Four Nepali women being sent to Muscat detained at Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur, Sept 19 (ANI): Volunteers of a social service organisation and the personnel of the Anti-Human Trafficking Cell of Uttar Pradesh Police at Gorakhpur detained four Nepalese women.

Reportedly, as per the statement of the women who were taken into custody at the Gorakhpur Railway Station, they were intending to go to Muscat.

These women had entered India through the Sanauli border post.

Although all the four women had their respective passports with them, only two of them could show their endorsed visas for Muscat.

“Our team visited the railway station along with a Nepali counsellor. When she saw these women and spoke to them, they gave some wrong information, which in turn sounded fishy and made us to suspect something was amiss. When we asked them where they were heading, initially they said Oman and again changed their statement saying, New Delhi. When our counsellor asked them for their passports, some said they had it while others said they didn’t. So, we found them suspicious,” said Gyan Kumar, co-ordinator, Maanava Sewa Sansthan, Gorakhpur.

Amidst such confusing utterances by the women, the police believe that one of the women named Dilmaya was trying to send the other three to Muscat by bringing them from Nepal.

She claimed that they were going to Muscat because they had their relatives residing and working there.

“These people held us for interrogation. We asked them either to let us go to Nepal or else allow us to go to Muscat. We have our relatives there,” said Dilmaya.

A couple of months ago, police officials of Gorakhpur had detained five women who were allegedly being trafficked to Gulf countries for flesh trade.

Reportedly, a pimp was escorting these women to Mumbai from where they were to be sent to certain destinations in the Middle East. (ANI)

Climate change will lead to less ultraviolet radiation over northern high latitudes

Imphal, Sep.16 (ANI): “Move onward with the Lord within your heart and with the footprints of your ancestors in your eyes’ is the greatest moral teaching from Heigru Hidongba ceremony held every year in Manipur.

Heigru Hidongba, a socio-religious ceremony, to exhibit the firm devotion of the descendants of the Great Grand Mantri Anandashai of Lord Bejoy Govindajee was recently held in Imphal.

Devotees brought offerings of Heigru (Amla) fruit to the almighty on the 11th day of Langban Manipuri month which coincides with September to bring prosperity to the community.

During this festival a special boat race ‘Hiyang Tanaba’ is held in the sacred Thangapat Moat of Sagolband, Bejoy Govinda in Imphal amidst singing of devotional songs and a lot of clamour.

It attracted a huge number of spectators on this occasion. “We have organized the ceremony so that we can come and pray together so that the ills of the society will be removed and also for peace to be restored in our land that is filled with violence. In other places, it is celebrated anytime as a festival but we celebrate it as it is our custom,” said Boshana, organiser of the Heigru Hidongba festival.

“This is the 231st Heigru Hidongba Festival. The main theme of the festival is about preserving the age old traditional beliefs and customs of our culture,” said Magochandra, a local resident.

Devotees converged at the Bijoygobinda Moat at Sagoband to witness the ceremony symbolising the unity, which was once deeply rooted amongst the Manipuris’ ancestors and for their struggle for peace and freedom.

Devotees, today, believe that the ceremony brings prosperity to the State and overcomes ills of the society. (ANI)

Salman Khan spends time with mentally challenged children in Jaipur

Jaipur, Sep 3 (ANI): Bollywood actor Salman Khan on Thursday attended a function that was hosted exclusively for mentally challenged children in Rajasthan’s capital city Jaipur.

Salman was accompanied by choreographer Prabhu Deva, who has directed Khan’s upcoming movie ‘Wanted’, were invited by Umang, a voluntary organisation that works for the welfare of mentally challenged children.

The children were excited to see their favourite actor amidst them, and danced to the tune of songs from Khan’s movie including hits from his upcoming movie, ‘Wanted’.

A visibly emotional Salman was seen obliging the children with his autographs, and further he and Prabhu Deva also enthusiastically joined the dancing children.

Earlier in 2007, Salman had visited the kids of Umang. He said that he will keep coming to Jaipur to meet children of Umang.

“That year also it was lot of fun. This year also it was a lot of fun. Isn’t it? I will keep coming again and again,” said Khan.

Salman also announced to donate Rs. 5,00,000 for a new building, which Umang intends to construct for these children. (ANI)

BSE crosses 140 points on opening trade

Mumbai June 22 (ANI): The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) benchmark sensex crossed over 140 points in opening trade, thanks to the capital inflows by foreign funds, and signals of stability from the other Asian markets.

Continuing its rising pace for the second consecutive session, the 30-share index, which was pitched at 256.36 points in the last session, collected another 140.40 points, to register 14,662.29 in opening trade.

The leading Asian markets like Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was up 2.25 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.30 percent in morning trade.

According to experts, pick up in buying by foreign funds, sparked by firming trends in the Asian markets and covering-up of short positions by speculators mainly influenced the trading sentiments but this trend was confined to a few sectors only.

The shares of Reliance Communications were in good demand and traded 3.16 percent higher at Rs 314.80 amidst speculations of its strategic alliance with China mobile.

The Sensex also gained from the raise in the shares of Reliance Industries by 0.25 per cent at Rs 2,044.70, Reliance Infra 1 per cent at Rs 1,274.90, BHEL 1.79 per cent at Rs 2,128, Grasim Industries 1.38 per cent at Rs 335.10, L and T 2.81 per cent at Rs 1,538.15, Mahindra and Mahindra 1.04 per cent at Rs 745, ICICI Bank 2.36 per cent at Rs 730.60.

Following the trends of BSE the National Stock Exchange (NSE) index Nifty moved up 38.65 points to 4,352.25. (ANI)

Hundreds of Muslims to attend Lord Jagannath Yatra in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, June 21 (ANI): Hundreds of Muslims will mark their presence on the occasion of scheduled Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra or, chariot procession to be carried out here on Wednesday (June 24) and display a gesture of brotherhood and communal harmony.

These resident Muslims are eager to be present during the 132nd Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balram and get a glimpse of the chariot procession.

On Saturday, a group of Muslims here presented a souvenir of Lord Jagannath’s chariot to the priest of Jagannath temple, ahead of the scheduled Rath Yatra or chariot procession.

“Despite communal riots of 2002, the Muslims of Ahmedabad are eager to participate in the chariot procession. It shows that they are emotionally attached to this procession,” said Badruddin Sheikh, a religious Muslim leader.

The procession is scheduled to take place amidst tight police security in the communal sensitive areas of the city.

“This procession will take place in a peaceful atmosphere. The Muslim community will extend full cooperation to this procession. The Muslim community is also concerned about the law and order situation and the successful conclusion of the celebrations during this festival. That is why we came here to hand over this (memento),” said Mohammad Hussein Sheikh, President, Ahmedabad Muslim Graduate Association.

After worshipping Lord Jagannath, brother Balram and sister Subhadra within the temple, the heavily decorated chariots, resembling temple structures, will be taken throughout the city. By Ami Sharma (ANI)

Hundreds of Muslims to attend Lord Jagannath Yatra in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, June 21 (ANI): Hundreds of Muslims will mark their presence on the occasion of scheduled Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra or, chariot procession to be carried out here on Wednesday (June 24) and display a gesture of brotherhood and communal harmony.

These resident Muslims are eager to be present during the 132nd Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balram and get a glimpse of the chariot procession.

On Saturday, a group of Muslims here presented a souvenir of Lord Jagannath’s chariot to the priest of Jagannath temple, ahead of the scheduled Rath Yatra or chariot procession.

“Despite communal riots of 2002, the Muslims of Ahmedabad are eager to participate in the chariot procession. It shows that they are emotionally attached to this procession,” said Badruddin Sheikh, a religious Muslim leader.

The procession is scheduled to take place amidst tight police security in the communal sensitive areas of the city.

“This procession will take place in a peaceful atmosphere. The Muslim community will extend full cooperation to this procession. The Muslim community is also concerned about the law and order situation and the successful conclusion of the celebrations during this festival. That is why we came here to hand over this (memento),” said Mohammad Hussein Sheikh, President, Ahmedabad Muslim Graduate Association.

After worshipping Lord Jagannath, brother Balram and sister Subhadra within the temple, the heavily decorated chariots, resembling temple structures, will be taken throughout the city. By Ami Sharma (ANI)

Security forces enter Lalgarh

Lalgarh (West Bengal) June 20(ANI): Security forces tasted the success in “Operation Lalgarh” by re capturing Lalgarh Police station amidst stiff gun battle and land mine blasts by the Maoist ultras in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

The security men celebrated as the police station fell in their way, which was out of bound for nearly six months after an attempt on life of the Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and two other union ministers in last November.

DIG of Midnapore Pravin Kumar said it would take another 48 hours to complete the operation, as the entire area has to be searched to make it clear from the Maoist activists.

Around 50 villages in and around Lalgarh were controlled and declared as “free zone” by the Maoist guerrillas.

The paramilitary forces, which started their march from the Bhimpur, base camp entered Lalgarh through the Jhitkar forests, which was believed to be the stronghold of red brigade.

According to the Superintendet of Police Humanyun Kabir, security men came under heavy firing from Maoists at the between Pingboni-Sarenga, the forces were obstructed by a human wall created by women in Pingboni.

Men from CRPF, BSF, State Armed Police, Eastern Frontier Rifles and the Kolkata Police besides the elite anti naxal force COBRA were involved in the operation.

Ousting the Naxals from the area was not an easy task for the forces as Maoists blocked roads and using land mines blew up the bridges.

In an immediate reaction Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said he will give a serious thought to ban the Maoist organisations from his state. (ANI)

Innovation practitioner certification program launched

New Delhi, June 19 (ANI/Business Wire India): QAI Global Services (www.qaiglobal.com), with a vision to create an innovative workforce in India, has recently launched a new Innovation Practitioner Certification program for individuals across all domains. The program consists of online training and one-on-one mentoring from accredited trainers. The certification awarded at the end of the course is MATRIZ Level 1.

MATRIZ or the International Association of TRIZ is the international authority recognized by organizations such GE, Intel, Siemens, Motorola, LG, Samsung, Unilever, P and G and many other leading organizations. These organizations have trained thousands of their staff on MATRIZ body of knowledge to make the process of innovation structured and predictable.

The mentors have been trained by multiple TRIZ Masters such as Dr. Yury Salamatov, Nikolai Khomenko, Dr. Alla Zusman, Boris Zlotin and are authorized by MATRIZ to set up TRIZ Association of Asia to train students of different age groups.

Innovation Practitioner Certification program has nine modules with a minimum of eighty nine tasks to be completed in four months. Each module concludes with assignments that focus on development of specific skills. The training provided in the modules can also be embedded within other frameworks such as Six sigma, Lean and PDCA. The mentoring and the structure of the program is focused towards developing introspective analytical thinking skills in individuals. The program is a rich blend of strong theory backed by rigorous practical application.

Commenting on the launch, Navyug Mohnot, CEO, QAI said, “Years of rigorous research, training and practice in real world projects as consultants, has led to the creation of this program, suited for individuals irrespective of age or industry. With courses on Morphological Analysis, Identifying and Formulating Contradictions and Size-Time-Cost (STC) Operator amidst many others, this program is a part of our endeavor to create a truly innovative workforce.” (ANI)

Prolonged strike by doctors in Lucknow Medical Institute

Lucknow, May 30 (ANI): Hundreds of patients in Lucknow have been forced to suffer as the authorities of the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) have shut down the institute due to the prolonged strike by the doctors.

The doctors have gone on a strike to register their protest against non-payment of their arrears as per the Sixth Pay Commission, which they claim to be their rightful dues.

Another demand by the doctors is that be their hospital should be assigned the same status as that of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

“Our demand is that the status given to AIIMS and the facilities provided to AIIMS should be given to this hospital as well. The status of a Referral Centre should be maintained,” said Dr. nurag Gupta of Sanjay Gandhi, SGPGIMS

Amidst these claims and demands by the doctors, the patients have had to bear the brunt. They said that the concerned doctors have turned a blind eye and deaf ears to their miseries by not attending to the ailing persons.

Even emergency services had been terminated at the hospital, they said.I have got a transplant done. I am here to meet the concerned doctor but the nurses, staff and police are not letting me meet him. They are saying that the hospital is closed in spite of the fact that the doctor is sitting inside,” said Kamini, a patient.

Meanwhile, Rita Bahugana Joshi who heads the Uttar Pradesh unit of Congress party came out in support of the doctors and other staff members.

She slammed the state government for not paying heed to the genuine demands of the doctors.

“The Uttar Pradesh government has got money to erect elephant statues, build structures, make a park worth 45 thousand millions but it does not have money to pay arrears to 25000 employees. This is unbelievable,” said Joshi.

Doctors said that it was the administration, which was to be blamed for shutting down the hospital by pointing out that they are ready to provide treatment to the people by running parallel emergency services. (ANI)

Flower business booms amidst signs of peace in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 26 (ANI): Amidst signs of normalcy returning to Jammu and Kashmir, the flower business is steadily prospering in the State.

Due to non-existence of flower shops, people could not sell the flowers.

However, that is set to change as the New Delhi-based leading chain of floral boutiques, Ferns ‘N’ Petals, has launched its first store in Srinagar.

It is expected that the newly opened flower store will give boost to the flower market in the state and create a market for the customers, which did not exist earlier.

It is expected that more persons will be involved in the production of flowers, which help boost the economy of the state.

“For the first time in Kashmir, a show room dealing exclusively in fresh flower has opened up so that we can cater to the demands of fresh flower by the customers. It is used in marriages and on a daily basis. Now, people have ventured into production of fresh flower that we send to Delhi and other places. With this showroom, the market will be created,” said Nusrat Jahan, owner, Ferns ‘N’ Petals.

The climatic conditions in Kashmir are favourable for the cultivation of exotic flowers.

“The production of flower is very high. At other places, we need to make a green house and then only the flowers can grow. But here, we don’t need green house, as the climate is very good and the land is fertile, so because of these reasons the business can flourish here,” said Tariq Ahmad, a flower salesman.

The people are happy about the developments taking in the flower sector within the state, as they feel that since it is impossible for the government to provide employment to everyone, hence, shops such as these should be encouraged because it generates employment for the people. (ANI)

Madhav Kumar sworn-in as Nepal Prime Minister

Kathmandu, May 25 (ANI): Newly elected Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal took oath of office and secrecy on Monday.

President Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected Prime Minister amidst a ceremony at the Presidential residence in Shital Niwas this morning.

Vice-President Paramananda Jha, Constituent Assembly (CA) Chairman Subash Chandra Namwang, various political party leaders, chiefs of security bodies, heads of the government and international diplomatic representatives were present at the ceremony.

Madhav Kumar, a UML (Unified Marxist Leninist) nominee, was chosen ‘unopposed’ as the new Prime Minister of Nepal during a legislature-parliamentary session of the Constituent Assembly (CA) on Saturday.

Fifty six-year-old Madhav Kumar, an alumni of Bihar”s Goenka College, received the support of around 360 legislators of 22 political parties, excluding 238 legislators from Maoists and two from the Communist Party of Nepal (United).

He was the Deputy Prime Minister in the Nepalese government during the CPN (UML) minority government as well as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly. He campaigned for the solution of Nepal Civil War through talks and did not believe that mobilization of the army was the solution.

He was arrested in 2001 during a crackdown on anti-government protest.

Following the palace massacre he called for Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to step down, though later joined forces with him to launch a campaign against King Gyanendra”s assumption of executive powers.

On April 12, 2008, Nepal resigned as General Secretary of the CPN (UML) after having lost the Kathmandu-2 seat to Maoist candidate Jhakku Prasad Subedi in the 2008 Constituent Assembly election. Nepal was also defeated in Rautahat-6 constituency by CPN(M) candidate Devendra Patel.

In June 2008, the CPN (UML) proposed that M. K. Nepal become the country’s first President, following the declaration of the country as a republic. (ANI)

Jyotiraditya credits Sonia, PM and Rahul for his victory in elections

Gwalior, May 24 (ANI): Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday said that his victory in the recently held Parliamentary election was the result of Congress party’s concern for the poor people’s upliftment.

“This victory is the victory of Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, youth icon Rahul Gandhi. Their policies and their concern for the upliftment of the poor have shown results,” said Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, who recently won from Guna constituency, was accorded a warm welcome on Sunday by a large number of supporters and local people on Sunday in Gwalior.

Amidst slogans hailing him and Congress party, Jyotiraditya Scindia was greeted by a cheering crowd and was heavily garlanded.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, son of former Congress leader Madhav Rao Scindia, gave his victory’s credit to the party leadership and party’s friendly policies. (ANI)

Army band scoops Best Album Classical Brit Award for music recorded in Iraq

London, May 16 (ANI): An army band, which spent time between recording in a makeshift studio in Iraq and patrolling the streets of Basra, has won the Best Album gong at the Classical Brit Awards.

The pipers of the Royal Scots Dragoon guards were halfway through putting together their album when they were deployed on a six-month tour of Iraq last autumn.

And instead of giving up the project, they shipped their recording equipment to Basra, and braved the 40-degree heat and the risk of grenade attacks to finish the work.

Against all the odds, the album described as “the most dangerous record ever made” was named the year’s best at a star-studded evening held at the Royal Albert Hall.

Major Angus Benson-Blair, who dedicated the award to all British service personnel, accepted it amidst a standing ovation.

“The award is obviously about the album, but I know everyone in the Armed Forces will see also each vote as supporting us in everything we do,” Sky News Online quoted him as saying.

“So on behalf of every single soldier, sailor and airman I would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you for every vote for the pipes and drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Thank you so much,” he added.

The album, Spirit Of The Glen: Journey beat off competition from established stars, including Katherine Jenkins and Andrea Bocelli.

And it marks the first time non-professional musicians have won a Classical Brit. (ANI)

Repolling underway in Rajasthan, WB and Bihar

Jaipur/Kolkata/Patna, May 10 (ANI): Repolling is taking place amidst tight security at 60 booths in Rajasthan, 15 in West Bengal and six in Bihar on Sunday.

The repolling began at 7:00 a.m.

The Election Commission had ordered repolling in the state on different grounds such as damage to EVMs and complaints of large scale booth capturing on May 7.

Repolling is being held in 10 parliamentary constituencies of Rajasthan. The 15 polling booths in West Bengal comprise two in Jangipur seat, nine booths in Howrah and Uluberia seats, one in Hooghly seat and three in Burdwan East and Asansol constituencies.

In Bihar, repolling is being held at six booths in Patliputra and Nalanda parliamentary constituencies. (ANI)

Saddam alleged that he was tortured before his hanging

Washington, May 5 (ANI): In letters from jail, Saddam Hussein alleged that he was tortured, and also complained of sleepless nights

Hussein, who was captured in 2003, said that the “detention gang” was after him night after night.

Saddam poured out his complaints “to whom it may concern” in two Christmas 2003 letters, handwritten in Arabic, which he gave to his U.S. military jailers, the Daily News has learned.

In one letter, he alleged “beatings that I have received following my capture,” in which “not a single part of my body was spared of the severe harm that was inflicted by the detention gang,” adding, “some of the traces are still visible on my body.”

The tyrant and his family, who maintained their 24-year reign over Iraq by torturing and executing thousands, complained that his lockup – believed to be at Baghdad International Airport – was an American-made chamber of horrors.

“My opportunity to sleep in this place is limited and almost scarce. I don’t think there is anyone with a sensitive and humanitarian heart who can sleep amidst the screams of the tortured and the many blows of the doors and the squeaking sounds of the chairs,” he said.

Saddam whined that his “total hours of sleep did not exceed four to five hours.”

The letters were among 352 pages in his declassified FBI file, which The News requested after his December 2006 execution for crimes against humanity. (ANI)

Kerala celebrates Thrissur Pooram

Thrissur, May 4 (ANI): Hundreds of thousands of devotees gathered at Thrissur town in Kerala for Thrissur Pooram, one of the most colourful and grandest temple festivals.

The festival witnesses 30 richly caparisoned elephants divided into two rival groups facing each other in the temple premises amidst drum beats and frenzied shouting of devotees.

As part of the ‘Pooram’, elephants carry the idols of different temple deities in a procession which culminate at the ancient Vadakkumnathan temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Tourists from abroad flocked in large numbers to witness the festival.

“Very nice here on Pooram because you see all the elephants, and the culture,” said Francises, a tourist from Germany.

The foreign tourists enjoyed the festivity.

“We are so impressed by the participation of all the Indian community. For us, it is a first time, we are coming here,” said Alexander, a tourist from England.

This festival is one of the biggest festivals in Kerala as no other festival draws such an unbelievable number of people to a single event.
It is believed that King Sakthan, who ruled Cochin in the late 18th century, started the festival.
The word “Pooram” literally means a group or a meeting. It is believed that the gods and goddesses meet on the day of celebration, which falls in the month of April-May every year. (ANI)

EU to hold emergency meetings over swine flu outbreak

Luxembourg/Brussels – The European Union was gearing up on Monday for a series of emergency meetings on the worldwide swine flu outbreak amidst fears of a global pandemic. EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou has asked for EU health ministers to hold crisis talks on the issue “as soon as possible,” officials in her office said.

The commissioner herself is set to travel to Luxembourg on Monday to give an emergency briefing on the issue to EU foreign ministers, who are holding a scheduled meeting there, diplomats said.

But EU foreign ministers warned their citizens against panic, saying that it was too early to say how the situation could develop.

“Let’s wait until the authorities, those who really know, have their evaluation of the situation. I don’t think we should have undue worries until we know what’s really happening,” Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said. (dpa)

Repolling underway in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, Apr 26 (ANI): Repolling is taking place amidst tight security at 63 booths in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

The Election Commission had ordered the re-poll on Saturday due to irregularities including damage to the electronic voting machines (EVM’s) and technical problems during the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 23.

Twenty-one polling booths in Kadapa, and 14 in Ananthpur districts are among the 63 booths where re-polling is taking place.

The election authorities have ordered installation of cameras in all booths and senior IPS officers have been deployed to oversee the polling.

The polling will continue till 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, following the Election Commission’s orders, 12 election staff members and about 16 agents have been arrested at two polling stations in Kondukur Assembly segments in Prakasam district.

Election officials had brought to notice on Saturday that polling agents in two elections booths in the district were caught on camera while casting votes with the voters.

Chief Electoral Officer I. V. Subba Rao said that the polling agents entered the voting compartments along with genuine voters and manipulated them.

A polling official was also seen advising a voter to cast his vote for a particular party. (ANI)

Repolling underway in Arunachal Pradesh

Itanagar, Apr 20 (ANI): Repolling is taking place amidst tight security in 13 booths in the Arunachal West Parliamentary constituency on Monday.

Polling here was affected during the first phase on April 16 due to incidents of booth capturing and breaking of Electronic Voting Machines.

While eight of these polling stations are located in the state capital, one is in Doimukh near Itanagar and two each in upper and lower Subansiri Districts respectively.

Arunachal Pradesh has recorded over 50 percent polling in the two parliamentary constituencies of Arunachal East and Arunachal West in the first phase of polling.

However, reports from interior places are yet to reach because of lack of communication facilities.

Last time 56.06 percent polling was recorded in the two constituencies.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has informed the Election Commission that it would launch protests if the demand for repoll in three more polling stations in the state capital is not met. (ANI)

ISI chief in US for talks on intelligence cooperation

Washington, Apr 15 (ANI): Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt General Shuja Pasha is in the United States on a two-day visit for talks on intelligence cooperation in wake of US military chief Admiral Michael Mullen’s warning that violence in Afghanistan is set to rise in the coming months.

Lt General. Shuja Pasha’s visit to the US comes amidst increasing concerns voiced by US generals regarding the ISI’s alleged relationship with militant organisations.

During a recent visit to Pakistan, Admiral Mike Mullen briefed a select group of media personnel on US apprehensions regarding the ISI’s alleged support for certain organisations.

Official sources in Washington said that General Pasha is expected to meet the CIA chief and other US intelligence and security officials. So far no meeting is scheduled with senior military or political officials.

His talks, however, are expected to focus enhancing intelligence cooperation between the two countries in the fight against Taliban and al Qaeda militants, the Dawn reported.

A leading news magazine, US News and World Report, warned that for Afghan and American officers fighting the Taliban, “the most persistent worry is that ISI operatives share sensitive information about future operations with the militants.”

Last week, General David Petraeus, commander of the US forces for the greater Middle East region, which includes both Afghanistan and Pakistan, told a congressional panel that he too had been concerned about the ISI leaking information to the Taliban.

As a result, many within the US military remain suspicious about how much cooperation, particularly in intelligence matters, can really occur with Pakistani forces, he said.

But he also said that the US ‘must do everything we can to assist’ the Pakistanis but this ‘has to be done very carefully.’ (ANI)