4 civilians hurt, 3 bunkers ablaze
Fierce shelling in Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 19: Pakistan army resorted to heavy mortar shelling and smoke bombing in Khari Karmara, just three and a half kms from the town this evening sending a wave of panic among the people in Poonch town and adjoining villages. Four civilians were seriously injured in the firing on Indian side while atleast three Pakistani bunkers were seen in flames following retaliation by Poonch Brigade.........more

Another Al-Badr group wiped out in Shopian
8 Pak militants, 2 soldiers killed

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 19: Having intensified their counter-insurgency operations, security forces and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu & Kashmir Police have eliminated eight more Pakistani militants, while losing two soldiers and a porter, in Kashmir valley today................more

ISI's sharp differences with US persist

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Even as Pakistan President and military ruler, Gen. Parvez Musharraf, has, for the present, established his firm control over his country’s intelligence establishment, the Americans find themselves in a piquant situation. The US Administration, which has to depend on Pakistan’s ISI on critical inputs vis-à-vis the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden and Taliban supremo, Mullah Omar, does not seem sure about the ISI’s full support and cooperation...................more

Centre increases Haj quota
Direct flights from Srinagar introduced

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19: With the efforts of Minister of State for External Affairs, the Centre Government has increased Haj quota for Jammu and Kashmir from this year’s 4443 to 6400 for next year. The Government has also introduced direct Haj flights from Srinagar to Jeddah with a brief halt at Sharjah..........more

Airdrop Shahi imam to Kandhar: Intellectuals

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: A group of prominent Muslim intellectuals, led by noted actress and Rajya Sabha member Shabana Azmi and lyricist Javed Akhtar, today questioned the authority of Jama Masjid Shahi Imam to give a call for ‘Jehad’ on the US attacks in Afghanistan saying his writ "does not run beyond the area he lives".................more

CM for retaliatory action against militant outfits

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Oct 19: The Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah today reiterated the need of retaliatory action against militant organizations operating from across the border maintaining that "if USA can strike Afghanistan after September 11 air attacks on Washington and New York why can’t we take action against terrorists operating from Pakistan"............more

SC rejects plea for dissolution of UP Assembly

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Putting to rest the controversy over Uttar Pradesh elections, the Supreme Court today rejected an interim application seeking dissolution of the State Assembly and stoppage of salary and allowances to the MLAs on the ground that the House has completed its five-year term..............more

Bureaucratic appointments......

First fatality in Laden's rank.....

Another terrorist killed in Surankot......

Tests show no anthrax spores.....