Vajpayee says 'no' to Kashmir self-rule

"There has been talk in Kuala Lumpur of right to self-determination (in Jammu and Kashmir). Does Pakistan have democracy? Does it have an elected government?

"Those who rule at gunpoint are talking of right to self-determination. It is not right," he said addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of Panipat refinery expansion project here.

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Vajpayee said the parts of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan belong to India and the issue relating to their retrieval will be taken up whenever there is talk on the state.

"We do not want anybody's land but we will not part with even an inch of ours," he asserted.

He said that unlike Musharraf, he was "an elected Prime Minister and will remain so till people wish."

IANS adds from Srinagar: Paramilitary commandos yesterday shot dead two militants who were holed up inside a shopping complex in Srinagar after trying to attack Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's residence on Friday.

"The operation has ended. We killed the two terrorists who were inside the complex," a senior Border Security Force (BSF) official told IANS at the spot.

One of the terrorists was killed early on Saturday, prompting the other to launch a continuous round of automatic fire before he was shot dead, the officer said.

Hundreds of paramilitary troopers and police went inside the Dr Ali Jan complex after the daylong gunbattle ended.

"We are searching for weapons and explosives. The search operation may take some time," the BSF official said.

Windowpanes of the building were smashed and minor damage was caused to offices and shops located inside in the >

Three BSF troopers were injured on early Saturday and have been taken to hospital.

"We spent a sleepless night, and the whole night we heard sounds of deafening explosions and gun fire," said an employee of a hotel nearby.

Senior police officers have reached the spot. However, no movement is being allowed in the area. Shops, business establishments, Government offices, schools and colleges in the civil line area are closed.

In the gunbattle that began on Friday morning, two personnel of the BSF were killed while 15, including four officers of the paramilitary and police, were injured. Two photo-journalists were also wounded.

Two suicide terrorists on Friday attacked paramilitary troopers manning a gate at the heavily guarded official residence of Mufti.

After failing to enter the Chief Minister's residence, the attackers moved into the adjoining shopping complex.

Mufti said, "Elements that do not digest peaceful conditions in Jammu and Kashmir are engineering incidents of violence to derail the peace process in the state."