Tuesday, July 11, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

INSAT-4C launch fails
Launch vehicle GSLV-FO2 plunges into Bay of Bengal

Sriharikota, July 10 India’s space technology programme suffered a huge setback as ISRO’s GSLV carrying the INSAT-4C communication satellite today veered off the projected trajectory and came crashing down.

The ‘GSLV-FO2’ carrying INSAT-4C communication satellite soars into the sky and (right) disintegrates moments later in Sriharikota on Monday. — PTI photo

Agni-III failure: probe begins
New Delhi / Bangalore, July 10
The failure of India’s nuclear capable intermediate range ballistic missile Agni-III yesterday at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Orissa, has come as a major shock for the country’s top defence scientists.

Clear stand on tainted ministers: SC
New Delhi, July 10
The Supreme Court today expressed its displeasure over Centre’s failure to make its stand clear on the inclusion of “tainted” ministers in the Manmohan Singh government after repeated orders and fixed a deadline of two weeks for it to file an affidavit.

Eight face action for 2 jawans’ murder
Chandigarh, July 10
An Army NCO has been placed under ‘close arrest’ and action has been recommended against seven others, including an officer, for the alleged murder of two jawans while on duty in their unit in Jammu and Kashmir, it is learnt. Sources revealed the accused, CHM Parmeshwar Rao of a Rajput battalion, has been attached with 60 Rashtriya Rifles for further disciplinary action.

Govt not doing enough for martyrs’
kin: Malik
New Delhi, July 10
Former Army Chief V.P Malik today regretted the level of government support to the families of fallen war heroes, calling it inadequate and a cause of “alienation” among those who lost their loved ones in the battlefield. His comments coincided with the seventh anniversary of “Operation Vijay” in Kargil.

PM calls on President
New Delhi, July 10
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. The 35-minute-long meeting was part of regular interaction between the two leaders, Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman S.M. Khan said.

War room leak: judicial custody of accused extended
New Delhi, July 10
A city court today extended for 14 days the judicial custody of all six accused in the Navy war room leak case. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Seema Maini extended the judicial custody of former Navy Commanders V.K. Jha and Bijendra Rana, former Wing Commander Sambhajee L. Surve, Lt Cdr Kulbhushan Parashar (retd) and two civilians Mukesh Bajaj and Raj Rani Jaiswal.

Govt in a fix over loan waiver to farmers
Chandigarh, July 10
The Punjab Government is in a dilemma over the waiving of loans worth Rs 26,000 crore against farmers in the state. Its think tank has been deliberating with regard to enacting a law to give relief to farmers and regulating the system of money lending. (Details on Punjab page)

Nathpa-Jhakri shut for third day Widespread rain in region Shimla, July 10 The 1500 mw Nathpa-Jhakri Hydro Power Project remained shut down for the third day today as silt level in the Sutlej remained very high due to widespread rains in the catchment area.