SHIMLA: Kashmiri militants, who massacred 35 labourers in Chamba district on Monday, had taken nine people hostage but released three of them, official sources said today. Police were interrogating the three Latif, Ahmed Din and Muhammad Sharif released by the militants and drawing up a strategy to nab them. Meanwhile, six persons, including a Border Security Force jawan, were killed and 21 wounded when Pakistani troops continued firing and shelling at Indian positions in the Valley for eighth consecutive day today, raising the death toll to 53.

Back in Cong

NEW DELHI: Former Karnataka chief minister S Bangarappa and former Union minister Abrar Ahmed today re-joined the Congress. AICC general secretary Tariq Anwar told reporters that party president Sonia Gandhi has admitted them into the party with immediate effect.

UK envoy

NEW DELHI: After prolonged uncertainty, the government today announced the appointment of Lalit Mansingh, Secretary (West) inthe External Affairs Ministry, as India's high commissioner to the United Kingdom. Singh replaces Salman Haidar, who had put in his papers after the BJP-led coalition government assumed office.