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9 Pakistani infiltrators killed as Gurez encounter ends

     Srinagar: Security forces on Saturday claimed that they had killed all nine Pakistani infiltrators who had sneaked into India from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) through the Gurez sector. A spokesman of the Defence Ministry said three infiltrators fell into the River Kishan Ganga after they were shot dead by the security forces. He also confirmed the deaths of six other infiltrators. Meanwhile, the Pakistan-backed Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit has claimed responsbility for the infiltration bid into the Gurez Valley. In a statement faxed to various newspaper offices, it said that four militants, including Commander of TUM for Gurez, Aashiq Hussain, a resident of Lolab, had been killed in the operation. The fierce standoff in Gurez sector began on Tuesday evening.

Pottermania hits India (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Children and adults poured into stores across the national capital today to snatch up copies of the latest Harry Potter adventure, which looks set to become the fastest-selling book in history. Publishers say up to 10 million copies of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" could fly off the shelves in the first 24 hours, as "Pottermania" broke out around the planet with bookstores adding to the euphoria with innovative marketing and promotion. In New Delhi hundreds of school children with their teachers in tow, both equally crazy for the mop-haired wizard, besieged stores to watch in action Harry Potter clones, get his tattoos, posters and of course a magic show thrown in as an extra for the screaming children who simply did not want to get enough of the wizardries. The carefully orchestrated launch was the finishing touch to months of hype and to elaborate measures to stop details of the boy wizard's latest escapades leaking out. Just hours after the 672-page tome was released simultaneously around the globe, Web sites ran plot summaries of the sixth and penultimate episode of the Potter saga. It promises plenty of dark twists for Harry and his pals at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.

     "The storyline, its really exciting, I just love it. I've read all the books and this is going to be a really good book," said Karan Bawara, a young Harry Potter fan. "It's going to be more special because in the fifth book the ministry, you know, they do not listen, it was a bit too unfair for Harry but now they know, so it is going to be more exciting," Truchira, another fan, added. Mothers were a close second for top place in Pottermania as most feel a touch of sympathy and love for the orphaned boy. "As a mother I really relate to Harry Potter because he is like kid and without parents he is growing up, so I have my sympathy for him and my sons love him, they are real good fans of him," said Vineeta Kochhar, a mother of two. Global sales of the first five books in the seven-part series have topped 270 million and the three Harry Potter movies to date have grossed more than 2.5 billion dollar. But the Half-Blood Prince may not prove a windfall for everyone. The rush for market share has forced retailers, under pressure from Internet sites, to slash prices. Rowling conceived the Harry Potter character in 1990, and initially struggled to find a publisher. She has been credited with winning over a new generation of young readers and publishers have not been slow to cash in with extravagant and aggressive marketing campaigns.

BJP workers stage countrywide protest against Salman (Go To Top)

     Kanpur/ Lucknow/ Patna: BJP workers today staged protests across the country against Bollywood actor Salman Khan over his alleged links with the underworld. Party activists shouted slogans, clashed with the police and vandalised cinema halls showing Salman's latest release " Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya". The ire of the protestors was targetted against Khan over his reported confession over underworld link as widely reported by the media quoting, transcripts of telephonic conversation recorded reportedly by the police four years ago. Khan in the conversation with former Miss World and actress Aishwarya Rai reportedly bragged over his closeness to underworld fugitives like Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel, wanted for their roles in the Mumbai serial blasts. In Kanpur, BJP workers torched the posters of the new Salman starrer and shouted slogans against the actor. "Salman is a traitor," shouted the BJP activists in Lucknow and warned the cinemal halls not to screen Khan's movie in the city. The protestors were particularly enraged over Salman's reported confession of his prior knowledge of the Mumbai blasts. In Patna, activists chased away the movie buffs who had come to watch the latest release. Salman has kept himself away from the media and his lawyer had issued a denial saying the voice in the tape is not that of Khan's. Senior BJP leaders in Maharshtra have also demanded for a high level enquiry and stern action against Khan if he is guilty.

Anthrax scare hits cattle trade in Tamil Nadu (Go To Top)

     Pollachi (Tamil Nadu): Cattle traders of Tamil Nadu are severely hit by a ban on entry of cattle by neighbouring Kerala following an anthrax scare. There were reports of anthrax in Tamil Nadu's Theni district after which the neighbouring state placed a ban on cattle entry. The worst affected is the Pollachi cattle market, on the Kerala- Tamil Nadu border. One of the biggest in south India, thousands of heads of cattle is brought twice a week to Pollachi. But now there are hardly any buyers following the ban. Cattle owners lament the decision saying it has adversely hit their sales with as many as 40 loads of cattle still waiting for an entry at the border. Around 3,000 cattle meant for slaughtering in Kerala is stranded are at the Pollachi cattle market. "Two weeks ago there were rumours of anthrax scare in Theni district in Tamil Nadu, there by the cows sent to Kerala via Theni were banned. Now the Kerala government has banned the entire cattle entering Kerala from all six districts from Tamil Nadu. With this the cattle traders are affected, now no buyers are coming here for trading," said Srinivasan, a cattle trader from Tamil Nadu. Mustafa, a buyer from Kerala, said the ban has brought down cattle prices. "Every week I used to purchase 30 cows from this cattle market. Now I had taken almost 60 cows, because the cows sold for 14,000 rupees are now sold for 6,000 rupees. Due to the ban imposed in Kerala we are getting cattle at cheaper cost," he said. As a result of the ban the cattle traders have suffered an estimated loss of 50 million rupees (1.15 million dollar) in the past week. Cattle merchants demand that the government should step in to resolve the matter at the earliest. Anthrax, mainly a disease of farm animals, is spread by spores. Without quick antibiotic treatment, more than 80 percent of people become ill after inhaling the spores die.

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