Pak. announces 'partial withdrawal' of troops on LoC
Within hours of India extending the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan announced `partial withdrawal' of its troops on the Line of Control (LoC) and urged India to reciprocate.

Quattrocchi held in Malaysia
Mr. Ottavio Quattrocchi, Italian businessman friend of the late Rajiv Gandhi wanted in the Bofors case, was arrested by the Malaysian police in Kuala Lumpur today following an extradition request made by the Government of India.

Major development, says CBI chief
The CBI Director, Mr. R.K. Raghavan, told newspersons today at a hurriedly convened press conference that the arrest indicated the Malaysian Government's intention to extradite Mr. Quattrocchi quickly to India to face trial in the Bofors case.''

Prospects for talks hinge on end to cross-border terrorism
India today held out the prospects for an early resumption of the dialogue with Pakistan if Islamabad makes further progress in reducing cross-border terrorism and creating a conducive atmosphere for talks.

A pointer to thaw in Govt. line
Even though expected, the extension of the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir beyond the month of Ramzan is considered significant: But far more meaningful are the pointers thrown by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today on the Government's thinking on resuming the dialogue with Pakistan.

Press distorted my statement: Sudarshan
In a volte face, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief, Mr. K.S. Sudarshan, today asserted before the Liberhan Commission that his recent statement that a bomb explosion brought down the disputed structure in Ayodhya had been distorted by newspapers as the Ayodhya issue had paralysed the proceedings in Parliament.

PM's remark annoys allies
Some of the allies and supporting parties of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government at the Centre are annoyed that the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has suggested that they stay ``within limits'' and maintain ``decorum''.

Ceasefire meaningless, say militant outfits
The announcement of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, extending the Kashmir ceasefire by another month has evoked a lukewarm to hostile response from the Pakistan Government and Pak.-based militant organisations.

I will continue in office till my mission is over: Musharraf
The Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, tonight categorically denied that the military is planning to hand over the reins of power to a civilian government in the aftermath of exile of the former Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, along with his family to Saudi Arabia.

'Thackeray's remarks not worth condemnation'
Mr. Bangaru Laxman, the BJP president, does not think that the statement of the Shiv Sena chief, Mr. Bal Thackeray, suggesting disenfranchisement of Muslims is worth noting or commenting on.