• Govt slammed for Red Fort attack
  New Delhi, Dec 23 — Major political parties, including the Telugu Desam Party, which is extending crucial outside support to the NDA Government, today termed as a “serious security lapse” the attack by militants at the historic Red Fort last night and demanded an immediate comprehensive statement from the government.

• Intelligence caught unawares
  NEW DELHI, Dec 23 — The shooting at the Red Fort has again bared the chinks in the intelligence network, including the Intelligence Bureau and the Research and Analysis Wing.
  

Indian Army soldiers stand by the entrance of New Delhi's historic Red Fort as they conduct search operations on Saturday following a suicide attack on Friday.
— AFP photo

Bhagat acquitted in riots case
NEW DELHI, Dec 23 — The former Union Minister, Mr H.K.L. Bhagat, was today acquitted of murder charges in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

3 militants shot in encounter
SSP hurt, Army surrounds village
SRINAGAR, Dec 23 — A special police officer and a revenue official were among nine persons killed in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours. Also, three militants were killed in an encounter in Kathua.

Noor Jehan dead
KARACHI, Dec 23 — Pakistani legendary singer and actress Noor Jehan, known as the country’s melody queen, died here today at the age of 75 after a protracted illness, her family said.

Obituary
Noor fades away from Jehan 
Noor Jehan, famous Pakistani singer, who was been suffering from cancer, is no more. Her melodious voice will continue to haunt music lovers.

Gujral for new era of cooperation
Chandigarh, Dec 23 — A former Prime Minister, Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, said today that the time had come for India and Pakistan to resolve their differences in a spirit of mutual amity and brotherhood in view of the changing situation in the world.

• More World Punjabi Conference stories in Chandigarh Tribune

Chokila new Foreign Secretary
NEW DELHI, Dec 23 — India’s Ambassador to Ireland, Ms Chokila Iyer, who has been appointed the new Foreign Secretary, has the distinction of being the first woman to reach the highest job in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Talwandi, Vedanti hold meeting Akal Takht chief refutes statement AMRITSAR, Dec 23 — In a significant development, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, President, SGPC, and Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, held a closed door meeting for half an hour here today.