Bomb attack on police van kills five in Pishin

QUETTA: A bomb targeting police killed at least five people and wounded five others in Pishin district of restive southwest Balochistan province on Monday, police said.

The attack was staged in Pishin district, 40 kilometres north of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province which is racked by a separatist insurgency and sectarian violence.

Aadhar cards not compulsory, don’t give them to illegal immigrants: SC

New Delhi: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Aadhar cards are not mandatory even as various state governments insist on making it compulsory for a range of formalities, including marriage registration, disbursal of salaries and provident fund among other public services.

Yasin Bhatkal sent in judicial remand till Oct 17

Hyderabad: Indian Mujahideen co-founder Yasin Bhatkal was today sent in judicial remand by a local court till October 17 in connection with the February 21 Dilsuknagar twin blasts case.

Bhatkal was produced by NIA officials before the Court of First Additional Metropolitan Session Judge here amid heavy security, who sent him in judicial remand till October 17.

SC restores PIL challenging Sharia courts

NEW DELHI: More than four months after a bench headed by then CJI Altamas Kabir had dismissed a PIL challenging the fatwas issued by Shariat courts running a parallel judicial system in the country, the Supreme Court on Monday restored it for hearing.

A bench headed by Justice C K Prasad restored the PIL filed by advocate Vishwa Lochan Madan for hearing on November 11 despite objections from the Centre, a decision that would force the government to articulate its position on Shariat courts and the fatwas issued by them.

More hostages rescued as Kenya Police gain upper hand over militant

As the offensive against the militants was stepped up, more hostages were rescued and Kenyan Police gained upper hand over the militants, said Kenyan Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo in a tweet.

Paying ministers nothing new in J&K, former Army chief Gen VK Singh says

NEW DELHI: Reacting to accusations that he had funded a J&K politician to topple chief minister Omar Abdullah's government, former Army chief General VK Singh on Monday said those who levelled these allegations were anti-nationals as Army had to pay ministers in the border state "to bring people together".

In an interview to Times Now, Singh said "paying ministers" was nothing new in J&K. "It has been happening since independence and everybody would have known about this. It is not something invented by V K Singh. Funding ministers is to get people together in Kashmir," he said.

Turkish FM and US Secretary of State Kerry meet to discuss Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

The two discussed the ongoing crisis in Syria, as well as other developments in the Middle East and the ongoing changes in the region, in a meeting that lasted longer than scheduled, according to diplomatic sources.

Kenya FM says al-Qaeda behind mall attack

The Kenyan foreign minister has told Al Jazeera that al-Qaeda is responsible for the ongoing siege of a mall in Nairobi that has killed at least 62 people.

In an exclusive interview on Monday, Amina Mohamed said al-Shabab was not acting alone and that it was part of an international terrorism campaign.

She told Al Jazeera's James Bays that about 20 gunmen and women were behind the attack, and that both the victims and perpetrators came from a variety of nationalities.

Grief, anger as Peshawar buries its dead

PESHAWAR: Violent protests paralysed life in the provincial capital and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as death toll from the twin suicide bombings at a church rose to 83 on Monday.

Demonstrations, mourning processions and movement of VIPs forced vehicles to remain off the road in Peshawar.

Enraged activists of the Christian community pelted vehicles with stones, blocked roads and held rallies on thoroughfares to vent their anger over Sunday’s suicide attacks on the All Saints Church.

Nisar urges nation, political parties to stand united against terrorists

ISLAMABAD: Condemning the suicide bombing at a Christian church in Peshawar, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Monday urged the nation and all political parties to stand united and fight out ‘ulterior motives’ of the perpetrators behind the attack.

He reiterated resolve of the government to chase the culprits behind the twin suicide attacks with full might and bring them to justice.

SC restores PIL challenging Sharia courts

NEW DELHI: More than four months after a bench headed by then CJI Altamas Kabir had dismissed a PIL challenging the fatwas issued by Shariat courts running a parallel judicial system in the country, the Supreme Court on Monday restored it for hearing.

A bench headed by Justice C K Prasad restored the PIL filed by advocate Vishwa Lochan Madan for hearing on November 11 despite objections from the Centre, a decision that would force the government to articulate its position on Shariat courts and the fatwas issued by them.

Iraq attacks on police kill eight: officials

FALLUJAH: Eight people, including seven policemen, were killed on Tuesday during attacks on two police stations and a local official's house northwest of Baghdad, officers and doctors said.

Militants attacked police stations in the towns of Rawa and Aana near the highway to Syria in Anbar province, and also killed the brother of a local official, the sources said.

Militants including those linked to Al-Qaeda frequently target Iraqi security forces and other government employees.

Senior Pakistan Army officer moved to ISI

Islamabad: Maj.Gen. Ahmad Hayat has been appointed the Director General Analysis of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

Several key postings were made in the Pakistan Army Monday.

Lal Masjid cleric acquitted in all cases

ISLAMABAD: Maulana Abdul Aziz, the chief cleric of Lal Masjid, was acquitted from his last case on Monday by a judicial magistrate of Islamabad, Mohammad Naveed Khan.

Since 2001, 27 different cases had been registered against Maulana Aziz, and the last one was registered on April 1, 2007 by the Kohsar police.

The first of the 27 cases against Maulana Abdul Aziz and his associates was registered on September 28, 2001, for delivering fiery speeches.

Sindh governor back in Pakistan after 10 days

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan arrived at the Governor’s House here in Karachi Tuesday after a 10-day stay in the UAE. Immediately after his return, Ibad summoned a meeting to review the law and order situation in the city.

Ibad had departed for Dubai on Sept 13 amid speculation in the media that he had tendered his resignation following yet another row between his party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) over an operation that has seen a former MQM lawmaker and activists being arrested.

Iran, 6 nations to hold new nuclear talks on Thursday

UNITED NATIONS: Iran's new foreign minister will join nuclear talks with his US counterpart and five other world powers later this week, the latest sign that long-standing tensions with the West might be easing.

The talks will be the highest level contacts between the US and Iran in six years.

VK Singh should name J-K ministers who were paid money: Shinde

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Tuesday said former chief of army staff General V K Singh should name the ministers to whom money had been given from a secret defence fund for social schemes.

"He should name the ministers to whom money has been given. We can probe if details are given," Shinde told media here.

Chemical weapons disposal will cost $1 billion, take a year: Assad

President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday it would cost about $1 billion to get rid of Syria's chemical weapons under a U.S.-Russian deal reached last week.

In an interview on the Fox News television channel, Assad said his government would dispose of its chemical weapons arsenal and it would take about a year, Assad said.

Minor's assault sparks protests in Faisalabad

President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday it would cost about $1 billion to get rid of Syria's chemical weapons under a U.S.-Russian deal reached last week.

In an interview on the Fox News television channel, Assad said his government would dispose of its chemical weapons arsenal and it would take about a year, Assad said.

Musharraf attack case accused acquitted

RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court acquitted on Wednesday Rana Mohammad Faqir of the charge of attacking a convoy of former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf in 2003.

And despite the acquittal, Faqir refused to leave the jail fearing that he would be abducted by security agencies, but he was persuaded by his family to come home.

Sunrisers progress, Faisalabad knocked out

The match was over as a contest in the 14th over of Sunrisers Hyderabad's chase. Saeed Ajmal had bowled his last over, remained wicketless and mostly ineffective. Shikhar Dhawan soon reached his second consecutive half-century in the Champions League Twenty20, setting up Sunrisers' comfortable victory over Faisalabad Wolves which eased them into the main competition.

Al-Qaeda linked group seizes complete control of Syrian border town with Turkey

An Al-Qaeda front group fighting in Syria on Sept. 18 overran the northern town of Azaz near the border with Turkey after fierce clashes with rebels, activists told AFP.

"The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has seized complete control of Azaz. They are in control of the town's entrances," said Abu Ahmad, an activist inside the town.

Key Amn Committee leader killed

KARACHI: While Rangers and police continued targeted operations in Karachi, including Lyari, a key figure of the outlawed Peoples Amn Committee Zafar Baloch was shot dead Wednesday by unknown assailants on motorcycles in Lyari.

Tension and fear gripped the city’s south district, particularly Lyari and its adjoining areas, following the killing of Baloch. Law-enforcement agencies claimed to have adopted strict security measures to prevent any reaction to the violent incident in which a guard of the slain leader was also killed.

Blast near Imambargah kills three, injures 15 in Karachi

KARACHI: At least three people were killed and at least 15 injured when a hand grenade exploded near a Shia Imambargah in Karachi’s Landhi neighbourhood late on Thursday night, DawnNews reported.

Police officials confirmed that the target of the attack was Imambargah Sajjadia located in Landhi’s Majeed Colony.

Indian Muslims' Mushawarat deliberates on National and International issues

 New Delhi :The Markazi Majlis-e Aamla (Central Working Committee) of the All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat (AIMMM), umbrella body of Indian Muslim organisations and eminent personalities, held its second meeting of the year 2013 here today at it's central office.The meeting discussed milli, national and organisational matters.

The trigger-happy armed forces, protected by the notorious AFPSA, continue their killing spree in various places in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Their latest victims are defenceless people in Shopian.

Gen VK Singh under scrutiny for 'trying to topple J&K govt'

New Delhi: Days after sharing the dais with Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi, former Army chief General VK Singh is under scrutiny yet again. National daily 'The Indian Express' has claimed that General VK Singh set up a special unit in the Army which tried to topple the Jammu and Kashmir government. The Indian Express report claims that a secret Board of Officers inquiry has recommended that the CBI looks into the matter.

Roadside bomb hits bus in Syria, killing 19

DAMASCUS, Syria : A roadside bomb struck a bus in Syria's central province on Thursday, killing 19 people, a local government official said.

The explosion in the village of Jbourin also wounded four people on the bus, according to the official from the governor's office in Homs province who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Pakistan arrests 58 Indian fishermen

Pakistan's maritime security agency arrested 58 Indian fishermen after they allegedly strayed into the country's territorial waters.

"Despite several warnings the Indian fishermen remained inside our territorial waters leading to their arrest and seizure of boats," Commander Muhammad Farooq, Maritime Security Agency spokesman, said.

Nine boats belonging to the Indian fishermen were also confiscated, he said.

Top Afghan official defects to Taliban

A former Afghan legislator and District Governor has defected to the Taliban in the northern province of Sar-e-Pol, officials said on Thursday.

Qazi Abdul Hai served as a Senator during 2004-08 and was later made a District Governor in Sar-e-Pol.

Mr. Hai is believed to have defected to the Taliban with two bodyguards.

Blast injures three in Quetta

QUETTA: A blast in the Sariab area of Quetta on Thursday left three people injured, the police have said.

The injured people, who have not been identified, are being taken to the hospital, Express News reported.

The site of the blast and surrounding areas are being evacuated and a search operation will be led to ensure that no other explosives are in the area.

West Indies A beat India A by 45 runs to clinch one-day series 2-1

NEW DELHI: Kirk Edwards's blistering century followed by some impressive bowling helped West Indies A fight off India A's batting surge to register 45-run victory in the third unofficial ODI to clinch the series 2-1 at Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Thursday.

India A's chances to win looked good when skipper Yuvraj Singh (61) and opener Baba Aparajith (78) put up a decent 112-run partnership for the third wicket.

Pakistan beefs up A.Q. Khan’s security

Pakistani authorities have tripled the security of disgraced nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan amid threats from the Taliban and “fears of a repeat of the Abbottabad raid” which killed Osama bin Laden, a media report said on Thursday.

Other than extraordinary security deployment at his residence, Mr. Khan is now being accorded protocol almost equal to that of the Prime Minister when he travels, the report added.

Nine drown in India river during Hindu festivals: official

NEW DELHI: Nine people have drowned in India's capital during religious festivals that involve immersing statues of Hindu gods in a river, an official said Thursday.Police sources said the figure could be higher as rescue operations were still on.

Nigerian army claims 150 Islamists killed in raid on Boko Haram camp

A military strike on a Boko Haram camp in Nigeria's restive northeast last week killed 150 Islamists and 16 soldiers, an army official said today.

The army's claim of a major offensive against the Islamist insurgents on September 12 came after local media reported that Boko Haram had ambushed a group of soldiers in the same area, killing 40 and leaving dozens of others missing.

Five reported killed, 20 injured in firing by Afghan forces in SW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD :Five people were killed and 20 others injured in cross-border firing by Afghan forces in Pakistan 's southwest border area of Zhob Wednesday afternoon, local Urdu media reported.

Quoting unidentified sources from paramilitary Levis forces, Urdu TV channel Geo said that Afghan forces opened unprovoked firing in Qamar Deen area of Zhob, four km from the Afghan border in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province.

Pak police recovers body of killer of 26/11 Mumbai attack prosecutor

Islamabad: Pakistan police have recovered a corpse of a man from a house here, and believes it belongs to the killer of Mumbai attack case public prosecutor, according to a media report.

The recent raid on the house of the relatives of Kashmiri separatist leader Asiya Andrabi here was distantly linked to it, according to the report.

Fighting resumes in southern Philippines

Fighting between government forces and separatist rebels in the southern Philippines has resumed, witnesses said, as the standoff with the rebels in the city of Zamboanga entered its 10th day.

Military officials on Wednesday said that government forces now controlled 70 percent of the areas that had been occupied by the fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who seek an Islamic state in the southern Philippines.

Syria gives Russia 'new evidence' rebels behind chem attack

MOSCOW: The Syrian regime has handed Russia new materials implicating rebels in a chemical attack outside Damascus on August 21, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday after talks in Damascus.

"The corresponding materials were handed to the Russian side. We were told that they were evidence that the rebels are implicated in the chemical attack," Ryabkov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies after talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem late Tuesday.

Bangladesh Opposition Protests War Crimes Verdict

Supporters of Bangladesh's largest Islamic party clashed with police Wednesday amid a nationwide strike called to protest a court's ruling that one of the opposition party's leaders should be executed for war crimes.

One man was killed when he was hit by a stone thrown by opposition supporters outside the capital, police said.

Bangladesh's Supreme Court on Tuesday sentenced Abdul Quader Mollah, a senior member of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, to death for committing crimes against humanity during the nation's 1971 independence war against Pakistan.

Nawaz Sharif conferred highest Turkish award

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was conferred with highest Turkish Civil Award Republic Order in Ankara on Tuesday.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul conferred upon him the award at a special investiture ceremony at the presidential palace.

Speaking on the occasion‚ the Turkish president paid rich tributes to the prime minister for his contribution to bring further close the two countries.

Muzaffarnagar riots: Arrest warrants against several UP politicians

MUZAFFARNAGAR/LUCKNOW: A local court on Wednesday issued arrest warrants against a BSP MP, BJP and BSP MLAs, besides several politicians and senior community leaders for allegedly inciting violence through inflammatory speeches here even as some of the accused politicians denied any role in instigating violence.

Afghan election commission official shot dead

The provincial Chairman of Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) was killed Wednesday in a drive-by shooting in northern Kunduz province, the latest in a string of targeted killings against government officials and local leaders in the war-torn country, said a provincial official.

Security forces repulse militants’ attack in North Waziristan

At least two militants were killed as security forces repulsed an attack on a check post in Dattakhel Tehsil of North Waziistan tribal region on Wednesday, the military said.

One soldier was also wounded in the attack, security sources said.

An indefinite curfew was imposed on the Bannu-Miranshah Road following the incident.

Akal Takht bans Guru Granth Sahib in homes with bars

AMRITSAR: Acting on suggestions and complaints of some faithful, Akal Takht - the highest temporal body of Sikhs - ruled on Tuesday that Guru Granth Sahib can't co-exist in houses that have bars or with things proscribed by the religion, such as tobacco, intoxicants and halal meat. The decision was taken at a meeting of the top Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar.

Abbott sworn in as Australia's PM

Tony Abbott was sworn in as Australia's new prime minister and promised immediate action to slow the stream of asylum seekers arriving by boats from Indonesia and to repeal an unpopular carbon tax levied by the previous administration.

He was the first of 42 government executives to be sworn in by Governor General Quentin Bryce at a ceremony at Government House in the capital Canberra.

MQM’s Nadeem Hashmi freed from Karachi police custody

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader and former Sindh lawmaker Nadeem Hashmi has been freed from police custody and acquitted Tuesday from all charges including killing of two policemen in Karachi last week.

A Joint Investigation Team (JIT), formed to probe charges against the MQM leader, has submitted their investigative report to the Inspector General Sindh Police declaring him not guilty.

McCullum powers Otago to win

A menacing opening burst from Otago Volts' fast bowlers and a well-measured mauling from Brendon McCullum delivered them an eight-wicket victory over Faisalabad Wolves, who failed to compete in any discipline. All four Otago's quicks bowled out, but none conceded more than 6.5 an over and shared seven wickets between them.

Dhawan leads Sunrisers to comfortable win

A century-stand between Shikhar Dhawan and Parthiv Patel, both of whom scored effortless half-centuries, and a late cameo by Thisara Perera helped Sunrisers Hyderabad cruise to an eight-wicket win over Kandurata Maroons. Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne also scored aggressive half-centuries to set up a strong target, but Kandurata's bowling and fielding crumbled against persistent attack from Sunrisers' batsmen to be left in a position from where they need to win both their remaining matches.

UN chief promoting India-Pakistan meeting at UN

UNITED NATIONS (AP) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he has been promoting a meeting between the prime ministers of Pakistan and India on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly's ministerial session which starts next week.

Ban told reporters Tuesday that when he visited Pakistan last month he strongly recommended to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that he take advantage of the annual high-level meeting to meet his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh.

Bangladesh top court orders senior Jamaat leader to hang

DHAKA: Bangladesh's top court Tuesday sentenced to death a senior Islamist opposition official for murder during the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan.

Abdul Quader Molla, 65, the fourth-highest leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, is the first politician to be found guilty by the country's Supreme Court after it rejected an appeal to acquit him of all charges.

Twelve killed by lightning in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: At least twelve people were killed and several injured in separate lightning incidents in different places of Odisha which was lashed by heavy rains together with thunder on Monday afternoon. Deceased were from Khordha, Cuttack and Sundargarh districts.  While 6 people died in Khurda district, five died in Cuttack district in lightning strikes.

West Indies A beat India A to level series 1-1

It was a clinical performance from West Indies A featuring a century from Jonathan Carter and some fine bowling which helped them to defeat India A by 55 runs in the second unofficial ODI on Tuesday. In reply to 279, India A were bowled out for 224.

Chasing a score of 280 wasn’t an easy task, but the Indian batting undoubtedly had the firepower to conquer it. The opening partnership which did well against New Zealand A faltered for the second time here with
dismissed in early in the innings. The Karnataka player edged the ball which rolled back on to his stumps.

Malala receives top Amnesty award

LONDON: Rights group Amnesty International announced on Tuesday it had awarded its highest honour to Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teen shot in the head last year by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education.

Malala will share the 2013 Ambassador of Conscience Award with American singer and human rights activist Harry Belafonte, the London-based NGO revealed.

Sharif says Pak keen to have comprehensive dialogue with India

Asserting that people had given him the mandate to improve ties with neighbours, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said Pakistan is keen to have a comprehensive dialogue with India for the resolution of all issues including Kashmir.

Sharif said he is committed to a "serious, sustained and constructive engagement" with India that must include the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.