Taliban threaten taking revenge from Buner ‘Lashkar’

BUNER: Taliban in their double-dealing, while announcing general amnesty here, threatened taking revenge from the citizens of the villages Shalbandi and Sultanwus, who had formed ‘Lashkar.’

Talks were held between the different political, religious parties and Taliban, which gave rise to a conscientious on all the contentious issues.

Maulana Misbahuddin Malikpuri said that the issue of Shalbandi and Sultanwus would be resolved in a week, however, Taliban have threatened taking revenge from those forming ‘Lashkar’ from these two villages.

Meanwhile, defunct Tahrik-e-Taliban spokesman, Muslim Khan made it clear that arms would not be laid until the evacuation of all Americans from Pakistan and Darul Qaza was set up. The spokesman said that Darul Qaza alone could order disarming Taliban. He threatened that if the operation were not halted, then Taliban would launch attacks all over Malakand Division.

Important installations, sensitive locations safe: IG NWFP

SWABI: Inspector General of Police, NWFP Naveed Khan has said that all the important installations and sensitive places are well protected from terrorists.

In his address at Swabi Police Darbar, Naveed Khan said Tarbela Dam, Ghazi Barotha project and Ghulan Ishaque Institute are very much safe and beyond access of terrorist elements.

He said special training is being imparted to 2,756 commandoes for fighting with the terrorists

Hot, dry weather to prevail across country

ISLAMABAD: Meteorological Department forecast on Monday hot and dry weather in most parts of the country including twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi during the next 24 hours.

Minimum temperature was recorded Islamabad 13, Lahore 19, Karachi 24, Peshawar 20, Quetta 10, Murree 12, Muzaffarabad 17 degrees centigrade.

The maximum temperature was recorded 48 degrees centigrade in Nawabshah.

At least 46 militants killed in Lower Dir operation

DIR: Security forces killed at least 46 militants in a ground and air operation against Taliban in the troubled Lower Dir on Monday, the military said.

After a stiff encounter with the militants, the security forces have regained the control of Lal Qila and flushed out the militants from Maidan valley, district Lower Dir.

According to security sources, reportedly 46 militants were killed in last two days operation including their important commanders Maulana Shahid and Qari Quraish. The operation has been code named as "Toar Tander-I"

Before start of this operation by security forces, District Lower Dir was in a state of lawlessness. Militants were constantly attacking the security forces and government official and had closed the roads for movement of government and FC convoys.

The militants were involved in the killing of DPO Dir along with other policemen, ex District Nazim Alam Zeb and killing of 11 kids with toy bomb.

They were also abducting law abiding citizens at will and asking for huge ransom to their advantage.

In this backdrop, on the request of provincial government and people of Dir Frontier Corps NWFP launched operation Toar Trander-I on April 26.

On the first day of the operation three major encounters were carried out by FC with militants between Islamdarah and lal Qila. The final encounter was at Lal Qila and surrounding areas in which Maulana Shahid and his associates were engaged and overcome.

The militants used heavy weapons including mortars, snipers and PRG-7. Security forces were supported by Armour, Artillery and Aviation.Troops of the Frontier Corps fought with courage and caused immense damage to the militants. On April 27 search and cordon operation were conducted in Maidan Valley.

President Zardari to start 10-day foreign tour tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari is likely to leave for a 10-day long tour of foreign countries on Monday.

The president will make officials and private visits to four countries comprising Dubai, Kenya, US and London.

In the first phase of his 10-day tour, President Zardari is expected to fly to Dubai from where he will head to Libya on April 30.

Zardari will also attend a trilateral meeting along with US President Barack H. Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Washington on May 6 and 7.

From Washington, he is scheduled to visit London on an unofficial tour.

Besides, the president will also make an official visit to Libya in the middle of May.

Dev Patel dating Farieda Pinto, says mom

MUMBAI: Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, who played star-crossed lovers in the Oscar-winning movie 'Slumdog Millionaire,' have repeatedly denied rumors that they're involved. However, Patel's mom is less interested in secrecy.

"First it was the film and now everything else seems to have slotted into place," his mother Anita tells a UK's daily. "Life can't get any better for him. Freida is really beautiful and I am really happy for them. Yes, we knew he was flying to Israel to see her."

The cat might have been out of the bag before mom decided to talk - the couple was spotted recently kissing in Israel, where Pinto is filming a new movie.

Pakistan, Britain resolve to fight terror war jointly

ISLAMABAD: Britain and Pakistan Monday expressed a firm resolve to jointly fight against terrorism.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani addressing a joint press conference along with his visiting British counterpart Gordon Brown, said Pakistani nation is united in the battle against terrorism.

“Britain and Pakistan will jointly fight the menace of terrorism,” he said.

PM Gilani said Pakistan will continue to play its part toward stabilizing Afghanistan.

To a question, he said nothing could be said about Usama Bin Laden’s staying alive or dead.

Replying another question regarding the issue of Pakistani students in Britain, the Pakistani Prime Minister said the matter came under discussion during his meeting earlier with his British counterpart Gordon Brown.

The British prime minister on the occasion acknowledged that Pakistan continues to face the scourge of extremism and terrorism which is posing a threat to “the fabric of our life style.”

He said Britian and Pakistan have always enjoyed strong bilateral ties which, he added, will only grow stronger with time.

“Both the countries are facing a common threat of terrorism and we know that Pakistan is even more committed to fighting this menace,” Gordon Brown said, adding Pakistan government and its forces are taking firm action against Taliban.

He said Britain is spending 10 million pounds to train Pakistani intelligence agencies on counter-terrorism. Pakistan aid for war on terror will be increased and we will also support Pakistan for promotion of education in tribal areas, he added.

To a question, Gordon Brown said there are one million Pakistanis in Britain and that investigations are underway in connection with the detained students