DINA for the issue of January 20, 2014

	January 20, 2014 | Rabi-ul-Awwal 18, 1435
The DAWN Internet News Alert (DINA) is a free daily news service from Pakistan’s largest English language newspaper, the Daily DAWN.
Balochistan by-polls held in 12 districts By Our Staff Correspondent QUTTEA: By-elections for 98 seats of local bodies in 12 districts of Balochistan were held in a peaceful atmosphere on Sunday.	For suggestions and comments: Email: webmaster@dawn.com Website: http://dawn.com Fax: +92(21) 35693995
Massive blast in Bannu garrison By Abdul Salam BANNU: In one of the deadliest Taliban attacks in recent years, 20 soldiers were killed and 30 others injured when an explosives-laden vehicle in a military convoy exploded inside the Bannu garrison on Sunday. There were conflicting reports about the nature of the attack. Some blamed it on a suicide bomber while others said that the bomb had been detonated by remote control.
Taliban own up to attack and call for talks By Our Correspondent BANNU: Immediately after the Bannu garrison blast which left 20 soldiers dead and 30 injured, the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the deadly attack and, at the same time, said it wanted ‘meaningful’ dialogue with the government. TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said in a statement that his organisation was ready for “sincere and meaningful” talks with the government. “Despite having suffered heavy losses we are ready for meaningful talks.”
PM cancels Davos visit Dawn Report LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has cancelled his visit to the Swiss city of Davos following a deadly attack on security forces in Bannu and decided to take a clear position with respect to militancy in tribal areas. The prime minister took the decision at a meeting held at his Jati Umra residence on Sunday to brief him on the proposed metro bus project for twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Army to investigate ‘security lapse’: Nisar By Iftikhar A. Khan ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan described Sunday’s bomb attack in Bannu cantonment area as a clear security lapse and said the army would investigate the matter. Addressing a press conference here, he said the explosion had taken place in a private vehicle hired by the Frontier Corps (FC) to move troops.
Tarar pleads innocence; Tharoor seeks fast probe By Jawed Naqvi NEW DELHI: The Pakistani woman journalist caught at the centre of a marital discord between an Indian minister and his wife, who died of unnatural causes on Friday, was quoted on Sunday as denying any role in the tragedy. Mehr Tarar was quoted by several Indian news outfits as telling a Pakistani channel that she had met Indian Minister Shashi Tharoor only twice – in April in India for an interview and in June last year in Dubai.
India accused of playing games to stop Kashmir trade By Tariq Naqash MUZAFFARABAD: An Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) official has accused Indian authorities of resorting to blame game to bring the trans-Line of Control trade and travel into disrepute. Talking to reporters on Sunday about allegations that heroin was seized from one of the trucks going from AJK to India-held Kashmir, retired Brig Mohammad Ismail, Director General of the AJK Travel and Trade Authority (Tata), confirmed that trade and travel activities would not take place through the three border crossing points from Monday (today). Trans-LoC travel takes place every week on Monday through Chakothi-Uri, Tetrinote-Chakan da Bagh and Chilyana-Titwal crossing points while trade activities are conducted through the first two crossing points from Tuesday to Friday.
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