Two Taliban commanders arrested in Peshawar

Updated at: 0432 PST,  Sunday, June 28, 2009
PESHAWAR: Intelligence Agencies claimed to have arrested two Taliban commanders during military operations in separate areas of the provincial capital on Saturday while another Taliban commander was shot dead by unknown militants, according to Geo news sources.

The arrested commanders were identified as Azizullah and Abdullah who were nabbed amid forces’ anti-Taliban operations from Sikandar Road and University Town areas of Peshawar.

Two commanders were wanted in separate cases of kidnapping for ransom who actually hailed from Khyber Agency, sources said, adding that they have been taken to unidentified place for investigation.

Another commander, gunned down in B

Iran deadlock drags on as Mousavi rejects part recount

Updated at: 0204 PST,  Sunday, June 28, 2009 TEHRAN: Political deadlock continued in Iran as opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi on Saturday rejected a panel set up to hold a partial recount of votes in the disputed presidential election. Refusing to be cowed by a raid on the offices of a party that backed him or by an aide turning against him and blaming him for deaths during protests, Mousavi again demanded a full re-run of the election. “Limiting the probe into complaints about electoral irregularities to recounting 10 percent of the ballot boxes cannot attract people’s trust and convince public opinion about the results,” the moderate candidate said on his campaign website. Top political arbitration body the Expediency Council urged all candidates to cooperate with the panel, set up by electoral watchdog the Guardians Council. But Mousavi said, “Reaching a just judgement is not within the domain of the Guardians Council and above all a board which is appointed by this council. “I insist again on cancelling the election (results) as the most suitable way out of the problem,” he said. The issue should be referred to a body which observes (Islamic) Sharia law, has legal status and is independent, said the former prime minister, who trailed in 11 million votes behind incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad according to official results from the June 12 election. The Guardians Council said that although it has ordered a partial recount, no “major irregularities” have so far been found and the elections were the “cleanest we have had.”

Pakistan players escorted military security in Lanka

Updated at: 0730 PST,  Sunday, June 28, 2009
COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan Cricket (SC) has hired services of security forces including military security for safeguarding Pakistan cricket players during their tour to Sri Lanka, board sources said.

As many as 100 security men will be deployed for the Pakistan team security, said spokesman Sri Lanka cricket team Charith Senanayake.

He said the best ever security arrangements have been set up for Pakistan cricket team while Sri Lanka cricket will do its best to make Pakistan players pleased.

There will be seven security vehicles, which will keep Pakistan team escorted during their journey from hotel to stadium, he added.

8 militants killed, as jets kept pounding South Waziristan

Updated at: 1109 PST,  Sunday, June 28, 2009
WANA: At least eight militants were killed and two of their hideouts demolished as the security forces jets kept pounding South Waziristan, while two security personnel were also martyred and three injured in militants’ attack on FC Camp.

Operation Rah-e-Nijat against the militants in South Waziristan has entered into the third week now, while the heavy guns and jet fighters of the security forces continued pounding the militants’ hide   … Full Story

India beat West Indies in 1st ODI

Updated at: 1243 PST,  Saturday, June 27, 2009
KINGSTON: India held off West Indies to win their high-scoring first one-day cricket international by 20 runs at Sabina Park on Friday.

Yuvraj Singh’s blistering 131 off 102 balls helped India pile up339-6, but West Indies made a game chase to be all out for 319 with11 balls to spare. The second match is on Sunday.

President Zardari ensures safe return of Malakand affectees

Updated at: 1527 PST,  Saturday, June 27, 2009 ISLAMABAD: The chief of Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali met President Asif Zardari on Saturday. According to a statement issued from President House, both leaders discussed coalition government, law and order situation, security issues specially Swat and Malakand situation during the meeting. The ongoing operation in Swat and Malakand and IDPs aid and their rehabilitation also came under discussion. Geo News sources sa   … Full Story