Omar in Bagran tunnel
New Delhi, January 4
The deposed Taliban supremo Mulla Omar is holed up in Bagran in southern Afghanistan and will be captured very soon — dead or alive.

• Kabul-Delhi airlink to resume on Jan 15

Strike hits banking services
Mumbai, January 4
Banking services across the country were today affected during the one-day strike of bank employees even as the Reserve Bank of India’s clearing house processed 1.25 lakh instruments, amounting to approximately Rs 20 crore.

• Banking services paralysed

EC’s directive to Punjab Collectors
Gujarat byelections on February 21
New Delhi, January 4
The Election Commission, which yesterday took a serious view of the violation of the model code of conduct by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, today directed all Collectors in the state to maintain a close watch on any violation of the code and report it to the commission.

Cong forges poll tie-up with CPI
Chandigarh, January 4
The Congress got a shot in the arm today as it succeeded in clinching an electoral alliance with the CPI, and thus forming a formidable combination against the ruling SAD-BJP combine in the Assembly elections.

• Axe falls on Bhattal supporters (Punjab page)

Doors open for unity: Badal Amritsar, January 4 Paving the way for foging Panthic unity, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, today said the doors of his party were always open for any party which would help defeat the Congress which was responsible for Operation Bluestar and Delhi riots. Badal writes to EC on convoy Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal pays his first obeisance at the Golden Temple after recovering from his injury. — Photo Rajiv Sharma I never opposed unity move: Dhindsa   (Punjab page)