GSLV blasts off into space Sriharikota, April 18 Three weeks after the aborted mission, India’s first developmental flight of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicleblasted off successfully, carrying the country into an elite club of nations and into a multibillion-dollar commercial satellite launch business. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, or GSLV-D1, is launched into orbit in Sriharikota on Wednesday.  — Reuters photo

Launch signals new chapter in space history: PM
New Delhi, April 18
The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, today described the successful launch of the GSLV as a new chapter in the history of the country’s space endeavours and said India could look ahead to the day when her scientists will be launching spacecraft not only to orbit the earth but also into the far space beyond.

Three Pak militants killed
Plot to capture Ayodhya shrine
Lucknow, April 18
Three hardcore militants belonging to Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit were shot dead in an encounter with the Special Task Force of the state police in the Gomti Nagar area here, the police said today.

Seven ultras killed in encounter
Jammu, April 18
The security forces achieved a major success when they killed seven hardcore militants in Digham village near Hiranagar in Kathua district today.

Congress Tehelka continues
NDA wants JPC probe into Sonia's KGB ‘links’
New Delhi, April 18
For the second day running today, an unrelenting Opposition led by the Congress did not allow substantial business to be transacted in Parliament by insisting on a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the Tehelka expose, forcing adjournment of both the Houses.

• Prithvi being ‘inducted’ into IAF