Sharif's exit: dangers ahead
LAHORE, Dec 12 — In the early hours of December 10, the day reserved for celebrating the human rights of all peoples, Mr Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, succeeded in buying freedom for himself and his brother, Shahbaz Sharif, the man often projected as a successor acceptable even to his rivals — not as a right but in a bargain. The event has plunged the entire population in a limitless frenzy of speculation, the least articulate of all being the authors of the 'deal'.

Major killed in attack on Army camp
SRINAGAR, Dec 12 — An Army Major two jawans and a cop were killed and four others injured in a suicide squad attack on their camp at Shashiwar Rafiabad in Baramula district of North Kashmir in the wee hours today, the 15th day of unilateral ceasefire.

A policeman looks at a damaged electric transformer after an explosion at Lal Bazar in Srinagar on Tuesday. Six persons, including four paramilitary soldiers, were wounded when a bicycle boobytrapped by militants exploded, the police said.
— Reuters photo

• Ceasefire: Army claims success
  NEW DELHI, Dec 12 — The Army Chief today said the ceasefire in J&K was holding well with odd hiccups.
  

• Hurriyat Executive meeting by week-end
  NEW DELHI, Dec 12 — The All Party Hurriyat Conference Executive Council will meet in Srinagar by the end of this week to discuss the post-ceasefire developments.
  

• Edit: Kashmir: the Hurriyat factor

Karnataka ex-CM Patel dead
BANGALORE, Dec 12 — Senior Janata Dal (United) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister J.H. Patel died at Manipal Hospital here early today. He was 71 and is survived by wife and three sons.