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Vajpayee no to third party border monitors Almaty (Kazakhstan), June 5 (ANI): Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has rejected Pakistan's demand for international observers to monitor infiltration from across the border and suggested that the two countries go for joint patrolling on the border. "It is not practical to allow a third country to see whether infiltration is taking place and it is also not needed," he told a press conference on Wednesday before flying back home. Asserting that infiltration was not taking place from Indian side, Vajpayee said that it was being encouraged from the other side. "If Pakistan wants to check infiltration, arrangements can be made for joint patrolling," he said, adding "it can be found out from where the infiltration is on and concrete steps can be taken." (Pakistan has rejected the proposal, according to an Islamabad report). At the outset, Vajpayee said that some 3,000 terrorists are waiting in camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir ready to infiltrate into India, adding that Pakistan is "not keeping its word" on halting terrorism. "As per our information, infiltration is happening even now," he said. "There are terrorist camps across the border. "According to reports there are about 3,000 terrorists in these camps. We have been saying that Pakistan's statements that they have stopped terrorism are not good enough. The reports reaching us from Kashmir ... show that Pakistan is not keeping its word."(ANI) Vilasrao making last-ditch effort
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to top Mumbai, June 5 (ANI): The problems for the Congress-NCP persisted as more MLAs were considering to withdraw support to the Vilasrao Deshmukh Government. Five members belonging to Left parties had withdrawn support last week after they objected to re-induction of NCP's Sunil Tatkare into the state Cabinet. After the latest political move, the Deshmukh government has been reduced to minority as it enjoys support of 142 members only in the 288-member Assembly. In order to have simple majority the party, or alliance, in power must have support of 145 MLAs. Governor P.C. Alexander has given ten days to Deshmukh to prove majority on the floor of the House. According to sources, while the NCP and the Congress were trying to woo back the Left MLAs, the two parties were also mulling over dropping Tatkare to placate the angry Leftists. NCP chief Sharad Pawar reportedly admitted that "some wrong persons were inducted into the Cabinet". Earlier, addressing a press conference with Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Deshmukh said, "we are making efforts to persuade the Left parties to join us in the government". He said he was likely to meet PWP leader Ganpatrao Deshmukh later in the day. The chief minister also said they were seeking the support of the Left parties only to keep "communal forces" out of power. (ANI)
Mission staffer Kulwant expelled Go to top Islamabad, June 5 (ANI): Pakistan on Wednesday ordered the expulsion of Indian High Commission staffer Kulwant Singh on spying charges, a foreign ministry statement said. The government has declared Singh "persona non grata on account of his involvement in activities not compatible with his official status", the statement said. "Mr. Kulwant Singh was intercepted by Pakistani security authorities while receiving sensitive documents from a Pakistani contact" on Saturday, it said. The Indian High Commission has been told Singh should leave Pakistan within seven days, it said. (ANI)
No let-up in infiltration: Fernandes
Go to top Bangalore, June 5 (ANI): Defence Minister George Fernandes said on Wednesday there had been no substantial drop in infiltration by Pakistan-based militants into Kashmir. "One hasn't any concrete evidence of any noticeble drop in infiltration. The Pakistan leadership talking about drop (in infiltration) is acceptable if there is concrete evidence," Fernandes told reporters in Bangalore. "Our troops are there on border and I am not referring to those who were deployed post-December 13. I am referring to those who man our posts. They are the ones who are taking on the terrorists that are pushed into India after their training and getting equipped on the other side. Both on the border and such of them as may have managed to sneak in, wherever they go and show up it is the army that deals with them. Whatever information has so far been coming, it does not indicate that there has been any substantial or noticeable reduction in infiltration," Fernandes added. Earlier, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said in Almaty where he attended a security conference that Pakistan must act on pledges to crack down on Islamic militants blamed by New Delhi for attacks on Indian targets in order to ease tensions between the two countries. Fernandes pooh-poohed speculations that nuclear war could break out in South Asia. "Please for God's sake .... take the advice of General Musharraf that anybody who talks of nuclear strike is either mad or is stupid or is irresponsible.... I am again saying that one should not discuss nuclear in the manner in which all of you are getting excited," Fernandes said. He said India has a nuclear doctrine which states that the country will stick by its policy of no first use of nuclear weapons. The nuclear-armed neighbours are locked in a military standoff over Kashmir that has brought them to the brink of war. (ANI)
Guns again boom in Kargil sector
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top Kargil, June 5 (ANI): Indian and Pakistani soldiers are trading mortar shells and heavy firing along the ceasefire line in Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. In Kargil, where India and Pakistan last engaged in an armed conflict nearly three years ago, residents are braving artillery fire and mortar shells from across the border. But several panic-stricken families have already migrated to safer places. "Shelling has been going on continuously for several days. Heavy firing from across the border has forced us to flee our village and take shelter in bunkers," said Riyaz Khan, a resident of Kargil. Normal activity is severely hit by continuous shelling. Haji Ghulam Ahmad, who owns a shop in Kargil town, said his business has been badly affected. "Even as I am speaking to you the noise of shelling from Pakistani side can be heard. This has been going on since 28- 29th. It calms down at times but resumes shortly. Our business is almost down. We come to the town only for a few hours and go back to the bunkers," Ahmad said. More than 50 people have been injured since the shelling began. While the critically injured have been moved to Srinagar or Jammu hospitals, some people continue to be treated in a local hospital. On Wednesday, there were reports of heavy exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops. The fledgling nuclear powers have massed a million troops on their border, backed by tanks, missiles and artillery. The two countries, who have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947 -- two of them over Kashmir-have exchanged fire regularly since December, when an attack on Parliament triggered a massive military build-up.(ANI)
Time for a decisive battle: Bitta
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top New Delhi, June 5 (ANI): Activists of All-India Anti-Terrorism Front (AIATF) organised a demonstration here on Wednesday to demand eradication of militant training camps in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir. Led by Maninderjit Singh Bitta, the protesters carried placards which read "We Want War" and "Pakistan is a terrorist country". The demonstrators also shouted several anti-terrorism slogans. Bitta said time had come for a decisive battle and the government should not shy away from military action. "This is the time for a decisive fight. We know that the repercussions of war will be grave on both sides of the border. But we have to give this sacrifice for our future generations. If this does not happen, the useless killing of our forces, our people will continue. Our government should not succumb to the pressure being exerted by international powers. Even if they don't want to start an all-out war, they must launch an offensive against militant training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," Bitta said. India and Pakistan are currently locked in a tense military crisis over Kashmir. Both countries have massed more than a million men on both sides of the border since a bloody attack on Parliament last Decemeber.(ANI)
Trains carrying water for soldiers in Rajasthan
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to top Barmer, June 5 (ANI): Special trains carry water for thousands of troops deployed along the International Border with Pakistan in Rajasthan . The trains carry millions of gallons of water everyday for the soldiers, who are almost cut off from the rest of the world as far as basic amenities are concerned. With temperatures soaring over 47 degrees Celsius, water is a scarce commodity in this desert state. Water is brought in tankers to Jodhpur, and thereafter taken to far-flung border areas of Bhagat ki Kothi, Udaipur and Barmer. Udhishter Singh, an official of the state's Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED), said the arrangement will continue for some time. "The water is being transported for the Army exclusively. It started from May 24 and till now 93 tankers have been moved", he added. Each tanker has a capacity of 25,000 litres and a dozen trains ferry water everyday. More trains are requisitioned, depending on the need. The Army has also resorted to rationing of water, with each soldier getting one bucket per day. So, not even a drop is wasted, as the soldiers collect water leaking from the tanks in cans and buckets. Rathan Singh, a soldier, said, "Ever since the Army has been moved to the border areas we have been facing severe water crisis, especially due to the prevailing high temperatures. We are very happy that the Public Health and Engineering Department is supplying us water with the help of Railways". Some 700,000 troops have been locked in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with 300,000 Pakistani troops along the borders since the December 13 attack on Parliament, which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants. (ANI)
They brought home the warrior dead Go to top Lucknow, June 5 (ANI): The body of Capt Badal Singh, who was killed in cross-border shelling in Naushera sector a few days back, was brought to his hometown for the last rites late on Tuesday. The 22-year old Captain belonged to 80 Field Regiment. This was Capt Singh's first posting after he got through the Sikarwar Commission in 80 Field Regiment. Remembring the brave soldier, his family members and relatives said he was a generous, well-natured human being and always maintained friendly relations with everyone. According to them, he was inclined towards joining the Army since his childhood. The entire family is grief-stricken by the untimely death of this youngman. His elder brother Anand Singh said: "We are very sad, but at the same time proud that he laid down his life for the country". When asked what the family expected from the Government now, Anand said, "We should take a strong decision against Pakistan". He further said the politicians don't think what kind of hardships the families of martyrs go through after they lose their family members. They should think on other than political lines too, he added. His friends too only have his sweet memories as they eagerly waited for his letters. Anant Chandel, one of Capt Badal's friends, said, "I knew him since 1999, when he came to study in my college. First time he came to Reewa in the year 2000. He used to mail us........we used to gather to read his letters".(ANI)
Six LeT militants killed in Poonch encounter Go to top Jammu, June 5 (ANI): At least six Lashker-e-Toiba militants were killed by security force in Poonch district on Wednesday, a defence spokesman said. The security forces acted on a specific information about the presence of militants in Mohrabachi area and launched a massive operation in which the militants were shot dead. One of the slain militants has been identified as Amir Hamza, the Deputy Commander of the group. A huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including three AK rifles and one pistol, was recovered from the site of the encounter. Meanwhile, search operations were continuing in the area, the spokesman added. (ANI)
Annan praises Putin for efforts to establish peace in S. Asia
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top London, June 5 (ANI): U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Wednesday that both India and Pakistan failed to grab the opportunity of a regional security conference to bring peace in both the countries. However, Annan appreciated Russian President Vladimir Putin for his efforts to mediate in the dispute during the conference in Kazakhstan. "I was amused to hear them say President Putin failed to make peace in Almaty, whereas the actual situation was that the two leaders failed to seize the opportunity offered by the conference," he added. (ANI)
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