J&K Decides
NC king, Cong kingmaker
Srinagar, December 28
While the National Conference (NC) has emerged as the single largest party, bagging 28 of the 87 seats, the Congress has again proved to be kingmaker in the recently held elections in Jammu and Kashmir the results of which were declared today.

J&K page: Farooq in race for CM post
Editorial: Voters’ victory

National Conference president Omar Abdullah along with his son waves towards party supporters after being declared elected from Ganderbal constituency in Srinagar on Sunday. Omar said his party would stake claim to form the govt. in J&K. Tribune photo: Amin War

Govt Formation
Sonia Gandhi to consult J&K leaders today
New Delhi, December 28
With the results of seven-phase J&K assembly elections throwing up a hung assembly, jockeying for forming the next government in the state began simultaneously in Jammu and New Delhi today.

286 killed
Israel clobbers Gaza for second day
Gaza, December 28
Israel destroyed Hamas’ main Gaza security complex in an air strike today and prepared for a possible invasion of the territory after killing more than 286 Palestinians in the first 24 hours of a powerful offensive.

World page: Restrain from violence, UN asks Israel, Palestinians

Pak pulls out more troops from tribal belt
Islamabad, December 28
Notwithstanding its top leaders’ assertions that they do not want a war, Pakistan continues to withdraw troops engaged in the anti-Taliban operations from its troubled north-western tribal belt for possible redeployment on the Indian border amidst heightened tensions in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.

No deadline for Pak yet: Pranab
Koderma (Jharkhand), December 28
Calling for demolition of terror camps operating on Pakistani soil, India today reminded the neighbouring country of its commitment to not allow terrorist activities, but said no ultimatum has been given to Islamabad to act.

Editorial: In the dock

Student intrudes into Army area, shot
Bangalore, December 28
A 20-year-old college student who “accidentally” intruded into the Army premises was shot dead by the sentries on guard here today. Studying commerce at local Baldwin College, Mohammad Mukarram was trying some daredevil act on his motorcycle when the police chased him.

CBI turns to technology to revamp itself
New Delhi, December 28
The CBI is undergoing a makeover with creation of new posts and major technological modernisation of all its investigating branches being undertaken in a time-bound manner.

Keylong shivers at -10.7° Amritsar coldest in plains Shimla/Chandigarh, December 28 Himachal Pradesh shivered under cold weather conditions as the night temperature in the tribal districts remained below freezing point with Keylong, the district headquarter of Lahual and Spiti, being cold at minus 10.7 degrees Celsius. Punjab page: Cold wave, fog paralyse life A train enters the fog-engulfed railway station in Amritsar on Sunday. — PTI