M A I N   N E W S

39 Indians killed in bus mishap in Oman

Dubai, April 20
At least 39 Indians were among 46 persons killed in one of the worst road accidents in the Sultanate of Oman when their bus fell into a ravine after the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle in Dhofar province.

Thirtynine Indians have been killed “but we do not have the break up of the states from where they come from,” Punit Kundal, the head of chancery at the Indian Embassy in Muscat said.

“No one from the Embassy has gone to the site but we are in touch with the Indian organisations in the area where the accident occurred,” he said. 

However, the Times of Oman quoting unofficial sources reported that among the Indians killed were 12 from Rajasthan, five from Punjab and one from Kerala. It said 11 of the dead were Omanis and two Pakistanis. The accident occurred when the 54-seater bus of a construction company overturned near the steep slopes of Mughsayl near Salalah hill resort, the daily said quoting the Royal Oman Police. PTI

Pak declares Khanna persona non grata

Islamabad, April 20
The Pakistan Government has declared Anil Khanna, an official of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, “persona non grata” for activities not commensurate with his official status.

The government of India has been advised to withdraw Mr Khanna by April 27, according to the spokesman of the Pakistan Foreign Office. UNI