Ban LeT, JeM, Hizb, India asks USA
New Delhi, October 2
Asserting that Osama bin Laden had strong links with the Jaish-e-Mohammad responsible for the suicide bomb attack in Srinagar, India today demanded that the USA should ban and freeze funds of Pakistan-backed terrorist outfits the JeM, the Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Hizbul Mujahideen in the first phase of its global fight against terrorism.

• Pak should hand over JeM leaders: Advani

Video: Real Player External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, who is on a visit to the USA and European Union countries, meets US President George W. Bush and National Security Advisor Condolezza Rice. (28k, 56k)

Pakistani religious scholar and political leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman has warned Muslim rulers all over the world to choose between Islam or America. (28k, 56k) Nation page: Pak outfit to strike if govt helps USA

J&K House blast toll rises to 42
Srinagar, October 2
It was a close shave for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker, his deputy, Legislative Council chairman and 15 legislators when a group of four fidayeen belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad attacked the heavily guarded Assembly complex here killing 42 persons and injuring 80 others.

Advani to visit J&K today Edit: Killing spree unabated A CRPF personnel guards the building of the State Legislative Council which was gutted during a suicide attack on Monday.  — Photo Amin War

The USA is beginning to make progress on its "war against  terrorism" on both the financial and diplomatic fronts, announces Bush. (28k, 56k)

Laden in Pamir
Islamabad, October 2
US commandos aided by the Russian intelligence are gearing up to mount a major assault on the Afghanistan’s Pamir mountain range, previously used as nuclear base by erstwhile Soviet Union, following reports that Osama bin Laden is hiding there along with a core group of his well-armed associates.

• Palestinian  state part of US vision: Bush
  

Landslide win for BNP
Hasina cries conspiracy
Dhaka, October 2
Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s BNP-led coalition today romped home with a two-third majority in the 300-member Parliament, handing out its main rival Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League its worst electoral drubbing.

Modi may succeed Patel
New Delhi, October 2
A reluctant Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel has tendered his resignation to BJP Central leadership and his successor will be elected at a meeting of the state BJP Legislature Party in Gandhinagar tomorrow.

• Edit: Keshubhai’s delayed exit