40 die in Pak mosque blast
At least 40 persons were killed on Friday when suicide bombers stormed a mosque, frequented by military officers and jawans, in the garrison town of Rawalpindi and fired indiscriminately on worshippers and detonated explosives.
Pakistani soldiers take up position outside the besieged mosque in Rawalpindi on Friday. — AFP

US: Al-Qaida helping Lashkar against India
The US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates says the Al-Qaida is supporting Lashkar-e-Toiba in a bid to provoke a war between India and Pakistan - an effort, he believes, is aimed at destabilising Pakistan and gaining access to its nuclear arsenal. Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, Gates said, “Al-Qaida is providing them with targeting information and helping them in their plotting in India - clearly with the idea of provoking a conflict between India and Pakistan that would destabilise Pakistan.” India believes LeT was behind the attacks in Mumbai last November.

Rajkhowa surrenders;  in custody of Assam cops
Refuses to give up demand for sovereignty; talks doubtful
Guwahati, December 4
Two days after he was reportedly detained in Bangladesh, ‘chairman’ of the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and one of the most-wanted insurgent leaders Arabinda Rajkhowa surrendered to the Indian authorities at Dawki outpost along the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya early this morning.
Dialogue: Govt to wait till Jan
Cops’ leave cancelled fearing ULFA strike

Curfew in Ludhiana after mob fury
Ludhiana, December 4
Curfew was clamped in five areas dominated by migrants in the city after they went on the rampage on the Ludhiana-Delhi National Highway-I. The mob torched several vehicles, blocked the highway, stopped trains and held passengers and residents to ransom to protest against police inaction against members of a “bikers’ gang” (robbers on bikes).

Police not to blame, says DGP

Principal booked for obscenity
Bhiwani, December 4
The police today booked the principal and a teacher of Government Senior Secondary School, Bawani Khera, in this district on the charge of indulging in obscene behaviour with girl students under Sections 363, 366 and 509, IPC.