Pakistan launches military operation near Afghan border

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have launched a major offensive against militants in the northwestern tribal region of Kurram on the Afghan border, Pakistan’s military spokesman said on Monday.

PIA’s Jeddah-Islamabad Hajj flight delayed for 16 hours

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines Jeddah-Islamabad Hajj flight has been delayed for 16 hours on Wednesday.

According to details, PIA Hajj flight PK-3704 was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad last mid night but it delayed till 11.00am today.

The relatives of the Hajjis kept on waiting at the air port but faced a second time disappointment when same flight did not arrive on the re-scheduled time.

After that the airport authorities informed the desperate relatives of the Hajjis that due to the security clearance problem at Jeddah air port that flight has been further delayed till 4.00pm in the evening.

According to the spokesman of PIA, apart from the Flight PK-3704 three more flights PK-3306, PK-3606 and PK-4206 are also passing through the immigration process at Jeddah airport and after getting clearance they will depart

Kashmir rebels kill two Indian policemen

SRINAGAR: Suspected Muslim militants shot dead two policemen on Wednesday in the latest violence to strike revolt-hit Indian Kashmir, police said.

The attacks were the first since US President Barack Obama said in New Delhi Monday that Washington could not “impose” a solution on India and Pakistan’s dispute over Kashmir — which has sparked two wars between the neighbours.

“Pistol-wielding militants walked up to the policemen and shot them dead at point-blank range,” a police spokesman said.

The shootings took place in Patan town, 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of Indian Kashmir summer capital of Srinagar.

“The militants seized the rifles of the dead policemen and fled the scene,” the spokesman said.

Security forces sealed the area and launched a search to “arrest or eliminate” the militants involved in the attack.

Muslim rebels have

EU lifts ban on PIA

European Union has lifted the ban imposed on Pakistan International Airline (PIA) allowing all the planes of Pakistans national flag carrier to travel to Europe.
EU has completely lifted the ban on the planes of PIA. According to the spokesman of PIA Sultan Hassan EU has lifted the after PIA has fulfilled all the conditions. After this decision of EU, all the flights of PIA would be allowed to land in the member countries of the European Union.

Indian PM orders probe against C Games Corruption

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has ordered a probe against the charges of corruption against the organizing committee of the recently concluded common wealth games held in New Delhi.
The charges, that surfaced just after the mega event concluded, include corruption during the preparations of the event, issuance of contracts, violation of rules and regulations and nepotism in assigning other tasks and duties. Taking notice of the charges, the Indian PM ordered an immediate inquiry.
According to the spokesman of the Indian PM, a three member committee has been constituted to probe the corruption charges which would be headed by former controller and auditor general V.K. Shonglu.
The corruption and misappropriation charges surfaced when only three to four months were left in the commencement of the mega game show.

Explosion on Gulf of Mexico oil rig

WASHINGTON: An explosion ripped through an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday dumping 13 people into the water, one of whom was injured, the US Coast Guard said.

“All 13 are accounted for and they are all wearing some sort of an immersion suit that protects them from the water,” Coast Guard chief petty officer John Edwards told MSNBC.

Nine helicopters had been dispatched to the rig 80 miles (130 kilometers) south of Vermilion Bay in Louisiana, the spokesman said, adding the extent of any injuries suffered by the workers was not immediately clear.

Four Coast Guard cutters were also en route to the rig, said to be owned by Mariner Energy, and which was reportedly still ablaze.

“Right now we”re focused on search and rescue and then, ultimately, as this thing progresses we”re going to be looking into the cause,” Edwards added.

The blast comes more than four months after an explosion ripped through the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon rig, some 50 miles (80 kilometers) off Louisiana, killing 11 workers and unleashing an environmental catastrophe.

International aid of 772 million dollars received: PMs spokesman

Prime Minister Houses spokesman has said that we have so far received an international aid of 772 million dollars which will be used for relief and rehabilitation purposes of flood affectees.
The statement issued by spokesman Prime Minister House Islamabad clarified that out of 772 million dollar aid, 160 million dollars have been received directly; where as remaining amount will be received through UN and other agencies. According to the spokesman, World Bank and Asian Development Bank will give a loan of 3 billion dollars to Pakistan on pliable terms for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and relief activities of flood affectees.

Pak Rangers set up 31 relief camps in Karachi

Staff Report

KARACHI: Pakistan Rangers Sindh has set up relief camps for flood affectees at 31 places in Karachi, said sources Monday.

According to the spokesman of Pakistan Rangers Sindh Major Aurangzeb, at least 31 relief camps have been established in Karachi where philanthropists are giving their aid and funds for the flood victims.

The aid included cash, pulses, rice, flour, medicines, drinking water and other relief goods.

AGENCIES ADD:

Different relief and monitoring committees have been constituted with the approval of Sindh Chief Minister to provide relief and monitor the situation at the camps set up for flood victims in the metropolis.

The committees will assess the needs of the victims living in these camps and identify donors for providing essential commodities to them, said a statement issued here on

Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway temporarily closed for traffic

ISLAMABAD: Motorway from Peshawar to Islamabad has been closed for traffic, causing a 15-kilometer long queue of vehicles.

According to the spokesman of Morway Police, the Motorway from Peshawar to Islamabad has temporarily been closed for traffic due to a damage caused by floods to a portion of the road near Charsadda bridge.

He said the Motorway will be reopened as soon as repair work is completed.

6.0-magnitude quake hits Indonesia

JAKARTA: A 6.0-magnitude quake hit Indonesia”s North Sumatra province Saturday, the local Meteorological and Geophysics agency said, but there were no immediate reports of damage and no tsunami alert.

The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles), 18 kilometres northwest of Panyabungan at 9:11 am (0211 GMT), according to the agency.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity.

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