Quicktakes

Iraqi jihad

BAGHDAD: Iraq declared holy war on United Nations sanctions on Sunday, calling for a one-million volunteer force to push for an end to the seven-year-old embargo it says has caused widespread starvation and death. Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan has said that the volunteers would be given weapons training from the start of next month. He did not however, say how they could overthrow the sanctions regime, imposed in 1990.

Pak intrusion

JAMMU: Three Pakistani planes violated the air space agreementby coming close to the Indo-Pak border in Samba sub-sector of Jammu region yesterday. These planes flew here for a few minutes before moving back to Pakistani side. Air space agreement between the two countries requires fixed wing planes and helicopters to maintain a safe distance from the border.

Punchhi sworn in

NEW DELHI: Justice Mandan Mohan Punchhi was today sworn in as the 28th Chief Justice of India by President K R Narayanan at a function in the glittering Ashoka Hall of Rastrapathi Bhavan here. The brief three minute oath-taking ceremony was watched by a distinguished gathering led by Prime Minister I K Gujral.