J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

PDP worker among six killed
Srinagar, July 22
A worker of the PDP and two militants were among six persons killed in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday, while the security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition during searches. The police here said the militants shot Hilal Ahmad Khan, a PDP activist, at Chhatergul, Achchabal in Anantnag district last evening.

Maize stands tall, despite orders
Jammu, July 22
Farmers in the border belt of Poonch and Rajouri have yet to reap maize crop, which has posed a serious threat to the safety of security personnel. In fact, the district authorities and Army field commanders had issued instructions to the farmers to clear the fields of maize crop, which otherwise could be used as hideouts by militants.

2 Amarnath yatris dead
Srinagar, July 22
Two pilgrims to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir have died due to cardiac arrest, taking the death toll in the annual yatra this year to 10, official sources said here today.

PDP worker among six killed
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 22
A worker of the PDP and two militants were among six persons killed in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday, while the security forces recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition during searches.

The police here said the militants shot Hilal Ahmad Khan, a PDP activist, at Chhatergul, Achchabal in Anantnag district last evening.

A jawan of the ITBP was killed when that militants detonated an IED at Reshipora, Pattan on the Srinagar-Baramula highway in Baramula district this afternoon.

The militants shot Gulzar Ahmad Malik, an SPO, at Pinglan in Pulwama district yesterday.

A militant of the LeT from PoK, identified as Abu Hamza, was killed in an encounter with the security forces at Trith Chak in Pulwama district yesterday. An AK rifle, three magazines, 53 rounds and a wireless set were recovered from the site of the encounter.

Another militant from PoK was killed in an encounter with the security forces at Ragni Post Trehgam near the LoC in Kupwara district on Tuesday, a delayed report said.

A civilian, identified as Mohammad Shabir, was killed in an encounter between the militants and the security forces at Daraba Khatian in Poonch district, a police spokesman stated here.

The security forces seized five magazines, 239 rounds, an AK bayonet, four hand grenades, 50 electric detonators, three IEDs and 28 explosive devices, from a hideout in the Surankote area of Poonch district.

A militant was apprehended at Wadipora, Handwara in Kupwara district and seized 15 rounds, an IED remote control, 250 gm explosives and 10 pencil cells from his possession.

The police seized an AK rifle, two magazines and 60 rounds from an orchard near Dangiwacha in Baramula district.

JAMMU: In view of the rising incidents of terrorism, the authorities have imposed night curfew in the entire border district of Poonch in Jammu Division.

Movement of all persons outside their homes has been banned during night and in case of emergency, the people have been asked to come out carrying the traditional wooden torch so that the security forces would identify them.

The curfew restrictions would remain in force between 10 pm and 4 am in Poonch town and between 8.30 pm and 4 pm in rural areas.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani terrorist, Jan Mohammad, was killed in an encounter with security forces at the Kurud Malal nullah in the Arnas area of Reasi. One AK-58 rifle, 73 round, one hand grenade and three AK magazines were seized from him.

In another incident, the security forces raided a terrorist hideout in the Kanthi Dhar area of Doda and recovered seven grenades, 10 electric detonators, 30 metres of electric wire, 45 rounds of AK and two grenade launchers.

Maize stands tall, despite orders
Our Correspondent

Jammu, July 22
Farmers in the border belt of Poonch and Rajouri have yet to reap maize crop, which has posed a serious threat to the safety of security personnel. In fact, the district authorities and Army field commanders had issued instructions to the farmers to clear the fields of maize crop, which otherwise could be used as hideouts by militants.

Last year, militants hiding in a maize field close to the road in the Krishnaghati area had opened fire on an Army convoy in which one soldier was killed and 11 were wounded. The attack had damaged several Army vehicles.

During a meeting between the Army and the civil authorities in Poonch, it had been decided to discourage farmers from growing maize in roadside fields and in areas close to the LoC. Security experts had suggested this step because the tall maize crop could help infiltrators in sneaking into the Indian territory from across the border.

Maize fields close to the vital roads could endanger the security of Army personnel during their movement from one place to the other.

The Army authorities had even assured farmers that those who cleared the fields of unripe maize crop would receive compensation for it.

Official sources said since Rajouri and Poonch produced sufficient maize, which was the backbone of villagers’ economy, they were reluctant to reap unripe maize plants as they had, in the past, either not received any compensation from the government or were paid insufficient compensation.

Farmers said when the instructions to remove maize plants from sensitive areas were issued a fortnight ago, the maize plants were no more than two feet high but recent rain had facilitated quick growth and at present major areas in the twin districts were dotted by five-feet high maize plants.

A police officer recalled that during the past three years, maize fields had to be set ablaze after militants ambushed security convoys on a number of occasions.

He said during any incident it “becomes difficult to carry out search operations in maize fields because movement is risky as militants usually hide themselves behind the tall plants.”

2 Amarnath yatris dead

Srinagar, July 22
Two pilgrims to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir have died due to cardiac arrest, taking the death toll in the annual yatra this year to 10, official sources said here today.

A sadhu, Pradeep Kumar of Mongolpuri in Delhi, died after brief illness at Chandanwari camp this morning, the sources said.

They said the 49-year-old Kumar was taken ill last night and had to halt at the camp where he breathed his last.

Another pilgrim, Baldev Patil of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, died due to cardiac arrest at Sheshnag last night, the sources said

With the two deaths, the toll in this year’s yatra has gone up to 10.