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Indian troops put on red alert as Mujahideen attack Jammu army camp

ISLAMABAD: Indian troops have been put on red alert in Jammu region following a fierce attack by Mujahideen on a military camp at Jeri, only 18 kms from Jammu city.

Kashmir Media Service quoting official reports said, a major camp of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was attacked by 15 Mujahideen on Saturday night. The Mujahideen returned safely to their hideout.

Details of losses were not available due to military blockade. This attack, near Jammu city, unnerved the military authorities to the extend that a red alert was sounded in the entire Jammu region. Additional troops are being rushed to sensitive spots.

Meanwhile, the troops are reported to have suffered heavy losses in fresh clashes with Mujahideen. Four troops were killed at Doro in Islamabbad (Anantnag) area. A lone Mujahid, clashed with troops at Doro and fought till the last, and embraced martydorm after killing four troops. The Mujahid was identified as Mohammad Iqbal Shah.

The Mujahideen clashed with besieging troops at Whattpura in Pulwama district, inflicting a number of casualties. In Mattan area, Mujahideen engaged the troops in a prolonged shoot-out, killing and injuring a number of soldiers. A clash was also reported from Taragam, in Islamabad area but details were not available.

A military patrol was attacked at Alusa, in Bandipura and the troops reportedly suffered a number of casualties. A power land mines explosion occurred at Shaidpura, in Ganderbal but details were not available. An encounter occurred at Surankot, in Poonch. Two Mujahideen were reported martyred. Exact details for military losses could not be ascertained. The troops blasted two houses at Wattpura and in Mattan area.

Women held forceful anti-India demonstrations in Srinagar against military repression. An 8th class student, Riaz Ahmad, belonging to Srinagar, was arrested in Jammu.

Meanwhile, the APHC Acting Chairman Mir Waiz Umer Farooq, has called a meeting of the Executive Committee in Srinagar on Monday to brief it on his two-week visit to New Delhi, and about his meetings with foreign diplomats there along with Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone.

The meeting will also consider measures to persuade the US President, Bill Clinton, to focus on Kashmir issue during his forthcoming visit to South Asia.

Earlier, on his return to Srinagar from New Delhi, Mir Waiz was given rousing welcome at the air port by prominent members of APHC and Awami Majlis-e-Amal and by a large number of political workers.

On the other hand, a delegation of Indian intellectuals, headed by well known journalist. Pran Chopra now on a visit to Srinagar, had a meeting with leader of Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Party, Shabbir Ahmed Shah. He told them that the basic hurdle in the way of normalisation in South Asia was the question of Kashmir.

He emphasised that India must give up its intransigent attitude and take initiative for meaningful talks for settlement of this issue. He told the delegates that Indian proxies like Farooq Abdullah and Mufti Mohammad Saeed were of no use. The Kashmir issue could only be resolved by result-oriented talks.

General Secretary of Peoples League, Ijaz Mufti has protested against arrest of aged workers of Jamat-e-Islami, in Pulwama district. APP