Avalanche turns grave for 17 Army men in J&K
17 others hurt as tragedy strikes training camp in Gulmarg
Srinagar, February 8
At least 17 Army personnel, including an officer, were killed and 17 others injured in an avalanche at Khilanmarg in the upper reaches of Gulmarg, about 50 km from here, today. Fortysix others were rescued in a joint operation launched by the Army, police and the State Tourism Department.

An Army truck travels towards the avalanche site in Khilanmarg on Monday. — AFP

Pak has not knelt before India: Qureshi
Islamabad, February 8
Needling India which has proposed Foreign Secretary-level talks, Pakistan has said it has not knelt before New Delhi which has been forced to return to the negotiating table.

Rathore stabbed outside court
‘Mentally disturbed’ youth held
Chandigarh, February 8
Former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore escaped bid on life as a 29-year-old youth from Benaras, posing as a journalist, attacked him soon after he came out of the CBI court here today.

In-camera trial

Lankan army arrests Fonseka
Colombo, February 8
Sri Lanka’s defeated opposition presidential candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka was tonight arrested by the military police, a fortnight after he suffered defeat at the hands of incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Andhra HC quashes quota for Muslims
Hyderabad, February 8
In a major setback to the Andhra Pradesh government’s Muslim reservation policy, the high court today struck down a legislation providing four per cent quota for the minority community in jobs and educational institutions.

WB agrees to 10 pc reservation
Congress for minorities in mainstream

More countries willing to join Milan group
The ‘Milan Naval exercise’ is expected to grow in size when the next edition is conducted two years from now. A few other Asian countries have expressed a desire to join the group. This year’s exercise ended today with ships from 10 of the 13 participating countries conducting a five-hour joint sailing in high seas. India’s amphibious warship, the INS Kesari, lead the grouping. (Details on Nation page)