Indian troops, militants clash near Pakistan border; Hi-tech security for Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura temples, Taj Mahal; Promotions to CRPF personnel for foiling Ayodhya attack; Nagas intensify strike, economic blockade in Manipur worsens; AP Government demands CBI probe in Volkswagen scam; Sonia Gandhi to attend Clinton's global meet; Mastermind behind 7/7 attacks identified: Report; UK team coming to Pakistan to probe bombers' links; Nephew poisoned into terrorism: suicide bomber's uncle; Pak railway describes dead bodies as 'beef'; Lakshmi Mittal's two mln pound largesse to Blair; Expand, reform undemocratic UN Council: Kofi Annan; Potter for just 5 pounds for under 15's; Britney puts her private life on DVD; Man becomes beauty queen; Rolling Stone Richard becomes Pirate Depp's dad; Gervais wants Spielberg, Springsteen for 'Extras'; Michael Caine thinks Katie Holmes' too tall for Cruise; Cruise sends The Beckhams to Oprah; India Travel Times, Indian News, Tourism, Hotels, Airlines, Tour, Travel, Ayurveda, Yoga, Festival, Hindu, Taj Mahal, Kathakali, Dance,

Home Contact Us Dateline New Delhi, Thursday, July 14, 2005

Indian troops, militants clash near Gurez on Pakistan border

Badamibagh (J-K): A fierce gunbattle was raging between Indian soldiers and a large group of heavily-armed Muslim militants near the military Line of Control (LoC) that divides turbulent Kashmir, an army spokesman said on Thursday. It could be the biggest clash between Indian troops and rebels since India and Pakistan began a peace process 20 months ago, officials said. The firefight began on Tuesday (July 12) evening when troops spotted the rebels crossing the LoC into the hilly, snow-covered and forested Gurez sector in the north of Indian Kashmir from the Pakistani sector and was continuing. Indian media reports say the group of militants number anywhere between a dozen to 35. An army spokesman confirmed it is a fairly large group of infiltrators but said details are awaited. "A few militants had infiltrated from Gurez and when the army came to know about it, an encounter began.The region has a glacier and the mountains are at 14,000-15,000 feet height. As the areas was water logged so we had to make crossings, which took some time, and within this (time), the militants hid themselves in the area in small groups. And for this (reason), army had to take a longer route for dominating them, which was the reason for the delay in start of the operation. Now as the operation is going on in an inaccessible terrain and we do not have any information on the number of militants that have crossed or infiltrated," said Lieutenant Colonel V. K. Batra.

Authorities say with the onset of summer, the number of incursions by guerrillas fighting New Delhi's rule has increased in Kashmir, the cause of two of the three India-Pakistan wars. Earlier this week, Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh told the BBC that "terrorist camps" were still operating in Pakistan and New Delhi was ready to supply Islamabad photographs of them. Pakistan denies existence of militant camps on its soil. Indian officials say the latest clash only lends credence to New Delhi's stand. According to army reports, 22 infiltrators had been killed in eight infiltration attempts last month. On Tuesday night, in a separate firefight, two militants who tried to cross the LoC were killed by soldiers northwest of Srinagar, Indian Kashmir's summer capital. Though violence has eased in the past year as peace moves between the nuclear rivals continued, people are still killed in regular gunbattles, rebel attacks and bomb blasts.

Hi-tech security for Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura temples, Taj Mahal (Go To Top)

New Delhi: Senior Home Ministry officials and law enforcement representatives today decided to put in place a high- tech security mechanism for key temples at Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura and the Taj Mahal in Agra by next month to prevent future terror attacks there. Union Home Secretary V K Duggal told reporters after a key meeting to review the security in major religious and historical places in Uttar Pradesh here that para-military forces and the state government would strengthen security arrangements as part of short-term measures wherever necessary. Installation of close-circuit cameras, latest surveillance equipment, deployment of more specially-trained commandos, setting up of watch towers and round-the-clock control rooms, special barricades and ensuring uninterrupted power supply are part of the high-tech security apparatus to be mounted in Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura and Agra. Duggal said that the Central Government, would sanction the necessary funds for implementing the new mechanism.

Promotions to CRPF personnel for foiling Ayodhya attack (Go To Top)

New Delhi: The CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) today announced out of turn promotions to its 32 personnel for their gallant action and outstanding services while repulsing the terrorist attack on Ram Janambhoomi Complex on July 5. While one SI has been promoted to the post of Inspector, 8 head constables have been promoted as SI, and 23 constables as head constables, a CRPF release said today. The release said that SI Nand Kishore, who has been now promoted as Inspector, had sustained bullet injuries in the gunbattle and is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS. The CRPF personnel belong to the 33 and 135 Battalions posted at the temple site to manage its security. The security personnel were deployed inside the inner cordon of the Ram Janambhoomi complex on the fateful day.

Nagas intensify strike, economic blockade in Manipur worsens (Go To Top)

Imphal: Naga tribals fighting for a separate homeland have intensified their economic blockade of Manipur, which has sent prices of essential commodities skyrocketing. A tribal group burnt several trucks carrying food and fuel in Manipur late on Wednesday after an activist was run over by a convoy of trucks escorted by government troops. The Naga tribals have been blocking vehicular movement on the state's highways since June 19, over the government's failure to respond to their demand for carving out parts of the state so that it can be included as part of a greater Naga homeland. This move is being strongly opposed by most Manipuris. A third of the 30 lakh-strong Nagas live in four districts of Manipur and two other northeastern states. They want all the Naga inhabited areas of the region to be clubbed into a Greater Nagaland state. Residents in Manipur, a state of 23 lakh people, said shops were empty, as fresh supplies had not arrived since the blockade began. Petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices were up while medicine providers were running out of stocks. Meanwhile, most of the NGOs and the people here suspect the involvement of the NSCN(IM) in the blockade. The United Peoples Front, Manipur today said the NSCN(IM) cannot decide the fate of Manipur. It charged the NSCN(IM) of creating chaos in Manipur by instigating organisations like ANSAM to call economic blockade. Various organisation today appealed to the ANSAM to call off the blockade in the interest of the general public. The Apunba Nupi Lup, Bishenpur expressed unhappiness. The NGOs of Nagaland should try to end the blockade it demanded. The Thanil said the blockade is not reasonable. Apunba Kakching Keithel Nupi Lup warned ANSAM to end the blockade. It lauded KSO for withdrawing the blockade and decided to boycott the Outer MP .The Lainingthou Yangoiningthou Meira paibi Nupi Lup asked the CM not to withdraw the state holiday. The people in the hill areas are facing lots of problems he said. The AMSU, MSF and DESAM appeal to the ANSAM to suspend the ongoing economic blockade in the interest of the student community and the public. They appealed to businessmen and traders not to increase the prices of essential commodities. The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has also intensified its agitation, by demanding resignation of all the Naga MLAs and ministers in the Manipur Assembly.

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