Thursday, April 3, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Allies close in on Baghdad
Encircle Karbala; heavy bombings in and around capital
Kuwait City, April 2
American troops today fought all-out battles with at least two divisions of the elite Republican Guard and made significant advances to Baghdad from three directions indicating that the “mother of all battles” — the final battle for Baghdad — was drawing closer.
In video (28k, 56k)
In video: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein urges Iraqi forces to resist US-led forces. (28k, 56k)

Graphic: IRAQ WAR: DAY 14  
Editorial: No rules for Uncle Sam

IRAQ DIARY
Americans rescue woman PoW
Kuwait City, April 2
In a daring midnight operation, the American special forces rescued a woman US army soldier from an Iraqi hospital near Nassiriyah and destroyed the headquarters of the feared militia, Saddam Fidayeen.

An Iraqi woman sits in front of a house destroyed during an air strike on the outskirts of Baghdad on Wednesday. With President Saddam Hussein urging a holy war against the invaders, US bombers pounded the southern fringes of Baghdad on Wednesday, where the Republican Guard is believed to be dug in. — Reuters photo

Hizb groups head for showdown
New Delhi, April 2
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence handlers of the outlawed Kashmiri terrorist group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen are a worried lot following reports that cadres owing allegiance to rival leaders — slain Abdul Majid Dar and Islamabad-based Syed Salahuddin — are preparing to have a “bloody” showdown.

  Hizb chief commander shot dead

Mufti meets PM, defends ‘healing touch’
New Delhi, April 2
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said today that no efforts would be spared in addressing the “internal dimensions” of the problem of militancy in the state and bringing peace.

  J&K page: Hardline policy not to pay: Hurriyat

AYODHYA ISSUE
Legislation only solution: VHP
New Delhi, April 2
Asserting that the March 31 Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya had left it with only one “democratic way” — legislation in Parliament — for the peaceful resolution of the Ayodhya issue, the VHP warned that people would reject political parties which were not in favour of construction of the Ram temple.

Ash injured in jeep mishap
Mumbai, April 2
Popular Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai was today injured seriously when a jeep skidded over her during a shooting in a film at Trimbakeshwar, about 25 km from Nasik.

Salman denies Vivek’s charges
Mumbai, April 2
Actor Salman Khan has slammed Bollywood star Vivek Oberoi for making wild allegations against him. The 38-year-old actor, reacting to Vivek’s outburst at a press conference at his Juhu residence last evening, denied he had called up Vivek 41 times on the mobile and threatened him.
In video: Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi alleges Salman Khan has threatened to kill him. (28k, 56k)

The crumbling palaces of Dogra regime Jammu, April 2 The 161-year-old palaces of the Dogra rulers have become dilapidated ruins because of the neglect of successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir. The ancient Pahari paintings on the walls of these buildings are gradually fading away or have been badly damaged. The marble palace in the Mubarak Mandi complex of Jammu has turned into ruins. — Photo S.P. Sharma