950826

APHC to observe

strike on 28th

against polls to

Ladakh Hill Council

SRINAGAR: In Occupied Kashmir, the All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) has given a call for general strike on August 28 to protest against the so-called polls to Ladakh Hill Council which is considered as a "shameful step forward towards division of the occupied state," reports Kashmir Media Service.

The Chairman of the APHC, Mir Waiz Umar Farooq has declared that the Indian design in setting up Ladakh Hill Council was to fan sectarian feelings. He categorically stated that Jammu and Kashmir was a unified unit and its division would not be allowed.

Meanwhile, the Indian troops continued its stepped up and extensive crackdowns in Srinagar. The electricity department employees have announced to go on strike on August 30 in protest against the ruthless repressions by the Indian troops.

Earlier, the troops ad destroyed an office of the electricity department in Chanapura area of the city on the pretext that it was a 'hunt' of the Mujahideen. People were also subjected to cruel physical punishment in government quarters at Bimna locality and the government employees union has strongly condemned this outrage.

Extensive military crackdowns were carried out in various localities of Srinagar, ransacking houses, beating up people and arresting a number of people. Passengers and shopkeepers were made to undergo the agony of identity parade at the Batmaloo bus stand.

The parade was marked by physical torture and arrests of people. Even an Imam of mosque was arrested at Wantapura, in the city which triggered furious anti-India demonstrations.

The Mujahideen in their stepped up operation against the rampaging Indian troops, targeted military bunkers with rockets and hand grenades at Fateh Kadal, Baba Dams and the adjacent areas, killing at least four troops, three soldiers were critically injured in land mines explosions in other localities, two of the injured soldiers later died.

The Mujahideen attacked a military patrol at Chaodora in Magaam area. It was officially admitted that two soldiers died in the attack. Two Mujahideen were also reported martyred in the action. A stray passerby was killed in the reckless firing by troops. A bridge of military importance was substantially damaged by Mujahideen in Budgam.-PPI