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Pakistan test-fires missile
with nuclear capability

What is India News Service, Tuesday, 12 October 2004, 1900 hrs IST

Pakistan on Tuesday successfully test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads as parts of its efforts to boost its defences, a military statement said. 

Nuclear-armed Pakistan conducts regular missile tests, despite a revived peace process with India. The last time Pakistan test-fired a nuclear-capable missile was on June 4.

"Pakistan on Tuesday morning carried out another successful test of the indigenously produced intermediate range ballistic missile Hatf V (Ghauri)," the statement said. 

It said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz witnessed the test of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a range of 1,500 km (940 miles).

India, US in high-tech talks despite nuclear worry: India and the United States discussed the possibility of cooperation in civilian nuclear energy and space on Monday, areas long shunned by the United States because of India's nuclear weapons programmes.

Supreme Court begins clean-up: The Supreme Court collegium, the highest administrative body for the nation\92s judiciary, has decided to transfer 10 sitting High Court judges as a punitive measure. Prominent among them are two seniormost judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court who led the first-ever strike by members of the higher judiciary.

India may plan fence along Bangladesh border: The Union Home Ministry will shortly approach the Cabinet Committee on Security seeking its mandate to erect fences within 150 yards of the zeroline along certain stretches of the Indo-Bangla border, amidst fierce opposition by Bangladesh.

Supreme Court stays order appointing BCCI administrator: The Supreme Court today stayed an interim order passed by the Madras High Court superceding the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and appointing a retired judge of the apex court, S. Mohan, as interim administrator.

India sending more troops to Congo: India has accepted the United Nations' plea to increase its troops' presence in Congo and will shortly despatch a peace-keeping brigade, Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh said on Monday. 

Cancellation of 297 petrol pump allotments recommended: The high-level Committee appointed by the Supreme Court to probe 409 cases of "tainted allotments" has recommended the cancellation of 297 pumps.

DRDO, IAF differ on LCA schedule?: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is apparently not amenable to the request by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to accelerate flight-testing of the indigenously-designed engine, Kaveri, for its light combat aircraft.

PW leaders come overground for talks: The People's War (PW) and the CPI-ML (Janashakti) today took a significant step towards peace talks with the Andhra Pradesh Government with its top leaders emerging from the underground. 

Sonia warns against communal forces: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today cautioned people in Maharashtra against the Shiv Sena and the BJP which were "spreading hate and communalism for their own selfish needs."

India-Myanmar rail link by 2005: A railway network will link the two nations and promote trade and tourism.

More explosives found abandoned: With pressure mounting, panic-stricken owners of scrap units in several parts of the country are now dumping hazardous waste by the roadside. 
 
 
 
States

Meet to elect Arunachal Chief Minister: The decks have been cleared for the installation of a new Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh with the party securing a majority by winning 34 of the 60 Assembly seats. 

Naxal dies in Karnataka encounter: At least one Naxalite has been killed and two others seriously injured in an encounter with the police team near the Barkana Falls near Shimoga.

Two 'extortionists' lynched in Nagpur: Two brothers, involved in alleged extortion in Kharbi Narsala village in the district, were on Monday lynched by a village mob that included women.

Muslim bodies pledge support to Congress: Even as electioneering ended for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress received endorsements from several important Muslim organisations and individuals. 

Rain wreaks havoc in Punjab: Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered special emergency services in areas affected by unabated rain.

Accept husband as brother, woman told: One and a half years after marriage and three months pregnant, a happily married young woman has been directed by a Gotra Khap panchayat to dissolve her marriage and accept her husband as a brother. The woman, Sonia, responded contemptuously to the panchayat dictat saying \93I will prefer death\94. 


Neighbours

No volte-face on Kashmir, says Pakistan: It said that there had been no U-turn in its policy on the decades-old issue.

Stop attacks or be ready for reprisals, Pakistan tells militants: The Pakistan military on Monday warned tribal militants and 'miscreants' to stop unprovoked attacks on security forces or be prepared for 'retaliatory attacks'.

Pak militants threaten to kill Chinese hostages: Militants holding two Chinese engineers in Pakistan's rugged tribal area have threatened to kill them unless al-Qaida detainees are released, a security official said on Sunday.

China urges steps for hostages' release: China urged Pakistan to "spare no effort" to rescue two Chinese hostages kidnapped by militant tribesmen, a statement said on Monday. 

View from abroad 

World Bank picks up Indian film for world-wide screening: The Smithsonian Institution in the US is also planning to screen the film which deals with decentralisation of power.

'Pakistan has 50-90, India 55-115': Pakistan possesses 50-90 nuclear weapons compared to India's 55-115, says a survey released in Washington on Monday.



Overall:

Pakistan test-fired another missile: It is nuclear capable and can hit targets 1,500 km away.