Pak militants reject Hurriyat initiative ISLAMABAD, Dec 24 — In a rebuff to Hurriyat Conference’s initiative to talk to Pakistan militants for entering into peaceful negotiations on Kashmir, the Muttahida Jehad Council, a conglomerate of militant outfits, today refused to abandon their armed struggle “at any cost”, media reports said here. Talks with ultras possible: Advani

A man dressed as Santa Claus travels on a horse carriage through a busy street in New Delhi on Sunday. — Reuters photo

5 Ikhwan men among 13 killed
No mediatory role: Hurriyat
SRINAGAR, Dec 24 — Thirteen persons including five counter-insurgents, three militants and a ruling National Conference (NC) activist, were killed and four others wounded in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said here today.

• Sports page: Anand is world champion
  TEHRAN, Dec 24 — Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand became India’s first chess world champion by beating an extremely tired and desperate Alexei Shirov for the third time in a row and closing the six-game match of the FIDE World Chess Championships in the fourth game today.
  

Saini joins Badal ministry
CHANDIGARH, Dec 24— Mr Satya Pal Saini, a BJP member of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, was sworn in as Minister of State by the Governor, Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan here today.

The BJP MLA, Mr Satya Pal Saini, who was inducted as Minister of State in the Punjab Council of Ministers, flanked by his supporters at Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh on Sunday. 
— A Tribune photograph

8 Golden Forest directors held
JALANDHAR, Dec 24 — In a major crackdown on the alleged dupers of public money, the Punjab Police Vigilance Bureau has arrested eight directors of the Golden Forest group of companies today.

No takers for RS seat?
Chandigarh, Dec 24 — The former Prime Minister, Mr I.K. Gujral is “not interested” in contesting the Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab vacated by a Jalandhar daily editor, Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard.

No headway in plane hijack case
NEW DELHI, Dec 24 — The investigation into the hijacking of Indian Airlines IC-814 from Kathmandu on December 24, 1999, is yet to make a headway.

• Hijack victims relive trauma

Father, son murdered for Rs 50 lakh
GURGAON, Dec 24 —The police has arrested four persons in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Devender Chopra and his son, Abhishek, both industrialists, for a ransom money of Rs 50 lakh.