To His Excellency, Mr. K.R. Narayanan

Dear Mr. President,

We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the most brutal crackdown on the open and legal activities of All Parties Hurriet Conference (APHC), an umbrella organisation of political parties and other organizations leading struggle for self-determination of Kashmiri people.

All the open leaders of Kashmir have been arrested starting from the first phase of elections in Kashmir held in Srinagar parliamentary constituency, where people have boycotted the polling completely though the election officials announced on 11% of total votes as being polled. The polling percentages in the rest of the Loksabha constituencies in the Kashmir valley have shown the similar trend. This trend shows that the people of Kashmir have clearly rejected the elections and they demand for a referendum to be conducted in Kashmir, instead of elections, to give them a chance to decide their self-determination.

We believe that the Central Government and its leadership has decided to take revenge against the whole people of Kashmir who sent clear signals to the entire world about their desire for independence by boycotting elections with a loud voice. All the leaders who went to the masses with the boycott call were arrested by the BJP led Government and unleashed a fresh crackdown on the people.

All the main leaders including Mr. Yasin Malik, Mr. Sayed Ali Geelani, who are chronic heart patients, have been imprisoned in a colonial dungeon type jail, Jodhpur in Rajasthan. All of them are kept in separate barracks along with professional criminals under C category. They are not recognized as political prisoners.

We appeal to you to intervene and the order for an immediate halt to the army crackdowns on people of Kashmir and for the release the leaders. We also demand that you could take an initiative towards conducting a referendum, a promise given by Nehru and the fist Loksabha to the people of Kashmir and to the people of the world.

Signed

P. Varavara Rao (Poet & Writer), 203, Lakshmi Appartments, Malakpet, Hyderabad-36, Andhra Pradesh (A.P.)

Srinagar, 30 July 1999

A Kashmiri freedom fighter, Abdul Aziz Wani was killed in an encounter with the armed forces at Brari Angan forest (Achabal) yesterday. During the preceding night, unidentified gunmen shot dead Abdul Majid of Watrasoo who had earlier surrendered, in his house in Gunjigand. Another Fayaz Ahmad Dar of Chaker-Pattan was also shot dead by unidentified gunmen. A bomb blasted outside the gate of Bakshi stadium but no loss of life or property was reported.

An APHC leader Abbass Ansari narrowly escaped a grenade attack on him. Meanwhile, former Indian Union minister Mufti Sayeed and his MLA daughter Mehbooba resigned from the party in protest of Congress apathy towards the plight of Kashmiris and formed a new Kashmiri based political group. Mehbooba earlier resigned from the Legislature claiming that it was a puppet platform was powerless.

Kotli, 27th July

At least seven persons were killed and 19 others, including seven women, were injured when a powerful time bomb exploded in a passenger bus in southern Kotli district in Pakistani administered Kashmir. The first incident of its kind occurred near Hajiabad village, on the outskirts of Sehansa.The bus belonged to Nisar Transport Company - reg AJKB-6418. Police superintendant Kotli, Choudhry Sabir Hussain told reporters that the bomb was planted near the fuel tank when it left Rawalpindi from its of the ill-fated vehicle, carrying about 50 persons. Six of the dead were identified as Jamal Deen, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Bashir, Bahadar, Mohammad Akbar, Saleem Akhtar, Sher Zaman and Feroz Ali. Most of the victims had received critical burn injuries. Five of them were rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad while the others were admitted to Kotli hospital. Police blamed the Indian agents for the terrorist act to stop support to the Mujahideen fighting in Indian held Kashmir. Meanwhile in Srinagar PSO was killed at Tral during an attack on Bijbehara police when two hand grenades were thrown by unidentified men. A junior commissioned officer (JCO) was also killed and a havaldar injured in different encounters with Mujahideen in Doda since last night.

Another 3 Hindus were killed and five muslims kidnapped in Jammu yesterday, according to a Reuters report today, in the Punara village of Basant Garh. Those killed belonged to 'village defence committee' which was set up and armed by the puppet government. Nine male members of a family enrolled themselves as village VDC last month. Six of them are now dead. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference strongly condemned the murder of innocent people at Thatri, in doda district a few days ago. Meanwhile, Kashmiri Mujhideen attacked an army camp with rockets in Banihal township on Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Thursday. Accodring reports several rockets were fired and automatic weapons were used. The security forces fired back resulting in the killing of a civilian. The whole area has been cordon off and massive searches launched to trace the people responsible for the attack.

An entire village was put under military siege as 20 people in Moga Vachai and 12 workers Sindhu Achabbal in Poonch district were killed unidentified gunmen. On Monday night, about 40 militants with assault rifles entered Thattri village in Doda district and killed 15 people, including eight VDC members. Doda is about 173 km (108 miles) east of Jammu. In a gory incident a soldier of Indian army shot dead his colleague and later committed suicide in Jammu's Doda district late Wednesday evening. Reports said that Lance Naik Hardev Singh shot Havaldar Surinder Singh resulting his on the spot death.

A pro-India militant and a local policeman were among five persons killed and a girl was critically injured in a landmine explosion in separate incidents across the state since yesterday. Indian Security forces claim to have apprehended five suspects and recovered a quantity of arms and ammunition during various operations. But a spokesman of the Lashkar Toiba claimed that their group along with Harkat made a joint attack on RR camp at Aragam, Bandipora on June 1 destroyed two vehicles and killed seven Indian army jawans.

Kashmiri Mujhaideen groups fighting against Indian forces in Kashmir have condemned Nawaz-Clinton statement issued in Washington. Reacting to the recent US statement asking Pakistan government to help withdraw from Kargil sector, a spokesman of the Hizbul Mujahideen, has said that they were fighting occupational Indian security forces in the lenght and breadth of the state and the Kargil being a part of Kashmir was a small front of struggle and no country had the right to demand our withdrawal. The only withdrawal necessary is of Indian illegal occupation forces which number over half a million.

JKLF chairman Yasin Malik, has reiterated his party viewpoint in another BBC radio broadcast that only the over 12 million people of Jammu-Kashmir can decide the final destiny of their country and not the armed forces of one country or another. He has called for the heads of the G-8 to give serious consider to the Kashmir problem, which has now acquired nuclear dimension. He said that Kashmiris were fighting for their right to regain independence while India (and Pakistan) had other motives. The JKLF leader again pleaded with the international community to intervene on an urgent basis in order to save Kashmir and Pakistan and India from destroying each other.

JKLF chairman, Yasin Malik, has called for international intervention in Kashmir in order to resolve the Kashmir dispute amicably "in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu-Kashmir before the conflict flares into a nuclear explosion".

"This is not a mere border dispute. Kashmiris on both side are fighting to see their country re-united and independent and no matter how many talks Indian and Pakistan have they will not be able to resolve the issue bilaterally until they invite the Kashmiri leaders as a party to the talks", said Yasin Malik in a BBC radio interview broadcast from London last night. He added that JKLF and its allied parties would not accept any moves to divide up Kashmir on permanent basis. He said he was not optimistic about the outcome of the talks between India and Pakistan in Delhi and called for international mediation. Asked who should represent the Kashmiri people he said that Kashmiri leaders enjoyed full confidence of their people and if any one had any doubts APHC was ready to contest any elections 'provided that it was for the purpose of choosing representatives for talks and conducted under UN supervision without the shadow of the gun'.

He categorically stated that Kashmiris did not accept the line-of- control or any other ceasefire agreement and no one other than Indian forces should withdraw from Kargil. He called for the armed forces of India and Pakistan to be withdrawn under international supervision and Kashmir given independent status as that is what majority of the Kashmiris on both side wanted. Mr Malik, who was a founder leader of the popular uprising in Kashmir 10 years ago, reiterated his party position that Kashmir was an indivisible entity and that only independence for the entire Jammu-Kashmir state would bring about peace and prosperity in the region.

"We are in the field of struggle, and we have given enough sacrifices to prove to the world that we mean business. Our struggle is a just struggle and we have every right to gain independence. Our people are behind us and we shall win this war at any cost", he said.

In UK, JKLF general secretary, Azmat Khan made similar points in his letters published in the Independent and the Electronic Telegarph last week calling for UK government to take play its role in resolving the Kashmir issue. Meanwhile in Srinagar, an APHC spokesman Abdul Ghani Lone in Srinagar, has condemned the proposed dialogue between Indian and Pakistan foreign ministers in Delhi on Saturday and said that both countries were wasting time in mutual dialogue when they need to hold tri-partite talks. "If they are serious they should accept the Kashmiris as the prime party to the dispute. Their attitude reflects colonial thinking and we condemn it". The spokesman said

Reports reaching here say that Indian has introduced superior capability Mirage 2000s into action in Kashmir. Another report has claimed that India has already lost two French-made Mirage fighters in Kargil since Sunday night. However, Indian officials are yet to confirm these reports. The air strikes in Kargil have intensified while fighting in northern Kashmir (Drass, Kargil, Muchkar Valley and Nobra) is also heavy. Indian army attacks across the military line of control has hit a school killing three children and wounding five others today. On Tuesday 10 schoolchildren were reported killed when Indian mortar shells were fired at a village school in Neelum Valley. India has denied the charge.

A BBC Correspondent has reported increasing numbers of villagers fleeing the attacks. Indian troops also resorted to "unprovoked shelling" in the Bhimber sector. Three civilians included a woman was reported killed and number of houses were damaged. The the worst-hit area is Bandala Piyana village, 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the city of Mirpur. Another girl was injured critically when hit by a bullet in Poonch sector. A army Major was killed and a havaldar injured critically in shukamali in Dessa area of Doda today. Troops from the two sides exchanged fire in RS Pura, Ramgarh and Akhnoor sectors. Khawara and Chachwal in Kathua districts. A government building was gutted and four residential quarters were damaged in as shelling in Kargil continued. One Ghulam Qadir was reported killed.

Delhi 1 June, 1999

Indian military action in Kargil has evoked mixed reaction from pro-India Kashmiri groups. While Panun Kashmir and all India Kashmiri Pandit Conference (AIKPC) have supported the aerial strikes. "Military action like that is the only way of stamping out militancy which is now threatening to engulf the whole of Jammu and Kashmir state", said Ramesh Manvati of Panun Kashmir. He called for action in parts of Rajouri and Poonch. AIKPC President H N Jattu said the latest incursion in Kargil had "proved beyond doubt" the Pakistani role in fomenting trouble in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however criticised the intelligence agencies for failing to anticipate such a move by Pakistan through Kargil sector. "Militancy has not ended in the state and belies the assertions by the Farooq Abdullah government about improvement in the situation", Jattu said. He claimed that the Shia population of Kargil had become the victims of Pakistan’s nefarious designs in the same way as the Kashmiri pandits. A Huriyat Conference spokesman Abdul Majid Bandey dismissed these claims and said that it simply proved that the Kashmir issue was a flash point and could take an ugly turn. JKDF President Bhushan Bazaz has said that the military action needed to be limited to avoid a war. He also stressed the need for permanent solution to the issue, saying the present situation could arise again.

A Kashmiri guerrilla group, Tehrik-ALmujahideen, which is thought to be occupying positions in Kargil, has claimed that it shot down a third Indian gunship helicopter today. India confirmed that MI-17 helicopter was missing and blamed it on Pakistan but Pakistan has denied any knowledge. Pakistan has lodged a formal protest against Indian air strikes in Kashmir with the UN Military Observers’ Group (UNMOGIP), alleging that the Indian airforce used weapons "akin to nerve gas bombs" in Kargil against Kashmiri guerillas. Chief of the UN Military Observers in the area has said that Kargil case has the probabilities of flaring up into a bigger conflict. His request to visit Kargil for an 'on the spot assessment of the situation', was turned down by the Indian Army again this morning. Gen Bali said a UNMOGIP field station at Kargil would have been of great help in such situations but it was closed down due to security reasons some years ago. He said that his mission is facing "restrictions" and is not permitted to visit the LoC on Indian-held side unlike the other side where access and co-operation is provided.

Meanwhile the All Party Hurriyat Conference which includes JKLF has called for a one-day strike on Friday in occupied Kashmir to protest against air strikes in Kargil by Indian airforce. The APHC leaders have appealed to the international community to intervene and help stop the latest Indian aggression escalating into a war between Indian and Pakistan. Kashmiri fighters have been reinforced with hundreds of more guerillas engaged in battle with Indian troops in the area, "Our men are equipped with sophisticated weapons and are fully capable to meet any eventuality," the spokesman claimed. He categorically denied the Indian claim of killing 21 militants during clashes. He also contradicted the allegations that the Taliban were fighting alongside the Kashmiri militants and said "India was trying to discredit the Kashmiris just struggle as the western world was averse to the Taliban. Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Al-Badar Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen have also claimed to have sent more fighters to the hot spot. The Talaban of Afghanistan have denied any involvement in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, a hideout was today smashed by Indian security forces at Guddi in Doda. Many residential houses were set on fire troops. Another two explosions rocked Surankote where a photographer’s shop was destroyed, the other in Lassana explosion failed to cause any damage.

The Indian Air Force combat MIG23/27 jets and Mirage-2000 gunships launched air strikes against over 18,000 feet high Batalik, in Kargil yesterday from Pathankote, Jalandhar, Quel and Srinagar air bases, while the rest of the world remained focused on Kosovo crisis. Srinagar Airport was closed as IAF took over to bring in more troops into Kashmir. The troops and ammunition were sent to Kapawara and Barmullah border areas. Artillery guns were shifted to Kargil to further strengthen the ground troops around 200 carts and equal number of civilian trucks and around 100 army trucks carried supplies ammunition and troops to Kargil.

United States, Britain and France, China and Japan late Wednesday expressed concern at the heightening of tension between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and asked the two countries to exercise restraint and resolve the situation at the earliest. UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan said the mounting border tensions between the two countries highlighted the need for a political solution. French Foreign Minister, Hubert Verdine, who had a meeting with visiting Indian minister Jaswant Singh, told reporters in Paris that India and Pakistan should exercise utmost caution at the border. Pakistan issued a stiff warning to India. Foreign minister Sartaj Aziz said, "we are retaliating and we will retaliate", he warned without elaboration. In Muzaffarabad thousands of people fled the LOC because of shelling. Reacting to the grave situation Kashmiri leaders have said that talks should be formally held between the three parties to the Kashmir issue. "Whosoever wins the war is loser in the end. War is not good for the people of India and Pakistan", APHC chairman has said. JKLF chairman Yasin Malik condemned the air strikes in Kargil and said it proved is view that India believes in militarism.

Latest reports suggest that Indian PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee spoke to US President Bill Clinton and Russian President Boris Yeltsin within minutes of the air attack while Foreign Secretary K Raghunath remained busy briefing diplomats based in Delhi. An opposition leader in the Indian Congress, Natwar Singh, accused the Vajpayee government of "gross negligence" since the infiltration was "going on for weeks since May 6" and wanted it to come clean with a cohesive and integrated statement. BJP General Secretary Narendra Modi has said that Lahore-bus- diplomacy was a genuine but it was not acceptable to Pakistan. A Pakistani airforce spokesman has claimed in the last few hours that two Indian MIG27 jets were shot down while intruding its airspace. Ends

Srinagar; Senior APHC leaders paid rich tribute to Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq on the occasion of his 9th martyrdom anniversary in Srinagar and reiterated the Kashmiri position that state 'selections' were no alternative to independence and would not support any party which sought to contest. JKLF chairman (photo), Muhammad Yasin Malik welcomed the Noble laureates for louding the Kashmir cause in the Hague Conference. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while paying tributes to his late father said, "I would perform my duty as a preacher and as a leader of the Kashmiri masses, honestly". On the occasion APHC leaders asked Kashmiris to remain united at the crucial phase of the movement and not be misled by the malicious propaganda unleashed by the "enemies of our sacred movement".

Meanwhile, and Indian army major (Ajay Yadav) along with 4 civilians were killed in a Mujahideen encounter at Saloora near Ganderbal, got killed yesterday. Two shops suffered extensive damage. The civilians killed in the explosion were identified as the shopkeeper GM Bhat alias Gulla, Numberdar Ghulam Qadir Rather, his younger brother Nazir Rather, Khalil Ahmed Koka of Mirhama. Another two civilians, including a young girl and a child, were allegedly killed in an encounter during a fierce gun-battle between Rashtriya Rifles and Kashmriri freedom fighters at Gorinullah in Chatru of Doda district.

The Hague; Well known Japanese leader and one of the founders of the Council for an Independent Kashmir(CIK), Jose Ramos-Horta has expressed solidarity with the cause of reunification and independence for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. At a press conference at The Hague, where the four day long Peace conference on Kashmir was held, he explained that there was no reason why South Asians who have achieved so much in the technological field, could not find peace in Kashmir. MTV musician Mos Def delivered an appeal to artists of all kinds to expound on socially conscious messages in their art, as well as his commitment to work for peace and independence for all Kashmiris. In the closing ceremony of HAP, presided over by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Mos Def performed his newest song entitled "Peace Go With You Brother," dedicated to Kashmir and incited the crowd to chant "Free Kashmir! Free Kashmir!"

Cora Weiss, President of the World Federalist Movement and lead organizer of the Hague Appeal for Peace, expressed her encouragement to CIK for initiating an international effort to increase awareness on the Kashmir conflict, and specifically what the people of Jammu & Kashmir strive for. Weiss said it is very important for the people of Kashmir to initiate creative efforts to break the deadlock in Kashmir and to clearly present the demand for independence. Muhammad Saccirbey, ex-foreign minister of Bosnia and its current ambassador to the United Nations, expressed his complete support for Kashmir independence, saying the people of Bosnia empathize with their brothers and sisters in Kashmir. He encouraged the CIK to initiate a pragmatic, lasting strategy for internal reconciliation within Jammu & Kashmir, which would catalyze the emergence of a unified Kashmiri voice in the conflict.

Leh: Dalai Lama, Tibet's Budhist spiritual leader arrived in Ladakh on Tuesday on a fortnight visit. The Dalai Lama was received at the Leh airport by a state 'minister for Ladakh', Kushok Tokdan, and 'Tourism Minister', Tsetan Namgyal. Only government officials were allowed to recieve him which included a Rajya Sabha Member, Kushok Thiksay, Minority Commission Member, Lama Lobzang, Chairman, LAHDC, Thupstan Chhewang, President Ladakh Buddhist Association, T Samphel. Lamas of various monasteries, some leaders of political parties and religious groups also forced the way to welcome the Dalai Lama. The motorcade of the Lama passed through 12km route from airport to Choglamsar where the Dalai Lama was to stay. Eventually thousands of people including school children and women fully dressed in traditional allure lined up on both sides of the road offered white scarfs and flowers. He is to stay in Ladakh until May 30. Meanwile, two old women were murdered at their house last night Parshumalla village (Saridhar) about 30 kms from Kishtwar in Doda district.

The Hague, Delegates at The Hague Peace Conference almost reached a consensus on initiating a meaningful, purposive dialogue between the people of Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan for working towards peace and reunification and independence of J&K. The Hague Appeal for Peace (HAP) convened its weeklong discourse in a 4-hour session - "Waging Peace in Kashmir" - attended by international peace activists from India, Pakistan, and all sides of Kashmir. A newly formed group, the Council for Independent Kashmir (CIK), opened its panel presentation with its theme for peace in South Asia through the re-unification and independence of Jammu-Kashmir. Its executive member, Farooq Papa, explaining the rationale behind CIK emphasised on creating a consensus and reconciliation within J&K its people in all three countries. Dr. Mirajudin delivered his paper, "Unfinished Decolonization in South Asia", in which he underlined the historical, cultural, and economic evolution and existence of Jammu & Kashmir as a unique amalgamation of diverse regions and communities who have sustained and thrived as an independent entity in the past. He further explained the sufferings that the people of Jammu & Kashmir are facing for want of freedom and restoration of its tradition values. Kathy Sokol, a CIK member from Japan, illuminated the viability of an independent Kashmir modeled after the Swiss system of federalism and direct democracy. She claimed historical, geographical, demographic, and geo-physical similarities of Kashmir with Switzerland and proposed that the same equation that has made Switzerland a success, if employed in Kashmir. Ben Cokelet of CIK, highlighted the need for an urgent effort to bring peace in view of the escalating arms race, which has taken nuclear dimensions, between the two powerful neighboring countries of South Asia. Amongst the panel speakers was journalist Ved Bhasin who explained that independence for Jammu and Kashmir as a sovereign independent, federal, and democratic state with autonomy to all its regions by creating regional assemblies and government and centre having only limited power and safeguards for ethnical and religious minorities fully guaranteed could be an ideal, realistic and just solution of the problem. In that case J&K would have become a bridge rather than a cause for conflict between India and Pakistan. Other participants included a delegation from Pakistan-India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy (Tapan Bose (India), Admiral Ramdas (India), Karamat Ali (Pakistan), I. A. Rahman (Pakistan), Balraj Puri, APHC representatives Ghulam Rasool Dar and Shabir Dar who flew from Srinagar, Nayeem Khan from Gilgit, Hashim Qureshi and members Punan Kashmir - a Kashmiri Pundit's forum. The forum was moderated by moderated by Nobel Peace Prize Winner Jose Ramos Horta.

Srinagar: At least 12 persons were arrested during crackdown operations from localities of Omarhair, Bachpora and Illahibagh on Wednesday. According to reports security forces cordoned off these localities to flush out militants. They conducted house to house searches and identification parades. Those arrested included renown broadcaster Abdul Ahad Farhad and Ashiq Hussain - an employee of the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) who was arrested last week but released after protests by the DoT employees.

A Hizbul Mujahideen militant was among three people killed in separate incidents, while ten top ranking activists of Harkat-ul-Ansar, were arrested along with huge quantity of arms and ammunition. Abdul Wahid Sheikh was killed and two women were wounded in an exchange of fire at village Jouhra in Thathri of Doda district. Another Abdul Rashid Thokar of Khudhamam in Dooru area of Anantnag district was also killed for unknown reason. A powerful blast took place within the premises of government higher secondary school at Banihal in Doda district, causing damage to the stair case and splinter injuries to a policeman attached with Banihal police station. Two live hand grenades were found lying at Usamania Colony at Nowgam in Badgam district Tuesday evening. Two rocket boosters were found lying in the compound of one, Syed Naki Shah at Dub in Ganderbal area. Forces arrested two persons from Zadibal in Srinagar and Karimabad-Shopian in Pulwama district on Tuesday.

London: A senior JKLF leader and representative of the APHC in Srinagar, Ghulam Rasool Dar, who had just returned from Geneva where he participated in the UN Human Rights Conference on behalf of the APHC along with Mr Shabir Dar, has left for Netherland to take part in another international rights conference in the Hague organised by The Hague Appeal for Peace. The Hague Appeal For Peace had invited the Kashmiri APHC and governments of India and Pakistan as well as other Kashmiri prominent leaders and activists but many of them have not been able to attend due to Indian refusal to offer them travel documents. A delegation of Kashmiri pandits (Punan Kashmir) from Delhi, however, has been allowed to travel to the Hague and Kashmir Times editor, Ved Bhasin, is among other Kashmiri intellectuals who have arrived in the Hague to represent their viewpoint on the issue of peace in South Asia.

Srinagar: Eight top ranking activists of Harkat-ul-Ansar outfit were arrested in a series o raids conducted by BSF in Soura area on the outskirts of Srinagar. Muddasir Ahmed Mir, deputy district commander, Mushtaq Ahmed Ganai alias Setha, logistic chief-cum-dump holder, Muzaffar Ahmed Mir alias Nazim, group commander, Abdul Majid Ganai, deputy group commander, Manzoor Ahmed Baba alias Manan, Ghulam Nabi Ganai, Ghulam Rasool and Mushtaq Ahmed Rather had been active in the area in Srinagar since last year. Police claimed that the seizure made from them included a rocket launcher, booster, five AK assault rifles, ten magazines with 220 rounds, two 303 rifles two magazines, ten rounds, two Chinese pistols, a silencer, two magazines with 12 rounds, a prepared improvised explosive device kept in a gas cylinder, three electronic detonators and integrated remote control device. The group was allegedly involved in snatching 303 rifles from police in Nowhatta in October last year.

Srinagar: Indian forces beat up 10 people in Khansar, Budgam and took away their cattle. Those admitted to SMHS hospital have been identified as Muhammad Yaqub, Muzaffar Ahmad, Manzoor Ahmad and Muhammad Yousef. The other injured have been shifted to Bone and Joints Hospital Barzullah for treatment.

Meanwhile, six members of two families including a lecturer (Amin Shah) and three women were gunned down by unknown militants two separate attacks in Dedkote (Vilgam) district Kupwara. Wife Zarifa Begum, daughter Snobar Amin and sister-in-law Sharifa died instantly. On April 29, another another family of ten members at Krishpora Nagri was wiped out for their alleged connection with Indian forces and for being informers. Police recovered bullet riddled bodies of two persons, Mangta Mir and his son Hassan Mir, from Batpora area on Wednesday. No group owned responsibility.

Baramulla: The sleepy village of Kunan Poshpora in frontier district of Kupwara where several women were gang-raped by Indian forces during February 1991, was hit again during the night of April 11-12. Four uniformed gunmen broke into Shaban Dar's house and allegedly gang raped his wife. Hundreds of people protested at Deputy Commissioner's office in Kupwara and a FIR was lodged. A group of human rights activists which visited Kunan Poshpora recently told Kashmir Monitor that people have yet to overcome tragedy that struck the village nine years ago. They said that shame and social taboos were playing havoc with the women of the village.

Mirpur: A two day national conference of Kashmiri leaders and representatives of ethnic minorities from all parts of Kashmir which was to be held on 15-16 April here was postponed as 34 delegates from Indian occupied side were not allowed to travel to AK. This would have been first intra-Kashmir dialogue on Kashmiri soil under the JKLF banner. The JKLF had made all arrangements for the conference but it was postponed for an indefinite period. The conference was to be hosted by organisation's chairman Yasin Malik but he was not allowed to travel to Azad-Kashmir by Indian authorities. JKLF leaders in AK are to announce a re-scheduled program after consultations with other groups.

At least 22 people including 12 Kashmiri freedom fighters and 6 Indian army personnel were killed and seven others wounded during clashes with forces across occupied Kashmir since Sunday. A police picket at in Ghandabal area was stormed and 2 officers and an SPO were killed during the attacked. Two others were injured and their rifles were snatched from them.

A powerful improvised explosive device (IED) blasted in Mendhar and a hideout was busted in Dhanol forests, it was claimed by police today. Two army men were injured seriously in a powerful blast near Mangot while an encounter took place between security forces and militants in Thathri area.

Three Indian soldiers including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), and 3 Mujahids along with other civilians were killed in an encounter at Narsinghpora in Rajouri district. Two army men and a civilian were also injured during an encounter in Baljaralan, where unknown militants gunned down nine persons of a marriage party last month. An unidentified gunmen shot dead Mohammed Aslam Lone, a recently released prisoner in Haritarpul, Baramulla district of north Kashmhir.

Amid violent demonstrations at many places,life was crippled across the valley today in response to strike call sponsored by traders, employee organizations, transporters and the bar association as the Jammu chamber of commerce and industry called for Jammu strike tomorrow. Four Hizb men and an army officer were killed in two separate encounters across the valley.

A nine-year old boy, Noor Hussain, from a Muzaffarabad - Treeda Mouza Reshan, has been imprisoned in Central Jail Srinagar as a went live with his uncle Gulam Hussain, after his four brothers, two sisters and mother were killed in border firing. This news was made public by Abdul Aziz Dar alias ‘General’ Moosa of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, who is currently imprisoned in the same jail since last year. His elder brothers Muneer (24), Sidiq (22), Sayed (20), Yameen (6) and two sisters-Safiya (16) and Shazia (8), besides their mother were killed Noor and his father Mohammad Yasin Qureshi were survived but Qureshi lost his mental balance.

 Srinagar, March 3, 1999

Thousands of people, including JKLF chairman Yasin Malik, participated in the Jinaza prayer for Nadeem Ahmad Khateeb (28), who was killed in an encounter in Gulgulab Ghar, on February 21. Nadeem, younger son of former chief engineer Inayatullah Khateeb was US-based airline pilot in Georgia before he joined the Kashmiri freedom movement. Two other members of his group were also killed. His body had been laid to rest in Buthan village earlier but it was exhumed and brought to Srinagar martyrs graveyard at Eidgah yesterday by his family.

Meanwhile, APHC delegation led by Syed Ali Geelani visited Poonch an Rajouri districts today. Srinagar, Elsewhere, two Indian military personnel and two Kashmiri Mujahid were reported killed separate incidents.

London based international human rights group, Amnesty International today said that it was high time to end the suffering of the "disappeared" and their families in Jammu and Kashmir and that hundreds of unsolved "disappearances" in Jammu and Kashmir bear testimony to the pressing need for strong government action, in a new report on enforced disappearance in Kashmir (INDIA: "If they are dead, tell us", AI Index: ASA 20/002/99).

"According to the human rights organization, up to 800 people have disappeared since 1990. They include children and the very old, and come from all professions -- business people, lawyers, laborers and many teachers. Many appear to be ordinary citizens picked up at random, with no connection to the armed struggle. It is high time that the Indian government put an end to the nightmare of disappearances by bringing down the wall of silence which hides the truth and allows this gross violation of human rights to continue," Amnesty International said.

APHC chairman Ali Shah Geelani has said that India and Pakistan must read the writing on the wall and solve Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the people. "Even now when Atal Behari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sahrief have signed the Lahore declaration, rights violations continue here unabated", he told a reception hosted by Jammu unit of the APHC. Claiming that APHC represented the people of Kashmir challenged the Indian government to recall the troops to barracks and allow Hurriyat to hold a rally to see 'which way the wind blows in Kashmir'. APHC provincial president, Karan Singh, JKLF leader Shakeel Bakhshi and Ghulam Mohammed Hubbi also to spoke at the reception. The APHC delegation was offered a warm welcome on their arrival in Jammu yesterday. In his address, APHC leader said that it was the duty of Hindus and Sikhs to unite against the Indian repression in Kashmir. He condemned the recent killings in Rajouri and Udhampur as a conspiracy by Indian security agencies and said that Kashmiri youth took to armed struggle only after the peaceful means to resolve Kashmir issue yielded no fruit. He said that in Indian freedom struggle there were people Gandhi and Nehru who were fighting through peaceful means while at the same time there were leaders like Subash Chander Bose and Bhagat Singh who were in favour of armed resistance. Many APHC activists from Jammu and ordinary people from all walks of life were present at the reception.

Fourteen people, including a ruling National Conference activist and six militants, were killed and six others, including two girls and a boy, injured in a fresh spurt of violence across Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

Reaction to the Lahore Declaration at the end of Indian Prime Minister's visit to Pakistan was less than euphoric in Srinagar. A protest strike was held across the Kashmir valley and in Azad Kashmir against bilateral talks. While it was thought that the declaration may help normalise relations between the two countries there was little enthusiasm for breaking the ice on Kashmir impasse. A spokesman for the APHC said that the outcome was not far from 'our predictions and apprehensions . . In 1966, both countries accepted Jammu-Kashmir dispute and and in the Shimla Agreement but nothing changed'. Kashmiri leaders reiterated that no breakthrough can be achieved through trade, cricket or bus travels unless the two parties address the basic issue of Kashmir and seek active involvement of Kashmiri representatives from both sides. APHC regretted the "trapping" of Pakistan in such "negotiations" under pressure.

As Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari arrived in Lahore at least 20 Kashmiri hindus were massacred in two separate incidents in Udhampur district. Police, blaming Kashmiri militants, said seven people died in an attack on a wedding party and another four were shot dead elsewhere. The victims included seven women. Several Kashmri leaders condemned the callous act and said that Indian forces had a hand in this who wanted to send a message of sectarianism.

A number of Kashmiri women took to streets in Batamaloo locality against Special Operations Group harrassment. They were complaining that their sons who had been arrested and subsequently released were being targeted by the police and their houses were regularly raided during night and some were being pressurised into working for Indian security forces. Meanwhile, in the Mujgund village in Sonawari BSF in the area arrested Sanaullah Ganai who was coerced into marrying his daughter with a pro-government militant but when he refused he was tortured. Reports said that one Manzoor Afghani who had turned pro-government recently kidnapped a third college girl for the purpose of marrying her. An APHC delegation comprising of Khaliq Hanief, Mohammad Ayaz, Ali Mohammad Dar and Abdul Ahad visited the area to authenticate the story.

In an unrelated incident Police fired in air to disperse a mob at Athwajan which attacked a police party, deputed to arrest two persons accused of in raping a young girl of Sheeri in Baramulla in a hotel at Lal Chowk some days ago. The two accused managed to escape taking advantage of the skirmishes. The accused were identified as Lateef Mir and Yaqoob Mir. Local Police arrested two surrendered militants involved in extortion at Karan Nagar. They were identified as Sameer and Yasin Dar of Kashmir Defence Council, a surrendered militant organization. Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen barged into the house of Mohammed Amin at Chak Zedvan, Qazigund and looted jewellery and cash.

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of Kashmiris lead by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC -AK) staged a demonstration in front of the foreign office on Friday to voice their concerns at the arrival of Indian parliamentarians here. Members of AK Muslim Conference, Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir and other groups including a large number of women participated. The demonstrators were carrying banners and placards inscribed with pro-freedom slogans calling for the withdrawal of the Indian troops, abolition of torture cells and black laws, releasing of freedom fighters from prisons. Later they marched towards the Marriott hotel where a conference on Indo-Pak relations was held and protested at the two countries making the Kashmir issue a regional issue instead of seeking international mediation. A Muslim Confrence at the demo said that the exclusion of the Kashmiris from the negotiations amounts to sprinkling salt on old wounds. Such parleys, he said, would not help resolve the issue rather would further complicate it. He called for the inclusion of China and APHC in the negotiations and echoed the JKLF demand that a bus service between Muzafarabad and Srinagar and between Mirpur and Jammu should be allowed.

NEW DELHI: Meanwhile, A Kashmiri leader and chairman of APHC denounced the shuttle diplomacy between India and Pakistan and said that it was all a waste time. "All these cricket and hockey series, power (electricity) transfer, bus service or easing of visa regulations are a futile exercise. It would not yield any result," said Geelani, who was in the Indian capital as the head of an APHC delegation at the Iranaian Embassy to mark the 20th anniversary the Iranian revolution.

A special Kashmir solidarity day was held in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir when opposition leaders accused the Muslim League government of betraying the Kashmiri cause. A strike was also observed in Srinagar on the occasion. Meanwhile a young Kashmiri Gulzar Ahmed was found dead today in Anantnag (IHK) when according to his relatives he was arrested by the local police 3 days ago. A large procession was taken out in the city by the people protesting at this latest extrajudicial killings in occupied Kashmir.

Seven people, including a Hizb leader, a woman and a policeman were killed in violent incidents across the state yesterday. The Hizb leader was identified as Nazir Ahmad Hajjam alias Tajamul, r/o Safapur. Locals claimed that he was killed in custody as he was arrested by the army at 4 p.m. on January 16. In Islamabad district, unidentified gunmen fired upon two persons identified as Mubarak Ahmad Thakur and Azad Ahmad Mir of Kharwa in Kulgam.

Indian security forces laid a siege of the Batmaloo district. The area was stormed by army personnel stationed in a near by camp during the previous night when Muslim world was preparing to celebrate Eid. Many people including women were thrashed and injured during the siege. The army action was in retaliation to an attack last week by freedom fighters lead by Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Violent protests were made during the Eid congregation against army action. The demonstrators, lead by Yasin Malik raised pro-independence slogans. Mr Malik later visited the victims of torture. While condemning India for subjecting the Kashmiris to inconvenience on the Eid Day, he expressed determination to take the struggle to its logical end. A Senior police officer admitted to the Greater Kashmir correspondent of harassment tactics by the army. "We have been receiving threats of elimination", an elderly person said.

Every fourth person in troubled Jammu and Kashmir is said to be suffering from stress-induced ailments. There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of patients with diabetes and neurological disorders, according to medical experts. The revelation was made by Tribune daily, today, which quoted medical experts.

A Sikh Unity Forum of J &K has lambasted puppet state government for inordinate delay in releasing Ansari Commission report which deals with victims and minorities. Addressing a protest picket in front of the office of D C in Jammu, S Rajinder Singh Forum convenor accused government of discriminating against Sikh community. he said that at least 15 innocent sikhs were killed due to negligence during a procession but no compensation had been paid.

Residents of Bijbehara, including women, held a protest demonstration at the main Chowk, blocking traffic on Srinagar Jammu national highway.The people took to streets in protest against the excesses of the Indian security force during late night search operation in the area a day earlier. Another protest in Maisuma was held against the early morning cordon and search conducted by the security forces when fasting people were forced to shiver in the open while several houses were searched. A prominent lawyer in Jammu, Sarwar Shah was arrested by Indian forces for unknown charges. APHC have alleged harassment because he supported the Kashmiri movement.

The editor of the book Asad Saeed has said that these 'friends' did not want ideological progression of the Kashmiri masses in line with Shaheed-e-Kashmir's teachings. He called the action a direct attack against freedom of speech in 'Azad' Kashmir and said it would be challenged law courts. Meanwhile various Kashmiri groups within and outside AK have condemned the action and demanded an immediate lifting of the ban. They have vowed to reprint the book in other countries and to distribute it throughout the world to spread the message and vision of Kashmir's most popular m martyr who gave his life to uphold the Kashmiris right to freedom.

A JKLF activist Ghulam Rasool Shah of Bronthi (Dialgam) was shot dead by an officer of the Indian Rashtaria Rifles lead by Tom Singh. The killing provoked wide spread protests. JKLF leaders Yasin Malik and and Bashir Butt visited the site of shooting in Dialgam and addressed a gathering of protestors who were expressing solidarity with the bereaved family.

Some 1,500 people staged a protest demonstration outside the office of the deputy commissioner of police in Kupwara. At least thirty people were injured when trigger happy Indian 'security forces' went on a rampage in Kasndi Khas village after an attack by guerillas on a military camp. The injured included government workers, a school headmaster.

Movement of the villagers was also restricted in the village. The villagers alleged that army ransacked and looted valuables including golden ornaments, garments and electronic goods from several houses to make good the loss they had suffered in the militant attack. Those seriously injured in the incident included Abdul Salam Magrey, range officer, who suffered head injuries; Sanaullah Wani, forester; Abdul Ahad Magrey, headmaster of the government high school, Kandi; Mushtaq Ahmad Wani and Abdul Jabbar, both government officials. A National Conference worker escaped an attempt on his life when unidentified gunmen resorted to indiscriminate firing on his house at Kuligam.