epaper

Pak�s invite to JK separatists sparks row
New Delhi/Srinagar, August 17
Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit�s invite to Kashmiri separatists for talks ahead of the Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary-level meeting on August 25 seems to have sparked a political debate over the purpose of such high-level talks.

35 UK stowaways are Sikhs from Afghanistan: Police
London, August 17
A group of 35 men, women and children found inside a shipping container at a UK port are understood to be Sikhs from Afghanistan who are victims of �people trafficking�, the British Police said today. They were discovered yesterday after a freighter arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex from Belgium.

Haryana clears policy for giving govt land to religious institutions
Chandigarh, August 17
The Haryana Cabinet on Sunday approved the policy for allotment of government land to various trusts for construction of places of worship or community centres. The Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, also okayed an amendment for granting licences to set up low-density eco-friendly colonies.

India-US Howitzer deal uncertain
New Delhi, August 17
India has told the US that in view of the price increase, it cannot go ahead with the procurement of 145 ultra-light Howitzers for the Army, which plans to deploy such artillery guns in mountainous terrain.

India ramps up defence along China border
Leh, August 17
India has started ramping up military defences in the Ladakh sector of Jammu and Kashmir that faces China, especially after Beijing has ringed the area with at least six airfields, fighter aircraft, all terrain vehicles and special forces that are backed by top-class metalled roads right up to the LAC.

Match, series, pride � all gone at Oval India lose fifth Test against England by an innings and 244 runs after being bundled out for 94 London, August 17 Right over the brink the Indian batsmen went, drawn to and over the edge by a strong impulse of self-destruction, and lost the fifth Test match against England by an innings and 244 runs, and the series 1-3. Gautam Gambhir gets run out during the third day of the fifth Test against England at The Oval. AP/PTI