Mumbai Offensive
Pak not doing enough: India
* Pranab seeks help of China, Saudis
* PM meets defence chiefs
New Delhi, December 26
With Pakistan refusing to fall in line on the issue of terrorism, the PM today discussed the country's defence preparedness with service chiefs while External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee asked China and Saudi Arabia, two key allies of Pakistan, to impress upon Islamabad the necessity to cooperate in bringing to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack.

World page: Pak deploys fresh troops on LoC
Editorial: Abandoned by Pakistan

Eliminate those behind 26/11, US tells Pakistan
Washington, December 26 Cranking up pressure on Pakistan, the US demanded that the perpetrators of the unprecedented Mumbai terror attack be “eliminated” and said Islamabad has still a “lot to do” in combatting terrorism. — Richard Boucher, the US assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs

Spies walk in from the cold
New Delhi, December 26
They are being taken out of the closets, ‘dusted’ and put on the job that they had been doing for long before retirement. Also, capable officers and men are being sourced from the police, armed forces and paramilitary organisations for human, electronic and technical surveillance.

It’s business as usual on border
Barmer, December 26
Life is going on as usual in villages along the border with no tangible move of evacuation or panic among villagers to flee from their homes, even as there are reports of army building up on the other side of the fence. Though the general belief is that war will not take place, as the use of force will be disastrous for both the countries, the villagers want India to finish matters once and for all, if at all, the two neighbours go to war.

‘Pak forces’ build-up defence tactic’
Jodhpur, December 26
The additional director general of Border Security Force, UK Bansal, has said the motive behind the Pakistani forces’ heavy build-up along the border with India in Rajasthan apparently seemed to be that for defending themselves, and not for launching an attack (on India). Speaking to The Tribune today at the end of his three-day visit to the border areas here, Bansal categorised the heightened activity as “defence operational alert” procedure adopted by Pakistan.

A month later, Mumbai starts finding its feet
Mumbai, December 26
Exactly one month after the terrorist attack in Mumbai, the country’s financial capital is back on its feet, albeit a bit unsteadily. Repeated bomb blasts in public places over the past few years ahead of last month’s terrorist strike has dented the morale of the city. Much of Mumbai has a thick security cordon enveloping it. Police presence across the city is clearly visible and more personnel on duty are seen carrying heavy weapons.

Centre scheme to boost education
New Delhi, December 26
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved revamping of the centrally sponsored scheme of pre-matric scholarships to children. This is done with a view to encourage children to take up education and prevent them from joining professions of their parents that are at times unclean like scavenging, sweeping, tanning and flaying. Under the scheme, which comes under the social justice ministry, the monthly scholarships to day scholars from class one to 10 would be Rs 110, while hostellers would get Rs 700.

Sukhbir sena expands, wait for more Chandigarh, December 26 Known for authorising its president to take all important decisions, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has moved a step closer to set a record of sorts in nominating leaders and party workers to various committees, including all important working committee. Interestingly, president of the SAD Sukhbir Singh Badal has made all these nominations, as a sequel to the decision of its last general house meeting.