Quicktakes

People panicked and ran out of their houses as doors and windows rattled. The quake was also experienced in Jalandhar and Shimla.

Bomb found

AYODHYA: Police today recovered a powerful time bomb planted at the Ayodhya railway station, minutes before the scheduled arrival of two trains.

The eight-kg bomb, fitted with wires and concealed in a jute bag, was kept under a seat on the station platform where hundreds of pilgrims returning after Ram Navami celebrations were waiting for trains. A tea vendor noticed the bomb and alerted the police who seized it immediately. Two policmen were injured while defusing the bomb.

Azhar unfit

MUMBAI: Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin will not play in India8217;s last two league matches of the ongoing triangular limited over seriesagainst Sri Lanka and Pakistan because of a shoulder injury.

Azharuddin has consulted sports medicine expert Dr Anant Joshi who has advised him rest.The team, to be led by Ajay Jadeja, will play Sri Lanka at Pune on March 30 and Pakistan at Mohali on April 1.

Pak visa norms

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to ease visa restrictions for women, children and the aged from India who want to visit the country. A formal announcement in this regard is expected soon, an official spokesperson said here yesterday. The women, children and the aged would be exempted from reporting to the police during their stay.

Adoption racket

HYDERABAD: S Peter Subbayya, who is allegedly behind the adoption racket, has been suspended from the primary membership of the Congress. Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Y S Rajasekhara Reddy suspended him for quot;anti-party activitiesquot;, a party release here said.