M A I N   N E W S

Omar may not be extradited: Pak

Washington, March 27
Pakistan has said Sheikh Omar Saeed, prime accused in the abduction of American journalist Daniel Pearl, may be convicted and executed in the country.

Omar Sheikh “might be convicted and executed in Pakistan, rather than extradited to the USA”, Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar told The Washington Times yesterday in a telephone interview.

He was needed in Pakistan to testify in the trial of the other accused in the Pearl case, Mr Sattar said.

British-born Omar is the key suspect in the abduction on January 23 of the Wall Street Journal reporter who was later killed by Islamic extremists.

Mr Sattar also said Islamabad was prepared to change existing policy and let US troops enter Pakistan from Afghanistan to pursue Al-Qaida and Taliban suspects who may have sneaked into its territory.

Mr Sattar’s statement came amid charges by key American Senators that Al-Qaida terrorists were entering Pakistan across the porous border. PTI

India to get new Mirage fighters

London, March 27
In a bid to enhance its strike and nuclear-deterrence capabilities, India plans to acquire 126 Mirage 2000-5 multi-role fighter aircraft, a leading defence weekly reported today.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently holding preliminary discussions with the Dassault Aviation of France, the Mirage manufacturer, in this connection, the Jane’s Defence Weekly reported.

“The IAF plans to acquire 126 Mirage 2000-5s to equip seven squadrons that will comprise the ‘backbone’ of India’s proposed strategic nuclear command” the report said, quoting official sources in New Delhi.

The IAF reportedly wants 36 Mirage 2000-5s to be delivered in completed form and the remainder to be assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at Bangalore. PTI