Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Baramulla operation ends

By Shujaat Bukhari

A security personnel inspects the site of a 24-hour encounter, in the North Kashmir township of Baramulla, in which three militants are believed to have been killed. - Photo: Nissar Ahmad

SRINAGAR, MAY 4. Even as the Army called off its three-day long operation in Baramulla in which six militants are said to have been killed, the siege of the locality will continue till the searches are over.

The Syed Karim locality of Baramulla town is still smouldering after fire broke out on Friday during an encounter between militants and the security forces. Ten houses were destroyed in the fire, which the people alleged started after security forces sprinkled gun powder to neutralise militants. The SSP, Baramulla, Showkat Malik, told The Hindu that three to six militants were killed in the 30-hour long operation. So far three mutilated bodies have been recovered along with five AK-rifles, two grenade launchers and 12 magazines, all burnt. Mr. Malik said that no chances could be taken as unexploded material and grenades could be present and hence the cordon. The movement of civilians in the particular locality has been restricted. On Thursday evening, the 10 JAK Rifles assisted by SOG, Baramulla, cordoned off the locality and challenged the militants to surrender, who, however, opened fire leading to a fierce gun battle which continued till late Friday evening. Baramulla today observed a partial shutdown in protest against the continued siege.

Security beefed up

With the threat of attacks by militants looming large, all the State Government offices will re-open for next six months here on Monday. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to keep the militants at bay from the Civil Secretariat, which houses the offices of Chief Minister, Ministers, and other top officials.

``Threat of militants striking at the Civil Secretariat has always been there and it continues'' said K. Rajindra Kumar, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir zone. "But, we as always has been practice have made all the possible arrangements to thwart their attempts," he told The Hindu. According to the IGP, a three-tier security system for the Civil Secretariat has been planned and additional deployment of Police, CRPF and BSF has been made. "It can never be foolproof but we have been putting all our efforts to keep militants away,'' he said.

The high-rise buildings around the secretariat are being monitored by the police.

The office move, commonly known as Darbar Move, will be the last one of the present National Conference Government as the elections to the Assembly are scheduled towards the end of September after which the Government will move to Jammu for six months of winter. The Secretariat will witness a few changes at the bureaucratic level as well this time. On the first day, the Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, who is away in London will not be present and the routine guard of honour will be inspected by the acting Chief Minister, Mohiuddin Shah.

It will also see the addition in the number of advisers to Dr. Abdullah as the just retired Chief Secretary, Ashok Jaitly, will be moving here as Principal Adviser to the Chief Minister. Dr. Abdullah at least three more advisers to assist him on various other issues.

They are Shafi Shaida (Culture), Farooq Nazki (Information), S. Peter (Political) and Satish Raina (Minority Affairs). This team will be headed by Mr. Jaitly now.

Inderjit Singh Malhi is the new Chief Secretary though with the shortest tenure of six months.

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