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Security beefed up in Srinagar Srinagar, May 20 (ANI): Security has been beefed up here in the wake of the sudden spurt in violence in the region, especially from across the border. Officials said security has been tightened in the entire Kashmir Valley. BSF Deputy Inspector General R.S. Bhullar said,"security scenario particularly in the urban areas is reviewed from time to time. And, it is reviewed now very closely so that they may not cause much damage in the coming future". He said, "We have told to change the tactics of the troops so that they may not be the target. And, now they have changed the modus operandi.........they won't allow anybody to come close. They know who is a militant". Indian and Pakistani troops have been exchanging heavy fire along the line of control (LoC) for the past four days. (ANI) Hizb communication network busted in Kashmir
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to top Srinagar, May 20 (ANI): In a major anti-terrorism drive, Border Security Force unearthed a communication network of Pakistan- based terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen late on Sunday. A large quantity of sophisticated equipments was seized by the 177 Battalion of BSF during the raid carried out in Liden village in Pir Panjal range. Giving details Deputy Inspector General, BSF, R.S. Bhuller, said, "the equipment seized has high frequency and is made-in-China. With the help of this, communication could be established in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and in entire Jammu and Kashmir". He said militants used to talk to their leaders in PoK through this equipment. The equipment recovered from the communication centre included two high frequency U.S.-made PRC-1099 radio sets (wireless sets), one booster, two signal receivers, two key-boards, a printer, a digital multimetre, a key telegraph, five plates, folded solar panel and main leads for booster, he added. The hideout was reportedly a fully operational communication centre with all the latest techniques and best equipment to send coded messages not just within the state but also to Pakistan and Afghanistan. (ANI)
New plan to counter terrorism on the anvil Go to top New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): Union Home Minister L.K. Advani has said there was a need of change in policy to deal with the proxy war waged by Pakistan. Speaking here on Monday after inaugurating a charity centre, he said, "the government is of the firm belief that the way we are retaliating will have to be changed". The minister said any decision in this regard would be taken in "close consultation with the armed forces". Referring to the way the government was tackling the situation, Advani said: "The issue was debated in Parliament on the last day of the budget session.......on that basis and in consultations with army, the government would go ahead and win the proxy war like we did in 1971". (ANI)
We're prepared to meet any eventuality, says BJP chief
Go to top Vijayawada, May 20 (ANI): BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy has said the Centre was evolving various measures to meet the challenges posed by terrorist activities in the country "especially by Pakistan-encouraged militants". Krishnamurthy said the prevailing situation in the country demanded unity among all sections of the society in order to fight against Pak-sponsored terrorism. The senior BJP leader is currently on a countrywide tour to discuss with the party members various issues confronting the country. He said the recent attack in Jammu, in which 35 people were killed, has proved that Pakistan was "bluffing". "Whenever there is pressure from the international community, Pakistan comes out with statements of banning the terrorist outfits on its land", he said adding that nothing concrete happens on the ground. Asserting that U.S. understands the situation faced by India, he said, "how long can we wait patiently. America understands this, they will only support India". (ANI)
HC bans strike in AIIMS
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top New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): In an important judgement, the Delhi High Court on Monday ordered a ban on strike by doctors and employees of All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS). The court said it "upheld people's right to health care" while announcing the order. Devising a mechanism for redressal of problems of the employees, the court said, "no agitation would be permitted within a 500- metre radius of the premier health institution". A bench comprising Justice Devinder Gupta and Justice S. Mukerjee said, "no employee, or staff, or faculty member will cease work for any reason whatsoever, or disrupt the work, or aid, or abet such disruption in the institute". The court order also said that no meeting, shouting of slogans, agitation, demonstration, dharna or use of loud speakers will be permitted within a 500-metre radius of the AIIMS premises. (ANI)
Nature lovers against making road in Manali hill resort
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top Manali, May 20 (ANI): Environmentalists here are up in arms against a proposal to construct a road through a prime forest near the Manali hill resort. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) proposes to construct a road through the forest and has sought forest department's permission to take possession of the land. The proposed road would serve as an approach-road to the arduous Rohtang pass near Manali. But, nature lovers fear that several rare trees will have to be cut if the proposal is cleared. Kishen Lal, an environmentalist, said, "it is unfortunate that the BRO is contemplating constructing a road which will destroy thousands of trees in this forest. This will have to be stopped through a mass movement of people. We will go all out to stop this. There are various options available for constructing the road by skirting the forest area". The proposal has also come under fire from tourists as well. Sean, a tourist from Canada, said: "I think that any road through any forest reserve is a poor idea. I think you should look at other options whereby the road could be built by the side of the forest". Hoteliers in Manali feel destruction of the forest would have an adverse effect on the tourist inflow. Gautam Thakur, president of the local hoteliers association, said, "If they construct a road from the middle of the forest, over 1000 trees will be felled. These are rare trees, some of them are 200-400 years old. The tourists enjoy walks through these forests, using the forest tracks and footpaths. These trees and forests are a major tourist attraction of Manali". The local people are equally opposed to the proposed project. The Manali reserve forest is home to coniferous trees and is mainly dominated by majestic Deodars, a hallmark of the hill resort. Deodar trees grow only at very high altitudes and take nearly 120 years to attain full growth. (ANI)
Power cut doesn't spare even the chief minister of UP
Lucknow, May 20 (ANI): Power failure at the UP chief minister's residence is now a common feature, thanks to the worn-out distribution system of the Lucknow Electricity Supply Agency and the indifferent attitude of the officials. Several VVIP localities, including the one which has 5, Kalidas Marg where Ms.Mayavati stays, has been experiencing load- shedding. Besides, there were reports of widespread power disruptions from various other parts of the city. The chief minister's house, which is supposed to have uninterrupted power supply round the clock, had no electricity for 20 minutes from10 a.m. at a stretch on Tuesday. It was restored when all LESA officials rushed to the site of fault. According to one of them, the problem arose because of faults occurring simultaneously in LESA-2 and Cooper Road feeders that cater to Mayavati's residence and many other VVIP zones. While the LESA-2 feeder had broken down since 8 a.m., the one at Cooper Road a similar snag at 10 a.m after a 33-kv outdoor cable box at Darul Shafa sub-station burst, thereby snapping both the supply sources to the 5, Kalidas Marg house at the same time. Other VVIP residences that suffered included all ministerial houses in the same street, plus those situated in Vikramaditya Marg, Mall Avenue, GautamPalli and Darul Shafa. It tookLESA officials 20minutes to normalise supply. Vivekanand-4 of Gomti Nagar was the worst hit. The area had no power for an incredible 20 hours. Such a long spell of power cut also disrupted water supply. Other areas reporting power crisis included all localities fed by Jawahar Bhavan sub-station such as Norli, and Hazratganj, apart from Hausainganj.Also affected were areas under Tikait Rai ka Talab sub-station. (ANI)
Pak instals Shaheen missiles as precautionary step
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to top Islamabad, May 20 (ANI): In anticipation of a possible attack or any forward movement by the Indian army, Pakistan has installed Shaheen missiles-- which have a range of 750 kilometres-- at appropriate points. It has also informed world powers, including US, that if India resorts to any adventure, Pakistan will have every right to use all options at its disposal, says The Nation. Islamabad also assured the world leaders that primarily it believes in dialogue and if even then India continues provocative moves, Pakistan will use all options for the security of its land. In that case, it will be an unlimited war.(ANI)
8,000 Pakistani troops deployed along Waziristan tribal belt
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to top Islamabad, May 20 (ANI): More than 8,000 Pakistani troops have been deployed in the tribal belt of Waziristan to check infiltration of Taliban and Al Qaeda men and to capture those who may have taken refuge there. The authorities won their right to patrol the "no-go areas" of Waziristan in their biggest US anti-terror operation within Pakistan on the condition that Americans will not be directly involved in the ground attacks and that the government will immediately undertake billion-rupee development projects, according to Dawn. The mandate of the soldiers stationed last week in the North and South Waziristan agencies is to seal the porous border with Afghanistan which has 46 major crossing points, including Torkham and Chamman. The unfrequented routes run in hundreds. Sources say these troops will conduct raids and ground attacks on targets identified by the American Central Command (CENTCOM) operations from Tampa (Florida) and cleared by the Pakistani military authorities. The CENTCOM is providing technical intelligence to direct this operation. The tribal elders have apparently given the government their commitment "that no one in the area would host any Al Qaeda or Taliban fighters." They have stipulated a fine of Rs 500,000 against any one giving shelter to Al Qaeda or Taliban suspects and have also informed all tribals that any house used by AQT suspects will be set on fire. The troops operating from inside Waziristan comprise a 3000- strong brigade with equal number of Frontier Constabulary personnel, some 2000 army engineers and 100 commandos from the Special Services Group. Members of the army engineering corps will have the dual task of carrying out development work in the area and apprehending fleeing Al Qaeda and Taliban men. The massive mobilization last week was on the insistence of Americans who believe suspected AQT fighters are now re-grouping in the area.(ANI)
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