Friday, October 6, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Holed-up militants shot *Encounter ends  *7 securitymen, civilian killed

Srinagar, October 5 With the killing of two unidentified militants of the Al-Mansoorian outfit, the 24-hour encounter in the central Budshah Chowk area ended here today. Eight others killed in the encounter included five police personnel, one of them an ASI, two CRPF men and a civilian, while 18 persons were injured. A paramilitary soldier takes position near the scene of an encounter in Srinagar on Thursday. — Tribune photo by Amin War

Health Ministers of 4 states meet Another youth dies of dengue at AIIMS
New Delhi, October 5 After sharing concern on dengue with Health Ministers from Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss today reiterated that there was no need for alarm.	Centre to supply testing kits 34 fresh cases in AIIMS Seven deaths in Rajasthan Four deaths each in Kerala, UP

Ludhiana page: 60 fresh dengue cases reported
Delhi page: Dengue claims another victim, toll hits 700
Punjab page:

Chandigarh page: Dengue positive cases go up to 29 in city, Panchkula

Sixth Pay Commission set up
New Delhi, October 5
The government today announced the constitution of a four-member sixth Central Pay Commission thus paving the way for the revision of salaries of over 33 lakh central government employees.

Afzal’s family meets Kalam
New Delhi, October 5
Family members of Mohammad Afzal Guru, who is facing execution in the 2001 Parliament attack case, today met President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and sought clemency for him.

Nation page: BJP threatens stir if Afzal is pardoned
No leniency for Afzal: Digvijay

Tabasum (left), wife of Mohammed Afzal, with her son and mother-in-law, addresses the media outside Rashtrapati Bhavan after a meeting with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in New Delhi on Thursday. — Tribune photo by Mukesh Aggarwal

Badal’s convoy vehicle hits Canter, 4 hurt
Bathinda, October 5
The convoy of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal last night met with an accident near Bhokra village resulting in injuries to four of his security personnel.

Autistic boy stopped from boarding plane
Chennai, October 5
Reflecting the insensitivity on the part of the authorities, an 11-year-old autistic boy was prevented from boarding a flight at Bangalore by CISF personnel who said he could harm other passengers.

Actress Kangana’s sister hurt in acid attack
Dehra Dun, October 5
Two girls, including the sister of Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, were injured when an unidentified man threw acid on them here today, a police official said.

3 more pull out of race for top UN post
United Nations, October 5
Three more candidates today withdrew from the race to become the UN Secretary-General. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and former Afghan Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani, both formally dropped out of the race. Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had also decided to pull out of the race. — Reuters

Rockets found near Pak Parliament House
Islamabad, October 5
Hours after a powerful blast near President Pervez Musharraf's residence, two rockets were today found in the vicinity of Parliament House here, close to a place where the Pakistani President was to address a meeting. (Details on World page)