Saturday May 13, 2017 9

US blames Pakistan ...isolation, empowering a relationship that will help

Beijing to project influence into the Indian Ocean,"said the top US intelligence official.

In his remarks ahead of the possible release of theAfghanistan policy of the Trump Administration, hesaid "Pakistani-based terrorist groups will present asustained threat to the US interests in the regionand continue to plan and conduct attacks in Indiaand Afghanistan."

"The threat to the US and the West fromPakistani-based terrorist groups will be persistentbut diffuse. Plotting against the US homeland willbe conducted on a more opportunistic basis or driv-en by individual members within these groups," hesaid.

Noting that Pakistan will probably be able to man-age its internal security, he said anti-Pakistangroups are likely to focus more on soft targets.

"The groups we judge will pose the greatest threatto Pakistan's internal security include Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, al-Qaeda in theIndian Subcontinent, ISIS-K, Laskhar-e Jhangvi,and Lashkar-e Jhangvi ai-Aiami," he said, addingthat the emerging China Pakistan EconomicCorridor will probably offer militants and terroristsadditional targets.

"Pakistan's pursuit of tactical nuclear weaponspotentially lowers the threshold for their use," Coatswarned.

"Early deployment during a crisis of smaller, moremobile nuclear weapons would increase the amountof time that systems would be outside the relativesecurity of a storage site, increasing the risk that acoordinated attack by non-state actors might suc-ceed in capturing a complete nuclear weapon," hesaid.

Aadhaar not must ...of Aadhaar for PAN (permanent account number)

and filing income tax return (ITR) is pending in theSupreme Court.

The apex court has reserved its verdict on a batchof pleas challenging the constitutional validity of aprovision in the Income Tax Act to make Aadhaarmandatory.

The finance ministry notification gives the exemp-tion to "an individual who does not possess theAadhaar number or the enrolment ID" who is resid-ing in Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya.

The exemption is also for persons of 80 years ormore, non-residents and non-citizens.

The government, under the Finance Act 2017, hasmade it mandatory for taxpayers to quote Aadhaaror enrolment ID of the Aadhaar application form forfiling tax returns.

Also, Aadhaar has been made mandatory forapplying for PAN with effect from July 1, 2017.

The department, till now, has linked over 1.18crore Aadhaar with its PAN database.

While Aadhaar is issued by the UIDAI to a resi-dent of India, PAN is a ten-digit alphanumeric num-ber issued in the form of a laminated card by the ITdepartment to any person, firm or entity.

Meanwhile, the department has launched a new e-facility to link a person's Aadhaar with the PAN.

277 vehicles seized...to comply with the directions of the of Jammu

and Kashmir High court passed in OWP (PIL) No.458/2003 dated 19th April, 2017, regarding themenace of on-road parking of vehicles and subse-quent in convenience caused to the people in generaland pedestrians in particular.

During the special drive, Jammu City TrafficPolice seized 126 vehicles for wrong parking, 91vehicles (under Section 207 M.V.Act) between 28thApril and 11th May, 2017

Around 81 private cars and 45 commercial vehi-cles were seized for wrong parking and 72 commer-cial vehicles , four private cars and 14 two wheelerswere seized under Section 207 M V Act.

All commuters are advised not to park their vehi-cles on the road side and ensure parking of vehiclesat places designated for the purpose, in Jammu City.

Police puts up ...criminals who are involved in many terrorist acts

including the murder of Umar Fayaz Parray son ofFayaz Ahmad Parray resident of Sarsona Kulgam....

"Any person providing information regarding theabove criminals will be suitably rewarded and hisidentity will be kept secret."

Defence sources had on Thursday said six mili-tants involved in the killing of Fayaz had been ident-fied.

They were from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) andHizbul Mujahideen, they said, adding security forceswere carrying out searches in various areas to nabthe militants.

Quoting preliminary investigations, a senior policeofficer had said that a Hizbul Mujahideen modulewas behind the killing and an INSAS rifle which wassnatched from police personnel could have been usedin the crime.

"We have conducted preliminary investigation... itdoes point out to (involvement of) a module ofHizbul Mujahideen active in Shopian," InspectorGeneral of Police Kashmir S J M Gillani had said.

Police has found two empty cartridges of anINSAS rifle at the place where Lt Fayaz was shotdead.

"We had two incidents of weapons snatching insouth Kashmir recently. We have leads that theKulgam weapon snatching was carried out byLashkar militants while Hizb militants wereinvolved in weapon snatching at Shopian court com-plex (on May 2).

"So it could be one of those weapons. We are look-

ing at it," he had said.

Slideshow in praise ...and quotes of jailed Indonesian national Abu

Bakar Bashir and Yemeni resident Anwar al-Awlaki-- seen as the brains behind ISIS and Al-Qaedaactivities.

Senior police officials believed it was Moosa's voicein the slideshow and said the banned ISIS terrorgroup could be trying to create a base in the Valley.

Last month, two masked gunmen appeared at thegrave of a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist in Pulwamaduring which they asked the gathering to follow therules laid down by the Taliban and ISIS, and notsupport or raise slogans in favour of Pakistan.

For over three minutes, they spoke about pan-Islamisation and the importance of having Shariatas a law and fled after firing shots in the air.

Militant outfits including the United JehadCouncil, a conglomerate of terror outfits based inPakistan-occupied Kashmir, as well as separatistswere quick to downplay the incident but securityofficials viewed it with more seriousness.

Security agencies felt that if the growing influenceof ISIS was not checked, it could adversely affect thealready precarious situation in the Valley.

They said chats and contacts between Kashmiriyouth and possible handlers in Syria and Iraq hadgrown in the last six months.

There was no specific information about theInternet users other than the fact that they werefrom villages in South Kashmir, Sopore in NorthKashmir, Prang and Lar in Central Kashmir as wellas Reasi, Kishtawar and Doda areas of Jammuregion, the agencies said.

During the recent protests across the Valley, ISISflags were waved in some areas. Slogans supportingthe banned terror outfit were also up on some walls.

The Indian Army has also been worried about thegrowing influence of the ISIS ideology on the Valley'syouth. A study last year showed that six out of 10young Kashmiris were watching videos of controver-sial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik or other jehadivideos.

BSF jawan injured ...to safer places. After the Pakistani shelling, Sub-

Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Nowshera tehsilhad issued an order, directing closure of all schoolsin the area as a precautionary measure.

"All schools close to the LoC were shut inNowshera tehsil of Rajouri district as a precaution-ary measure today following the death of a womanand injuries to her husband in shelling by thePakistan Army," a senior police officer had said.

An evacuation plan has been put in place in view ofthe intermittent shelling and firing along LoC, theofficer had said.

The BSF on Friday said it will lodge a strongprotest with Pak Rangers against ceasefire violationby their troops by firing mortars along theInternational Border in Jammu district in which ajawan was injured.

"Soon a strong protest will be lodged with PakRangers for the misadventure by their forwardtroops," a senior Border Security Force (BSF) offi-cer said.

He said that the BSF is on high alert and fullycommitted to ensure sanctity of InternationalBorder. It will not allow any kind of activities underthe garb of such misadventure.

Pakistan Rangers provoked BSF troops by target-ing the BSF domination party in Arnia sector, hesaid.

Today, at about 0630 hours, while one BSF opera-tional and area maintenance party was dominatingour area ahead of border fencing in Arnia area,Pakistani Rangers without any reason, fired on theBSF Party, the officer said.

A bullet hit the tractor, used by the BSF, in thefield and driver (BSF man) of the vehicle sustaineda minor scratch, he said, adding the troops on dutypoints gave swift and befitting reply to the Pakistantroops.

He also said that Pak Rangers further tried to viti-ate the situation by targeting our duty points withMortar fire, which was also responded in controlledand accurate manner by alert BSF troops.

Intermittent fire continued from both side till 0840hours, he said.

BJP overshadows PDP ...plank by inking few commitments in 'Agenda of

Alliance' but the document was hardly implementedin toto.

"Either it is abrogation of Article 370, revocationof AFSPA, opening of more trade routes linkingPakistan aiming people to people contact or anyother issue in the interest of Kashmir was diplomat-ically sidelined by the Centre headed BJP," said anexpert.

They further added that Mehbooba Mufti oftenmet the Prime Minister, discussed Kashmir, its solu-tion, dialogue with Pakistan besides other issues, butevery time she retuned 'empty handed' except bunchof assurances.

"Once who used to criticise BJP for saffronising or'communalising' atmosphere in the country, thesame Mehbooba Mufti--now has a firm belief thatonly Prime Minister Narendra Modi can solve andnormalise Kashmir," said another political analyst.

He opined that BJP played a smart card by keep-ing Mehbooba Mufti in the forefront to syringe theirideology among the people of Kashmir.

"It also cannot be ruled out that one fine day, BJPmay abrogate Article 370 taking PDP leader by sur-prise," they expressed.

"BJP is making full use of its rule in the Centreparticularly when it comes to Kashmir," sources saidand added that the saffron brigade is riding onMehbooba's back to solve decades' old mess.

"BJP has not only pumped funds into Jammu andKashmir in the name of development but simultane-

ously, also roped in political empowerment, military,mastermind and think tanks to save and solveKashmir, which PDP is failing to understand,"claimed sources.

They however said that the ball is now in PDP'scourt because BJP has already played its shot ofeverything is fair in "love, war and politics".

Unfazed by Kashmir unrest...yatra will conclude on August 7. Jammu and

Kashmir has seen protests and violence since thekilling of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Waniin July last year. There was massive violence duringthe April nine bypoll to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seatin which eight people lost their lives in more than200 incidents.

The Election Commission had also cancelled theMay 25 bypoll to Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, sayingthe situation there was not feasible for holding elec-tion.

The Union Home Ministry will soon hold a meet-ing with state government and security agencies toput in place elaborate security arrangements for thepilgrimage.

Around 20,000 central paramilitary personnelbesides the state police force will be deployed forensuring security of the pilgrims.

Triple Talaq is ...Justice J S Khehar said there are "school of

thoughts (which) say that triple talaq is legal, but itis the worst and not a desirable form for dissolutionof marriages among Muslims."

The remark was made by the bench when seniorlawyer Salman Khurshid referred to the variousschools of thought and the stand of All India MuslimPersonal Law Board (AIMPLB) that triple talaqwas "abhorrent", yet valid.

While Jethmalani attacked the practice on variousconstitutional grounds including the right to equali-ty and termed it "abhorrent", Khan said it was akinto the pre- Islamic era practice of burying a femalechild alive in the Arabian region.

Khan, who had quit Rajiv Gandhi's cabinet overdifferences in handling the Shah Bano case, was athis best while representing All India Muslim WomenPersonal Law Board.

He said the whole Shariat law has been distortedas "Shariat is the Holy Quran and not the opinion ofthese people (clerics). The Holy Quran considers theimportance of family and it provides four stepsbefore pronouncement of divorce."

"Triple talaq is far from being fundamental andvery far from being sacramental to Islam. It violatesevery good thing which Islam prescribes. What weare seeing in the form of triple talaq is similar to thepre-Islamic era practice where female infants wereburied alive," Khan told the bench which also com-prised Justices Kurian Joseph, R F Nariman, U ULalit and Abdul Nazeer.

Union Home Secy ...in Pulwama district before reaching there at

around 12.30 pm when the securitymen were havinglunch, a security official said.

Mehrishi told them that he had come to have a firsthand experience about their life in Kashmir, listen totheir problems while sharing the meal.

The home secretary had the vegetarian lunch com-prising rajma, seasonal vegetables, roti, pickles, riceand banana, the official said.

Mehrishi was apparently very happy that the foodwas not spicy and neither too oily.

When asked about the quality of food and theirstandard of living, the jawans told the top officerthat they have no complaint on that but said theywere helpless when attacked by stone pelting mobsas they have strict instructions not to open fire.

The home secretary told the CRPF men to consid-er the Kashmiri youths as their "own brothers" andtackle such situations with sensitivity.

Mehrishi was told that the CRPF personnel weregiven all necessary protective body gear and helmets.

During the 45-minute interaction, the securitypersonnel told Mehrishi that their morale is veryhigh despite working in adverse situation in theKashmir Valley, the official said.

BSF constable loses ...health issue. BSF spokesman said," At about

0645 hrs, Constable Anil Kumar, son of Charumal of163 Bn BSF, who was undergoing JuniorLeadership Course, died during field training testactivity at STC".

This Junior Leadership Course for promotionfrom Constable to Head Constable was going on atSTC since past eight weeks and scheduled to becompleted tomorrow, the 13th May.

BSF spokesman said the final Field PhysicalEfficiency Test (FPET) of the course started at0615 hrs. Before start of 3.2 km run of FPET, wellbeing report of participants was asked from the par-ticipating troops and no complain of any nature wasexpressed by anyone. At 0640 hrs, when Ct AnilKumar was just few meter short of end point, he col-lapsed and fell down. The doctor present there puthim on oxygen and had CPR. He was simultaneous-ly evacuated in no time in BSF ambulance to civilhospital where he was declared brought dead.

Late Constable belongs to VPO- Andila, PS-Mael,Distt-Deoria, UP. He is survived by wife ArchnaDevi, two sons and one daughter.

Ct Anil Kumar was a dedicated and sincere border-man and a through professional.

Driver arrested with ...of the driver identified as Abdul Majeed of Poonch.He said the SSP Poonch Rajiv Pandey has issued

instructions to keep check on Mughal Road as it hasbecome one of the safe routes for the drug peddlersto smuggle the narcotics.

A case under NDPS Act has been registered andinvestigation started.

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AGENCYWASHINGTON: Pakistan-basedterrorist groups are planning toattack both India andAfghanistan, a top US spymasterhas said."Islamabad has failed to curb mili-tants and terrorists in Pakistan,"Daniel Coats, Director of NationalIntelligence told members of theSenate Select Committee onIntelligence during aCongressional hearing on world-wide threats.

"These groups will present a sus-tained threat to the United

States's interest in the region andcontinue to plan and conductattacks in India and Afghanistan,"Coats said.

Pakistan, he rued, is expandingits nuclear arsenal in pursuing tac-tical nuclear weapons, potentiallylowering the threshold for theiruse.

In South Asia, the intelligencecommunity assesses that the polit-ical and security situation inAfghanistan will almost certainlydeteriorate through 2018 evenwith a modest increase in militaryassistance by the United States

and its partners, he told the law-makers.

"This deterioration is under-mined by its dire economic situa-tion. Afghanistan will struggle tocurb its dependence on externalsupport until it contains the insur-gency or reaches a peace agree-ment with the Taliban," he said.

"Meanwhile, we assess thatTaliban is likely to continue tomake gains especially in ruralareas.

Afghan Security Forces perform-ance will probably worsen due to acombination of Taliban operations,

combat casualties, desertion, poorlogistic support and weak leader-ship," Coats said.

"Pakistan is concerned aboutinternational isolation and sees itsposition of India's rising interna-tional status including India'sexpanded foreign outreach anddeepening ties to the UnitedStates.

"Pakistan will likely turn toChina to offset its isolation,empowering a relationship thatwill help Beijing to project influ-ence into the Indian Ocean," Coatstestified before the committee.

Pak-based terror groups plan to attack India, Afghan: top US spymaster STATE TIMES NEWS

ZOJILA: The 434-kmSrinagar-Leh national high-way, the only road connectingthe Kashmir Valley with thefrontier region of Ladakh,was thrown open to vehiculartraffic on Friday afterremaining closed for fourmonths owing to heavy snow-fall during winter.

The highway was jointlythrown open for the traffic byLieutenant General J SSandhu, General-Officer-Commanding of theSrinagar-based 15 Corps andLieutenant General P J SPannu, GOC of the Leh-based 14 Corps, in Zojila.

Complementing the BorderRoads Organisation (BRO)personnel on the opening ofthe road by braving adverse

weather conditions inextremely difficult and riskyterrain, Lt Gen Sandhu saidthe sustenance of the peoplein Ladakh and Kargildepends on the highway.

"My compliments to theteams of Project Beacon andProject Vijayak who haveworked day and night for thepast one month to clear theroad.

This is the handshakebetween the 14 and 15 Corps,it is a handshake betweenLadakh, Kargil and Kashmir.And this handshake is alsothe lifeline.

"Now, we will find vegeta-bles, fruits going towardsKargil and Ladakh. Petrol,diesel and all the rations willgo to these areas. The suste-nance of the people depends

upon this (highway)," he said.The army commander said

the BRO faced many chal-lenges during the clearing ofthe snow on the road.

"I do remember there weremajor avalanches inSonamarg and we had to pullout from there. In Gagangeerarea, it was difficult, thesnow was so much that theycould only clear 300-400metres a day. But I am gladthat finally the road is open,"he said.

The highway remainedopen for an extended periodin the last season. It wasclosed on January 3 this year.

The snow clearance opera-tion this year was a big chal-lenge as about 30-40 feet ofsnow had accumulated atZojila.

Srinagar-Leh highway reopens

25 killed, deputy chairmanSenate hurt in Pak blast

AGENCYKARACHI: Pakistan's Senate deputy chairman on Friday escapedan assassination attempt with injuries when a powerful blast dam-aged his car, killing 25 people and wounding 35 others in the volatilesouth-western Balochistan province.

The blast targeted Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri when he cameout of a mosque after addressing a gathering shortly after the Fridayprayers in Mastung area of the province.

The area where the explosion took place is approximately 70 kilo-metres from provincial capital Quetta.

Mastung Hospital PRO Malik Jibran said that 20 dead and over35 injured were brought to the hospital.

He said more than 15 injured were in critical condition.Senior police officer Abdul Razzaq Cheema said that 30-40 people

were injured. He said Haideri was slightly injured.Haideri belongs to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal (JUI-F) of

Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Most of the people killed were workers ofhis party. Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani said that it was suicideattack which targeted the deputy chairman.

"I have talked to chief secretary of Balochistan and asked him toairlift Haideri to Quetta," he said. Citing sources, Geo TV saidHaideri has been shifted to the Civil hospital. Haideri later toldDunya TV in a brief chat that he received minor injuries. "It was apowerful explosion. I have received injured but I am safe. I am sorryfor the death of innocent of people," he said.

Clashes breakout in KashmirSTATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR: Clashes broke outbetween protesters and securityforces in Nowhatta area ofSrinagar city and in Shopiantown in south Kashmir onFriday, police said.

Groups of youth indulged insloganeering and stone- peltingon security forces in Nowhattahere soon after Friday congre-gational prayers ended atJamia Masjid here, a police offi-cial said. He said security agen-cies used force including tearsmoke shells in a bid to chaseaway the protesters.

The clashes were going on tilllast reports came in, he said,adding no one has been hurt inthe incident so far. Similar vio-lent protests took place atSinglu Chowk in Shopian dis-trict, 52 kms from here,prompting security personnel touse force, the official said.