Farooq hopeful of positive response from militants
While defending the Centre's ceasefire offer in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today said that militants were bent on ``provoking the security forces'' by killing innocent people in the State. Still, he was hopeful that the ceasefire offer would evoke ``some positive response'' from the militant organisations.

Laskhar kills 5 Hindus
Striking in a big way in the run-up to the Centre's Ramazan ceasefire, militants of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e Taiba today shot dead five of the six Hindus they abducted in Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sino-Indian ties look up
India today announced a forward movement in Sino-Indian relations with both countries exchanging maps for the first time ever on the 545-kilometre long Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the middle sector.

Sena MPs angry, meet PM
The 15-member Shiv Sena contingent in the Lok Sabha is angry and totally dissatisfied with the Kashmir ceasefire initiative of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Polluting units must move out: Jagmohan
The Urban Development Minister, Mr. Jagmohan, today told the Lok Sabha that while he was willing to call a meeting of the local MPs, citizens and members of industry, the ``polluting units in the city would have to be relocated''.

We will take to the streets: Delhi CM
The Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dixit, today said that the master plan of Delhi was not more ``sacrosanct'' than the livelihood of lakhs of poor people and the Centre including its Urban Development Minister, Mr. Jagmohan, should have no hesitation amending it.

ASEAN 'no' to summit with India
The 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations today decided it was ``too early'' to have a separate summit meeting with India or enlarge the ASEAN+3 summit into a ``plus four'' arrangement with New Delhi's participation.

Chhota Rajan escapes
Chhota Rajan, Mumbai gangster, escaped from the custody of Thai authorities this morning, Indian officials in Bangkok said on telephone.

Terms for dialogue will stay: Jaswant
The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, today made it clear to Pakistan that there could be no bargain on the terms of engagement which India had set for a resumption of the dialogue.