8 killed in J&K violence
SRINAGAR, March 16 — At least five persons eight according to PTI, including three militants were killed and security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition in search operations in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday. Two unidentified militants and a jawan of the security forces were killed in a fierce encounter at Cheerpora, Achchabal in Anantnag district of south Kashmir, police here said.

Firing along Pak border
JAMMU, March 16 — Pakistani Rangers last night opened fire at Indian border outposts along the International Border in Akhnoor, R.S. Pura and Samba sub-sectors of Jammu division after a lull of several months, Border Security Force sources said here today.

J&K govt to set up panel for women
JAMMU, March 16 — The government has decided to set up a commission for women to ensure empowerment and development of women who constitute about 50 per cent of the state's population.

8 killed in J&K violence
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, March 16 — At least five persons eight according to PTI, including three militants were killed and security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition in search operations in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

Two unidentified militants and a jawan of the security forces were killed in a fierce encounter at Cheerpora, Achchabal in Anantnag district of south Kashmir, police here said. Five residential houses and two granaries were gutted in the encounter. The encounter took place when concealed militants opened fire on a search party in the village, the police said.

One foreign militant was killed in an encounter with Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police at Tohru, Lar near Ganderbal in Srinagar district. A Pika gun and some ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter.

Militants shot dead an SPO (special police officer) at Panzigam Bandipore in Baramulla district. Identified as Bashir Ahmad Sheikh of Tahab in Pulwama district, he had gone to Bandipore a day earlier.

Meanwhile the security forces recovered 11 AK magazines, 56 rounds of ammunition, a grenade launcher and six hand grenades from the site of an encounter at Kherhame in Anantnag district, where at least 10 persons, including six militants, were killed in a two-day-long encounter on Monday.

A suspected militant was apprehended during search operations in Rajouri. Some arms and ammunition were recovered from his possession.

Security forces conducted search operations in different areas of Baramulla, Budgam, Udhampur and Rajouri districts and recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition. One AK rifle, a magazine and eight hand grenades were recovered at Awoora in Kupwara district. In another search operation at Suttaran in Budgam, security forces recovered 56 detonators, 14 kg of explosives, one stick grenade and 100 metres of cordex wire.

PTI adds: Farooq Ahmad alias Dunoo, a released militant of outlawed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front who was shot at and critically wounded by unidentified gunmen at Chota Bazar in Srinagar yesterday, died early today.

Chota Bazar and its adjoining areas observed a complete shutdown today as residents of the area alleged that "pro-govt" militants were behind the killing of Farooq who was laid to rest in the martyrs’ graveyard at Idgah in downtown Srinagar amid anti-security forces slogans, official sources said.

Two security personnel were seriously wounded in a militant ambush at Parbal in Doda district today.

Later, one of the jawans succumbed to his injuries while the other was battling for his life, security forces said.

Militants attacked a police division at Firdousabad in Batmaloo area of central Srinagar late last night.

Earlier, militants fired a rocket towards a security camp in New Colony area of Batmaloo yesterday. The rocket exploded in the air causing minor damage to the camp. However, no one was injured.

Immediately after the rocket attack, security forces searched some localities of Batmaloo and picked up 15 youths for questioning, official sources said.

Residents of Maisuma in the heart of the city observed a complete shutdown today and held a noisy demonstration in protest against the arrest of a local Imam, Tariq Ahmad Moulvi, by the police last night, official sources said.

Firing along Pak border

JAMMU, March 16 (PTI) — Pakistani Rangers last night opened fire at Indian border outposts (BOPs) along the International Border (IB) in Akhnoor, R.S. Pura and Samba sub-sectors of Jammu division after a lull of several months, Border Security Force (BSF) sources said here today.

The sources said Pakistani border guards deployed along the IB fired intermittently on nine Indian posts from last evening to this morning without causing any casualty or damage on Indian side.

Pakistani troops also fired at a few Indian BOPs and naka points on previous night, they said, adding BSF troops replied in the same measure.

Reports of firing at some places between Indian and Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) have also been received from the border districts Rajouri and Poonch.

Meanwhile, the BSF apprehended four nationals of Bangladesh in Akhnoor sector while they were trying to cross into Pakistan yesterday. They were later handed over to the police.

J&K govt to set up panel for women
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, March 16 — The government has decided to set up a commission for women to ensure empowerment and development of women who constitute about 50 per cent of the state's population.

A Bill in this connection was moved in the state Assembly here today. The Bill provides for a three-member commission to be headed by a chairperson who is an eminent women and known for her contribution in the field of development of woman. The chairperson and the two members, to be nominated by the government, will have a term of three years. One officer of the rank of Additional Secretary will function as member secretary.

Moving the Bill, the Revenue Minister, Mr Ali Mohammad Naik, said development of women in Jammu and Kashmir had suffered due to social barriers.

The Bill provides for measures for removing under representation of women in political and public organisations and for raising their status. The commission will determine measures required to check crime against women.

The entire exercise is estimated to cost Rs 34.5 lakh and the amount will be met from the consolidated funds of the state.