Solve J&K issue politically: Blair
Backs India for Security Council seat
Bangalore, January 5
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today that the Kashmir issue could not be solved through terrorism and urged India and Pakistan to resolve it politically.

• Cong objects to Blair’s remarks

10 Army men killed in mine blasts
Amritsar, January 5
About 10 Army men, including junior commissioned officers, were killed and several others injured, in blasts during the unloading of mines on the Rajatal-Mahawa road near Attari, about 30 km from here, this evening. The blasts occurred a few kilometres away from the Indo-Pak border.

Cong selects 71 candidates
Punjab Assembly poll
The Congress Central Election Committee has decided candidates for 71 of the 117 Assembly constituencies in Punjab while decision about 35 seats has been kept pending. The party has already decided to give 11 seats to the CPI.

Chances of unity recede: Badal Tanda (Hoshiarpur), January 5 Harping on peace and development, the Punjab Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today called Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee a “saviour”, who had solved many ills of Punjab and Punjabis. He indicated that the chances of unity between his camp and that of Mr Tohra were receding. Chapter of unity with Badal closed: Tohra (Punjab page)