175 bodies found in Banihal
250 still missing in J&K; 311 safe in Jawahar Tunnel
Srinagar, February 22
Rescuers dug out more bodies buried by avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir, taking the death toll to over 300 after the worst snowfall in 15 years in the state. Officials said troops and rescue workers had found 175 bodies in the Banihal area that was hit by a massive avalanche on Saturday night.

Troops face 70 ft of snow in Uri sector

J&K page: Rs 100 cr sought for relief operations IAF planes provide relief material in valley Army dozers clear snow in Srinagar on Tuesday.  — Tribune photo by Amin War

ADVERTISEMENT

NRIs Rush! Citibank Offer

Haryana counting now on Feb 27
Supreme Court directive to Election Commission
New Delhi, February 22
In an embarrassment to the Election Commission (EC) on the issue of preponing the date for counting of votes in Haryana, the Supreme Court today reversed the poll panel’s order and directed that the counting be done on February 27 as per the original election schedule.

Editorial: Wise decision
Haryana: Factionalism within Cong takes ugly turn
CM’s rebuke to EC hollow
Nation: Cong in a fix over Haryana CM issue
I am a candidate for CM’s post, says Hooda

Paramilitary forces to man polling booths, strong rooms
Ajnala, February 22
Ten companies of para-military forces, including the BSF and the Rajasthan Home Guards have been deployed to man booths and strong rooms in this border constituency to ensure free and fair bypoll to be held here tomorrow.

Editorial: The battle of Ajnala
Punjab page: 131 Ajnala booths sensitive
Tight security in Bihar for the third phase of elections. (28k, 56k)

Pentagon woos India with missile shield
New Delhi, February 22
A high-level delegation of officials from Pentagon today gave a presentation before the joint team of officials from the Ministries of External Affairs and Defence on the proposed National Missile Defence system of the United States.

Natwar briefs panel on security
World page: Pak to take up Patriot issue with USA

Quake hits Iran, 400 dead
Zarand (Iran), February 22
A powerful earthquake hit a mountainous region of south-east Iran today, killing almost 400 persons, injuring hundreds and destroying villages, officials said.

Iran says it has no nuclear ambitions
New Delhi, February 22
Iran today reassured the world community that its nuclear programme is meant for peaceful civilian purposes and the apprehensions of the USA and other Western countries are unfounded.
In video (28k, 56k)
                               Iran’s Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi

CJ’s anguish: Justice Bali gives his stand
Chandigarh, February 22
Mr Justice V.K. Bali, whose decision to disagree with the majority opinion in a recent case — Dharambir versus State of Haryana — without recording his reasons for doing had invited anguish from the then Chief Justice, Mr Justice B.K. Roy, has now given his side of the matter.

All roads lead to Gudiya’s home Jhulaghat (Indo-Nepal Border), February 22 For anyone looking to understand the situation on the Indo-Nepal border all roads in the border district of Pithoragarh lead to little Gudiya’s home.                                    Manju with her Gudiya