 20 (PTI) — As the ongoing conflict in Kargil rages, the sage of valour of heroes pours on with the battle, which the Army terms as "counter-insurgency" operations, entering the 38th day today.

From Lieut Saurav Kalia (killed on May 14) to Maj Ajay Jasrotia and from Lance Naik Ghulam Mohammad Khan to Maj M Sarwanan, the Indian Army has proved that every jawan is determined to keep the Tricolour flying.

"This dedication and sense of duty motivates every soldier to make esteem sacrifices for the nation," says Param Vir Chakra recipient Bana Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI).

Jawans in their prime youth have perished during the present conflict but there is no dearth of such sons of the soil, he said.

Falling heroes, as called in military parlance, leave a trail behind for others to follow, he said.

Capt Amol Kalia of 12 JAKLI, a humble individual as described by his unit officer, evicted intruders from a strategic 17,000 ft high post in the Batalik-Yaldor Sector on June 10 before laying his life for the motherland.

Captain Kalia had demonstrated courage, grit and determination in carrying out the task assigned to him, says a senior officer.

Major Sarwanan, who volunteered himself for the assault on intruders in the Batalik sub-sector, killed four intruders before falling to enemy bullets. His body is yet to be recovered.

While Lieut-Col R. Vishwanathan and Maj R.S. Adikhari, in two separate missions, proved their mettle by paving the way for the recapture of Tololing, Sqn Ldr Ajay Ahuja, who was shot dead by the intruders after his MIG-27 crashed while he was trying to locate his compatriot, Flt K.Nachiketa, whose jet was downed, added another chapter to the sage of Indian soldiers' gallantry.

The soldiers away from the action, undeterred by the fear of death, are keen to move to Kargil and return victorious.

The famous patriotic song by melody queen Lata Mangeshkar "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon", reverberates the air as the jawans here board the truck for Kargil.

"Tell my people at home that I will return soon and also convey to my children that I will bring them gifts and other," a jawan tells his colleague as his truck speeds away towards Kargil from Srinagar.

42 break-outs in four years

JAMMU, June 20 (PTI) — As many as 42 terrorists and criminals, including nine dreaded mercenaries from Afghanistan and Pakistan escaped from different jails and police custody during the past four years in Jammu and Kashmir, Prison Department sources said here today.

The sources said 18 militants escaped during last year against 11 in 1997, nine in 1996 and five in 1995.

Of these only seven militants were re-arrested and 10 have surrendered before the Army while the rest are still underground, they said.

There are 98 top militants in different jails despite lapse of their detention period for their alleged involvement in several militancy-related incidents.

A total of 486 persons are undergoing detention under the Public Safety Act in the state, in different militancy related cases. As many as 1640 challans have been produced in various courts so far, they said.

Top mercenaries who escaped from jail include prime accused in Republic Day blasts, Mohammad Irfan of Pakistan, Mohammad Khaliq of Sialkot, Mohammad Saleem Khan, alias Abu Baqar, of Eaqirpura, Abula Malik of Karachi and Mohmmad Noor and Mohmmad Anwar of Afghanistan.

Other top militants of Hizbul-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Ansar, Lashker-e Toiba, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Allah Tigers, Muslim Janbaz Force, who escaped include Lassa, alias Showkat, of Kishtwar, Rayaz Lone of Barzulla, Nazir Dar and Hassan Ganai of Baramulla, Shfteeli of Arampora, Bashir Ganai, Shabir Dar, alias Bhai, Yousef Ganai, alias Shinder, Shubur Hassain, alias Jat, and Ali Khan, the sources said.

Two killed in Pak shelling

SRINAGAR, June 20 (PTI) — Two persons were killed and four, including a women and a teenager, were injured in unprovoked and indiscriminate Pakistani shelling in the Jammu region since last evening, an official spokesman said here today.

One Amar Singh was killed in Pakistani shelling in Palanwala in Jammu sector this morning while one person identified as Mohammad Sharif was killed in Dhabria village in Poonch last evening, the spokesman said.

A school-boy, identified as Irshad Admad, was injured in the shelling at Dhabria village, the spokesman added.

Three others, identified as Naseema Begum, constable Syed Arshad Hussain of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Ghulam Rasool received bullet injuries as Pakistani troops targeted a forward village in Poonch sector last evening, he said.

Indian troops retaliated at all places, but the casualties on the other side were not immediately known, he said.

3 Pak soldiers killed in shelling

JAMMU, June 20 (PTI) — Indian troops today shelled and destroyed a strategic Pakistani post, housing field guns, killing three soldiers along Line of Control (LoC) in Palanwal area of Chhamb sector as both sides traded mortar fire in Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu sectors, official sources said.

Troops, retaliating to heavy mortar fire from across the border, smashed the post in the early hours of today killing three Pakistani soldiers and injuring many, they said.

Indian and Pakistani troops traded heavy mortar fire in forward areas of LoC including Nowshera, Bimber Gali, Sunderbani, Balakote and Akhnoor sub-sector, the sources said, adding there was no loss of life on the Indian side.

Pak Rangers and the BSF also exchanged fire along the international border in R.S. Pura-Samba-Hiranagar areas, they said.

Heavy Pak shelling in Chhamb sector last night sparked an exodus of people to safer areas, the sources said.

Pro-Mujahideen were lathi-charged

SRINAGAR, June 20 (UNI) — The police used tear-gas and lathi-charged processionists expressing solidarity with the Pakistan-backed intruders near here last afternoon.

Twentysix processionists, including All-Party Hurriat Conference (APHC) executive committee member Mohammad Yaseen Malik, were detained for defying prohibitory orders.

The police burst tear-gas shells to disperse processionists when they were marching from Maisuma near here.

The procession, led by Mr Malik, was taken out to express solidarity with the ‘Mujahideen’ fighters in Kargil. They were also raising slogans against alleged security forces’ excesses in Kashmir.