Death toll touches 116 in Jammu and Kashmir floods 11000 rescued

At least 28 people lost their lives on Saturday as the death toll in the worst flood to hit Jammu and Kashmir in the last 50 years mounted to 116, while Army rescued 11,000 people to safety.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with Union minister Jitendra Singh reviewed the situation in the state and assured the Omar Abdullah government of full support on all aspects of relief. As many as 28 people have died in the Jammu region, state officials said adding, of these 14 people died in Udhampur districts in incidents of house collapses, three in Reasi district, one in Doda district.

Ten bodies of the bus passengers were recovered today in Rajouri. The bus carrying 63 passengers was washed away in flash-flood in Rajouri on Thursday. With today's recovery the number of total bodies recovered has gone up to 35.

With this, the total deaths in Jammu region gone up to 106, while ten people have died in Kashmir Valley.

"Over 107 people have died in Jammu and Kashmir due to flash-floods, landslides and house collapses," Rajnath told reporters in Jammu after the visit.

"The situation is critical. We have watched the scene of destruction," he said. As many as 2,500 villages have been affected by the floods and 450 villages have marooned, Rajnath said, adding, a large number of houses have been destroyed and road and bridges damaged.

He said that 8 teams of NDRF and 6 helicopters of IAF have been pressed in rescue and relief operations and they are doing a commendable job.

‘US wants to strengthen military ties with India’

Washington: Ahead of Indian Defence Minister AK Antony's visit here next week, the US has said it wants to expand its military ties with India in "mutually beneficial" ways with more exchanges and exercises.



"I had a very good visit to India last year, and met with the defence minister and met the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh)," Defence Secretary Robert Gates told reporters Wednesday when asked about what would be on the table during Antony's Sept 27-28 visit.

"We are looking to expand this relationship in ways that are mutually beneficial," he said. "But I think we'll also be looking at ways in which we can expand our exchanges, exercises, and strengthen-further strengthen the relationship that we have."

Gates also indicated that he would talk with Antony about the $9.11 billion deal for the purchase of 126 multi-role combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force through an open competition.

Two American fighter planes, F-16IN and F/A-18IN, a version of the Super Hornet, are among six aircraft on offer in what has been touted as India's single largest defence deal ever. The Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale and Mikoyan MiG-35 are the others in the running.



"I'm sure that we'll - they have a big competition going on for a new modern fighter. We'll probably have some conversations about that," he said referring to the deal.

Asked about India's concerns about US restrictions on export of dual use high-technology items to India, Gates said it was high on his list and he would like to see those restrictions eased.

"I think that, that is certainly high on our list, particularly in the context of export-import, or export controls, and my view of the importance of changing those export controls in ways that better protect the things that are really important and open up trade and allow US companies to sell abroad those things that technologies that are not critical," he said.



"So, I think India certainly is high on our list in terms of a country that we would like, I would like to see those restrictions eased," Gates said.

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who jointly addressed the press conference with Gates, said "just the military-to-military relationship with India is exceptionally strong and growing".

"We are very committed to that, and with all of our services. I was recently there and it has taken on a significance that is equal to so many other historic relationships for us, and we know that," he said.

"The Indian Ocean, we also know, is an incredibly important body of water; not just now, but also in the future. So we recognise the importance of keeping that relationship as strong as it is, and also making it grow," Mullen added.



Obama looking forward to India trip; Michelle excited

New York: US President Barack Obama is looking forward to visiting India in early November and first lady Michelle is excited about the trip. Obamas conveyed this to Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna at a reception they hosted at the Natural History Museum here in honour of heads of delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly.

Obama told Krishna that he was looking forward to visiting India and Mrs Obama added that she was excited about the trip, diplomats said. Earlier, in his speech to the UN general assembly too he made a reference to his upcoming trip to India.

"Later this fall, I will travel to Asia. I will visit India, which peacefully threw off colonialism and established a thriving democracy of over a billion people," Obama told the annual gathering of world leaders in his second address to the world body since becoming president.

Source: IANS