Persis Khambatta dies of heart attack

MUMBAI, Aug 18 (PTI) — Supermodel and Hollywood actress Persis Khambatta died here today following a heart attack, family sources said.

Persis would have turned 50 years in October, the sources said.

She won the Miss India title in 1965 and soon after moved to Hollywood where she acted in "Star Trek" and other films, including a James Bond movie.

She recently authored a book "Pride of India" documenting the lives and careers of all Miss India titleholders.

Militants kill 3 more in Chamba
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Aug 18 — Kashmiri militants struck again in the Chamba area today by killing three persons at Sappa Chauli in the Kehar area.

According to sources, the three, who belonged to the Gaddi community, were identified as Bhim Singh, Deewan Chand and Angtoo. The killings seemed to have taken place in the morning.

Unconfirmed reports said four militants were involved in the crime.

Kanth, a local resident ,who noticed the three bodies informed the Langera police at about 2.15 p.m. today. Another person was reported to have told the police that he heard gunshots at about 11a.m.

The scene of the killings is close to the spot where the police had recovered some ammunition last week. The Bhaderwah area of Jammu and Kashmir is 5 km from there. Kashmiri militants had gunned down 16 persons in Bhaderwah recently.

A police party left for the scene which is about 15 km from Langera. The Deputy Commissioner of Chamba along with ITBP officials made an aerial survey of the area.

Thirtyfive labourers had been massacred at Kalaban and Satrundi in Churah subdivision of Chamba district on the night of August 2 by militants.

Shimla: Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal convened an emergency meeting of the Cabinet here this evening to take stock of the law and order situation in the Chamba district following the fresh round of killings by Kashmiri militants.

The Cabinet discussed immediate steps to be taken to deal with the situation. Suitable instructions were passed on to senior officers of the home department and police.

The Chief Minister also contacted the Union Home Secretary and other officers and apprised them of the situation.