Manhunt for Laden begins
Taliban accepts Jesse Jackson’s offer to mediate
Islamabad, September 27
A massive manhunt for Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the terrorist strikes on the USA, was launched today by a joint team of top intelligence personnel from Pakistan, USA, Russia and Tajikistan in anticipation of attacks on his hideouts in Afghanistan.

Edict handed over to Laden
Islamabad, September 27
Taliban Information Minister Qudrutullah Jamal said today that he believed an edict from clerics asking Osama bin Laden to leave Afghanistan had been delivered to him in person.

• Taliban fighters defecting

• Pak sends team to persuade Mullah Omar

Wahid Gul comforts his 11-year-old daughter Khatoon, who is suffering from acute renal failure at a hospital in Peshawar, on Thursday. Thousands of Afghan refugees have crossed into Pakistan in the past two weeks to avoid possible US strikes against the protectors of militant fugitive Osama bin Laden. — Reuters

Two US Generals can order shooting down of airliners
Washington, September 27
Two mid-level US Air Force Generals have the power to order the shooting down of commercial airliners, without first getting clearance from the President, if the planes threaten US cities, a defence official said today.

Missing missiles worry USA
Islamabad, September 27
As US forces prepare for a possible onslaught on Afghanistan, which is sheltering Osama bin Laden , the key suspect in the September 11 terrorist strikes on New York and Washington, a major cause of concern for the USA is the whereabouts of 80 Stinger missiles, believed to be in the possession of the Taliban.

No assurance to USA: PM
New Delhi, September 27
In an effort to put all doubts at rest, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today told leaders of the Opposition parties that India had not given any assurance to the USA “directly or indirectly’’ of making available its air bases in any action in Afghanistan and made it clear that it was not dependent on anyone in its fight against terrorism.

Video: Real Player Protesting against the attacks on  Sikhs, the Namdhari Sikhs today participated in a peace march in New Delhi. (28k, 56k)

Head of Indian American National Foundation Anurag Verma condemned the attacks on the Indian American community. (28k, 56k)

Army to upgrade 130 mm guns
Israeli consortium to help
Devlali (Maharashtra), September 27
To add more punch to the firepower of artillery, the Army has decided to upgrade its 130 mm guns to the level of 155 mm Howitzer guns, popularly known as Bofors guns, with the help of an Israeli consortium.

• MEA puts IDSA on  leash

• Falling oil prices bring cheer

• Sky marshals for pvt  airlines too

Frankly speaking: Looking beyond Black Tuesday
Missing gaps in Indian nationalism
Hari Jaisingh
IF there is one country which has suffered most from terrorism, it is India. For the past over a decade, it has fought a brutal war against sponsored terrorism all alone, with its hands tied at the back. (Edit page)