Chandigarh Headlines

Diplomat to Pakistan assaulted
An Indian diplomat was seriously injured when he was brutally assaulted, allegedly by a private security guard in Islamabad this morning, Indian High Commission sources said. The attache rank official, posted here six months ago, received severe head injuries in the attack and was rushed to a private nursing home, according to a report from Islamabad.

Ghauri-II expected
Pakistan will soon carry out a second launch of its new medium-range Ghauri missile, a leading US newspaper quoting intelligence agencies has said. The Washington Times quoting an intelligence official said yesterday, quot;US is expecting a second test of the 925-mile Ghauri within the next weekquot;, says a report from Washington.

Dar8217;s relative shot dead
Former Union Minister of State for Home Mohammad Maqbool Dar8217;s brother-in-law was killed and elder brother kidnapped by militants in south Kashmir today. Elsewhere in the state, three members of a family and six militants were among 15 people killed while forces captured eight militants during the past 24 hours, says a report from Srinagar.

Union Budget today
The 1998-99 Union Budget, to be presented by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha tomorrow, is likely to be industry and investor friendly with focus on public investment in infrastructure and thrust on larger foreign direct investment flows, a report from New Delhi says.