M A I N   N E W S

Rakesh Roshan shot at

MUMBAI, Jan 21 (UNI) — Actor-Director Rakesh Roshan survived an attempt on his life after unidentified assailants sprayed bullets on him outside his Santa Cruz office in the western suburbs of this metropolis today.

While Mr Roshan was getting inside his car outside his Mayur Building office, two unidentified assailants sprayed bullets from point blank range on him and his driver, injuring both. They were rushed to the nearby Nanavati Hospital and were under strict medical supervision.

“He is safe and out of danger,” Joint Commissioner of Police (crime and law and order) D. Shivanandan told UNI here. The incident took place at about 6.45 p.m. Top police officers have reached the site of the shoot-out and the hospital to carry out investigations, even as a massive manhunt has been launched to trace the assailants.

The police said four empty cartridges were recovered from the site of incident. According to sources, Mr Roshan received two bullet injuries, including one on his chest.

US asks Pak to arrest hijackers

ISLAMABAD, Jan 21 (PTI) — In a stern warning, the USA today asked Pakistan to curb all militant groups operating within its borders and take steps to arrest the hijackers of the Indian Airlines plane.

“We expressed grave concern regarding the threat of terrorism from this region. We hope that the government of Pakistan will take steps against such extremist groups who carry out acts of violence,” US Assistant Secretary of State Karl F. Inderfurth told a news conference after he met Pakistani military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf here today.

“The issue of terrorism was our first priority,” Mr Inderfurth said after the two-hour long meeting with General Musharraf.

During the talks with Pakistani leaders, Mr Inderfurth said, “we stressed the need for cooperation to reduce the threat of terrorism, which stems from this region and directly threatens the USA and Pakistan, as well as the whole region and the world.”