Two ultras nabbed with explosives
Hawala racket busted in Delhi too

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: The Delhi Police has busted a racket of hawala channels for funding militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad in the Kashmir valley by arresting two ultras and recovered explosives from them.

The two militants — Abdul Rahman Sofi alias Rehman Lala (45) and Mohammad Shaban Khan (45) — of the Hizb were nabbed from a guesthouse at Adarsh Nagar in North Delhi yesterday.

The raid was conducted by the special cell following a tip off that the duo was in the Capital to deliver a consignment of explosives to a ‘contact’, police said.

A large quantity of explosives, four live electronic detonators and three cellphones with five sim cards, besides Rs 67,000, were recovered from the militants who belonged to Baramulla in Kashmir.

On sustained interrogation, the militants disclosed that they were conduits between Syed Salahuddin, chief of the Hizbul Mujahideen and chairman of the United Jehad Council comprising 18 Pakistan-based militant outfits, and their operational commanders in the Kashmir valley.

At the instance of Salahuddin, they had visited Pakistan several times and received instructions from him regarding strategy, transfer of money and delivery of weapons in the Valley, police said.

Police said the militants were also given a brief by Salahuddin to set up a base in Delhi to organise militant activities and promised that the required money for the purpose would be delivered to them through hawala channels.

On receipt of money, they were supposed to distribute it among the militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Besides other things, the militants were entrusted with the job of passing on e-mail addresses of the Hizbul leaders in Pakistan to their operational commanders in the Valley.

On their latest visit to Pakistan, they were told by Salahuddin that Abdul Majid Dar, the chief Hizbul commander in the Valley, had been sacked for ‘toeing the line of peace’ and had been replaced by Saiful Islam alias Engineer.

The duo was also instructed to brief the Hizbul cadres in the Valley to thwart any peace process and target the deserters among the militant ranks.

In the Capital, they were directed to check in at a ‘pre-destined’ guesthouse where they were delivered the explosives and other things by a contact. They also received currency notes having specific numbers for showing them to hawala operators to get the promised money.

Yesterday, the militants had gone to deliver the explosives to a Hizbul operative at a bus stop on the G T Karnal Road. However, the operative failed to turn up at the appointed place and they returned to the guesthouse where they were arrested.

Following their arrests, police got some leads about a hawala operator, Jamal Nasir, operating from the walled city. Subsequently, he was also arrested and Rs 14.89 lakh recovered from him.

Police are carrying on further investigations. (UNI)

Pak policy of interference in Afghanistan fails

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: Lashing out at Pakistan for supporting terrorists in Afghanistan and Jammu and Kashmir, Afghan Interior Minister Younous Qanooni today said Islamabad’s policy of interference in his country has failed with the fall of last stronghold of the Taliban in Kandahar.

"Government of Pakistan should know that its policy of terrorism in Afghanistan has failed as also in other places. This is the time for Islamabad to review its strategy of the past," Qanooni, who arrived here last night on a four-day visit, told reporters after a 45-minute meeting with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh.

Qanooni, the first Afghan leader to visit India after the power-sharing accord among four Afghan factions in Bonn earlier this week, was replying to question regarding the approach of the new interim set up in Afghanistan to tackle export of terrorists to J and K fostered by the Taliban.

The Afghan minister said besides Afghan Taliban, there were mercenaries from other countries, a majority of whom belonged to Pakistan. "Many of them from Pakistan are still there in Afghanistan".

Assuring Kabul of unconditional support for reconstruction of the war-ravaged country, Singh said India remained committed irrevocably and unambiguously to the restoration of lasting peace and amity in Afghanistan.

Qanooni, who also had a 30-minute meeting with Home Minister L K Advani, told reporters that there was no question of granting amnesty to any Taliban leader including Mullah Omar.

Advani said India was ready to offer all possible assistance needed by Afghanistan.

Stating that he had a first hand exchange of views and assessment from Qanooni, who has come directly from the Bonn talks, Singh said "India remains fully committed to help the new administration in all regards".

About New Delhi’s view on the proposed peace keeping force in Afghanistan, Singh said any decision on this would be taken by the interim administration.

Asked about his plans to visit Afghanistan, Singh said he would do so "at the right time. It will be an honour to go to Afghanistan".

Qanooni said the new set up would further consolidate all areas of cooperation with India.

Lauding India for its "timely help", he said "I am happy to be here among friends. People in Afghanistan will never forget the assistance extended by India when my country was facing a bad time".

Qanooni hoped that countries which had joined the international coalition against terrorism in Afghanistan, would come forward in equal earnest for the reconstruction of that country.

Qanooni sought to brush aside the reported differences between former Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani and Uzbek militia leader Abdul Rashid Dostum, saying both leaders had agreed with the decisions on Government formation taken at Bonn.

"Minor differences here or there are not a problem, these will be sorted out soon," he said.

To a question, he said Dostum has not left the Northern Alliance and "is working with us".

Singh said "no specific request" for help from India has been made by the Afghan minister. "India’s offer for reconstruction in Afghanistan is without conditions. If additional requirements are there, we will attempt to meet them," he said.

The Afghan minister, who will also meet officials from the External and Home Ministries, is slated to return to leave for Kabul on Monday. (PTI)

Taliban abandon Kandahar, Omar disappears

KABUL/QUETTA (PAKISTAN), Dec 7: The Taliban today abandoned their last stronghold of Kandahar as the militia that had imposed harsh Islamic law on Afghanistan disintegrated after weeks of pulverising US air strikes.

But any hopes opposition tribal groups or the United States may have had of collaring Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar went up in smoke — an Afghan news agency said he had "disappeared".

The battered country’s new designated leader, cutting through earlier uncertainty about how he would treat the one-eyed Omar, said he must be brought to justice.

Anti-Taliban forces said they had captured the main base of Osama bin Laden in the rugged Tora Bora mountains of eastern Afghanistan, but failed to find the Saudi-born militant blamed for the September 11 attacks on the United States.

US marines on patrol from a desert airstrip in Kandahar province killed seven "enemy forces" overnight in their first ground attack since they seized the base almost two weeks ago.

"Last evening we successfully engaged enemy forces along road networks near Kandahar, killing seven and destroying three vehicles," marine Captain David Romley told reporters, adding that there were no US casualties in the clash.

Under a deal negotiated yesterday with Hamid Karzai, designated leader of a new Afghan interim Government, the Taliban in Kandahar were to turn in their guns to a group of local figures led by Mullah Naqibullah, a former Mujahideen commander.

One of Karzai’s key Pashtun tribal allies said the Kandahar surrender deal was flawed.

"Hamid Karzai, the new Prime Minister, the new leader, has made a very, very wrong decision in Kandahar by himself. He did not consult the elders or anyone else," said Khalid Pashtoon, spokesman for former Kandahar Governor Gul Agha Aherzai.

"Now the city is in chaos, there is street by street fighting, looting is going on," Pashtoon told Reuters by satellite telephone from near Kandahar airport.

But the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press said the surrender was completed today with forces laying down arms to a joint commission of tribal elders.

"Everything was done peacefully, (and) Kandahar city is peaceful and quiet," commission member Haji Bashar was quoted as saying.

AIP also quoted Bashar as saying Omar was no longer in the city. ‘’...Omar has disappeared from Kandahar and it is not known where he has gone,’’ he said.

Karzai told CNN the Taliban no longer held Kandahar, saying that according to his information "the Taliban authority is effectively finished". He said he was trying to contact Mullah Naqibullah and another commander to ask them to move forces in.

Karzai said Mullah Omar must face trial after missing his last chance to renounce terrorism and repudiate bin Laden.

"For the higher-ranking Taliban, if there is a case against them they must face trial," he told Reuters by satellite telephone from Shahwali Kot, north of Kandahar.

Karzai yesterday said he was granting an amnesty to rank and file Taliban, but insisted Omar must denounce terrorism and cut all ties with bin Laden’s mainly Arab Al Qaeda network.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld responded that any negotiated surrender has to meet US requirements, stipulating that leaving Omar to "live in dignity" was not acceptable.

Karzai offered leniency for the many Pakistanis who fought with the Taliban, saying they could "go back to their homes".

South of Kandahar, Pashtun tribal leaders took over the border district of Spin Boldak from the Taliban, whose forces headed out westwards into the Registan desert, witnesses said.

Achakzai tribesmen took over the border crossing point with Pakistan, while Nurzai tribesmen moved into Spin Boldak town.

In eastern Afghanistan, anti-Taliban forces said they had seized bin Laden’s main stronghold in the cave-riddled Tora Bora area after fierce fighting, but failed to find him.

"The last and main base of Osama in Tora Bora was captured last night," Mohammad Habeel, a spokesman for the militarily dominant Northern Alliance, told Reuters.

"Our troops led by commander Hazrat Ali said that we have taken almost all of Tora Bora and its main caves. We have staged a mopping up operation to clear remaining parts of Tora Bora."

He said Arab family members, including women, had been captured, along with weapons and vehicles. "Osama was not in Tora Bora during the past days of fighting and if he had been, he has probably slipped into Pakistan," Habeel said.

AIP said six anti-Taliban fighters had been killed and five wounded. US jets were still bombing targets in the area.

With the Taliban in their death throes, Rumsfeld told a Pentagon briefing: "I do not think there will be a negotiated end to the situation that’s unacceptable to the United States."

He said he doubted that Karzai would make a deal that cuts across US interests and would lose US support if it did.

Rumsfeld said Mullah Omar was "the principal person" who has harboured bin Laden’s Al Waeda network in Afghanistan, adding: "he does not deserve the medal of freedom."

As Taliban power collapsed, rival factions battled for control of Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, 120 km (75 miles) south of Kabul, AIP said.

It said at least two people had been killed and several wounded in the clashes that began overnight between fighters loyal to Bacha Khan Zadran and unidentified opponents.

Zadran, who was a delegate at the conference in Bonn which produced a power-sharing accord for Afghanistan this week, heads the Eastern Shura (council), which gained control of Paktia and Khost provinces from retreating Taliban forces. (REUTERS)

Borders will be defended: George

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: The Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, has made it abundantly clear that the Government of India will continue to take "all appropriate steps" to ensure security of the country’s borders.

Steps to ensure security of the coast-line, too, have also been highlighted by the Ministry of Defence. Mr George Fernandes informed the Lok Sabha that available reports indicate that certain elements of Pakistani formations had moved out ostensibly for training in areas opposite Kutch region in Gujarat.

The Pakistani dispositions, he said in reply to a question by Dr (Mrs) Rajeswarama Vukkala, in the area presently appeared to be "defensive" in nature. The Government of India, he assured the House, continued to take "all appropriate steps" to ensure security of the country’s borders as well as the coast-line.

The Defence Minister asserted that adequate steps continued to be taken to counter infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir from across the Line of Control (LoC). All routes of ingress were being guarded and patrolled by troops deployed on ground, he said while answering a question by Ms Rajkumari Ratna Singh.

The Defence Minister stated that there had been no confrontation along the borders during the last three months, except along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. As per available record, a total of 250 infiltrators and terrorists had been killed along the LoC, he said and added that 11 Indian Army personnel were killed and 17 others wounded during the same period on account of direct action in this sector.

On the role of Territorial Army in counter insurgency operations, Mr George Fernandes said that nine infantry battalions of Territorial Army were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. Territorial Army units, he stated, had been deployed on the counter-terrorism grid, primarily for relieving regular Army units from static security duties. In his reply to a question by Mr K Balram Krishnamurthy and others, he pointed out that while it was not proposed, at this stage, to increase the overall strength of the Territorial Army, certain steps regarding restructuring of the organisation had been initiated.

Mr Naresh Puglia wanted to know if the GOC-in-C of the Northern Command, Lt. Gen. RK Nanavati, had warned that the tension was mounting along the border with Pakistan and that the current situation was similar to the one that existed just before the 1965 war. In his reply, the Defence Minister clarified that the Northern Command chief had made certain observations during the course of a key-note address delivered by him at the University of Jammu recently.

These observations were about Pakistan continuing a covert war and its support to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and the resolve of the nation to tackle the threat effectively. The Government, Mr Fernandes said, had seen certain media reports on the subject where "a few such observations have been exaggerated".

Mr Balram Krishnamurthy, who asked if the Government proposed to introduce electronic security surveillance for sea, air and ground to reduce potential threat to national security, was told by the Defence Minister that it was the "constant endeavour" of the Government to improve the surveillance and reconnaisance capabilities of India. Mr Fernandes hurriedly added: "It would not be in the national interest to disclose details".

On war widows of Kargil soldiers, the Defence Minister informed Mr Naresh Puglia that as a measure of rehabilitation of widows of soldiers killed in Kargil operation, they have been paid ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh each and have been sanctioned liberalised family pension equal to the last pay drawn by the deceased soldier on completion of necessary legal requirements. They have also been given an amount of Rs 5 lakhs for housing and Rs 1 lakh per child or Rs 2 lakhs per family for education of children from the National Defence Fund.

The Defence Minister disclosed that the first consignment of T-90 tanks from Russia would be received shortly. Answering a question by Mr A Narendra and four others, Mr Fernandes said that the transfer of technology would enable assembly and subsequent manufacture of T-90 tanks in India. While certain defence production units had been identified for this purpose, requisite funds had been earmarked, he added.

One killed, 2 injured in Bhaderwah
Surrendered terrorist shot at

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: A former militant and presently a Special Police Officer (SPO), who was instrumental in killing of some terrorists including a fidayeen at Chambalwas, was shot at and seriously injured by the ultras in Banihal town this morning.

Mohd Ayub Naik alias Ayub Mundri son of Abdul Ahad Naik, a resident of Banihal and SPO No. 730, was standing outside a shop in Banihal town when he was fired upon from a distance by two terrorists at 1130 hours today, official sources said.

An alert Ayub Mundri immediately dived from his place after seeing one of the terrorist opening fire from his weapon. A gun shot pierced through right eye of the SPO but he had a miraculous escape in the firing. Both the ultras managed to escape from the town presuming Mundri as dead.

However, Mundri was rushed to the sub district hospital of Banihal by local people and police where his condition was stated to be stable. Police and security forces launched a massive search operation on the outskirts of Banihal town to eliminate or capture the terrorists involved in the shoot-out. However, no arrest could be made immediately.

Sources said Ayub Mundri was instrumental in the killing of a fidayeen in retaliatory firing after an attack on an army convoy in Chambalwas area of Banihal two months back. Besides, Ayub Mundri was also known for giving ‘specific tip offs’ to police and army regarding movement and hideouts of the terrorists.

Mundri was himself a terrorist earlier but had surrendered before army and joined national mainstream. Later, he was recruited as a SPO.

Meanwhile, a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, who had laid down arms before security forces in Gandoh area of Doda district, has been identified as Tariq Hussain son of Mohd Afzal, a resident of Godila, Trinkal.

The terrorist had handed over one Chinese pistol, one magazine, 10 rounds and a grenade at the time of surrender.

The terrorist was cornered by police and security forces during a search operation. Seeing his imminent death, the terrorist preferred to surrender, the sources said.

Meanwhile, in another incident, a civilian was killed and two others were injured in a landslide at village Bhalera in Bhaderwah tehsil of Doda district this morning.

Deceased has been identified as Mohd Shaffi son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, a resident of Dessa and the injured as Mohd Hussain Bhat son of Ghulam Mohd Bhat and Ghulam Nabi, both locals.

The injured have been admitted to district hospital of Doda. Their condition was also stated to be serious.

Jaish-e-Mohammad’s anti-POTO shutdown
Two MI sleuths gunned down in Pattan

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 7: While as militants gunned down two Military Intelligence (MI) personnel in Pattan and left two civilians wounded at Chichlora this evening, security forces have eliminated a militant in Kupwara today. Meanwhile, Kashmir valley observed a shutdown on the militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad’s call against the newly introduced anti-terrorism ordinance, POTO.

Informed sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that in the forenoon today, militants ambushed two MI personnel, who had been working with Rashtriya Rifles 29 Bn, at Wanigam, in Pattan area and shot them dead. In civvies, they were on a secret operation. They have been identified as Naik Jay Singh and Rifleman Javed.

Unidentified gunmen fired upon two civilians, Abdul Khaliq Wani and Assadullah Bhat, when they were coming out of the village mosque at Chichlora, Magam, after performing their Ramazan prayers this evening. With critical injuries, they were rushed to SMHS Hospital Srinagar.

Reports from Kupwara said that one unidentified militant got killed in an exchange of gunfire with troops of RR 21 Bn at Neeldugar, Laribal, in Handwara area. Militants and troops of RR 32 Bn exchanged fire at Sogam, in Kupwara district today. However, there was no casualty.

Reports from south Kashmir said that late last night, Jaish-e-Mohammad made an unsuccessful Fidayeen attempt at a company headquarters of RR 01 Bn at Zainapora, Shopian. However, the vigilant sentries retaliated in time and foiled the attack, killing one militant.

Meanwhile, Kashmir valley today observed shutdown in protest against the newly introduced anti-militancy ordinance, POTO. Call for the strike had been given by Pakistan-based militant organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad. Reports said that most of shops, business establishments as also most of the passenger buses did not operate. Private educational institutes and banks remained closed in Srinagar and other places, However, DC Srinagar, issued an order asking the Drawing and Disbursing Officers not to pay today’s salary to the Government employees who failed to report for duty today.

Pak electrical engineer arrested in Ramgarh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: An Electrical Engineer of Pakistan has been arrested by army from the International Border of Ramgarh sector. He has been identified as Amir Ali, 22, son of Mohd Ali, a resident of Sahiwal in Sialkot district of Lahore, Pakistan.

Though the engineer is being interrogated by army authorities, reliable sources said it appeared to be a case of ‘inadvertent crossing’.

Sources said the engineer had a tiff with his family and left the house. While running from the house, he crossed over to Indian side through Chamlayal post in Ramgarh sector and was arrested by army jawans, guarding the border.

However, army authorities didn’t rule out the possibility of Electrical Engineer having links with some agencies but said ‘as of now this appears to be a distinct possibility. Only Rs 535 in Pakistani currency were recovered from his possession.

After interrogation, army authorities were likely to handover the engineer to local police.

Meanwhile, Pakistan army continued firing on the International Border at most of the places in Jammu sector over-night but there were no reports of any casualties or damage on Indian side. Firing was effectively replied by army and the BSF.

Forward posts, where the exchange of firing took place, included Pital Post, Pindi, Jabowal, Mehta Post, Kot Kuba, Zero Point, SH Way, Budhwar, Suchetgarh, Kulliyan, Gallar, Faqira Chak, Khatmarian, Khor Khola, Sangral, Mangral, Korotona, Abdullian, Gharana, Gharani, Chamblyal, Narayanpur, SM Pura, Karthal and Nanga in Jammu district.

The posts in Kathua district, where Indo-Pak troops traded firing, were Regal, Chachwal, Chalian, Manga Chak, Muthi, Babiya Chak, Dulma Chak, Rathua and Manari.

Australia seeks own probe of terror suspect

SYDNEY, Dec 7: Australia has asked India to allow its own investigation of the man arrested in Mumbai for allegedly planning September 11-style terrorist attacks here, Prime Minister John Howard said today.

"We have sought the approval of the Indian authorities to talk to this man and we are waiting for that response," Howard told a local radio station 3AW.

Howard endorsed the Australian Attorney General Darryl Williams’ confirmation yesterday that the man, identified as Mohammed Afroz Abdul Razzak, did undertake flight training in Australia in 1997 and 1998.

Razzak, who was sent to judicial custody by a Mumbai court yesterday, had allegedly confessed that Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network was planning air-borne terrorist strikes in Australia, Britain and at the Parliament House in New Delhi alongside the September 11 strikes.

"Sometimes allegations of this kind can be either embellished or fabricated. We seek, quite naturally, to undertake some of our own investigations," Howard said.

Urging caution over the claim by the suspected suicide pilot, Howard said the 55-storey Rialto towers had been named as a possible terrorist target, but not Parliament House in Canberra.

Williams, in a statement, reassured the Australian public that the suspected terrorist plot in Australia was based only on claims made by the arrested man and that there was no known specific threats of terrorism in Australia. (PTI)

Khurana on warpath again

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: Ignoring Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s advice, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Madan Lal Khurana has decided to go ahead with an agitation to pressurise the Centre to accept his proposals for resolving problems of transport and industries in the Capital.

A helpless and frustrated Khurana today told reporters that in the past ten days he had three meetings with the Prime Minister but failed to get a specific assurance from Mr Vajpayee regarding his demands.

While the Prime Minister had asked him to defer the proposed ‘Sankalap Sabha’ on December nine, where he had threatened to announce an agitational programme, Mr Khurana said the public meeting would be held as scheduled.

In my eyes, Delhi takes precedence over discipline. I am ready to pay any price to get the problems of the Capital resolved, he said.

But for the emergency days when we were in opposition, I have never felt so helpless and frustrated. I am an MP and my party is in power at the Centre. But I can’t do anything about the problems of my fellow Delhiites, the aggrieved leader added.

One of Mr Khurana’s grievances against the Vajpayee Government is that it failed to bring an ordinance to resolve the CNG crisis, as it had promised.

After January 31, he said, as many as 9,000 buses of the total fleet of 12,000 would be off the roads, as per the Supreme Court order making it mandatory for all commercial vehicles to be converted to the CNG mode.

To tide over the crisis, the Vajpayee Government had decided to bring an ordinance some months ago but nothing had been done in this regard so far, Mr Khurana said.

There would be chaos on Delhi roads after January 31 and all the hue and cry would be directed against the BJP, he added.

My point is, when you go to the civic elections in Delhi in February, the transport issue would turn out to be an embarrasing factor for the BJP. Who will vote for us unless we do something in this regard, the former Delhi Chief Minister said.

Similarly, some 10,000 small scale industries were sealed in the residential areas of the Capital last year, in accordance with the Supreme Court order to check pollution in the city, and all these units were still lying sealed alongwith their machinary and equipments.

I appoached the Prime Minister in December last year with a request that the term pollution may be defined by the Centre so as not to make the non-polluting industries victims of the court order. Mr Vajpayee promised me that the definition of pollution would be worked out, but I am still waiting for it, he added. (UNI)

Karan introduces Dogri Bill

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: Dr Karan Singh, MP today introduced a bill to amend the Constitution of India for inclusion of Dogri in the 8th Schedule. This has been a long pending demand from the Dogri speaking people in North India.

It may be recalled that Dr Karan Singh spearheaded the movement for recognition of the Dogri by the Sahitya Akademi after he joined the Union Cabinet in 1967. And it was due to his efforts that the Dogri got a recognition from the Akademi.

Pak suggested to review Kashmir policy

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: A leading Pakistani Urdu daily has expressed the fear that the failure of the country’s Afghan policy will adversely affect its interests in Kashmir.

The daily Jang says in an editorial that Pakistan must review its Kashmir policy in the light of what has happened in Afghanistan. Pakistan, it writes, must ensure that Kashmir is not hijacked by outsiders as happened in Afghanistan.

"The tragedy wrought by non-Afghan militants in Afghanistan should be enough to open our eyes.

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said in Delhi that Kashmir should not be allowed to be hijacked by non Kashmiris. There may be differences with her but this suggestion is not wrong for Pakistan’s security and main interests,’’ the paper says.

The paper pleads that the hijack of Afghanistan by outsiders must not happen in Kashmir and calls for a review of Pakistan’s Kashmir policy, it says the policy must be reviewed because the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States have brought about a change in the world’s perception of terrorism. Pakistan must accordingly change its policy.

The paper also points to the oft-repeated hints by the US that after Taliban it will target jehadi groups in Kashmir. India with its wide market has more importance for the United States than Pakistan which has only temporary importance, it says. (UNI)

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