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Monday, July 29, 2013 Kashmir reader Geelani gives police slip to address people Reiterates boycott call for upcoming un-Islamic elections Mon, 29 July 2013 SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, who has been mostly under house arrest since late 2010, Sunday gave slip to the police cordon outside his residence to participate in a seminar in a local mosque at Hyderpora here. The swift escape, the likes of which kept police on toes in 2008 and 09, came after the police disallowed a religious seminar titled Nazool-e-Quran that was scheduled to be held at the conglomerates headquarters adjacent to Geelanis residence at Hyderpora. Eyewitnesses told Kashmir Reader all entry routes to the venue were guarded by police and paramilitary CRPF personnel, preventing everyone from moving towards to it. The restrictions prompted the conglomerate to shift the venue to the nearby Jamia Masjid, the eyewitnesses said, adding that Geelani too came out of his house and immediately sped away in his car before the police could stop him. Police failed to comprehend what Geelani was up to when he had already reached the mosque, the eyewitnesses said. Confirming the incident, Hurriyat (G) spokesman Ayaz Akbar told Kashmir Reader that many expected participants missed the seminar due to police restrictions. Though about a thousand people attended the seminar held in the mosque, a good number of people could not come because of the restrictions imposed by the police. They (police) had almost cordoned off the area since morning to thwart the seminar, he said. Police and CRPF personnel surrounded the mosque while Geelani and others, including former president of Kashmir High Court Bar Association Mian Abdul Qayoom, addressed the gathering. Geelani, who addressed a public meeting after a long time, reiterated the boycott call for upcoming elections, saying that voting is exploited by India and is unIslamic. The participation of people in the elections is projected by India and its agencies as our acceptance of Indian rule in Kashmir. It is a bitter fact that people must not ignore considering that we sacrificed everything for this movement, he said. The people you vote for are all characterless, corrupt and materialists. So, voting for them has no justification in Islam, Geelani said. Geelani lashed out at Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, for arresting many youth who had staged protests over the desecration of the Holy Quran and killing of four civilians by BSF in Ramban on July 18. Police here has become so arrogant that it first arrests youth for protesting over desecration of the Holy Quran and then makes announcements about more arrests to come, Geelani said. The approach of the government and its agencies reflects that all forces in Kashmir are at war with the common people. Kashmir has been converted into a police state. Geelani said Hurriyat (G) would not allow division of the state as is being planned in New Delhi. He said, Granting more powers to Ladakh Hill Council and to set up a

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separate police range there is a step towards diving the state. We dont oppose any community. We dont oppose return of Pandits to Kashmir, but we do oppose setting up separate colonies for them. The octogenarian leader urged the people to desist from renting their properties to nonlocal laborers, and described as shameful the participation of Kashmiri girls in Indian Armys Sadhbhavna programmes. He also expressed concern over the blasts in Pakistan. He said those involved in blasts can never be friends of Pakistan or Islam. There may be problems within Pakistan, but carrying out blasts and killing people only amounts to cutting the branch on which you are sitting, Geelani said. He reiterated his demand of limiting the duration of Amarnath Yatra, which has been turned into a political issue. The seminar concluded with youth staging a protest outside the mosque. They stood on the main road shouting anti-India, pro-freedom and pro-Geelani slogans. The protests caused disruption in the traffic until the protesters dispersed peacefully after about half an hour. Geelani returned home where he was placed under house arrest again. The police, however, refuted that Geelani gave it a slip. If he (Geelani) couldnt escape till now, how do you expect him to give us a slip today? said Station House Officer of Humhama police station Zahoor Ahmad, adding that there were no restrictions at all on the seminar. Rising Kashmir Geelani justifies use of gun to fight occupation Afghan Taliban good, Pak Taliban bad Srinagar, July 28: For the first time in the year 2013, octogenarian Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani addressed a large gathering outside his residence by giving police a slip. Waving at people with smile on his face, Geelani took everybody by surprise when he entered Hyderpora Jamia Masjid, the changed venue for the Nazool-e-Quran seminar after authorities denied Tehreek-e-Hurriyat to hold at his Hurriyat Chairmans residence. I was not allowed to come out but with the help of Allah, I came out of my house. By the time the police deployed outside Hurriyat (G) office thought what is going on, I gave them slip and reached here, the 83-year-old leader said in his one and a half-hour long speech. Geelani had hoped that authorities will allow this seminar at his office, but when they didnt, we thought of an alternate venue. Justifying the use of gun, Geelani said the occupied nations have a right to fight for protecting their sovereignty. The use of gun by the people of Afghanistan is justified as they are fighting the occupational forces of America and NATO. They have fought against Soviet Union and succeeded and we pray for their success again. They are the real freedom fighters, Geelani said in his praise for Afghan Taliban. However he criticized Pakistan Taliban saying their fight in Pakistan is unjustified and they are cutting the roots of Pakistan. Pakistan Taliban and other forces fighting in Pakistan is unjustified leading to an immoral fight without any reason. That is unislamic and against the interests of Pakistan. They are the worst enemies of Pakistan, he said. He also criticized Pakistan for its weak policy and said the successive governments

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have not fulfilled the purpose for which Pakistan was formed. Geelani demanded people should come out on roads when asked for protests. Whatever may be the situation you should not lose hope and take a strong pledge to fight till the logical conclusion? You should come out on roads for protests when you receive a call. There may be lathi-charge, tear gas shelling but an occupied nation has to face these difficulties till it achieves freedom. There is no justification for Indian military. We have to get united and be mentally prepared to work out a strategy and protest in a peaceful manner, demanded Geelani raising both his fists. Reiterating his call for poll boycott, Geelani said, Pro-Indian parties are the stamp of Indian oppression in Valley. Whether it is Congress, National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference or any other independent candidate, they are the one and only strengthening Indian rule here. They are the stooges of India that are killing us. People should desist from voting and launch a campaign starting from their houses to aware people about the need to boycott elections, he said. It doesnt augur well for a good Muslim to vote for the Indian parties who are involved in killing our youth. The government is standing on the basis of oppression and justice cant be expected from these people. The pro-Indian people lure people for the sake of development but people should understand that these roads, flyovers are most needed by India for their military and strategic purposes, Geelani said. He also criticized the clerics saying that they have turned a blind eye towards the issues of Kashmir. They dont raise their voice about the social and political issues confronting the valley. Whenever the Indian establishment visits the shrines, they are being honoured by the clerics, he said. Geelani asked people to beware of the dangerous tactics used by India to divide Jammu and Kashmir and the agenda of carrying out massacre of Muslims in Kashmir. India is working on its agenda of massacring Kashmiri Muslims on the pattern of 1947 Jammu massacre. They are hatching a conspiracy to divide Jammu and Ladakh from Kashmir. But we have to fight against this division, Kashmir is one from Jammu to Kashmir to Ladakh to Azad Kashmir (PaK). Dont rent your houses to non-state labourers (Biharis) to breach your privacy to outsiders, Geelani said.Hurriyat (G) Chief said it is shame on part of the parents who send their girls on Army organised tours and functions. At the conclusion, Geelani was taken in a procession amid pro freedom and anti-India slogans. Police was waiting outside the mosque in large numbers and took him away in an ambassador car. People especially youth stood in front of the car till it reached Hurriyat (G) office where they dispersed peacefully. Kashmir reader Punish VDC members involved in Kishtwar gang rape: Mirwaiz Demands immediate disbanding of VDC Mon, 29 July 2013 Srinagar: Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Sunday demanded stern punishment for the government constituted Village Defense Committee (VDC) members who were allegedly involved in the gang rape of a minor girl

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in Batakoot village of Kishtwar. Asserting that communal thinking was attached to the institution of VDC, Mirwaiz said the time has come to disband VDC immediately so as to protect people from their wrath, a statement issued by the spokesman of the Hurriyat (M) said. Mirwaiz termed the Kishtwar gang rape incident as shameful and aggression against the chastity of Kashmiri woman, the statement said. According to the statement, Mirwaiz said it was not for the first time that VDC members were found involved in criminal acts. Earlier also many VDC members have been found to have committed excesses against the common masses, he said. A communal thinking is attached to the very foundation of VDC as an Institution, Mirwaiz said while demanding VDC should be disbanded to protect people from their oppression. He said their (VDC) brutality and aggression against common people is not less than infamous SOG, the statement added. So we demand these committees should be immediately disbanded, Mirwaiz said, adding, The accused should also be sternly punished. Greater Kashmir Normalcy restored in edgy Budgam,Shias, Sunnis Jointly Offer Salat-e-Touba GK Srinagar, July 28: After remaining under curfew for eight days, life limped back to normal in central Kashmirs Budgam district on Sunday. Curfew was imposed in Budgam town last week following group clashes between the members of two communities. Authorities lifted curfew from most parts of the district and people in large numbers thronged markets to buy essentials. Shops and business establishments reopened and traffic reappeared on the roads. Reports said members of Shia and Sunni communities offered Salat-e-Touba at Sohipora village. Hundreds of people from both the communities offered the prayers jointly, locals told Greater Kashmir over phone. Sohipora village was one of the worst affected villages during the recent clashes. Though towns did not witness deployment of forces today, the authorities had kept contingents of police and CRPF on alert. Everything was calm on Sunday. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the district, said a police official. Separatists in touch with agencies: Omar They Should Talk To The Centre Directly; Moulvi Of Local Masjid Responsible For Gool Incident; Mufti Using Raj Bhavan To Grab Power; Assembly Polls To Be Held On Time GK Srinagar, July 28: Accusing separatist leaders of staying in constant touch with the Indian intelligence agencies, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday said the separatists should hold parleys with the Centre openly instead of secretly meeting the sleuths from the agencies in five star hotels. While the separatists take tea with agency people in restaurants and five star hotels and hold closed-door confabulations with them, they shy away from talking to the centre openly, Omar said in an interview with local news gathering agency KNS. He said New Delhi was ready to talk to separatists but the latter were reluctant to talk to

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the Government of India. Our job is to facilitate talks between the Centre and the Hurriyat and we did that. Talks on Kashmir issue have to be carried out by Hurriyat people. New Delhi is ready for that but separatists are not, Omar said. Behind the closed-doors they (separatists) meet different people including people like Ram Jethmalani who come and meet them without anything to offer. But they dont want to talk to the Centre directly, he said and added; Center is ready for talks, but with whom they will talk? NC, PDP, Congress and BJP say we will resolve the Kashmir issue within constitution and they are already talking to the Centre. But those who want to resolve it outside constitution (separatists) they are not ready for talks. Asked to comment about separatists assertions that New Delhi wasnt serious on dialogue, Omar said, Here lie is repeated so many times that people start thinking it is truth. Last time Prime Minister told them (separatists) that they should put their demands in shape of a memorandum. Let them show it to the people whether they have put it before the PM. Center told them to give charter of demands on record which they didnt. Asked to comment on his recent statement that some elements within Hurriyat were ready to contest elections, the Chief Minister said, What I said is some elements like Sajjad Lone are ready. He contested parliament elections in 2009 also. Others should follow. Some separatists are fielding proxies. But people know that. Without naming Jamaat-e-Islami and Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Omar said; Their target has always been NC. They help other parties through back channels. They give boycott calls on one side and use militants to threaten people on the other side. They then ask their people to vote for those parties. Omar said that his Government has talked about Kashmir issue within as well as outside Assembly. As far as political issues are concerned I think no government in past might have talked about this issue so clearly. On revocation of AFSPA, he said; It is an issue where different people have different views. Should I accept defeat only after two years? Should I leave my mission? Those who have been demanding Azadi for last 25 years and have failed then they should also accept defeat. In democracy everybody has his own perception. Those who dont want AFSPA to go highlight Hyderpora like incidents. Then I quote Bandipora and Ramban incidents. Army has taken a tight line on AFSPA and we want dialogue on it. Was AFSPA an issue before two years? But now wherever you go people talk about it. Now it has become an issue after I talked about it, he claimed. Asked to comment on Saghir Committee report, Chief Minister said; It is before the Cabinet sub-Committee and they will see what can be done. It has asked for some more time. Different parties have different thinking. Coalition partners have different ideas which can be solved through talks. Political thinking is always different in coalitions. On autonomy he said; For autonomy there is need for dialogue. Situation is peaceful in the state, but New Delhi is busy with elections now. Kashmir issue isnt an election issue neither in Pakistan nor in India. If talks will happen it wont happen before conclusion od Parliamentary polls.

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Omar warned those elements who think Afzal Gurus hanging had no impact in Kashmir. I had warned New Delhi that it will have a long-term impact in Kashmir. Situation in Valley is more or less peaceful. What is happening in Kashmir this time isnt related with Afzal Guru. Yes it has an impact on the psyche of people of Kashmir. Long term effect it will have definitely. How it will come out that has to be seen. But if some people think that there will be no impact they are wrong, he added. On track II, he said, Nothing has come from Nawaz Sharif government as of now. Only Gen Musharraf had shown some relaxation on Kashmir. It is true Nawaz Sharif has taken some steps for revival of peace process but nothing has changed in Kashmir. Infiltration attempts are on rise. He said Indo-Pak friendship is always in the interests of Kashmiris. Asked to comment on PDP patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeeds recent statement that Omar has eroded the sanctity of the CMs chair, he said; I dont want to react on it. I dont take his or his daughters statements seriously. It is Mufti who is using Raj Bhavan to grab the power. If there is one person who eroded special status of the state it is Mufti. What he did in 1984 and who sent Jagmohan as Governor. He begged in 2005 for CMs chair. Will he give lecture to me? I know what he did to remain in power. He played Womens Bill to remain in power. Rehabilitation resolution, he defeated in House to remain in power. On Muftis allegations of police and Army highhandedness, Omar said, Werent people dying in Muftis tenure. Just two days after he took over as CM, a mason was killed outside his house, an imam and his son were killed, cricket playing children were killed in Handwara and so on. When he sent Jagmohan as Governor 50 people used to get killed in a day. His spokesman puts something in his ear and the newspapers carry it. However, the Chief Minister said; I dont say what is happening should happen. But it isnt new. What was happening earlier has come down. Bandipora was the first incident this year and we wont allow it to happen in future. Who provoked people in Ramban has to be seen. Moulvi spread rumours that Holy Quran has been desecrated which were baseless. It was that Moulvi who provoked people against BSF. Moulvi provoked people to attack the camp, he claimed. Omar also rejected Muftis claims that NC government neglected city in the last four and half years. When he (Mufti) was CM for three years how much he spent for development of Srinagar. What system he wants to change now. They ignored whole city. I dont need lectures from such people, he said. Terming the Centres inability to take action against army men involved in Pathribal fake encounter as its weakness, Omar said; CBI has found evidence against the Army. If they (Centre) wants to win the hearts of people of Kashmir they should punish the guilty. People have lost faith in institutions because of such issues. We have challaned all the incidents in the court. We have filed cases and now they are in courts. We have investigated everything. Pathribal happened in 2000 and the case is still in court. I have told them (the Centre) if they want to win back Kashmiris they have to do the justice with people, he added. Asked about preparation of his party for next assembly elections, the Chief Minister said; Election is almost one and half years away. If opposition wants to tire them before

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elections we have no problem. When we lost elections in 2002 we were still single largest party. Candidate matters in the elections now. We have to work carefully on selecting candidates. On reports of formation of third front he said; It is good. It had come in 2008 also. These fronts become after elections. They fight for leaders. Who will lead it is a big question, Omar said. Asked whether NC will enter into an alliance with Congress before or after the elections, he said; Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahab has been authorized by the NC Working Committee to take a decision in this regard. Congress too has to take a decision. High commands of both the parties will take the final call on the issue. Omar ruled out possibility of assembly elections being held in March-April next year and said the polls would be held in October-November 2014. We have working season which is summer and we will complete that. We will also see who comes to power in the Centre. We will also see what we can do at political and developmental fronts during that period, he said. On recent sectarian clashes in Budgam, Omar said; Some people are behind it. There has been carelessness at the level of administration. We were busy with Gool incident. At lower level administration should have settled the issue, he added. Mufti seeks decisive mandate, Give Me 40 Seats, I Will Resolve Kashmir Issue GK Srinagar, July 28: Seeking a decisive mandate from people in the 2014 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Muhammad said Sunday said he has a vision and a roadmap for the resolution of Kashmir issue that can only be implemented if my party gets majority in the upcoming elections. He was quick to add that his party, if voted to power, wont only take political parties on board but also involve people in India inclusively in the resolution process of Kashmir issue. I have a vision and a roadmap for Kashmir solution, Mufti said, addressing an impressive gathering at PDP headquarters in Srinagar on the occasion of partys 14th Foundation Day. PDP was formed on July 28, 1999. Mufti, however, didnt elaborate on the vision and roadmap. We need a decisive mandate; a mandate of at least 40 seats. If that would happen, we will not only take political parties here in India on board but inclusively involve people of the country in the process of Kashmir resolution, he said. He said the vote in 2014 wont be used as a tool for government formation only but comprehensively for addressing the Kashmir issue, which is lingering for 65 years. The solution has to be acceptable to the people of J&K, people of India and people of Pakistan. I will show the way how it can be achieved, the PDP patron said. I know how the boat (Kashmir) has to be pulled out of the troubled waters and how it can be taken to a safest bank. Pertinently, the PDP claims that its Self-Rule document is the best possible solution to the vexed Kashmir issue. The party has 21 legislators in the Assembly. I am happy that despite remaining out of power for more than four years, PDP is alive and becoming the heartthrob of people, Mufti said.

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2014 Will Be Litmus Test For People: Dr Sameer Kaul GK, Srinagar, july 28:Noted oncologist and senior PDP leader Dr Sameer Kaul Sunday said the 2014 elections will put the people of entire J&K to a litmus test and the year would prove whether people of State really want a change or not. Addressing a gathering organized to mark the partys 14th Foundation Day here, Dr Kaul said outside the state there is a perception that people of Kashmir are not trustworthy. Let me tell you that 2014 is approaching fast and you have to decide yourself what you are. You will be tested in the elections, he told the gathering. Dr Kaul said people of J&K were first Kashmiris and then Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists. We have a history of 5000 years. We have been ruled by everybody but the condition of downtrodden remained unchanged, he said. I am being told in New Delhi that Kashmiris are not trustworthy because despite giving them huge finances, they are still unpredictable. My reply to them is that funds released for Kashmiris never reach to those who deserve it. Funds are being given to wrong hands. Kaul said nothing had changed in Kashmir as frisking, beating of Imams and arrest of youth continue. Leaders who ruled this place for decades didnt do justice, he said. Now PDP is the party that will act as a bridge not only between India and Pakistan, but between Kashmir and Afghanistan too. He said it was shame on part of those who silently watched the deaths of 3500 infants at GB Pant hospital in Srinagar. Those leaders taste sleep in Kashmir. When somebody outside JK hears about the deaths of infants, they feel puzzled, he said. Rising Kashmir Nawaz wants to visit Kashmir: Mehbooba Srinagar, July 28: Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Member Parliament Mehbooba Mufti Sunday said Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wants to visit Kashmir. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the partys 14th foundation day ceremony, Mehbooba said when she visited Pakistan for the first time to attend a Pugwash conference in March 2008, she had met Sharif at that time had expressed his desire to visit Kashmir. Nawaz Sharif told me that his family is from Shopian, said Mehbooba, whose party has a stronghold in the south Kashmir district of Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag. Mehbooba would again be visiting Pakistan for the Pugwash conference that his scheduled from September 14 to 18. There is a lot of uncertainty in Pakistan and there is a lot of uncertainty in Kashmir as well, she said. I would raise the issue of cross-LoC trade, which has hit the roadblock. Mehbooba said Pugwash conference provides a good opportunity for the mainstream and separatists leaders of the State as well as the leaders from both sides of the Line of Control to sit together and discuss Kashmir and the issues confronting Kashmir. On whether she would invite Sharif to Shopian, Mehbooba said it was too early and just a hypothetical question right now.

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Kashmir times Strike, tear gassing at Hajin KT NEWS SERVICE SRINAGAR, July 28: A strike was observed today at Hajin, while cops burst smoke shells and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the protestors. The local people alleged that police and para-military forces ransacked scores of houses and beat inmates to pulp. Scores of youth appeared on roads after the news spread that minister for higher education, Mohammad Akbar Lone is visiting Banayari area of Hajin. Youth resorted to heavy stone pelting while the men in uniform resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse them. Agitated youth, amid pro-freedom slogans burn down tyres on roads. They fought pitched battles with the police and CRPF personnel deployed in the area. A police official said minister was scheduled to visit Banayari area of Hajin. Keeping yesterdays occurrence in mind we had decided to deploy police and CRPF personnel in strength. Youth came to know about his visit and they blocked the road and started pelting stones on deployed policemen, he said, adding that due to heavy stone pelting, the Minister changed his route and reached Baniyari via Sodnara village. Agitated youth uprooted the sign boards of trader Noor Mohammad Wani who is said to be the close aide of Lone. Pertinently, ministers cavalcade came under attack on Saturday when youth pelted stones on some of his vehicles. Locals alleged that police and CRPF personnel barged their entry into the houses and smashed the window panes of houses and vehicles parked in yards and on roads. Police and para-military troopers went on rampage in Mir Mohalla, Par Mohalla and Parray Mohalla and thrashed people there which left many injured, one of the residents said. They alleged that the ruling party is asking people to target supporters of opposition there. IG BSF reviews situation along IB KT NEWS SERVICE HIRANAGAR, Jul 28: Two senior BSF officers today visited and assessed the situation at Kothay post along the Indo-Pak border in Kathua district, that witnessed a heavy exchange of fire in which a jawan of the border patrol force was injured. There was heavy exchange of fire on the border post yesterday following the violation of ceasefire by Pakistan Rangers, in which Head Constable Baljeet Singh of 68 Battalion was injured. IG BSF, Jammu, Rajiv Krishna along with DIG Virender Singh took stock of the situation at the Kothay border post in Hiranagar area. "We retaliated strongly and silenced their guns," Singh told reporters after assessing the situation. He added that the BSF will organise a flag meeting with the Pakistan Rangers to register their protest. Asked whether it was deliberate attempt by the Pakistani troops to help intruders sneak into Indian territory ahead of the Independence Day, Singh said, "It may possible." He, however, added that BSF troops were alert and ready to foil any "sinister" designs of the neighbouring country. "Every year such circumstances arise, but we are ready to fight. Our forces are alert and are ready 24x7," he said.

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Meanwhile, the people along the border post lodged a protest against the firing by Pakistan Rangers and raised slogans against the neighbouring country. Around 200 to 250 people, including men and women, from Manyari village led by vice chairman of Border Union, Bharat Bushan, asked Pakistan to stop troubling the innocent farmers cultivating their lands along the border. "They are not letting us live in peace. It is the season of paddy cultivation but there is so much terror among the people that they won't be able to cultivate their lands along the zero line," Bushan said. Earlier, Pakistani troops had opened fire on civilian population in Kathua district along Indo-Pak border later last night. Pakistani Rangers had targeted civilian areas in Manyari village late last night, injuring a villager, BSF officials said. A villager, Sohan alongwith BSF constable had suffered injuries in the 82-mm mortars firing and was hospitalised in district hospital of Kathua, they said. His condition is stated to stable. There were two ceasefire violations in Poonch and Kathua districts yesterday. However, there was an uneasy calm in the area today as there was no firing from the other side of the border. The Pakistani Rangers had opened unprovoked small arms firing on forward Indian posts including Kotay and Chandwan in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. Heavy firing had raged on throughout the day along the Line of Control (LoC) at Doda battalions forward in Kirni Shahpur and Mandi sub sectors in Poonch district .m"It was heavy arms firing with Pakistan using Rocket Projectile Guns (RPGs), Mortars, Medium Machine Guns (MMGs) and Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs) prom However, there was no loss of life or damage to property on this side. Pakistan had claimed that one of its soldier was killed and one was injured in firing. This was the sixth ceasefire violation by Pakistan this month alone. On July 3, Pakistan violated ceasefire when it fired on policemen, who had gone on LoC in Sabjian, Poonch to collect the body of a Pakistani intruder killed in IED blast on July 1. On July 8, Pakistani troops fired on soldiers trying to evacuate injured porters after one of them was killed in an IED blast by Pakistani militants along LoC in Poonch. On July 12, Pakistani Rangers fired on Indian forward posts in Pindi belt along International Border (IB) in Arnia area of RS Pura sector. Kashmir Reader Army holds Iftaar party in Kup town Mon, 29 July 2013 Srinagar: Army on Saturday organized an Iftaar party in north Kashmirs Kupwara district, a statement by army spokesman said. The function was attended by large number of important personalities of civil society, government officials, intelligentsia and opinion makers of Kupwara town and nearby areas, the statement said. It further said: General Officer Commanding, Vajr Division, graced the occasion and conveyed his blessings and good wishes to the Awam and prayed for an atmosphere of harmony, trust and peace to prevail.

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The occasion provided an excellent platform for Army, JKP and Government officials including elected Sarpanches and Panches to interact with Awam and exchange views with each other, the statement said adding The General Officer Commanding expressed his appreciation about the close and cordial relation between the Army, District Administration, Police, Paramilitary Forces and Awam. http://scoopnews.in Panun Kashmir hails French Defense Ministers Statement Scoop News Ground Jammu, July 28 (Scoop News)- Panun Kashmir in a political affairs committee meeting today hails the recent statement of the French Defense Minister Jean Vyes Le Drians concern over the concentration of terrorists in Pakistan. Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, President, Panun Kashmir while expressing his views in the meeting said that the said that it is heartening to note that the west has realized the concerns expressed by India over terrorism from time to time. While Mr. Drian, the Defence Minister of France has openly expressed his concern regarding certain developments in Pakistan including the concentration of terrorists in Pakistan, his statement that everyone knows that terrorists continue to be present in Pakistan and the international terrorist networks take advantage of the certain relays is an eye opener. He said that the Indian stand that the concentration of terrorist elements is disturbing and has its reflection on India is also reflected in the French Defense Ministers assertion that this concentration of terrorist elements is all the more worrisome as this is a country (Pakistan) armed with nuclear weapons. Indian stand that the 26/11 perpetrators were sponsored by the State of Pakistan has also been confirmed by Mr. Drian when he said at a function in New Delhi that the alleged masterminds of 26/11 attacks are also still roaming free in Pakistan. Virender Raina, National Spokesperson,Panun Kashmir in the meeting said that there is now an increased awareness amongst the western leaders over the dangers of terrorism emanating from the territory of Pakistan. It may be pertinent to mention here that the British Prime Minister Mr. David Cameroon on his previous visit to India had said that Pakistan is the Epicenter of Global terrorism. We also endorse the US State departments stand that as long as Pakistan allows its territory to be used for terror and terrorism peace will be a distant dream. The displaced Kashmiri Pandit community is the direct victim of terrorism and ethnic cleansing in Kashmir; therefore we express our satisfaction over the stand of the west in the context of global fight against terrorism. In the given circumstances, any engagement with Pakistan is a futile exercise. Earlier the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of Panun Kashmir held a meeting to deliberate upon its responses to the emerging political scenario. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prof. M.L.Raina, Chairman, Political Affairs Committee. It was attended among others by Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, President, Panun Kashmir, Virender Raina, National Spokesperson, Upinder Kaul, General Secretary, Kamal Bagati, Organizing Secretary, Virender Kaul, N.M.Gadroo, Vijay Qazi, Ramesh Kaul and Shivdass from Chandigarh. Daily Excelsior

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Bhim Singh meets Governor SRINAGAR, July 28: Prof. Bhim Singh, chief patron, J&K National Panthers Party, called on N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan here today.During his meeting with the Governor, Prof. Singh discussed various matters concerning the efficient and timely implementation of the major welfare and development schemes and programmes and other issues relating to the interests of the State. India considering Pak suggestion for talks on water, Sir Creek Daily excelsior NEW DELHI, July 28: India is actively considering the Pakistani proposal on the talk schedule for remaining secretary-level meetings in the third round of resumed dialogue with dates on the crucial issue of water and Sir Creek being suggested ahead of the meeting between their Prime Ministers in New York in September. While India has already expressed willingness to resume the third round of comprehensive dialogue, which was paused after beheading of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani Army on the border in January, Pakistan has also shown eagerness to initiate the schedule and has suggested August 27-28 for the Wullar Barrage meeting between the water and power secretaries and September 16-17 for the Sir Creek maritime boundary issue. India has also in principle agreed to a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of UN General Assembly In New York in September, sources said. Proposals for dates from Pakistan have been received last week. Both India and Pakistan are in discussion through diplomatic channels to identify mutually convenient dates for the remaining Secretary-level talks of the third round, official sources said here today. The third round commenced last September when Commerce Secretaries of India and Pakistan met in Islamabad. However, the round was paused due to the tension caused by the beheading of the soldiers on the border. The sources said, the proposals were being examined and necessary approvals for the mutually convenient time slots were being obtained. While Pakistan is to host talks on water and Sir Creek issues besides a meeting of the foreign secretaries on the Kashmir dispute where peace and security will also be discussed, India would host the interior secretary/home secretary-level meeting and defence secretary-level talks on the Siachen Glacier. The round culminates with meetings between the Foreign Ministers who review the overall progress of the bilateral dialogue process. According to the Pakistan daily The Nation, officials on both sides are also working on dates for meetings of the eight technical groups of the Pakistan-India Joint Commission. Four meetings would be held in Islamabad and four in Delhi between September and October, the newspaper report said yesterday. The eight items included in the Composite Dialogue framework are Siachen; Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek; economic and commercial cooperation and friendly exchanges; terrorism and drug trafficking; peace and security and Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)

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India responds positively to Pak proposal for resuming dialogue Daily excelsior NEW DELHI, July 28: Confirming that proposals regarding dates for resuming talks have been received from Pakistan, official sources said here today that mutually convenient dates for resuming the remaining third round of comprehensive dialogues were being discussed. Pakistan media had yesterday reported that the foreign office conveyed to New Delhi its readiness to host the talks on the Wallular barrage at Water and Power Secretaries level on August 27 and 28 and for Sir Creek maritime boundary issue on September 16 and 17. A meeting at the level of foreign secretaries could be considered later. Official sources said the proposals for dates had been received from Pakistan last week itself, and now India and Pakistan are in discussion to identify mutually convenient dates for the remaining Secretary-level talks of the third round. The talks on water and Sir Creek issues are expected to be held in Pakistan while interior secretary/home secretary-level meeting and defence secretary-level talks on the Siachen Glacier were likely to be held in India. New Delhi has also in principle agreed to a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York in September. External Affairs Minister Salman Kurshid and Pakistan Prime Ministers Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had taken the decision to resume the dialogue process when they had met in Brunei early this month. The two countries had begun the third round of the dialogue in September with Commerce Secretariess meeting in Islamabad, but the process was halted due to the strain in the bilateral relations caused by the beheading of Indian soldiers on the border. Both the countries had in fact started a composite dialogue in 2004 after a decision for that was taken by then prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf during their meeting on the sidelines of SAARC Summit. However that composite dialogue process had been suspended in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack in 2008. But Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his former Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani in their meeting on the sidelines of SAARC summit In Bhutans capital Thimpu in 2010 decided to resume the process. The issues to be covered by the Composite Dialogue include Siachin; Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek; economic and commercial cooperation and friendly exchanges; terrorism and drug trafficking; peace and security and Jammu and Kashmir. (UNI) www.hindustantimes.com Hizb killing unarmed policeman, civilians: police HT Correspondent , Hindustan Times Srinagar, July 28, 2013:Deputy inspector general of police, North Kashmir, JP Singh on Sunday said the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit was killing unarmed, innocent policemen and civilians out of sheer frustration. I appeal to the people of Sopore to expose these militants as they are responsible for the killing of innocent people, he said in an interview to a local news agency.

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The DIG claimed that the Hizb was misleading the police by declaring that Saqib, one of its active commanders, was not affiliated with the outfit. We dont trust the HM. It can go to any extent to fulfil its interests, he said. Militants killed a special police officer in Soporeon Sunday morning. It has become very difficult for the police to nab the militants in Sopore town. Militants have changed their strategy now. They carry weapons only at the time of attack. Later, they live like the common man, said Singh. Around 30 militants are present in north Kashmir, which include five non-locals. Militants strike at unarmed sarpanchs and policemen to show their presence, he said. Govt recommends prosecution of 3 detained Chinese PTI New Delhi, July 28, 2013: The Home Ministry has recommended prosecution of three Chinese nationals who had infiltrated into the Ladakh sector of Jammu and Kashmir in June as the statements given by them to interrogators were contradictory. All of them had an advance knowledge of Indian defence posts and routes taken by troops during patrolling in the higher reaches of Ladakh, official sources said. The decision taken by the Home Ministry has been conveyed to authorities concerned in Ladakh for bringing down the three -- Salamo, Abdul Khaliq and Adil Thorsong -- to Leh from Margo post in north Ladakh where they have been kept since June 12 after being detained near Sultanchku, the sources said. The statements of all the three, who have been kept separately since their detention, were completely contradictory and the interrogators believe that the three were lying about the route taken by them to enter India, they said. Various security agencies, which questioned them,expressed surprise that the three had the knowledge of the Indian posts and routes taken by the patrols to higher reaches along the Sino-Indian border but feigned ignorance about any of the Chinese camps across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), they said. The trio, who speak only Yarkandi and Uyghur languages,could not give any basic details about Kargalilik of Xianjang province from where they claimed to belong, according to the sources. The small political maps seized from the three were torn from local school books, the sources said, adding that apprehension was being expressed that they could have been headed towards Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) which is barely 20 kms up north of the area where they were nabbed.