S P O T L I G H T

12 cops killed in landmine blast
Koderma, Jharkhand, May 7
Twelve Jharkhand Military Police personnel were killed and several injured in a landmine blast triggered by suspected extremists near Angra bridge in Koderma district today. Superintendent of Police Rezi Dung Dung said a vehicle of the police squad was blown up in the powerful blast. The injured had been admitted to hospital. UNI

Minister in hospital
Dehra Dun, May 7
Uttaranchal Information Minister Indira Hridayesh has been hospitalised following a stomachache, official sources today said. An ultrasound test is being conducted to ascertain the cause of the stomachache. Ms Hridayesh felt pain in the stomach while she was attending a Cabinet meeting last evening. PTI

Lakshya test-flown
Balasore, May 7
The indigenously built Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA) “Lakshya” was successfully test flown from the Interim Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, near here today. According to ITR sources, the Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) had defence forces in 2000. UNI

Squall in Palampur
Shimla, May 7
Palampur and surrounding areas were lashed by a fierce squall this evening. The squall blew off roofs of houses, boards and hoardings and disrupted power supply. Life almost came to a standstill as the squall with a velocity ranging between 80 to 90 km per hour swept the dense forests and verdant valleys in the lap of the mighty Dhauladhar ranges. Hamirpur and its surrounding areas were also lashed by a squall which disrupted life. PTI