92 ultras among 160 killed in Jan 2004

KT NEWS SERVICE SRINAGAR, Feb 1: The human rights bureau of the Hurriet Conference (G) has provided figures suggesting that 160 persons have lost their lives during the month of January 2004 in various militancy related incidents.

Among the 160 persons killed during the month of January, 39 persons are civilians while as the number of militants killed during this period is 92.

Out of 39 civilians killed, 33 are men and six are women.

29 personnel belonging to the security forces also lost their lives during the month of January.

According to the figures provided by the conglomerate, there have nine custodial killings during the month of January, while as the number of persons who have been arrested during this period is 233.

At least 182 persons have been injured in different militancy related incidents during the month of January.

The figures also suggest that 16 persons have disappeared during the month of January, whileas 7 houses have been partially or completed damaged during the anti-militancy operations.

Militant killed in encounter in Rajouri KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Feb 1: Security forces killed one HUJI militant during an encounter at village Dodaj under the jurisdiction of police station Darhal.

Reports said that acting upon a specific information provided by the local informers regarding the presence of militants in Dodaj village, police and army launched a joint operation to eliminate the militants.

As the search party neared a deserted cowshed where the militant was reportedly hiding, he opened indiscriminate firing on the search party.

The fire was effectively replied by the security forces for half an hour.

In the ensuing gunbattle one militant was killed while other suspected ultras reportedly escaped taking shelter of the hilly terrain and forest.

The militant killed in the gunbattle was identified as Manzoor Hussain alias Abdul Jabbar son of Muneer Hussain resident of Rajouri.

After the encounter security forces made some recoveries from the site encounter.

The recoveries included one AK-56, 5 AK magazine, including 2 damaged, 50 rounds of AK ammunition, 3 hand grenades and 1 pouch.

Army claimed to have recovered Rs 1330 in Indian currency.

Police claimed that the militant was Pak trained and was responsible for large number of civilian killings and 'atrocities'.

Police said that killing of Manzoor was a major set back to the HUJI outfit which is active in the area.

Meanwhile, army recovered 67 rounds of pika ammunition, 30 rounds of AK ammunition, 1 magazine of AK rifle etc from village Sokar village in Rajouri district during searches.

Army also claimed some recoveries in lower Kasbalari in KG Poonch followed by busting of a hideout.

The recoveries included, 1 AKmagazine, 20 rounds of AK ammunition and 2 UBGL grenades.

Meanwhle, security forces claimed to have made recoveries at Kotranka today which includes seven UBGL grenades, 34 rounds of Pika ammuntion, 35 pika light links and one bayonet cover.

Kashmir wears festive look on Eid eve KT NEWS SERVICE SRINAGAR, Feb 1: Kashmir valley wore a festival look as people in large numbers thronged the markets for Eid eve shopping.

Hundreds of people today visited different markets to purchase the goods for Eid.

Bakery, foot-ware , sweets and ready made garment shops are witnessing extraordinary rush.

Residency Road, Moulana Azad Road, Regal Chowk, Lambert lane, Gonikhan, Kokar Bazar, Abi Guzar and Mahraj Bazar are the busiest markets on this Eid.

Bakers are making merry as people swarm those shops to purchase Cakes, pastries and biscuits.

Such is the rush that long queues of the people are seen outside the shops waiting for their turn.

Sweet shops in Srinagar are working over time to meet the demand of the people.

Several sweet shops have showcased new varieties to woo the customers.

Hundreds of kids flanked by their parents were seen purchasing shoes and clothes for Eid.

Ready made garment shops were witnessing extraordinary rush.

People were busy making shopping for Eid.

Different varieties of the garments have been showcased to keep the people in tune with the latest fashion buzz.

However, the shortage of mutton has dampened the Eid spirit.

With National Highway remaining closed, Kashmir valley is facing acute paucity of mutton.

As the government is in deep slumber, the problem has taken an ugly turn.

Poultry birds prices have shot up and deliberate shortage is being created to extract more money for the customers.

In Baramulla, the broiler is being sold at Rs 50 per kilogram while as the government has fixed the rate at Rs 46.50.

The government's lackadaisical attitude towards the people's demands has evoked sharp criticism.

With no arrangements made to supply mutton, the people are waiting since morning outside the shops with the hope that the meat will be made available.

The heavy rush of the people in different markets have led to constant traffic jams.

It took traffic cops hours to clear the traffic jams and regulate the traffic.